The Beginning of a New Journey

It is true - I'm leaving yet again this summer for Eastern Europe. I will be frantically packing my bags and heading out on May 21st. My flight will take me to Timisoara, Romania where I will meet a friend who will take me to Arad, RO to stay with her and her family for the weekend. I am thrilled to see her because I was not able to when I was in RO last summer. After what I anticipate will be a blessed time with her, I will hop on a train and head to Austria to meet up with the rest of the interns and begin my training for Slovakia.

I wrestled for a couple of months with the idea of spending my summer abroad for the fourth time in my short life. Was this prudent? What would my friends and family think? Would people judge me and question my motives? Do I really want to be gone the entire summer before I leave for school? I went back and forth, back and forth. One day I would be determined to go, and the next, I would be firm in the belief that I should just stay home. I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed. Although I can't say that I ever really felt God give me a straight answer, once I told the Rumbolds that I was all in (and myself that there was no more going back) I think that God began to confirm that it was good for me to go. The entire process has been so smooth, and since making my decision, I have not once doubted whether it was right, and I think that that is because God wants me in Slovakia.

I sent out my support letters last week, and already have been so encouraged by the response. I really do hate support letters, and I'm always nervous that people will be offended by them, but everyone so far has been so supportive. It really has been a blessing and the good response has taken a small weight off of my shoulders. Thank you all for your love and kindness! May God bless you for it.

Right now I am living my life to the fullest while I am still here in Tremont - finishing up school, pouring time into my family, working for Carol Erke, and enjoying my friends. Just because I am leaving in a few short months does not mean that investing my time here is a waste, something God has been teaching me lately.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. More to come when more starts happening!