August 13th
It has been an eventful 1 1/2 weeks since being back from my deputation trip on August 2nd. As mentioned in my update for July 30th (see below), things were up in the air for both me and my parents regarding our timing for moving back to England and what would happen with the business and house. What happens with my parents also affects me since my stuff is going back in the same container as theirs. However, the last few days and many conversations later, I am now excited to share with you the plans.
I have booked my flights to leave on September 11th (Yes, 9/11) and fly into Dublin, and then fly from there to Newquay. I will stay with my grandmother for the first few days, after which I'll stay with another couple in town who are believers. I don't know them myself, but I look forward to meeting them as they have been so exeited about the church plant and so welcoming - they have offered their home to anyone moving to Newquay for the church plant to stay until more permanent accommodation is found. So I will probably stay with them until the end of October, by which time the container should have arrived and I will hopefully have found a temporary part-time job and a suitable rental.
Due to the fact that I do not yet have full support, I will be working a part-time job to help cover the expenses of living in England. My plan is to return to the States in September 2009 for another deputation trip, during which I hope to have several church presentations. This is something I will be organizing between now and then. Hopefully, God will provide the monthly support I need so that I do not need to work a part-time job long-term, which would ultimately hinder how much I could do with video since I'd be tied down.
You may be wondering what happened to the Italy video projects that I've mentioned I'd be doing in September. Those projects were part of the discussions that have taken place over the last couple of weeks and have been a factor in making the recent decisions. Due to various circumstances, both of the projects have been postponed until the Spring. One of the major factors for the Nun video being postponed is the lack of financial support to produce the video. If you're interested in giving something towards the making of this video, you can send your donation to BMW and make a note that you want it credited to the Nun video project. You can find more details of how to support on the 'support' page or feel free to contact me.
While on the topic of support, I also want to let you know I need to get some video equipment. The video equipment that I have been using belongs to BMW and ultimately needs to be based State-side. I am able to borrow the equipment in the short-term, but I really need my own equipment. On my trip to NYC, I visited B&H Photo and talked to some of the professionals there about the equipment. I have listed on the 'Support' page the needs I have for equipment as well as my other financial needs, including outgoing expenses and more monthly financial support. If you would like to help towards the many financial needs, the details on how to send money to BMW and receive a tax-deductible receipt are on the 'Support' page.
I am excited that things are starting to move forward and that I'm able to go on the field and start helping with the church plant and producing videos. I will miss all my friends and my church family here in the States, but being where God wants you to be is the most important thing and I look forward to the opportunities of spreading the Gospel in Newquay. Please pray for all the details that's involved in packing and moving to another country. There's so much to take care of and there's not much time left to get it all done! Between now and when I leave, I am also planning to follow up with the pastors I met with on my trip, as well as following up with local businesses where I dropped off a packet of information before my trips.
Serving a Great God!
Demelza
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July 24th
I drove down to WV, stopping off at a church in Hagerstown, MD, on the way and had the opportunity to talk to a man who was sitting outside the church about what I was doing. I arrived in Martinsburg in the evening and went to the local church to give a presentation to a group of young people there. I was thankful for that opportunity! I spent Friday and part of Saturday with the folks in Martinsburg who are also BMW missionaries. It was nice to be able to catch up with them and meet the family members with whom we were staying.
July 26th
I left Martinsburg and drove down to Washington D.C. to spend the last few days of my deputation trip with a friend who I haven't seen since we graduated. They live right near the Capitol building and actually work there so I had a chance to have a private tour of the building and on Monday I joined them for 'Screen on the Green', which is where a large screen is set up on the Mall and thousands of people come out to watch a classic movie. It was a neat experience. The planned get-together for me to share my ministry didn't work out, but I did get a chance to go to Capitol Hill Baptist and the pastor there gave me some contacts in London.
July 30th
On Wednesday, I left my friend to join a group of believers in Gaithersburg, MD, for the Worship God Conference '08. My older sister was also able to join me so it was nice to spend time with her and have a time of spiritual refreshment in such a worshipful environment. It was neat to be able to meet some of the song-writers that write today's worship songs and be introduced to some of the new songs. It was especially encouraging to be in that environment when, during those days, things were changing for my family and I regarding our plans for the next couple of months with almost every email and conversation. It was good to remember that God is sovereign and I could rest in knowing that everything would work out. My sister and I drove back from MD to Greenville after the conference on Saturday, arriving around 12:30 Sunday morning. Even though it was a great trip and I had some great experiences and meetings, it was good to be home again!
... For more information on my trip, please read the other udpates on the 'Archive' page.
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