Time is moving quickly as the reality of moving to Uganda
begins to set. I used to think of graduation as a barrier between me and my
departure, and then I graduated. Then I had vacation with my family to segment
my time, and that too has passed. Now what? Now I have Missionary Orientation
Training in Tupelo, MS…but that is where I am currently. This week will quickly
pass, and then will the reality of my leaving really set in? I guess so,
because it is already beginning to! July 17th is approaching
quickly.
As I mentioned, since the last letter I sent out I have
successfully graduated from LeTourneau University and moved back to Elverson,
Pennsylvania. I am thankful for the years that I spent at LeTourneau because I
know that God used them to equip me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually for
ministry. But praise God that I am done – I am so thankful to be graduated!
My time at home has been great. I am spending my time
reconnecting with my community in Pennsylvania and building a strong prayer
base. Part of that has been presenting about Good Shepherd’s Fold (GSF) and
sharing about what my role will be like at GSF with the small groups at
Community Evangelical Free Church (CEFC). I was also given the opportunity to
speak to some women at CEFC during the Spring Women’s Social! It has been a
blessing to share about Gods work in Uganda.
Thank you for your prayers for sweet, quality time with my
friends and family, because God is definitely graciously giving me time to
savor with those closest to me. Specifically, my entire family was able to
spend a week together for vacation. Being together is always a sweet time, but
it was especially special for me knowing that it would be at least a year until
we are all together again. It is amazing how God can use family. Part of me
feels like having a strong, close family makes it harder for me to leave
America and live in Africa, but I have realized that it is this loving family
that gives me the confidence and support to go out and serve God overseas.
God is blessing me with tangible encouragement as I feel my
community spur me on towards His calling. Thank you for all of your prayers
thus far. I have already had several inquiries about how to begin sponsoring a
child at GSF. I also was given an awesome blessing of a family friend
purchasing my ticket to Africa with frequent flyer miles. This kind of
generosity is humbling and exciting as I get to witness the body of Christ at
work. What a testimony of God’s love!
I am currently sitting at a Starbucks in Tupelo,
Mississippi, the hometown of Global Outreach International, which is the
missions organization that I am working through. Good Shepherd’s Fold requires
that all missionaries coming to serve at the orphanage apply through this
organization. This week will be a time of extensive training and learning
“missionary stuff” (such as how to handle finances, insurance, etc.) Honestly,
I do not really know the extent of the content that will be covered, but I know
it is enough to fill five full days!
Looking forward, I will be speaking at Community Evangelical
Free Church on the evening of July 1st – you are welcome to come!
CEFC asked me to lead the missions emphasis of Vacation
Bible School (VBS) this year. What an amazing opportunity to connect these
young children with the children of Good Shepherd’s Fold! Much of my excitement
comes because I know how awesome of an opportunity this really is, but that
level of excitement is met with my level of expectation to do well and make the
most of it. I will be teaching four different age groups three evenings, and I
would love each age group to grasp at least some understanding of GSF and an
emotional connection with a child at GSF.
I am so thankful for your prayers and involvement with my
calling to work at Good Shepherd’s Fold. Please keep praying, especially during
these last six weeks before I leave! Here are some things to pray for during
this time:
- Please pray that my time at missionary orientation training would
be productive and informative. Pray that I would grow relationships with the
other missionaries going through training who will be participating in missions
throughout the world! Also, I will be driving from Tupelo back to Elverson on
Friday (approximately a 17 hour drive). Please pray for traveling mercies!
- Please pray that my lessons for Vacation Bible School would
be effective and creative, and that I would communicate in a way that catches
the hearts of these children! Also pray that God would work in the hearts of
the VBS children to become prayer warriors for the children of GSF.
- Please pray that God would
continue to prepare me spiritually
for missions, and for His protection against spiritual attack from Satan.
- I received word from the Gwartney
family (missionaries at Good Shepherd’s Fold). They asked for prayer as they
are feeling overwhelmed with responsibility and duties at the orphanage.
Burnout is common among missionaries to GSF, so please pray for perseverance for the Gwartney family.
They also said that neat new relationships
are emerging with many of the children of GSF, so praise God for that!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this
and be a part of this work that God is doing – work that is eternal and for His
kingdom!
In Christ,
Corinne Stoltzfus
52S. Brick Lane, Elverson, PA
19520Phone: 610.301.7775
If you would like to make a financial contribution to this trip, please send or give me cash or check (address is provided above). Checks can be written out to Community Evangelical Free Church with “Good Shepherd’s Fold” written in the memo. You may also contribute to the GSF ministry by sponsoring a child at the orphanage! Email me if this interests you!
We're so excited for you!!!
ReplyDeleteMay you have a easy trip to Jinja and much strength and rest in the spirit.
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