Grace Spilled Over

A year ago this month (November 2016), I visited the home office of the EFCA ReachGlobal for the very first time. It’s crazy to think about all that has transpired since that time and how faithful God has been. He deserves all the praise and glory . . .

December – was officially accepted as a full-time, long-term missionary with EFCA ReachGlobal.

January – wrapped up my time as women’s ministry director for my church and celebrated the nine years of ministry God gave me with these beautiful amazing women. Reflected where I was just one short January (2016) ago when I chose the word DARE for my Word-of-the-Year, knowing without a doubt that my life was going to be completely different come January 2017 but not really knowing how.

February – Resigned my position and had my first exposure to ReachGlobal missionaries in Thailand at the Asia Conference. Was profoundly impacted by these simple unassuming missionaries- their sacrificial living and commitment to following Jesus; forsaking home, family and all that is comfortable to follow!

March – Returned to EFCA headquarters for Ministry Partner Development training. Something in this new job I was dreading. I had never had to raise money before in my life – not for a mission’s trip, not for camp, nothing. Was encouraged and challenged through the training but still overwhelmed!

April – Despite my apprehension I hit the ground running raising support and developing ministry partners. And in the process God totally flipped the tables on me! One day while meeting with a single mom, newly divorced and struggling, she asked me to share with her about my new ministry. I shared with her some of the details and how excited I was to be ministering to women all over the world. When I finished, she exclaimed, “So how can I help?”

Normally, I would’ve said, knowing her situation, “would you pray for me?” But I felt God prompting me to say something else. So I looked at her and asked, “Could you give $5 a month?” She replied, “Umm, that’s a coffee.” “Yep” (We were at Starbucks and had just spent $5 on a coffee.). Then she got this big grin on her face and said, “I can do that!” She was so excited. She never dreamed she would be able to be a part of something like this and now she could!

That’s when I felt God whisper to me, “This is way bigger than you, Kristi! This is what I’m doing. You’re just offering people the opportunity to be a part of what I am doing around the world.”

Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of April
Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for April.

May – Dinners. Lunches. Coffees. Sharing the dream.

Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of May.
Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for May.

June – change for CHANGE, a young family’s dream to invest in this ministry to women around the world and to encourage others to join. Visiting Greenville Missionary Church in Greenville, Ohio and deeply touched by their generosity and willingness to join with me in ministry.

Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of June.
Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for June.

July – Honduras, a time of encouragement, experiencing a new culture, engaging with believers young and old and ministering to women. God confirming in my heart – this is what I was made for!

Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of July.
Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for July.

August – meeting with old friends and new, sharing the vision and watching God build the Grace Tribe!

Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of June.
Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for June.

September – Kenya, vision trip and CHE (Community Health Evangelism) Training in Women’s Cycle of Life in Nairobi. Life changing two and half days with the Maasai women of Namanga. Connection with a young woman doing ministry in Kenya that I hope to partner with in the future.

Prayer: God would provide $1,000.00 per month for month of September.
Prayer Answered: $1000.00 per month for September.

October – Biblical Worldview Conference and CHE training – where God expanded my horizons and opened doors for future ministry!

Prayer: God would provide the last of my funding $700 per month for October
Prayer answered: $567 per month (Just $133 left to be FULLY FUNDED!)

My heart is so full of all I have seen and experienced in this incredible year of change.

God is GOOD.

God is FAITHFUL.

God is AWE-MAZING.

May He be Praised!!!

For Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 57.10-11

Spilling His Grace,

kristi