To start off, I thought you'd like to meet my team. There is only me and one other STINTer, and we will be joining an already existing team. Our team leaders are Jimmy and Meagan Williams (joined by their newborn daughter Rita). They joined staff in the U.S., but are going on their 3rd year on ICS (International Campus Staff) in Geelong. Juno and Elisha Broadbent (and their two children), are the Australian staff natives who just finished raising support and were able to join Jimmy and Meagan a few months ago. And rounding out the team are the STINTers, Erin Todd and I. Erin just graduated from the University of Arizona, so we will both be the new kids on the block! Erin and I have only known each other for a few months, but it becomes more and more clear to me why the two of us were put together, and I already feel blessed to be going through this experience with her. This team is quite a mix, and definitely different from my team last year, but I'm excited to see how the Lord is going to bring us together and use all the unique backgrounds that are being brought to this team.
I'm hoping and praying to be able to leave with my team on January 11, 2010. There are only two things standing in my way: getting my visa and finishing support. The visa application is... well, lets just say I've used the phrase "drowning in paper work" way more times than I ever wanted to. My part is pretty much done, I'm just waiting to get my FBI clearance, so I can send off my entire visa application. I leave in 10 weeks, and they say that it can take up to 12 weeks to get your visa, so I'm praying for the Lord's sovereignty over this process! And then there's raising support... I still have a ways to go and, as usual, time seems to be slipping away from me. I know that the Lord is abundantly rich, and raising this money is nothing for such a big God, but my human side gets in the way and doubt has a tendency to creep in. It could not be more clear that it's the Lord's plan for me to go to Australia (I'm so grateful for this confidence in His will!), and I'm excited to see how He's going to get me there.
If you could be praying for these two things I would greatly appreciate it!! God is so good and I can't wait to see what kind of wonderful works He has planned for us. Thanks guys!
Nothing but love,
Michelle
Erin and I at STINT Briefing - I love this girl!
