FEBRUARY

MK, MISSIONARY

AND THIRD-CULTURE

A D V O C A T E

2012

MI CH EL E S NE WS

Reality sets in. Miracles occur.

I woke up feeling teary yesterday. Im sure thats not the most upbeat introduction to a newsletter youve ever read, and it certainly doesnt follow any of the How to Write a Peppy Ministry Update rules. But its the truth. It took me until this afternoon to gure out what was causing my unusually melancholy mood. Thats when I realized that its been seven months since I left Germany for good, and as I begin to search for more permanent housing in the Wheaton area, the reality that my European days are behind me is beginning to sink in. We MKs dont deal well with losing our heart-homes, and the thought that Im really here to stay has given me pause. BUT God knew this moment would come, and He has been orchestrating events and relationships in such a way that this temporary mellowing is actually pointing me to the miracles He has been pouring into this transition. Id like to share a couple of them with you, because theyre evidence that God doesnt just open a window when He closes a door, He stands on the other side and proves Himself faithful over and over again. Im overwhelmed with gratitude and praise.

Be shepherds of Gods ock that is under your care, watching over them not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be.
I Peter 5:2
MINISTRY MIRACLES: Ready for this miracle? Starting this month, Ill be writing and recording segments about MKs for Trans World Radios worldwide Member Care Media. The invitation came from strangers who stumbled across my website and passed my name on to the radio stations producer. Incredible and humbling. Another surprise came in December, when Wheaton Colleges alumni magazine wrote to ask if they could feature this ministry in their upcoming issue. Uh...sure! So an article about my life and my calling to advocate for MKs will soon be winging its way around the globe. With Wheatons long roster of missionary alumni, Im praying this will lead to more ministry-expanding contacts. When I returned to the States to broaden my territory, I never imagined that my advocating for MKs would extend to the ends of the earth! When Im not going global (!), I continue to devote my time to getting the word out about Missionaries Kids through every means available to me. Whether it be through writing, in one-on-one sessions, communicating by email or speaking to church groups, I am thrilled to reveal Gods heart for MKs to people who may have been involved in missions for their entire lives, but never stopped to consider the impact of the call on the children growing up between worlds. Please contact me to speak for your church group. Will travel! FINANCIAL MIRACLES: If youre on my email list, you heard in January that I needed to raise $600 per month in order to stay nancially aoat. All I did was send out that email, and as of yesterday, $525/month has been pledged! I am oored and overwhelmed and so grateful! The miracle and sacrices of this answer to prayer make me want to launch into a joyous rendition of Great is Thy Faithfulness. As if I needed any more conrmation that the Lord wants me here and not in my other home across the sea! I am so blessed by this calling and by His provision through you.

QUICK LINKS!
Some of the blog entries you may have missed since my last letter. Click on the link beneath each picture to be taken to the page.

What Not To Swear - MKs and Pop Culture. Click here.

Emptied Arms - the reality of mission-eld neglect. Click here.

The Ugly Normal - When abuse is considered normal in foreign cultures. Click here. (Scroll down for short praise and prayer items!)

PRAYER ITEMS:
PRAISE: for mellow moments that lead to a grateful heart. for a new life in a new place that is populated with precious new and old friends. for so many opportunities to advocate for MKs and missionaries. PRAY: for wisdom as I interact with those who seek me out. for the remaining $75/month of needed support to be pledged. Im excited to see how He provides! that Ill nd the right place to live in this area.

SERVING WITH GLOBAL OUTREACH MISSION

Give: From Global Outreachs Donate page - www.missiongo.org/support or write to Global Outreach, PO Box 2010, Buffalo, NY 14231-2010 Contact: 301 E Liberty Drive, Wheaton, IL 60187 Email: shellphoenix@gmail.com