Wow, I better improve on my update frequency.  There has just been so much going on!  Not to worry, I am committing to be a diligent blogger while I am on the field…it’s just this whole getting there part that is pretty hairy : )

Well, for those of you who haven’t already heard, my budget has been raised.  PRAISE GOD!  I can’t say it enough times.  If you have been praying for this need or giving financially in any way shape or form, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  It is so appreciated.  I could not have done this without the incredible sacrifices of time and money that so many of my friends/family have made.  Wow.  So humbling.

I feel like I am the recipient of a true financial miracle and all of the glory for that goes to the Lord.  My friend Kara, a Missionary Associate to Thailand, made the comment that God is so faithful to who He has called.  She experienced the same financial hurdle, and she is now on the field doing amazing things for God.  It’s true.  There were times when I had my doubts…believe me.  I complained.  I cried.  I threw little tantrums.  Not my finer moments…considering that all the while, God was patiently taking care of my financial needs – in His time, not mine.  My date of departure is still a little bit up in the air, but I know I am leaving within the first week of May.  Probably the 3rd, 4th or 5th.  Just about one month from now!  Crazy. 

Now that my financial needs are met, my next step is to complete the VISA process.  Getting a VISA will be challenging, but I trust that it will work out.  I may need to go on a tourist visa for 90 days, come home, and try again in order to get there by May for the European conference in Spain.  This will be my first big event, and then May will be filled with teams coming and going.  Basically, I’ll be hitting the ground running.  Maybe literally. haha.  It’s all so exciting.  People ask me all of the time if I’m nervous.  Of course I am!  But I have always felt a knot/butterflies in my stomach before making any trip overseas.  Traveling does get easier over time, but a two-year stay in a place where I don’t know the language (yet)

Thessaloniki from the sea

is a big hurdle for me.  That’s where the Holy Spirit will just have to come in and give me boldness.  It’s my job to be as street-smart and prepared as possible, and after that, God has to just come in and do the rest.  I am so thankful for the C-bass family and for the ability to live with people  that know how to navigate the Greek culture and language. 

How can you pray?  Please pray that all of the details will come together for my visa.  Pray that I will have the strength to get through all of the tough goodbyes I have to make this month.  Pray that I will be able to continue to make the most of my last few weeks as a waitress…spreading God’s love even in the final stretch of this transition year.  If I can’t reach out to people in the restuarant I work at here, how could I do so abroad? 

Thanks for your support and love,

Andrea

In other news, I’ve got a a concert coming up at CLA. It is going to be a big set of music with a lot of different styles. The band is so much fun to work with, and I am amazed by the way they take the songs I wrote and make them sound so much better! It will be Friday, November 13th at 7 pm in the youth center. Would love to see you there! My CD will be for sale afterwards if you’re interested.

A) forget to blog sometimes (sorrrry)        

B) sometimes write very late at night when I am tired and say weird things, but if you know me that is nothing new

C) use lots of pictures

I hope you can cope with these terms and conditions : )

So… what have I been up to lately?  Well, I just got back from a week in good ‘ole Springfield, Missouri.  This is where the headquarters are located for the Assemblies of God, so I spent a week with about a hundred other future missionaries in training sessions.  It was so neat to meet other people of all ages who are about to go abroad and do some crazy things for God.  Here is a picture of the other Missionary Associates in the HQ lobby:

Future MAs of 2010!(if you can't find me, look for the outrageous earrings.)Here is another picture of us in our sessions: Missionary Training at AG headquarters

Thank you for your prayers and support…one step closer to Greece!