Update, Up to date

Galatians 5:6b
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Oh golly! So much has been going on I’m not even sure how to put it all down.

A personal note…

One thing that I see God teaching me more and more in my current journey is that I am a woman of action but also a woman of little faith. I am happy to put in overtime for the Kingdom, I’ll work super hard as long as I needed to to get things done. But when it comes to sitting back, doing nothing and believing God is going to take care of me I get nervous.

It is embarrassing for me to admit. I mean, what kind of missionary doesn’t have faith? The kind who banks on action. I am currently praying and working through this with God. And my Lord is so beautiful I can see him wooing me through it in little ways daily. Never large extravagant things, but little gifts I didn’t ask for. And gifts that make a difference. I can already feel my faith growing and my grip on my journey loosening.

I am blown away by his faithfulness to the faithless believer

Slovakia Goes Hollywood!

My dear sweet Zuzi and her boyfriend Jakub came into town the end of January for a whole month. We had a wonderful visit. We went to all over Phoenix doing normal tourist stuff, We went to California where Zu got to see the beach

and ocean for the first time… we also saw dolphins

and

seals in their natural habitat. We ate sushi with Zu (also a first for

her) we took them to the Zoo where we pet stingrays and sharks (yes Meghan touched a

shark) And we discovered that these two Slovaks love American bowling. My oh my, I never bowled so much in my life. It was wonderful to spend time with them and share my home and my culture with them. Quite an experience. I was sad to see them go.

JV Orientation… Its Really Happening

I also went to Wheaton, IL (a suburb of Chicago) for orientation with Josiah Venture. It was wonderful! All together there were 6 of us MIT’s (missionaries in training) staying in a house together about 20 min from the JV offices. We would get up and eat breakfast, go to the office for some administrative stuff, eat lunch, and hang out with the JV staff and families. The four days spent there really was confirmation that I was supposed to be with JV. There is not a thing about this organization that I don’t like.

I got a look at my budget for the first time too… I’m not going to lie, the number made me hurt a little when I saw it for the first time. I have since had time to think about it and really look at what every line item was for. It actually became perfectly clear. They are asking

me to raise $2,500.00 a month but this is all inclusive… I mean ALL inclusive. Money for tithing, savings, vacations, rent, travel, ministry needs, food, ect. is all a part of this total dollar amount.

By far one of the best parts of the trip was meeting the other MIT’s specifically the Rumbold’s. They are an awesome family who is going to move to Slovakia as well. I’m just super stoked to serve with them and get to know them better on the field.

Down side of the trip, it snowed and I was cold… said the girl who is trying to move to the coldest place on earth. ;)

Raising funds to raise some funds….

Who knew fundraising was going to be so complicated? So for starters I needed to get some information packets printed up (letters, prayer cards, response cards, envelopes and thank you cards) I also had to get some photos taken for the website and to go on my print outs. Lastly, the fact that I don’t own a computer is becoming troublesome. I am currently trying to do all my corresponding and what not on my work computer. $$$$$ is what I need… and ----- is what I have. So I’m holding a garage sale March 21^st I have asked anyone and everyone for donations… they are slow in coming, but I hope people are just procrastinators and soon my garage will be full of 2^nd hand treasures for the selling. Hurrah!

Prayer Requests

That the Lord will lead my steps and I will let him.

That God will provide me with things to sell and shoppers to buy them on March 21^st

That I’ll make enough at the sale to get my mailers and computer

That God will start moving me from a woman of action to a woman of faith

Jakub, Zu and I in Hollywood!

With no end in sight, eye on the prize

Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"


New Year, Same Journey

I had a meeting with the Global Outreach board on January 22nd. I was informed the next day that I was unanimously voted for! Apparently the board was very impressed by me and my presentation. (Thank you Lord)
God has been amazing enough to provide for me relationship with some very important people in Slovakia. I think it helped the board to see two reference letters from the Executive Director of IN network and the Slovak President of the Baptist Union. Yes, I just name dropped, but it is all for the greater good.
So now I am officially a Grace Community Church Missionary! Wooo Hooooo!

And on a greater note… As soon as I found out I was approved by the board I wrote JV to let them know the good news. A few days later (because the man who was approving me is in the Ukraine) I found out that JV has officially approved me as well.
How great is our God!
So that day I purchased a ticket to Chicago so I could attend JV orientation and (no doubt) freeze to death. In orientation I’ll be learning all the ins and outs of JV on the administrative side. They will also give me fundraising training.

Can you believe it? After all the prayers and all the waiting, I’m officially official! Yippy-Ki-Yi-Yay!


Sister from another mother… land.

My dear sweet Zu (Zuzana) has arrived in town. I have been working since she got here so I haven’t gotten to see her as much as I wanted. But here comes the weekend full of fun and calamity! And next weekend I’ll be taking her to California to see some of our fellow summer worker and a little relaxation on the beach. Ahhhhh… can’t wait.
Zu has never been abroad before and she is still getting use to American customs. It will be funny to take her to Cali to see the craziness of LA.

Prayer Requests

That the Lord will lead my steps and I will let him

God will be faithful in providing funds to get me through training and off to Slovakia

Zu and I will have an amazing month of fellowship and fun

Thank you all and God bless!

Unofficially official…


Leviticus 26:4

I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit

Time is on no one’s side… but God is on mine.

Well I had some news yesterday that had me a little discouraged for just a moment. Gord Nickerson (JV) called Debi Clifton (G.O. Director at Grace) to talk about me and my going to VK. Obviously Debi sang my praise, but informed Gord that I have not been approved by the Grace Community Church Global Outreach board officially yet. The reason being I have to go now and propose my leaving in person to the board so they can vote on it.
The reason this has to be done this way is because JV requires a person to have a sending church before they approve you. Grace Community Church also requires a person to have a sending missions organization to back you before they approve you. Yikes! So at the moment I have two groups who have unofficially approved me needing the other to approve me in an official way before anything can happen. And here I am in the middle of the two groups doing what I can to keep things moving along. Makes your head spin right?
Debi called me yesterday and coached me a bit on what I need to be prepared to bring to the board. Pretty much I (with the Lord’s help) have to convince the board that I’m qualified to do the work even though I don’t have a college degree. I’m not too worried about the meeting because two important board members (one of whom is my boss) think the world of me and are so excited for me to go. Also Gord Nickerson expressed to Debi that JV is not at all worried that I don’t have a degree and feels the training I have acquired while serving is more then adequate. They are also VERY interested in getting me approved so I can get into the field. So it would seem the odds are still in my favor.

The discouraging part of this news was that I can not meet with the G.O. board until Jan 22nd. This means I can not get approved by JV until Jan 22nd. It almost seems like years away from the end of November (when I thought I was going to get approved)
I was discouraged because there is a 5 week training in Colorado that I was hoping to get out of the way in January. That is not going to happen now. The next time I’ll be able to go to the training will be in April if then. So my hope of moving in the spring before all the camps got started has been shot down. At this point it is looking like I’ll have to go for the summer camps and come home to finish up my state side work. However, I know my God is good and I know if He wants me in Slovakia it is going to happen. So the hoops have move a bit but I’m keeping mobile enough to jump through them. Discouraged but not hopeless.


Prayer Requests
That The Lord will work in the process and I’ll be willing to let him
That God will continue move the process along

My friend Zuzka (from SK) is coming out to visit me in Feb. That our time together will be encouraging and so much fun

If all goes well I think I’ll be attending an orientation in Chicago with JV. Funds and time off work needed for that

For the fund raising that will start once I get approved



Thank you all SOOOOO much! God bless and happy holidays!

John 1:16

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

Long time no blog

Well… It is true. I have been slacking on my blogs. I have no excuse and I’ll not try and justify my lacking. Sorry to all three of you who read this;)

Red light green light

So as of a little while ago I’m officially under review with Josiah Venter. I have turned in my application and references. And believe me it is only by the grace of God that I am even this far along in the process.
The review comity is now in possession of all my information and (fingers crossed) getting ready to give me the green light. I should know by the end of the month and then the craziness starts.
Once I get accepted I have to do a four day orientation in Chicago. It is held twice a year and I’m not sure when the dates are but hopefully I’ll be able to get that out the way soon. I also have to do a four week cultural living training in Denver. I think the next one is going to be held in January. And there is some sort of language acquisition training that I have to do. My idea of what is expected of me is kind of vague but I’m confident that once I get accepted I’ll get a clear picture of what, where, how, why and when.
My job description is in a looking VERY satisfactory and my budget for living in still in negotiation.
All and all things are looking good even though all I can do now is just wait. Red lights suck but still serve a purpose.

Go tell it on the… stage, over the hills and everywhere!

A few weeks ago I was asked to speak at a missions conference (sort of thing-a-ma-jig) here at Grace with about 15 other short term and long term workers. It was crazy! I don’t like speaking in front of 15 people let alone hundreds… but by the grace of God I was able to do it with out fainting… barely.
I had a lovely little speech about Slovakia and Velky Krtis. It was great to educate such a large crowd about the ministry needs of a town they have never heard of in a country that few know exist. After I spoke I shared a video that I had made. It was all received really well. Before the night ended the workers all lined the room and the congregation was given the opportunity to pray with us. I had a few people I knew come and pray for me but was also VERY surprised at the number of people touched by the ministry that I didn’t know.

If I new how to post the video on here I would... maybe something I'll have to teach myself later on.

Traveling mercies are new every morning

I just can’t tell you how great my God is! And He is so good to me. A week ago at my church we were asked to hold onto our offering and pray about a specific thing that needed that money more then our church. This morning Karen (the receptionist here at Grace) told me that when she prayed God told her to give the money to me. And she wanted to be one of my monthly supporters. Amazing!
And last week I was hanging out with some friends Johnny and Aleta and they said they were going to support me too! I just can’t believe it. I feel so overwhelmed by the love and provision of my Father.
So many times I have expressed that raising funds is the most stressful part of all of this. I don’t know why but it is difficult for me to have faith in this area. And still God keeps bringing me supporters before I have even started to try and raise funds. HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!
As of today I have had 8 different friends and families tell me they want to support me monthly. Praise God.


Prayer requests

That the Lord will guide me/use me and I will let him

If it the Lord wills I’ll get accepted by Josiah Venture soon

God will continue to provided supporters and that all my funds will get raised

That I’ll live upright and faithfully in perorations to move and after my relocation

We all prayed and He answered!

Psalm 5:8
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make straight your way before me.

Note the flip-flops... Steve, Me, Jeff and John hicking in Malibu

VK workers reunion

This past weekend a friend of mine and I went to Camarillo, CA to visit some of the “Cali Team” that comes out to SK every summer. It was so much fun seeing them and reminiscing. It is funny… get a few people who went on this trip in the same room and that is all we can talk about. SK this and VK that. Christine who is thinking about coming to SK next summer for a month was able to spend a weekend immersed in VK talk. Also all of us in the spirit of Slovakia went a on a hike together. We were told that it was an easy paved hike and flip-flops were fine… yeah… totally went mountain climbing…. In flip-flops!

It was wonderful for Christine to meet the boys too. She got to see that Meghan is not the only one who feels so passionate about Slovakia. And she got to hear some amazing testimonies about lives changed while serving in Velky Krtis. It was VERY encouraging for me to see her getting more and more excited about the ministry there. All and all it was a great trip.

Christine, Me, Steve and John on Ventura Pier

At the risk of self-discovery I prayed… and still He answered

So as I said before Friday Mel and Peto (JV big wigs) met and talked about me… and other things I’m sure.
This morning I received this email…

Hi Meghan,
thank you for your email, it is very exciting to learn about your passion for Slovakia.
I talked to Pato Sinko and found out that the Baptist church Lucenec is interested to have you in their Velky Krtis team. It is a great signal for starting the JV application process.

We will prepare the job description as well as the budget proposal for you and then we will send it to you to have a look, after you will be ok with it, I will send it to Theresa from JV to start the process with you.

Have a great day
Peter Hrubo

PRAISE THE LORD!

I have been praying my Booty off about this meeting and about JV in general. I really have felt a leading to them since I started this whole process. Not to say that God still couldn’t have something else in mind but he has opened doors thus far and I have been walking through them as fast as my feet would carry.
So now it is just a matter of praying over the job description to make sure that JV and Velky don’t clash. Like I said before I don’t mind serving in JV ministries as long as it doesn’t take away from the ministry in VK. My mind and heart are open to the next step and I’m so excited about it all.

God has just been so faithful so far! Every prayer has been answered loud and clear and my path has been laid out before me. I still can’t see where the path leads ecstatically but I’m excited about the discoveries along the way. And I’m so excited to have others taking the journey along with me. You all are such a blessing and your prayers are indispensible! Thank you all so much!

What’s the use…

I have been praying that God would use me, grow me, lead my steps and take me where he wanted… oh boy has He.
As I mentioned before I’m serving at Grace Community Church in their ELS classes. Last night we had our first class and it was fun. I have a student from Cambodia, Columbia and two from Mexico. They were so egger to learn it was astounding. I’m used to Slovak students who would rather be shot in the face then speak up in a classroom. Instead I had a class of students who say almost nothing understandable but they are trying. We had a bunch laughs the first day too and that was great! I was a little nervous going into it.

I am also (apparently) now a part of the G.O. (Global Outreach) team here at Grace. I was added to the email list without my knowing it and soon was getting invites to G.O. planning meetings. Again I didn’t see any reason not to be a part of this ministry so I have been responding as if I was on the team all along. Our first meeting will be on Tuesday the 16th and our main focus is going to be our G.O. week here at Grace.
Use me Lord! I’m ready!

Prayer requests

That the Lord will lead me where He wants me to go and I’ll let him

That the JV job description is in alignment with the ministry vision for Velky Krtis

That God will provide the financial support needed

Also that Noah (who is also filling out the JV application right now) will have time to finish his application and get it sent in

Velky Krtis Through the Eyes Of Meghan

Just A Few Of the PictuRes I ToOk WHile IN VeLky KritS

Hope you like it.

Bla-bla-blog...

Ecclesiastes 5:11
As goods increase,

so do those who consume them.

And what benefit are they to the owner

except to feast his eyes on them?

Counting the costs

After returning home from Slovakia this summer I realized the amount of costs I have accumulated. Nothing so big that I was putting myself into debt over, but plenty of meaningless things. Things simply for my own benefit. After praying about it I came up with a list of things that I don’t need. Things I really like but easily given up for sake of the kingdom.
Really it was just a matter of weighing the costs. Is it more important for me to have clear skin from a dermatologist recommended product? Or can I live with zits and build up my savings account for ministry? Must I watch what is new on Netflix or can I watch cable (for free) at home? Do I really need unlimited texting and 400 anytime minutes or can I limit my phone use? And the list goes on…
There was nothing wrong with any of those things per say, they are just sacrifices I chose to make for the kingdom. And I’ll not have any of those simple pleasures in Slovakia anyway. Better to teach myself to live without them now.
“To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.” ~G. K. Chesterton

On the Home front

Tonight is the first meeting for the ESL classes I’m volunteering at. I do believe that it is just a planning meeting but I’m kind of excited about it. The primary reason I’m doing it is because Debi (Global Outreach Director) flat out asked me to. I didn’t have any reason not to so… there you go.
Being so close to ASU we have multiple people groups that are in need for free English classes. It is a wonderful way to reach out to the community and provide them with necessary tools. Not to mention we get to be a light! I’m excited for God to use this time. I’m also hoping to hone my English teaching skills for future outreach in Slovakia. Eye on the prize!