Summer 2005

FIRST YEAR MISSIONARY PROGRAM COMPLETED

It was an amazing year living in Philadelphia and serving God through Adventures In Missions. The FYM program was another huge success this year thanks to God, the participants and leaders, and many supporters such as you! Being an FYM leader was one of the most challenging yet most significant jobs I’ve had in my life. I was privileged to see lives change, hearts mature, relationships built, and salvation come to pass. Although my year as an FYM leader cannot be summed up in a few sentences, let me try to give God the glory for what He has done this year:

• the safety and protection of each life partnered with AIM

• powerful ministry moments with children, homeless, those in recovery and team members

• a strong and unified team providing encouragement and fun

• bible study and discipleship times that grew and challenged our faith

• emotional and physical healing for team members and local neighbors

• new friendships that will last many more seasons

• a changed perspective on love, people, community, and service

• the return of several FYM’s to Philadelphia to continue in ministry

• personal development as a leader and missionary

• God’s continual presence, strength, grace, and favor upon our team and this city

I do thank God for every moment of this year, because either I was changed or in the midst of my foolishness, God was entertained!

Summer Ministry Continues…

Although the FYM program is over, this summer I will still be working for AIM and serving in Philadelphia. I will continue the Bible study with the ladies from New Hope for Women. Center City homeless outreach will continue on Sunday nights. An opportunity has also come up to aid the chaplain at a women’s prison. I will also lead a one-week mission trip here in Philly for a team from CO., and lead a 12-day mission trip in Jamaica for a team from WA.! During the month of July I will also oversee the Ambassador mission team, a group of 5 students from AIM serving as missionaries in Philadelphia for one month. I’m excited to continue the relationships I have built up this past year, and form new ones through summer ministry!

In other news…do I hear wedding bells?

No need for an introduction here, yes it’s true, I’M ENGAGED! Chris Via proposed on April 10 after both of our youth groups did homeless ministry together. I was completely surprised, but managed to say YES after I caught my breath! It was a night that I will never forget and one that has, and will change my life forever. Plans didn’t begin to form until after FYM was over, but now the plans are rapidly unfolding. Chris and I will be getting married on October 29, 2005 in Santa Monica, CA. The ceremony will be at Calvary Church, connected to Calvary School where I taught for 6 years, and the reception will be at The Victorian near Venice. Both locations are beautiful and seem to express who we are as individuals and as a couple. We are so excited for this season of blessing in our lives. Please pray for this time of engagement, transition and many decisions to come! As for what’s next, we don’t really know, except that we’re getting married! In the fall, Chris will still be the youth and associate pastor at Doylestown Pres. Church. My position with AIM is uncertain, and our housing is to be determined. While we make all these major decisions, we trust God has gone before us in each situation and His faithfulness will be shown. It is indeed a time of refinement and great trust!

Summer support needed

I thank God for each one of you who has supported me during this year as a missionary. It is humbling to be in this type of financial position, but God has taught me a lot because of it. Right now, my support balance is about %75 in, but I am still under by about $500 a month. If you already give monthly, would you consider continuing to give through the summer? If you do not give financially, would you consider giving a one-time summer gift to get my balance in the positive? If you give via automatic withdraw, would you kindly confirm your gifts with AIM. Most likely I will not be raising support come the fall, after I get married, but until then, while I continue to do missionary work, I will trust that God will be my great provider! Thank You again!

Prayer requests:

• Safety, health, organization, and fun while leading mission trips this summer in Philly and Jamaica.

• Financial support to be 100%

• Wisdom and humility to sacrificially love in my relationship with Chris

• Guidance and direction for finding a job and housing in the fall

• Details to come together while wedding planning

• Grace and patience while many changes and transition occur