Training Photos

We’ve been busy at training: meeting our new teammates, helping them become awesome teachers, learning my new responsibilities as the team leader, and telling the new teachers all about living in Central Asia! Check out some pictures to see all the fun we’re having and meet our great new team!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=128844&id=669709178&l=2ea7ae36d0

August Wallpaper

This month’s free wallpaper is a photo of the South Kazakhstan team! We hope this will help remind you to lift us up as we complete our training and head into our new cities this month!

Click on the link below to open the picture, then right click to save it.
Wallpaper (Average Screen) 4:3 Aspect Ratio

Thanks to all of you who checked the blog on July 31st. I can only assume you were looking for the latest installment of the wallpaper! We were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our last teammate. You may also notice there is only one size to download this month. It turns out that after I upgraded my computer with the latest version of the operating system, my old Photoshop version is no longer compatible. I will work to find a suitable replacement program before next month. In the meantime, thanks for your interest and patience!

God’s Economy

As we prepare to enter our second year of volunteer service there have been many questions about our finances. Most of you know that we raise money for the administrative cost of our work, plus airfare, visas and personal expenses for the year. The school pays a small stipend for our teaching, which basically covers our cost for food and bus transportation each month. As a returning teacher, the cost to go is significantly lower, but it is still not something we can do on our own.

We have been encouraged by the growing financial support we have received as we continue this journey. Many who supported us last year have pledged to continue giving; others have even increased their pledges! Still more are coming along side our work for the first time as they hear about what we are doing and the impact being made. We are constantly reminded (and sharing with our teammates) that God’s economy is never in a downturn. Faithful steps of generosity also challenge me to be more generous. When you don’t have a lot of “extra” money, it can be hard to let go (believe me, I know), but there are lessons we learn as both a giver AND a receiver. Don’t miss out on the blessings!

If you’re one of those people who has always thought “I’d like to give someday, when I have enough money”. Let me encourage you by sharing some of the creative ways people have blessed us with their giving.
* Collecting change
* Putting a small amount of cash aside from each paycheck to make a large donation at the end of the year
* Giving from a tax refund
* Setting up a monthly automatic debit from a checking account
* A Tupperware Party fundraiser
* Small business owners committing to using their profits for charity
* Families between chrches giving their t!the
* Today David went to get a hair cut. As he chatted with the barber, he explained that he was just visiting family in the area and on his way back overseas to teach. As the barber began to ask questions, they struck up a conversation about min!stry work. At the end of the hair cut David went to the front to pay and the guy gave him a little too much change–$100!

Be quick to share what Gd is doing in your life. You never know how Gd may move someone else to get involved!

Cross-Cultural Quotes & Eternal Truth

I added a new element to my blog today: a daily travel quote. I always enjoy reading quotes, so I thought I’d see what comes up. The very first one is a quote from a Mu$1im.

“Muhammad says, ‘Love of one’s country is a part of the faith.’ But don’t take that literally! Your real ‘country’ is where you’re heading, not where you are. Don’t misread that hadith.” -Rumi

Although there are key differences in our beliefs, I was reminded of the Truth in Gd’s word that this earth is not our true home. My “country” is my eternal home. My Father is building a home for me with him in Heav’n (John 14\1-6). Although I may feel patriotism to the country of my birth, it is not where my heart rests. “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lrd, for we walk by fa!th, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lrd. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2 Cor 5\6-9).

As long as I am on this earth, my desire is to please my Father and to carry his message to the nations of the world.

“Give thanks to the Lrd,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.”
Isaiah 12\4

April Edition of “Backpack Download” Arrives

Impact partners David and Alicia sent us their April newsletter from Central Asia this week. In it, they recap the work they’ve been doing there for the last year and explain how their tenure is winding down. They also share how they’re gearing up for a summer in the States and for a move to a different city next fall. For the full scoop, download their newsletter (PDF)…