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

Apostille? What?

I have to honestly say that until a few weeks ago I had NO idea about what an Apostille is...or even how to say the word Apostille to be honest....

Now, several weeks later I sill have no idea regarding pronunciation (each government employee that I talked to gave a different one so now I just pronounce it a new way every time I say it for fun)...am still shady about it's meaning (some kind of official seal that goes with my birth certificate it seems)...but I am the proud new owner of one!

Why am I bringing up this strange legal document word that confuses me?  Because I have just sent out the first important batch of paperwork that I will need to apply for the work VISA that will allow me to live in Vienna.  Along with all of this paperwork comes the work forms and employment documents that I will need to fill out as a new employee and as a supported missionary of RCE.  These are all important but very overwhelming at times!

All of these paperwork details are not my forte and yet they will be an important (crucial!) part of the next few months!  Please pray for each document to come through on time and in order so that I will legally be allowed to live in Austria with no problems!

Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement, support, and prayers.  I will be keeping you updated with my progress in support raising and where I am at in the next few weeks.

Much Love!
In Christ,

Amy

Document Poster Extrordinaire

Two days two posts!  I know, totally unprecidented level of blogger responsibility.  Don't count on this daily treat to last for long - I know myself far to well for that!  Let's count on weekly and consider that a win for now ;-). 

Just thought it was worthwile to share with you the fact that I am now a technology guru and have uploaded several important documents to my "documents" tab.  Aside from a commitment card and EFT form you'll now find my support letter as well as a missions brochure in the link.  Both will let you know a lot about my ministry, the ministry of ICSV, and my support needs.  Check them out when you get a chance!

Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone and take the opportunity to reflect and worship!

The Adventure Begins!

Welcome to my brand, spankin new blog wherein I will try my very best to keep everyone updated as to my current progress and adventures as I begin my next stage in ministry.  I'll be moving to Vienna Austria in August of this year in order to begin teaching at the International Christian School of Vienna as a missionary teacher.  I'm very excited to go but also am very excited to finish the year strong at Open Door Christian School, where I have been teaching for the last four years. 

As I begin this new stage of ministry I'm going to be encountering new challenges and opportunities.  The first is the...well...not so thrilling job of gathering all of the necessary (and confusing!) paperwork that's required in order to live overseas.  The next (more exciting) job is to connect and partner with a network of people that will be supporting me through prayer and finances as I move into this next stage of full time missions!  I'll be sure to keep you updated as I go, but for now...here's to a great beginning!

P.S.  I feel a lot like Indiana Jones in the last Crusade where he takes the Leap from the Lion's Mouth lately.  A leap of faith visual that will always stay with me (and reveal my not-so-inner geek).

My Favorite Bible Story

So I'm sitting here on my couch, having just folded a gigantic pile of brochures about my upcoming missions move to Vienna, and also having just cut out a similarly large pile of commitement cards (I am ashamed to admit, though they were lovingly cut, they may or not be slightly crooked), and I find myself reflecting on what goes into such a big leap of faith in moving to Vienna, as a fully supported missionary.  It's a really hard thing depending on other people to support you, not because I don't trust God, and not because I don't have faith in the wonderful people who God is preparing to partner with me, but because of my own pride.  Letting others into my life in such a personal way feels crazy weird and it's a very strange feeling putting all of the control in your life into someone else's hands. 

However, I find myself reminded of one of my all-time favorite characters from scripture who was strangely enough, in my very position.  Nehemiah.  Poor guy one of the most neglected books in the Bible and yet he was so cool!  It's the ultimate story of a man with a calling who fulfilled it through God.  If you don't know the story it's the story of this man, a cupbearer to the king, who felt a call from God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after his people had been living in exhile for 60 years.  Anyways bottom line is he knows that he has this job to do, and he goes about it in the most awesome way.  It's a great lesson in leadership and how to follow God's call. 

So why think of Nehemiah today?  Well because I so often focus on his leadership and accomplishments, but today I found myself remembering how he got started.  He did three things before he left to build the walls of Jerusalem, and they are three things that I too need to do.  First, he covered the decision in prayer, second, he went the king and specifically asked for his needs in order to finance the building of the wall, and third, when he talked with the king he made sure to share what was on his heart openly and honestly - allowing the king to see his passion.  Because of Nehemiah's godly approach to the situation, this king of Persia, who wasn't even a Jew and really had no reason to support this venture, respected Nehemiah and gave him everything that he needed - thereby allowing the work to be done. 

What a lesson to all of us that get a calling and have to follow up on it.  I know God has given me this task.  I'm passionate about it and excited about it :-).  But now I need to follow in Nehemiah's footsteps!  Cover it in prayer, ask specifically for my needs, and trust people enough to show them my passion. 

So that's where I'm at today!  Thanks for all your prayers!