Homecoming weekend (no dancing)

A little over 10 years ago, I sat in a new church, in my new city, in a new country, and I cried. My family had just moved from Edmonton, Alberta to Plano, Texas so that my dad could attend DTS, and we left in Canada a church that we had been with for 15 years that was really more like our family. A little over 6 years ago, I sat in that same church and cried again, this time because I was leaving Plano to move to Iowa for college. God blessed me with the opportunity to attend Plano Bible Chapel for 4 years while I was in high school and used the ministry of this church to shape and mold me into the person I am today. It was at PBC that my love for God's word and my love for teaching God's word began to flourish. I was also able to go on several missions trips with PBC and meet many missionaries, which caused me to feel led to serve God overseas. But first let me tell you how God drew me into PBC in order to minister to me through PBC.

As I mentioned, the first week at PBC was one of tears for my family, at least for the girls (I'm not sure how dad made it sometimes!) It wasn't that we didn't like PBC, it just wasn't home. And it was BIG! Yes, I know it's not big for Dallas, but for me to go from a church of 100 to a youth group of 50 was quite a change. I'm not a real people person, I'm a little introverted, and so it was a struggle for me at first. I was 15 years old, but I stuck pretty close to my parents for a while! Well, one Sunday, it was about time for Sunday School and Phil, the youth pastor came to say hello. Then he did the unthinkable, but it was just what I needed. He put his arm around me and said "Ready to go to Sunday School?" What was I supposed to say, no?! God used Phil (and I'm pretty sure there were some others conspiring with him) to get me started on my involvement at PBC and I am so glad that he did. I loved my four years at PBC.

This weekend, we get to go back! We have officially been accepted as PBC missionaries and are so excited to be able to participate in the missions conference this weekend. We are looking forward to sharing our vision for Senegal and helping people get excited about what God is doing in other parts of the world. Being a part of PBC again is I believe a mutual blessing. The church has been praying about reaching the 10/40 window without really knowing how they would be able to be involved in this. Our team in Senegal has the vision that this country, due to it's religious freedom, can be a door of hope to the Muslim world and the 10/40 window. We are glad that we can join PBC in it's desire to reach this area of the world in which there is so much need.

Pray for us this weekend, that we will be an encouragement to PBC, and that we will meet people who wish to partner with us in the ministry in Senegal.