What’s been happening…

Hi friends! I know it has been a few months since I last sent out some updates so I wanted to let you know what has been going on, where I’ve been traveling, and where I’m going next! Read on to find out the scoop!

Visits in the Midwest

Starting in May, I began visiting churches and friends throughout the Midwest. You may have heard that I broke my ribs in early May (after an overly-aggressive bear hug!) so I limited my visits to mostly weekends for about 7 weeks. My sister and my nephew also helped me with some of the driving and it gave us time to catch up, too.

The visits were fantastic and it was a great reminder that I have some pretty amazing supporters out there. I was able to visit Keokuk, Des Moines, Davenport, and Charles City churches as well as have special get togethers with pastors and missions committees in Iowa. In Illinois, I visited Elgin, Ottawa, and Mattoon congregations with more fantastic meals and meet-ups with friends and donors I’ve not seen in several years. In Missouri, I met with Bethel Baptist, in Columbia, which rounded out my time in the Midwest.

In between visits with churches and friends, I continued to stay in touch with partners around the world, colleagues, and organizations working with many of the crises you hear about on the news. There’s a lot going on in our world right now, and even though it’s a bit overwhelming some days, I continue to learn as much as I can to be helpful. I was also able to stay at my sister’s home in Columbia, MO, which was the longest visit I’ve had in about a decade, so the time with family was really special.

I returned to Georgia in July and have been preparing for overseas travel that begins in just a few weeks. I have also been volunteering at mass vaccination clinics for the Monkeypox virus. I am continually grateful for the skills that God has given me so that in these times, I am able to contribute to the care of others.

Connections and ongoing training

Over the last couple of years, I have had the joy of working with Christian Connections for International Health’s (CCIH’s) working group on the Integration of Faith and Health. We offered a webinar in the spring where the work of International Ministries’ own AMOS Health and Hope, in Nicaragua, was highlighted. We will offer another webinar in December and another two, next year. The goal is to give practical tools to partners around the world about how they can integrate faith and health in their outreach. It’s been very encouraging to learn about other organizations and the possible partnerships that exist.

I also completed my certification as a Faith Community Nurse in late spring. I’ve had the opportunity to share what I learned, already, and made connections to services for those with specific health needs. I want to continue to spread the word about Faith Community Nursing and how congregations around the world can access this service.

Thank you!

I have not said those words enough…

I am constantly in awe of your support, prayers, and encouragement. This year marks 22 years of service with International Ministries and many of you have been with me for this entire journey. I simply could not continue to serve around the world without your presence in my life. Thank you for all you do to make this ministry possible! Please reach out if you ever have any questions or concerns or maybe just simply want to know a little bit more about what is happening right now.