So, my first two weeks of Missionary Training in Colorado are done. And God is good! I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be here and learn and grow.
Then God said, "Let there be light!" and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Genesis 1:3-4
It's been two weeks of language learning or better said, "learning how to learn a language." We've been reflecting on language and practicing sounds. And of course since I love language, have taught language, and have been living speaking my second language for
the last two years, it has been exciting to think about. I mean thinking deeply about the fact that God... the creator of everything… created us in His image by speaking us into existence is pretty amazing. And then to think that He created us with the ability to learn language, understand it, and eventually speak it is just another reason to say, "wow." And I am so grateful to be able to use the language that God has allowed me to learn to share about Jesus.
One might wonder why I am so excited about language learning classes since I am headed back to the Dominican Republic where I already speak their native tongue. Since being here, I have been reminded of the fact that I can always learn more and that language learning is a way to build community. And, language is the foundation on which relationships and ministry are built. And, I am convicted to learn the native tongue of many of the families whom we will serve who do speak Spanish, but whose native tongue and heart language is Haitian Creole.
Long term, doing this will hopefully help me be able to share about the Lord with the Haitian families who live in the communities we serve and could serve as a foundation for future ministry with teen girls and women in those same communities. Please pray with me, even now, that God would prepare the hearts of the people in two communities of Haitian Creole speakers where I will be serving. The communities are called Chichigua (all haitian community) and Poncho Mateo (dominican/haitian community). Pray that God would prepare someone who can be my language helper and would be able to commit to help me learn. Please also pray for continued learning of scripture in Spanish as I prepare to build relationships with the kids and families with whom I will work.
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| This is my language helper with whom I learned some Vietnamese as a way to understand the methods that will eventually help me with Haitian Creole. |
Since being here in Colorado, I have also had the opportunity to pray and talk about the last 2 years and about being in transition now. Remembering the highs and lows, the things God has taught me and the people whom I've loved is really good for my soul. It has been great to talk about the "yuck ducks" and the "yay ducks" and we've been reminded that even when there are great things happening in our lives, sometimes there is "yuck" happening too. I would say that is definitely the fact as I reflect on how God has used me over the past two years, the people who have loved me well and whom I have loved, and God's call now for me to work with a new ministry.
These two weeks have also included times of worship and of fellowship with other missionaries who are all going to a new "field" of ministry soon. (People are headed to 22 different countries all over the world to spread the Gospel, disciple, and serve using the gifts that God has given them.)
Each day, we have class time where we get to learn from former missionaries and hear their stories and advice. I am so grateful for their wisdom!
The next two weeks will focus on culture.
And of course, we have had some time on the weekends and evenings to relax, hike, play games and enjoy the beauty of Colorado.
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| Weekend 1: A hike to Mt. Hernon |
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| Weekend 2: A train ride to Pikes Peak at 14,000 feet |
How can you help?
1) PRAY for me in this time of transition and pray for my future language helper!
2) JOIN MY TEAM financially and PRAY that I will reach 100% soon!
I would love to be at 100% of financial support by October 15. I am not there yet. If you are interested in joining my team at Makarios, please go to: www.makdr.org and select GIVE / Select a missionary and find my name…
or
Send a check to:
Makarios International
1801 E. 51st Street
Suite 365-300
Austin, TX 78723
(please leave the memo line blank but note that it is for Adrienne Christian on another paper.)
3) Please SEND A PICTURE of you and your family!
I would love to remember that my team members are on this journey with me as I step into something new. Please send a jpeg picture (electronically to my email - acorinnechristian@gmail.com) within the next two weeks. I will print all the pictures out and hang them up on the wall in my room in the Dominican. This will serve as a visual reminder for me to pray for my team members and to remember those at home who are praying and on this journey with me.
"Wow, God!"
"I praise You for this amazing opportunity, for the people that I am meeting, and for being equipped to go back to the Dominican to serve and help advance His kingdom."
"I am excited about how You are preparing me for the next step of faith that I am taking."
"Thank you, Lord, for your provision, your creativity, and your ability to speak into being this beautiful place, Colorado."
Thank you for the team of family and friends who love me well, support me financially, and pray for me.
"Thank you for knowing exactly what I need."
To Him be all the glory and the honor and the power forever and ever… AMEN!
