My Story via Youtube!

Happy Friday All!

As I've been working through this process one thing that has been nagging at me is the impossibility of explaining in person to everyone that knows and/or is interested exactly what I'll be doing in Vienna, how they can help, and what exactly ICSV's mission is.  Through it's still not possible for me to see everyone personally, I have been working on other methods of sharing my story besides letter writing.  One of those is the creation of a little youtube movie that shares my story.  This is my first time uploading a Prezi to YouTube so the sound quality is sadly sub-par (a problem I'd like to address in the future if anyone has any ideas) but I invite you to watch it if you'd like to know more about what I'm doing, and how you can help!  See the link below and please feel free to share it with your friends!!!

Other Updates/Praises:
*  I've just been paired up with the roomate that I'll be living with in Vienna - so exciting!  Her first name is Sarah and I'd appreciate prayers for both of us.

*  Sarah and I also have a praise in that ICSV will be able to keep our apartment furnished for us - which will help out with ease of transition, comfort, and finances as we transition

*  God is continuing to provide financial support.  Be sure to check out the sidebar on Saturdays for updated support levels!


Thanks,

Amy

Support Levels Update

Praising God that I'm now at 35% of my initial start up costs for the move to Vienna!  To give you an idea of the breakdown of exactly what that is providing for - 35% is enough to cover the cost of my flight as well as the cost of shipping my personal belongings overseas to establish my ministry.

I'm also so thankful for the team of monthly supporters that God has called to partner together with me on a monthly basis!  I'm at 4% of the monthly support that I'll need to live in Vienna right now which is so exciting!

Just as exciting as the physical needs that God is providing for is the spiritual support base that God is already establishing for my time overseas.  I've been so encouraged by all of the people who have been praying for me and who have encouraged me already.  It means more than words can express to know that I have partners with me who are actively covering what God is doing in prayer.  There have already been days when I've begun to feel discouraged about the hugness of this undertaking only to have an encouraging note or phone call or hello in the hallway at school that has completly refocused me.

 THANK YOU to everyone who has been called or will be called to support me in any of these three ways...the journey is just beginning, and I know you'll be with me every step of the way!

I still have a long way to go - if you feel called to support me through prayer or finances you can find information in the tabs above that will direct you to the answers - you can also email me at abrown@odcs.org!

In Christ,

Amy Brown

5th Grade Missions Project

Tasty treats from around the world!

This week in class the 5th grade students began to work on one of my favorite projects of the year, and one which takes on a special meaning as I begin this next phase in my ministry...our Missionary project!  The students are researching the work that missionaries are doing in the real world in order to discover the needs and projects that are happening right now.  I always end up learning something and the fact that it ends with a "World Feast" where students bring in recipes from all over the world (and we make a special recipe book with prayer needs for each country and missionary we studied) really helps to make it memorable.

Now that I'm in the process of transitioning into full time ministry overseas, however, the whole process takes on new meaning!  As I direct students to missions blogs and help them to find organizations that are coordinating missions all over the world I find myself reflecting on how God led me to begin this journey.  And as the students begin to learn the real needs all over the world I feel so privileged to be a small part of that work.  More than anything, however, when I see the stories of missionaries that have been in the field for years...some of them for decades...I'm so struck by the faith of these awesome people - and also by the amazing faith and commitment of the people that sacrificed to support them for so long.

You know sometimes I pity Noah's neighbor

I 'm learning more and more just how difficult it can be to walk in complete faith - following God no matter how crazy the directions, and trusting him to provide the means and the way.  God has asked his followers to do some crazy things in his day (ever read Ezekiel 4?) but...he always seems to have provided a way hasn't he?  It's so easy to read but, like most things, a much bigger challenge to walk. I'll confess...in this stage of my journey it's hard to feel essentially powerless while God works to assemble those people who will be partnering with me in prayer and financial support so that my ministry can begin.  But I also know this training in faith is a big part of my individual path because, let's face it, I'm a bit of a control freak.  So me now, casting out my nets and talking to friends and family as this process begins is a struggle...but I know that God's working all things together for the good...so I'm going to keep learning so that my heart can keep growing so that I will be fully prepared for the work that God has called me to.



Thank you all so much for your prayers and the financial support that is already coming in.  I appreciate all of you!  And I'll be sure to post lots of pictures of our missions project so you can be fully envious of our food (and learning of course!).

-Amy