Good Gifts

The most amazing thing has happened.

I adopted a little girl from World Vision about three years ago. Her name is Pahola Alejandra and she is from Honduras. She will be FIVE in July, and every time I get a picture of her I am astounded by how much she has grown.

World Vision charges $35 a month and until I graduated I had been splitting this fee three ways with two of the girls from my small group at church. I am now on my own, and I was sort of in a pickle until God reached down his mighty hand and helped me out.

I have not had a full-time job since the summer before last, since I was taking classes this past summer. Money has just been kind of tight, and my mind was boggling at how I was going to continue to provide for Pahola and her family while I was in Kosovo, since I did not have enough in my savings account to take care of her while I am there (since I will not be collecting a salary).

So, I began praying. I asked God to provide me enough to cover the $35 fee six times (so, $210... My math might be a little off, and if it is, don't judge me. I am an English major and I just did that in my head...)

And boy, did Papa come through in a big way. A very kind soul gave me a gift that more than covers this fee! In fact, this person's gift will provide for Pahola and her sweet family for the six months that I am gone, plus the two months that I will be out of work while I am waiting for the school year to start! Praise The Lord for he is good and his love endures forever!

I keep thinking about the verse in Matthew that talks about God's gifts to His children. The verse says, "if you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

The Lord, who abundantly blesses us, takes care of His children. Every good and perfect gift comes from him! Praise The Lord!

My Support Letter

Hey guys,

A couple people have been asking me to post the support letter I recently sent out. So, here it is!

_____________

My Dear Friends and Family,

As you may or may not know, the Lord has blessed me with an opportunity to serve Him in Kosovo for six months. I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to take this journey, and I cannot wait to begin!

Lord willing, I will be leaving about the middle of January. I am traveling under the guidance and supervision of Pioneers, a missions agency with whom some of my friends have worked. I will be joining a team already in Kosovo and will be working with them for the duration of my stay. I will be teaching a few English classes a week, but the majority of my time will be spent ministering to the girls of Ferizaj (pronounced "fair-iz-eye"). 95%  of the people of Kosovo are Muslim, but the people share a very nominal faith. Many Kosovar profess to be Muslim but do not practice their faith beyond participating in Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, which is obligatory for adults.

As I look back over the events of the past few years, I can clearly see that the Lord has had a hand in this from the beginning of my walk with Him. He called me out of spiritual death and blessed me with the opportunity to work at TEAMeffort Youth Missions Camp for three summers, grooming me to do many of the same things I will be doing in Kosovo! He led me to major in English Education, so that I not only know how to teach this subject, I know how to teach it to the very age group I will be working with! He has blessed me with a heart for girls and a desire to minister to them! He laid an unrelenting passion for missions on my heart! I am so unbelievably humbled and honored to have been picked for this!

I cannot do this alone. First, I ask you to pray. Pray for me and pray for the team I will be joining! Pray that the people of Kosovo will be open and receptive to the message of Christ! Pray that the people of Kosovo will experience a faith that is more than nominal and will recognize their deep need for the Savior! Pray that the Lord will lay his hand on this adventure and guide my steps and my tongue!

Second, I want to give you the opportunity to join in the mission that God has given me. The total cost for this trip, including travel and living expenses while I am there, is $9,500. Therefore, if you feel led, give and join with me in this mission to spread the Gospel, share the good news of Christ, and make disciples in the nation of Kosovo!

If you do feel led to give, you may donate online at the Pioneers website at https://webapps.pioneers.org/DP/Give/GiftInformation. Please note that you will need my full name (Kathryn Broyles) and account number (111842) if you choose to donate online. Your gifts are tax-deductible and serve to impact the Kingdom of God and change lives for eternity! If you would prefer to donate the old-fashioned way, please contact me via any of the methods listed below and I will send you a paper copy of this letter with further instructions. 

Thank you for your contribution, both in prayers and gifts, to this project. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at khb0003@tigermail.auburn.edu or at (256)604-8864. You may also keep up with me at www.improbableandunafraid.blogspot.com.

With Love,

Katie Broyles