Moving on

Next year has in store for me some big changes and a lot of firsts. I have a new job, I'll be moving to a new city to start it. I'll be moving out of home and into a flat. I'll be full time in ministry and will be relying on the generosity of people to support me for a chunk of my expenses. I'll also be finding a new church to be a part of too.

I have accepted a job with Word of Life at their New Zealand office as the administrator. As they're based in Hamilton it means a pretty big move for me. I'm really excited about the change, but at the same time I'm under no illusions that it's going to be easy. Even just the whole living in Hamilton thing. I never ever thought I'd live in the Waikato. Sounds very jafa-ish of me I know, but my whole life was comfortably set in West Auckland. That's probably the very reason God called me away! Darn comfort zones.

I was asked by the WOL board yesterday if I have any concerns or worries about working with Word of Life. There wasn't really anything that jumped into mind. The biggest thing for me is the relying on other people so much. It is humbling to think that people love God and believe in me and the ministry I'll be involved in enough to give me money. That they'd sacrifice something of what they earn to give it to me!! Wow! How awesome that they trust God, (and me to be a good steward) enough to do that. Also, trusting and having the faith that all the money I need will come in. It's kinda scary at this point taking a job and saying I'll move cities when in all honesty I don't have a gauranteed full time income. I'm not afraid to trust God though. It's just testing my level of trust ;)

I'm excited for all the new experiences I will have and the new people I will meet. It is definately bittersweet though, as I am leaving some amazing friends here in Auckland. I have such a supportive network of family, friends and church family here, I will miss that a lot. I'm sure in the first little while I will be up in Auckland visiting most weekends!

It's been really encouraging for me the way this whole thing has come about. I really didn't have any clear idea or direction about what I would do next year. The idea of carrying on in ministry was appealing but I just wasn't sure where or what that would look like. The timing of the offer from Tom was really perfect, not to mention the description of my role there. It really seemed tailor made for me. I'm confident that 2 of my big strengths will be well used there. It makes a big difference too that they're things I also enjoy doing. I really sensed further confirmation yesterday hearing what an answer to prayer it is from the boards perspective. God certainly has honoured a whole heap of people through this process. He is so good.