What Kind of Difference Do I Want to Make?

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall

Me and Jane Goodall in Uganda circa 2006.
When I was in high school, I went to Uganda on my first missions trip. While I was at the briefing at the front end of the trip I happened to be in the right place at the right time and got to ride on an elevator with Jane Goodall. As an aspiring conservationist, it was a dream come true. 

Since then, I've followed her work and learned a lot from what she's offered the world through her thoughts on conservation and environmental education. The quote above has been somewhat motivating to me when I think about things I am doing in life. 

We all make a difference and sometimes I need to be more aware of what kind of difference I am making.  Am I listening to the Lord?  Am I caring for others well?  Am I honoring my gifts?

As a TCK, I have seen a lot. I've been a lot of places. I've gotten to do a lot of things.  As the theme of this blog, we as TCKs have lived a different kind of lives and sometimes that can be hard and sometimes that can be grand. 

Recently, the Lord has been working in my life in areas of forgiveness and resolution when it comes to issues I've had with ministry.  In that, the Lord has moved my heart in the direction of going back into ministry - specifically in the area of MK/TCK care.

The organization that my parents work for (ABWE) has a couple of people in the MK/TCK ministry, but have been looking to add people who have some experience in this space.  As many of you may remember, I interned and then worked with Cru in their MK/TCK ministry (MK2MK).  I was lucky enough to be there full time for a couple of years and have been able to be an associate staff member since 2011. Since leaving Florida, I've gotten to work in project management for two different companies.  I will be taking my MK/TCK experience and my project management experience to help implement some new processes and practices at ABWE.  I am pretty excited to be partnering with the organization that I grew up in - and this is where I've been called to help make a difference!

A huge part of what I'll be doing is connecting with MKs/TCKs from around the world at conferences and doing care trips.  Our team goal is to care for MKs/TCKs preparing to move overseas, while on the in their host cultures and once they've returned to the US.

Due to staffing there currently isn't much care available for those ranging from 12-18 years (arguably the most crucial time of development) and I would like to see the amount of attention to this demographic change.  ABWE only has 3 full-time staff members to care for the roughly 420 MKs worldwide. 

As of right now, since I am only at Delta Air Line part-time I am not planning on leaving but I do plan on doing ministry full-time. I will be based out of my house in Birmingham since my new team are all remote (Harriburg, PA and Lynchburg, VA).

As of this morning, I have conditional acceptance to the ministry - once support goals and a few other details are ironed out I will be on-boarded.

Many have asked about school - I am taking time off of school until things get underway. I would ideally return in a couple semesters to complete my second degree, but as of now, it's on indefinite hold.

Please be praying with me as I begin support raising and transitioning into a new role. 
   



Comments

  1. This is so exciting! It's so cool to continue to follow how God moves in your life. ๐Ÿ’•

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