Update on my life!

Cannon Beach, Oregon. Whoever thought that a small town over 2,000 miles away could feel so much like home. It is amazing how much a person can change in one year. Last October I started school, not knowing a soul, self conscious, petrified of what people thought, nervous of college being a repeat of high school, afraid to be me. But Ecola has totally transformed my life. To be perfectly honest, I came here because I had no idea of what else to do. Scholarships at universities fell through and I knew I did not want to stay home and work. I needed a change of scene, but it seemed as if that would not happen. So when my aunt told me about a Bible school on the Pacific Ocean, I jumped on the opportunity. My expectations were that I would go for one year of Bible school, move home, go to a university, get a degree, and start working. Cookie cutter life. I never expected to have a heart for missions,to come back for the School of Ministry.  I never expected to make as many good relationships as I have here. God has taught me what community is, what it is like to be part of the body of Christ.

So here I am, back for another year. Even when I applied for the School of Ministry, I did not think I was going to come back. I was afraid that God would not provide my finances, but He definitely provided a way for me to come back. The week my deposit was due, God made it clear that this is where He wanted me to be. It was a challenging summer for sure, but I learned a lot through it.

God also provided work for me here in Cannon Beach. Ecola provides different internships for second year students to apply for to help pay for school. The positions are those of an Office Assistant or an RA for the dorms. When I left school last May, they had all positions filled. Although I had thought of applying for the Office Assistant job, I missed the deadline for the application so I figured I would find other work. But during the summer I was encouraged to apply since a position opened up, and so I did. At the very last minute I got accepted for the job and flew out just a couple weeks later! It has been such a wonderful experience working in an office surrounded by Christians. It is not a job I’ve ever worked before and I am really enjoying getting to know the staff and learning knew things.

With coming as a  second year student, there are also more responsibilities. We are called to more leadership roles which include, but are not limited to, leading an outreach team, leading a small prayer group, and being a mentor to first year students. The outreach I have the privilege with working in is Operation Nightwatch in Portland, OR. Another second year student and I each have a team of five (including ourselves) and we go into Portland to serve the homeless. It is a hospitality center where people can come in, get some food, play games, stay warm, and have conversation. It is such an encouragement to talk to people, and to hear their stories.  

It feels like the school year just started, it’s hard to think that it’s almost half way over. I know that God has a wonderful plan for this year and I am excited to be a part of it. I thank every one of you so much for praying for me, for supporting me and for even reading this. You all have been such an encouragement.