As we all begin to enjoy the fall colors, the smells of pumpkins and apples, and the cool chill that hits us each morning…we cannot help but recognize that the seasons have shifted. As children prepare to go Trick-or-Treating tonight and collect their loot of candy, I too am making preperations for this change in seasons.
As with the changes that come with different seasons, there are also changes that naturally occur with seasons of life. I have found myself in such a state fo change, and entering in to a new season of life. As most of you already know, I have moved from Atlanta to Minneapolis! These two places could not be more differentin regards to weather and landscaping. However, they do have one thing in common that seems to stand out. . . God has called me to each of them for a season of life.
My time spent in Georgia has been incredible! I have been so blessed and fortunate to have worked with Adventures in Missions and grow in my faith the way I have. My time there has taught me so much about myself and about humanity. I was blessed to be a part of some amazing ministries that took place in Haiti, Georgia, Alabama, Louisianna, and Pennsylvania. This doesn’t include the ministries I have been able to partner with from a dozen different states by working with various youth groups and adult teams that have come to help do the work that God has called me to. God has used me to impact lives in a very tangible way this past year. He has allowed me to be witness to lives changing, to hearts being restored, and love being accepted and given! The memories I have from this experience as a missionary will stay with me for a life time. They have sculpted me into the man I am today. God has made it clear to me that He has been delighted in my obedience to move to Georgia and pursue mission work. Just as I began to get comfortable with that, He decided it was time to stretch me even further. God began to close that chapter of my life, and reveal to me a new chapter to pursue.
As my financial support has gotten smaller and smaller, God provided a new opportunity and path for me to follow. I have accepted a full time job with University of Minnesota Physicians medical group. With this position comes great benefits and salary, but it also comes with the opportunity to work with an urban based patient population. The clinic I will be working in services people off the street as well as normal every day working class people. I see this outreach opportunity as a continuance of the mission work I have been doing. The experience and the lessons learned this past year have prepared me for this new season.
An added benefit to this position and to moving to Minnesota is that Courtney’s family is from here. I will have the opportunity to invest into them while Courtney finishes her commitment in Kenya, and share in her life in ways I have not been able to so far.
I will continue to be associated with Adventures in Missions, and serve part time for the next few weeks as things transition and change. This is an incredible organization that is making a global impact for the body of Christ. I count myself blessed to be a part of it!
As for each of you… my donors and supporters… THANK YOU so much for your faithfulness and commitment to this ministry. It truly is because of you and your obedience that I was able to do the things I have. We have done this together and you should be proud of the work that has been done, and the lives that have been forever changed! I have hundreds of stories and I never get tired of telling them! Feel free to ask sometime about how YOU helped make a difference.
