Possibilities

Would love your prayers for tomorrow Friday at 10:00am CST.  Interviewing for a possible job that would help supplement my income / put money towards the New Zealand trip.  Really seeking God's clarity and wisdom to ask the right questions...sure don't want to step into something like this if its not God's will.  It would be super challenging and I would grow a lot through it...might even help prepare me for a future ministry God's been sharing with me...who knows!
Update:  2nd interview Sunday or Monday....woot woot!  Really feel at peace about this but please continue to pray!

Prayin' about Prayin'

I'd like to organize a time at the school I work at were HSers can come and pray for their school / friends / family / WHATEVER....the thing is I'm not allowed to...that whole Church vs State thing.  So please pray with me that God would give me wisdom in approaching a HSer who's a believer at my school that could do this...promote / encourage people to come / secure a classroom...and I could just sorta be there for moral support.  It just seems like there has to be more effective ways to deal with the serious issues going on in the lives of the students I work with and prayer seems like the most logical first start.

LOST

So I was physically lost today headed to a place I thought I knew how to find.  After a 1/2 an hour or so I stubbornly plugged in my GPS which although I didn't have the exact address to the location I was going to... knew it would generally get me where I was going....the Holy Spirit is way better and a heck of a a lot more precise...so why not rely on His judgement MORE...er ALWAYS!  Just a friendly reminder I guess to seek God and not assume I can do stuff in my own strength...whoa...what a concept!

Hunger should not be a game

Hunger Games...read the books...saw the movie...its disturbing but somehow I still feel detached.  Real live people right now this very moment are starving to death.  People fighting for their lives.  I forget to fight for things that matter to God...its easy to sleep in and be complacent about others.  Lacking cash and resources also make it easy to say... well I just can't do anything.  I want my current situation...current employment right now to make a difference....some of these kids are hungry not just for food but for Christ.  I don't work for a christian organization but I do work for Jesus...and He's highly organized.  Praying for God's direction today on a whole host of things...part-time employment, work, future, focus.

Grace...it's what's for Dinner!

I Erin Johns have these moments of silly where I say the phrase (inserting random weird words you don't typically eat for dinner like pants, dirt, crazy) "___________ it's what's for Dinner...you can't eat _________ for Dinner!" ...because sometimes you just need a moment to yourself to laugh and realize that what your going through just isn't that big of a deal in the grande scheme of things. 

Currently working on letters to businesses asking for support...this isn't something I do on a regular basis...its uncomfortable, slightly awkward, humbling, challenging which I guess is good...and I'm trying to think more about how doing pre-trip stuff like this will God-willing effect other peoples lives in a good way vs Oh man another letter?...or imagining Paul's first letter to churches...how was it received?...Dear Churches, Remember when I persecuted you and your members...well I've changed my ways and now I'm sharing the Good News dot dot dot?  I'm so glad there's examples of "Thanks God ...but no way am I able to do that in the bible."...God must have known 2,000+ years later a simple girl would be trying to do something rather crazy and need the extra boost up to step out of the boat, or cast the net when all else seemed unlikely.

So... would you pray with me about this "Net Casting"...that God would continue to shock me, and the fruit or fish from casting would further what God is doing right now on this earth...because otherwise this is completely pointless...all of it.

Horse and Rider

Do you ever have a dream and wake up and think...Jesus was there with me that was soooo cool!  I only remember bits and pieces but it involved me being led on a horse...a stunning horse...and quite convinced the man leading me was Jesus.

Today was just one of those simple days and makes you appreciate life.  Actually woke up before noon...8:30ish which is a shocker for those that know me...this girl likes her sleep for sure.  Made a mad dash to clean the house... dad was coming for a visit back from up north.  Got to see my dad and spency (sis's dog) who seemed to really enjoy my no dogs allowed apartment complex.  Read a captivating book about Alaska and just enjoyed life...wind blowing through the curtains...so simple but grateful.

I have no clue what God has in mind but I have a sneaking suspicion God is storing up these memories for some challenging but very good times ahead.  Sure don't want to get too far ahead of myself but more and more I believe God is giving me a vision for AFTER New Zealand...and it involves a camp / a whole lot of orphans.  So in generally praying for me for this upcoming trip...keep that on your hearts as well.  God's up to something for sure and I can't wait to see what!!!

Are you blessed?  Why not wear it!  Shoot me an e-mail at erinjohns79@yahoo.com if you'd like to receive an order form.  Just $20 a shirt $4.00 shipping or chat with me about a possible delivery option (Wisconsin only). T-shirt Deadline: May 1.

Are we there yet?

 Nope...not just yet. Checks are slowly trickling in though...Praise God!

Several upcoming fundraisers planned...Jumble for Jesus (Rummage Sale), 2 Brat Frys, Tastefully Simple Party, and Dress Blessed T-shirt Sales.

Rough Itinerary...February 2013 I’ll be flying out of Mitchell International Airport to Sydney, Australia.  I’ll arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand and head to Oxford, New Zealand where I’ll spend the next three months. During that time, a group of us will be spending time in God’s word, listening to outstanding speakers, ministering to local “Kiwi’s”, serving on and off base, and preparing as outreach teams. Our group will be split into different regions of the world. God-willing I will be placed on the SE Asian team working in 5-6 Asian countries. Each region will be working alongside missionaries already in the field with established ministries for the next three months. 

Ministry opportunities vary greatly...there may be opportunities to work with orphanages, street kiddos, soup kitchens, hospitals, prison ministry, medical/relief work, teaching ESL, construction projects, etc.

Graduation...will take place on the MOUNT OF OLIVES!!! Can you imagine? We’ll also have the opportunity to tour the Holy Lands. 

Extended Outreach...After graduation students are strongly encouraged to pursue further ministry. We’re still a good year out but I’ve been praying about ministering in 7-8 European countries (Romania, Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Scotland, England, Netherlands.)  Seeking God for clearer direction on this.

In the Beginning...

I am now a Blogger...eek!  Just providing ya'll with lots of obnoxious choices to keep updated on my Around the World in 80 days Mission Trip. The goal is to send a monthly e-newsletter, quick prayer requests / updates on Facebook, and regular commentary, woos, and silly stories and photos of my journey on my Blog.  Let the fun begin!