Home Again!

I have returned home, from Elgin!  I had a great week!  God really confirmed for me that International Teams is where I need to be.  The staff there was great and so helpful!  I only had one roommate, who was a blast!  Her name was Mary and she is working against human-trafficking in Grand Rapids, Michigan!  There was a group of about 25 of us in training.  There was a team going to Tunisia, a family going to Yemen, plus others going to places such as Greece, Bolivia, Grand Rapids, Fort Wayne, Turkey, and I think I've covered them all.

We were given a set amount of food to go grocery shopping with and had lunches together.   Our first night we had a progressive dinner.  This is when we start out in one apartment with one course, then move to a different apartment for each following course.  We had delicious salad, bread, spaghetti, and dessert.  The dessert was mine and Mary's job.  We made cupcakes and brownies, which appeared to be a huge hit. It was a great time of fellowship and learning.  A group of us ate with no hands for spaghetti, as practice for different types of culture! Haha!

Our classes each day started with devotionals and learning about different missionaries around the globe, as well as lessons on salvation throughout the bible.  We had cross-cultural communications each day as well as a variety of other topics!  The activities and lessons, I feel have definitely better equipped me for the mission field.

Also, Pat Tucker was a huge help in working with me in the visa situation!

Now, being back home I"m just working on getting my visa together to send off!

God is SO good!

On the Road!

Ciao!

After being in the car for 14 hours yesterday I am currently sitting in Chicago, IL.  My step-dad drove me and we made a stop in Franklin, TN to meet with a representative of the Italian consulate.  It surprisingly was in a home!  But it was a quick meeting, maybe 10 minutes long and that is including the wait time.  Leaving I was thinking, "We drove an extra few hours for this?"   But then I realized I am glad it didn't take any longer because then I would have been in on the road even longer!

I am now preparing to head to Elgin for training with International Teams.  I will be there for a week with other missionaries in training.  I am truly excited to see what God will do, what I will learn, and what He will reveal to me as well as my team!  Please be praying for openness in my heart and mind to learn, unity as a team as we learn together, and for Christ just to just bind satan back.  He has already tried getting a foothold but my God is bigger than that!

I will keep you updated as much as I can!

Oh! More great news!  I have been officially approved for a student loan for my trip!  If you would still like to give please do so!

God is SO Good!

The BBQ fundraiser went great!   I was blessed with receiving over $1,000 in donations! I am now at about 58% of my funding!  God is so good!  Please continue to pray!  I know God will provide it!

If you would still like to give financially to this trip, the deadline is September 1!  If you feel led to do so, thank you so much!

I am getting so excited for what God is doing and will do!

Thanks for the support!

HELP NEEDED!

Hello!

I am currently working on my homework for training in Elgin, IL.  One of my homework assignments is to interview someone who is a new immigrant to the United States from Italy!  I do not think I know anyone like that!  If you do please let me know, so I may get in touch with them!  Thanks!

In His Love.

UPDATE #3!

God is so awesome!  I had my final meeting with my proctor from the University of Memphis who is overseeing my internship through international teams.  Our meeting was quick in the sense that we got everything done with no problems!  I am registered for everything that I need to be school-wise.  Also, I thought I had to do additional work for the class, but it turns out not to be too bad!  Also, a blessing!

Please continue to pray for my Visa application.  My proctor has agreed to send a letter to the Italian embassy if need be to help me get into the country for a longer period of time!  The letter will simply state that I am able to use this mission trip for school credit!  My funding is also coming along more swiftly! I have less than a month to get the rest of my money either pledged or fully funded, so PLEASE be praying for that as well!  I can't wait to see how He will provide!

In His Love,

Lindsey

UPDATE #2!

Ciao!

Just thought I would give an update of everything going on with preparation for my trip!  God has been so good!  I was getting a bit discouraged with the fact that funding was not happening too much.  I was completely reliant on God to move but in the nature of my humanness it was frustrating.  But God has definitely revealed His power and awesomeness this week and has definitely reminded me of His glory and how much He will provide!  I am currently at 17.6% of all my funding.  This includes one time gifts as well as pledges.  If you feel led to give you may do so through iteams.org/give or can mail it in!  You can do donations or pledges, either way!

Also, if you know of anyone who is need of "odd jobs" being done and is willing to aid in bringing Christ's love to the people and refugees of Italy.  Please let me know or give them my information!

More great news, I was able to speak to/Skype with Rachel Uthmann today, the wife of the family I will be working with in Italy.  We discussed funding as well as visa applications.  I have spoken with the Italy consulate and originally believed I would have to make an additional trip to Detroit, MI to fill out my application.  But thanks be the God that I only have to travel to Franklin, TN to apply and then send off the application.  I have also received my homework to begin training for my internship, everything is just beginning to fall into place!

With my internship so obstacles are coming up, but nothing God can't take care of!  I have spoken to my advisor at the University of Memphis who approved me to apply for the internship class.  But she is saying that it may not work to be eligible for the University of Memphis.

Some prayer requests!
-God would just continue to teach and guide me in a spiritual aspect for my trip
-God would continue to provide funding in any way possible for my trip (I have learned not to put God in a box with this!)
-All of the visa information would "pan out" and it would be no trouble at all
-The new program being constructed in Italy, and the team that already is and will be over there
-Basically, "Lord do what you do!"




God is so good!  I cannot wait to see not only what He does while I am there, but also in preparing me for this trip!  He has been revealing His character and power and greatness, nothing like it!

In His Love,

Lindsey

"I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.  I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."-- Isaiah 42: 6-7

REMINDER!

Hey ya'll just wanted to throw out a reminder to those of you who have spoken to me about being able to give financially for my trip.

First of all, thank you so much!!!! I truly am incredibly grateful for you being able to and answering God's call to give!!

If you still plan on giving my deadline is August 15. If you need to do it at a later date please message/text/call me about it. I just really need to know where I am financially for this trip. If you have given already please let me know. I do not need to know the amount I just want to make sure all donations have been credited to me.

Also, just a reminder that there is the option to give monthly if you choose to do so. I believe there is a way to specify that online; I know for sure you can if you do it through the mail.

I do have some good news! I found out (reread more closely rather) that I only have to have the first two months as well as training costs by this deadline. I just need to have the rest of it pledged before I leave.

If you cannot give, I understand. PLEASE be praying for God to bless this trip, not only financially but in every aspect of what He has called me to do. Also, that He would just provide opportunities to create funding.

If you know of anyone needing work done, and would be willing to donate financially as compensation please let me know!

In His Love,

Lindsey


Amount Needed by August 15: $5,000
Monthly Pledges Needed: $2,000 per month
Total Amount Still Needed: $14,100