Reaching The Emerald Isle, December 2008

December 6, 2008
Dear friends,
“For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9
God’s plan is certainly greater than ours. Some of you may remember that a year ago, I was looking to serve in Germany as a resident assistant with Black Forest Academy. For reasons unknown to me, I was turned down. But God has since opened a bigger door to me and shown me a bigger plan than I could ever have dreamed of. During the summer, two missionaries contacted me: one in Slovakia and one in Ireland. Though I was interested in both ministries, the opportunities in Ireland were similar to what I had sought to do in Germany. Since choosing to pursue the opportunity to minister in Ireland, I have seen more and more how God has placed the various ministries I will be involved in on my heart even while I was just starting college. I will now have a chance to add experience to the education I received at Liberty University.
On November 12, 2008, I was appointed as a short-term missionary to Ireland with Greater Europe Mission (GEM). Right now, I am planning on being in Ireland for one year. I will be working in a variety of areas including working with GEM’s missionary kids, known as GEM-K’s, the Irish youth, as well as doing some administrative work for GEM’s team of missionaries in Ireland. All of these job areas will begin to get clearer the closer I get to the field. I have no real picture of what I’ll be doing day to day yet, other than to do whatever will further God’s kingdom as it involves the Irish people.
I have set a personal goal to be in Dublin, Ireland by the middle of July. To reach that goal I have to raise full support before I am able to leave. Although it is still awaiting approval, I have been given an approximation of $5,415 for Ministry Launching Funds (getting to Ireland, getting settled wherever I will be living, and whatever needs I have during my first month in Ireland. Then my monthly support is estimated at $2,024. This all adds up to just under $30,000 that I will have to raise. I will need to have a portion of this money already in my account as well as faith promises that people will continue to give to support me each month while I am on the field.
I cannot meet this goal by myself. I need individuals who will be willing to partner in ministry with me in two ways: prayer and finances. Though I will have more prayer requests as I get closer to leaving, for now I ask that you pray that I balance my time between my own spiritual growth and getting ready for the field, my job, and my classes for my Master of Religious Education. To partner with me financially, I have enclosed a Ministry Response Card that shares the different ways that you can support me. When giving, please include my account number (#25800) on a separate piece of paper to comply with the IRS tax laws.
May God richly bless you!
Immanuel,
Charity Lane

Christmas Greetings from GEM

Merry Christmas!
I wanted to pass on Christmas greetings not only from myself, but also from Greater Europe Mission.