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New Year, New Role(s!)
Happy New Year!
Phew! 2015 was a big year! I returned from Kenya in April and graduated with my masters in intercultural ministries. In the spring, Kevin renovated his house and we planned our wedding, along with doing a whole bunch of house hunting. We got married on July 25 (finally!!!), adding the roles of wife and step-mom to my roster. After returning from our honeymoon, we continued the house hunt and God led us to the perfect place! We put an offer in at the end of August, and moved in in October. Since then, we've been settling in and settling down. Kevin, Tori, Sydney and I enjoyed our first Christmas together, complete with a lot of well-deserved relaxing, Christmas movies, and Christmas cookies!
There are many things to look forward to in a bright shiny New Year. In particular, I'm excited to tell you about yet another new role on the horizon for me and my involvement with Africa Inland Mission!
It's been forever since my last newsletter, I know, but I've had just a few other things going on! But now, it's finally time to hit the LAUNCH! button in this next phase of God's call on my life to missions, Africa, and unreached people - mobilizing!
There are lots of different ways God needs people involved in sharing the Gospel to those who have not heard. In Romans 10:12-15, Paul says this:
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... The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As is is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Four Rendille women walking out to a village to share Jesus. Aren't their feet beautiful?
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Did you catch that? Missionaries don't - can't! - just go, they need to be sent! I am SO excited to get to join a team of people from around the country that will help recruit, support, and SEND missionaries into some of the most challenging places in Africa to reach those who have never had a chance to hear about the One who richly blesses and saves all who call on His name.
So what does a Provincial Mobilizer do, anyway?
While there are lots of ways to answer this question, the following explains in a nutshell what my job will be as a provincial mobilizer for Alberta:
One - Through attending conferences and missions fests/events around Alberta and by answering emails from people who find out about AIM through various ways, I will get to recruit workers for the field and be the initial contact for new inquirers to AIM
Two - I will get to stay informed about current, planned, and dreamed ministries around the continent that need new workers. God is leading AIM leadership into more and more exciting, creative, and strategic ministries and I will get to be part of helping communicate these opportunities to inquirers and applicants to AIM. As I get to know applicants better, I will help them discern which ministry is the best fit for them.
Three - I will get the privilege of walking with people and supporting them as they work through the application process and the (sometimes) long process of getting to their ministry in Africa. I will get to be a support and a contact for them while they're away, as well as do debriefs with them and help them transition back to Canada when they return from Africa for home assignment or after their short term assignments.
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What am I looking forward to?
I'm excited about continuing in ministry with AIM to help reach the unreached in Africa. This is an extension and expansion of my work in Kenya - same goal, different role!
While my job now will be based in Calgary, it is still global work! It is thrilling to hear of - and communicate to you - the many different strategic ways AIM is and is planning to reach the unreached. For example, in a new development, AIM is preparing for an upcoming team (beginning in 2017) which will be reaching out to a large population of people from an unreached people group now living in CANADA! Yes, AIM realizes there are many of Africa's unreached people moving beyond the continent and is intensifying their focus on diaspora ministries around the world, including right here in Canada!
I can't wait to meet people who are following God's call on their life and investigating or moving towards missions in Africa. I get to have a 'front row seat' to what God is doing in their lives and help encourage and equip them to take the next steps... How cool is THAT?!?!
If you're interested in hearing more and in following or supporting me in this next chapter, check out the sections below or click here for more information!
Until the whole world hears,
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Prayer and Financial Support
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Like my work in Kenya, mobilizing is a support-funded position. I will be looking for individuals, small groups, and churches who are willing to partner with me both in prayer and financially in this new role.
Support for mobilizing is typically in the form of monthly pledges, as I have a monthly target of about $3400 I have to meet in order to begin work, However, yearly, quarterly, or even one time partnerships are - of course - always welcome, too. My and AIM's goal is for me to have full support and to begin work as of April 1 of this year. Would you pray about partnering with me?
Check out the button below for more information and for how to do this.
Also, if you would like to have me come speak at your small group or church, or would like to share more about my new role with others you think might be interested in partnering with me, let me know! It is very likely I will need to reach beyond my own personal network to meet my monthly support target, and I would love it if you'd help me do that! Email me at hello_hillary@yahoo.ca
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Praise
- for a wonderful 2015 - an amazing husband, two beautiful stepdaughters, and a new home! I am blessed far beyond what I deserve!
- for enough work substitute teaching to fill the income gap until I am able to start mobilizing
- for the opening of Tirrim schools for another year
Prayer
- for healing and answers for some persistent health issues this fall/winter
- for my support raising process. It seems daunting, but God is bigger than any mountain I face!
- for peace and patience in a season of transition - new marriage, new step mom, new house, new job...
- for Tirrim schools - adequate funding, Godly leadership and staff, and the transformed lives of students
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