Changes

Wow! The last month has been a month of challenge and joy, confusion and hope, hectic preparation and impatient waiting. And now that there is some clarity on what is going to happen, I get to share it with you.

My job description is changing, and I am excited to be taking on the position of Young Adult Volunteer Coordinator, along with HIV/AIDS specialist. This is in addition to my current job, so the new position is Church Growth-HIV/AIDS Specialist/YAV Site Coordinator. It is quite a mouthful, but it is a temporary assignment. I will take over these duties for one year, on an interim basis, in order to assure that all three programs can move forward.

I am thrilled to be coordinating the YAV site here in Zambia. It is a new site, and we will be welcoming young adults, 21-30, to come and spend a year learning and serving in Zambia. It is a great opportunity to grow spiritually, while also participating in the life of the community, sharing gifts and stories. I can't wait to get to know the young adults who will be here in Zambia, and I am incredibly excited to share with them the joy that we experience here.

The HIV/AIDS specialist work will involve equipping church leaders to further address HIV/AIDS, particularly among young people, ages 15-35. We are gathering resources, creating workshops, and making contacts, in order to help the church fight stigma, increase compassion, and offer information that is much needed.

I will continue with the other aspects of my job, as well, and I feel that much of this work can overlap, and create a beautiful opportunity for me to grow. At the same time, it will not be without challenge. And so, I ask for your prayers as I move into this new reality. Please pray for me, that I can find balance and peace. Please pray for the young adults, as they prepare to join us in Zambia. Please pray for the HIV/AIDS projects and those affected by HIV/AIDS.

In a few days, I will leave to travel to the United States for the YAV discernment event, where I will meet with young adults, who are candidates for the Zambia program. I will also meet with other site coordinators from around the world. I will have a lot to learn!!! But, I trust that my new colleagues will be gracious, and that God is in the midst of all this. It will be good. Very good. And for that, I am grateful.

Again, I thank you for your prayers and your support. Especially in these upcoming weeks, please do hold me in your prayers, as well as these important programs. It means so much to me, because together, we get to do some wonderful things in God's kingdom. Thanks be to God.