Fingerprints!

A lot of times, I hear our uniqueness defined in terms of fingerprints. This is true biologically, and spiritually as well. None of has the same story, and none of us have had the same spiritual experiences. This week I had the opportunity to examine my actual fingerprints. Here's how that happened:

I received an email from TeachOverseas.org giving me instructions on getting an FBI background check in order to obtain a temporary residence permit in Slovakia. I had to submit "fresh" fingerprints to request a background check. I called the local sheriff's department, but they could only print out my fingerprints if they charged me with a crime. Since that would be counterproductive, I called a police department where my parents live and they could print them for $5. I visited their office on Wednesday and in an interesting few minutes, I had a copy of my fingerprints. They have a very cool machine that you put your fingers on and it scans your fingerprint. Then they print out on a special form from a laser printer. And that was the end.

I have to say this might be a fun family event in the summer...Its so neat to see something so unique about yourself in pure black and white. I spent several minutes in the car just looking at them. Then I took them to the post office and sent them to the FBI. In 13 weeks, the FBI will tell me that I have no criminal background and I will be able to get my temporary residence permit in Slovakia. 

One more step completed! On to the next one: full physical from the doctor.

Money Update: I have received about $1200! Praise the Lord! Only $11,000 to go! Please keep praying. This week - specifically pray for time to see the doctor about my physical.

Signed, Sealed, & Delivered

One of the biggest tasks I had to get finished was to get my support letters in the mail. I had vainly assumed that I could get this accomplished in about a day. It turned out to be a much bigger task and my life got in the way. I found that after teaching school all day and attending to my extracurricular activities, I had very little time left for anything other than sleeping and eating. My household chores even went unattended for a while...(not that this was very unusual...it tends to get really bad before I make the time to clean...) But now my house is mostly clean, my letters are sent, and now it's just time to wait and see what the Lord can do.

I had a hard time deciding what to include in my letter. There is so much to say and I only had one page to do it. I generally get the same questions when I tell people about my mission, so I tried to answer as many as I could. In the end, it took me three weeks to get them ready to mail. But 64 special requests are now on their way to the intended recepient. If you did not receive a letter and would like to get one, please leave me a comment with your email address and I will get one to you.

This past week I also had the privilege of speaking to the Castle Gap Association WMU. It was a very supportive group of women and they have pledged to lift me up in prayer as I get ready for this mission. I was very blessed to be able to speak to them. The leader said I didn't have to speak long, but with questions and answers, I ended up talking about 45 minutes. I'm finding that I can talk about Slovakia, why I'm going, and what I'm going to be doing for hours. I can't imagine what it will be like when I get there, but this week I found out there is an IKEA in Bratislava!! How wonderful is that? Something sort-of familiar to look forward to.

Precious Children

This past Wednesday I spoke to the group of Awana children at my church. The leaders had asked me to tell them about my decision and where I would be going so that they could pray for me over the next year. I shared with them about how the Lord will speak to anyone through whatever means He can. (but not always in the obvious way of Moses and the burning bush).

They had a few minutes to ask questions. I have to say, they had a few really good questions. One boy asked, "Do you have to go?" No one has asked me that yet, but I figure it's been on a few minds. I told him that I didn't HAVE to go, but that I wouldn't be very happy if I didn't obey God. I think that might have been my second favorite moment.

My favorite moment was after I had finished talking. The kids were leaving to go to their group activities and a little 4-year-old boy named Michael brought me a dollar. He didn't say anything, but his mom, Annie, came to tell me that Michael had asked her for a dollar to give to the missionary. I had forgotten how easy it is for little children to hear the Lord and obey him. Their hearts are not hardened yet, and they aren't worried about what other people think. If only it were as easy for the rest of us to hear and obey. May the Lord bring you an opportunity to hear and obey this week!

Frequently Asked Questions

I have been telling people about my decision/adventure for about 3 weeks now, and there seems to be a common mind among them. They always ask the same questions, and so I figure you might have the same questions. Here are the most common ones. If you have a question that isn't on the list, feel free to post a comment and I'll do my best to get it answered.

When do I leave?
I have to be in California on July 17th to start the 3-4 week training program. We will be leaving directly from California to Slovakia when training is finished.

Where is Slovakia?
Slovakia is in Central Europe - surrounded by the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, and Austria.

What city will I live in?
Bratislava - The capital city, population: approx. 500.000

Where will I live?
A flat (apartment) with my teammates, provided by the school and furnished with the basics.

What language do they speak?
Slovak

Do you speak Slovak?
Not yet, but I'm learning. My dad forwarded a link for an language program, and so far I have learned my colors and my days of the week. It's pretty cool, so if you are interested in learning a new language, check out http://www.byki.com/

How do my parents feel about this?
They are OK...pretty shocked at first. I've lived very close to them for the past three years, so this will be a definite change for us. But they are very supportive and even a little excited. My grandparents are totally on board, so that helps.

What grade will I be teaching?
I don't know yet. I've submitted a resume for the school leadership to look at and decide where they feel I will best fit. I'm going to guess high school or maybe junior high since this is where I have experience and what my certificate covers. I'll let you know when I find out.

Why Slovakia?
I wanted to keep using my teaching certificate. TeachOverseas.org has two programs that require certificates, and the options were Slovakia or North Africa. I've always wanted to live in Europe, so the choice was easy for me.

How much can you take?
2 large suitecases (50 pounds each) and a carry on (laptop!!).

What are you going to do with all of your stuff?
Store the things most important to me (as little as possible) and sell the rest. I don't have much in the way of furniture really, so I can replace it when I get back.

Will you be paid?
Yes, by the school where I will be employed. It won't be much...I'm assuming like base salary for Texas - a single person can live on it just fine, but there won't be much left over. I think this makes the experience more authentic...real-life-like, not tourist-y. And I'm pretty thrifty anyway.

Destination: Slovakia

hmm...Where to start? I guess with the major news - I'm moving to Slovakia to be a missionary and teach English!

I have been teaching high school in Ozona, TX for the past three years and have really enjoyed it. Last fall, I felt the Lord leading me to something different, but I wasn't sure what/where. I've always wanted to live overseas, so I started looking at teaching jobs overseas: DOD, private schools, etc. I found a website called TeachOverseas.org that looked interesting and meant to bookmark it, but somehow it ended up on the menu bar next to the "Favorites" star. I'm a computer teacher...I know how to bookmark things. How did this happen? I'm positive it was a sign from the Lord. From that day on, every time I got on the Internet, I saw that website - my own personal "burning bush."

In January, I gave myself a belated Christmas present and ordered some books that I had been wanting. One of them was "Lady in Waiting," by Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones. It took a few weeks for me to find the time to start this book. But when I did, it changed my life. I've still only read the first three chapters...(it requires much introspection) but I would recommend this to any single woman, and probably any single man as well. The first chapter talks about serving the Lord with "reckless abandon." For those of you that know me, this is the opposite of my nature. But I believe it is important to follow the Lord and get out of the comfort zone. The second chapter is about serving the Lord with diligence. Am I being diligent with my service? I'm not married, no children, not tied to anything (family excepted). I had to say no to that question and it really bothered me. The third chapter was on faith. Having the faith to follow the Lord, that he will take care of me, to obey his call.

So by the middle of February, I was ready to do some more research on this TeachOverseas.org program. I really liked that it is Christian based, but not denominational. I like that you go with a team - not by yourself (so does my mom!). I like that they handle a lot of the paperwork to make sure everything is completed correctly and on time. I just really liked the program and felt pretty sure this was what I needed to do. And they still had openings (I called to verify - my version of Gideon's fleece, I guess) for the location I was interested in. I'm still going to be using my certificate, I'm still going to be in a regular K-12 school, I'm still going to be teaching, And - bonus: It was in Europe!

By then, it was the first of March. I talked to my family, filled out the application, got my references together, and had an interview. I was asked to join the team and now I'm getting all my ducks in a row to be able to teach in Slovakia!

I'm finishing out the school year in Ozona, and the community is incredibly supportive of my decision. I know that this is why I was in Ozona for the past 3 years, because not every church is as generous, or as loving, or as encouraging. I've never felt more at home in a church than I do here.

I plan to keep this blog updated at least weekly with my preparations and with the total of gracious support gifts so that everyone will know the faithfulness of the Lord to provide for those that follow his leading. The goal is $12,500!