Moses & a Picture Update

Exodus 3:11-12

"But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" He said, "I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.""

I recently got an email from someone with these verses.  See, I've been feeling like Moses a lot these days, asking God "Who am I that I should go to England and start up a youth ministry?"  And just like Moses, I am asking the wrong question.  It's not about me, my talents, or my abilities.  It's about me being obedient to God's call, and submitting to what God wants to do in and through me.  God says, "I will be with you."  I need to know that this is enough.  Please pray for me in this.

Here's a few pictures to update you on some recent happenings...

Not the best quality picture, but here's me with my current roomates.  L-R: me, Betsy, Alaina, Christina

Enjoying a picnic in the park with Betsy

One of the pictures I took in the park :)

At Oasis Church on Sunday... it was different than I'm used to, but it's always good to see that God can be worshipped in so many ways!

The church uses the Midlands Art Centre to meet, and it's located in a big park.  I went outside after church and here's something I saw

A touch of home.  Lots of Canadian geese!

Be blessed friends!

Prayer to the Letter!

Hiya, you alright?

I've finally been able to write a prayer letter to update you on where things are at over here.  How are things with you?  How can I pray for you?  Please send me an update when you get a chance.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Tami

GO Conference

After this, I saw a large crowd with more people than could be counted. They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood before the throne and before the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands, as they shouted, "Our God, who sits upon the throne, has the power to save his people, and so does the Lamb." 

Revelation 7:9-10

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus!

I so wish that you could be here with me at the OM GO Conference in Holland!  I've been so blessed to experience just a taste of Revelation 7:9-10.  Each time we sing together, I look around and am amazed at over 300 people from many races, tribes, nations, and languages, shouting variants of "Our God, who sits upon the throne, has the power to save his people, and so does the Lamb!"  Isn't it just awesome that so many people can be brought together with the same purpose - glorifying God?  Only God could cause such a thing to happen!  The next time you are singing together with other believers, look around you and marvel at what God has done.  Don't get distracted by what they're wearing, how off/on tune they are, or what style of music you are singing - just enjoy that you can praise God together.  I also ask that you would pray for each of these new recruits, volunteers, and staff, as they go out to countries around the world to spread the love of Jesus.

Just in case you are wondering what the GO Conference is, it is an orientation conference for all new recruits joining OM for more than 6 months.  It's a time of learning what OM is, about God and culture, and being encouraged as you are sent out to your country of service.  Since I've already attended a GO Conference the first time I joined OM in 2006, I am serving as a volunteer.  The first week I served in the kitchen, preparing food and cleaning, and this week I am working at the Information Desk, doing a variety of administrative tasks.  I've also had the opportunity to attend a number of the sessions in the times where I'm not working.  It's been a great time of getting to know new people, being re-oriented with OM, being encouraged, and worshipping God in many ways.  I've been here in Holland since the 21st, and will fly back to England on Saturday the 3rd.  I will update you on what things will look like in England as soon as I know.  For now, I hope you enjoy some pictures from the Conference below!

In Christ,
Tami

 I really couldn't resist this picture in the Amsterdam airport.  This country has WonderWoman stores, and cookie spread for your toast (called Speculoos) - what more could you want?

 This is a picture from the conference site.  All the buildings are really quaint, and there are bicycles everywhere!

 Another picture from around the conference site

 I took the picture below on a walk into town. There's lots of fields and cows around this area of Holland.

 This is the inside of an old church in the town of Delden.  It was absolutely beautiful, but it felt so dead.

A friend who also came to the conference, who has spent the last 3 months in England with OM Lifehope.

 This pic was taken during an activity at the Conference called 'Mission Possible.'  Participants are led through a series of stations designed to mimic what it could be like going through immigration, customs, etc. in a new country.  It is hoped that the participants will take it seriously and be better prepared for what's ahead.  The staff and volunteers do a really great job of running it - even dressing up in army costumes, dimming the lights, and burning incense.  It can be quite intense!

Greetings from England!

Hiya, you alright?  Yes, I am in England.  Double decker buses, a variety of accents (posh and not so posh), more pubs than you can count...  Although I remember some things from when I was here five years ago, a lot of things have changed.  My first day I remember thinking, "they all really DO talk that way!"  I've gotten over jetlag quickly, but I can tell that it will take time to re-adjust to living and ministering here.  I cannot tell you how much it means to know that many people are praying for me.  I know that prayer - God working through prayer - is how I am able to keep going, even when it can be overwhelming.

My first couple days in England went quite fast!  I re-acquainted myself with the people round the base, and with Halesowen, the town where it is located.  I registered with a GP (doctor) and opened a bank account.  Some things are 'the same', while many things are different.  I arrived in England on August 18th, and then already on August 21st I travelled to Holland to volunteer at the OM GO Conference.  This is a conference to orient new recruits to OM and from here they are sent out to their various countries/areas of ministry.  I am at the conference right now, and will be working in the kitchen and at the information desk.  The recruits arrive tomorrow.

Well, it is supper time here, so I have to go.  I'll hopefully get the chance to write more soon.

In Christ our common bond,

Tami

At the airport in London

Typical British pub

'Good' bye?

We took some family pictures yesterday.  It was somewhat bittersweet.  I'm glad to spend time with family and get some people I love on film to take with me to England.  But it's sad too.  It is 9 days till I leave (I know the countdown to the right says otherwise, but I can't figure out how to fix it yet), and I'll miss my family and friends.  It's been hard lately to think of leaving, knowing all the things I'll miss out on.  I had my commissioning service at my church yesterday too, and I realized it was my last church service there for some time.  Said goodbye to a lot of people...people I've grown to love and appreciate.  I know that God has called me, and I would never back down from that, but still - how do you say goodbye?  Is it a 'good' bye?  Is it a see you later?  I don't know.  It feels like a bye that isn't so good and is for a long time.  I don't want to sound like I'm complaining, because it is a joy to follow God.  Following God always involves some sacrifices, and if you really think about it, are they truly sacrifices, or more like a greater surrendering?  Regardless, I will follow in obedience - hard or not.  Your prayers are much appreciated!!

The Fam!

Can't forget my Cody bear!

Pictures taken by my lovely friend Kaila!

my cup overflows...

Hello there!

I know it has been awhile, but in my defense I have been waiting for an article that I wrote to be published so I could direct you to it...and it is ready today!  I wrote the article for OM Lifehope, the specific branch of the organization that I'll be working with.  They have a quarterly newsletter and it appears in this issue.  Read it here.

Besides that, I have answers to prayer to share with you!  I recently made a trip to Edmonton to get fingerprinted for my Visa application.  The requirements had changed since I last went, and Edmonton was the cheapest location I could go to (apparently the local police station just doesn't cut it!).  It took 15 minutes in and out of the office (wow!) and the rest of the trip was a vacation with my Mom.  They told me it could take up to 15 business days to get the Visa, but early the next week I got an email that it was already issued and on its way from Ottawa.  Then last week Friday, I picked it up from the post!!  God really answered prayer here, because the whole Visa process can be quite complicated and take a long time.  One lady who had her appointment in Edmonton the same time I did said that she didn't have the right papers and had to come back again - and she drove in 5 hours from Lethbridge.  So PRAISE GOD for how he is our shepherd.

Also, even before the whole Visa process, all of my needed support came in before my deadline!  God answered prayer again.  Since then, I've had another bunch of people approach me and tell me they'll support me through prayer & finances.  God has provided even MORE than I needed!  Isn't God good?

Right now I'm on a vacation of sorts.  I decided not to look for another job this summer, and just take from the end of June till when I leave off, to spend time with friends & family.  It's been nice to connect with people and rest.  It's just over a month until I leave - my flights are booked for August 17th.  I can hardly believe it!  Time has flown since I began the application process to leave.  Please pray that I would be able to accomplish what I need to in the time left here (including resting!), and that God would give me strength and courage to obey his call.  Although I'm excited to go to England, and I know it is God's will for me now, it is still hard to think of leaving my family, friends, and church for that length of time.  But I know God will provide for me!

Many blessings to you :)

Tami

Free the Slaves

Dear friends,

Although there are more earthly freedoms than ever for British youth, huge numbers are still slaves in the one area that matters most - their spirituality. Youth are increasingly turning to sex, binge drinking, drug abuse, violent crime, and more, in order to fill the void that a life without God aches with. When these things refuse to truly set them free, many are taking the route of suicide. The need for ministry to youth is greater than ever, but half of evangelical congregations have no specific children's ministry (source: Operation World 2010). God has given me a burden to reach out to these youth, and together with you, hopefully make an eternal difference.

God's mission is not something that can be accomplished by one person only. It is something that needs the whole church to be able to happen. I am asking you to prayerfully consider partnering with me financially on a monthly basis to reach out to British youth. While in England, we (you and I), will be working with Operation Mobilisation Lifehope as a Youth Leader and Trainer. What I am most excited about with this role, is that not only is there the opportunity to reach out to youth directly, but also to train others to reach youth, thus multiplying the ability for youth ministry. There's definitely more I could talk about, but I have attached my next prayer letter (below), which has more information. Also, I'd love the opportunity to be able to meet with you to talk more.

William Carey once said, "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." Let's not only expect the great things, but step out in faith to attempt the great things too. Please pray about the opportunity to join me in these attempts by partnering with me on a monthly basis. No amount is too small or too big, as long as it is given according to God's leading and with a cheerful heart. I must also be upfront with you and let you know that in order for me to be able to depart for England in mid-August, my finances need to be in or pledged by June 13th.

Many blessings to you,

Tami

You Can't Have Them!

Isn't it funny how life doesn't end up the way you planned?  I never, ever thought that I would be working in a church.  Well, here I am.  Then I didn't want to be working with a church youth group for only a year, because I didn't think it was fair to the youth to have to go through another big transition like that.  Again, here I am.  I didn't know how much I would grow to love, respect, and treasure my youth that I've only known for a short time.  It's way more than I would have thought.  The other day when there was discussion about who would be hired on after me, I began having these thoughts, "You can't have them!  They're mine!" {sidenote: is that how God responds to the devil who would wish we follow him? } Even before a year is complete, I'm already attached and don't particularly enjoy entertaining the thought that sometime soon, I will not be around to see them change and grow.

Transitions in life are hard, but necessary.  I face another one of those in the near future, and it both excites and intimdates me.  I'm excited for a new challenge and adventure, that I believe God has led me to pursue.  I'm intimdated because I doubt whether or not I can do it well.  Yes, I fear failure.  Actually, I probably fear too many things.  I fear that this dream of once again serving in England with OM will not become reality.  Why fear?  Well, I know, but hesitate to say, that I need to trust God more deeply.  Oh God, help my unbelief!  Let me see your greatness and respond with trust.  Amen.

Tami

What a Waste! Or is it?

Have you ever thrown something away after only using it a few times and thought "what a waste!"?  Not too long ago I had to throw a nice sweater away.  It was the first time washing it, and unfortunately the washing machine decided that it was time I get shorter and gain weight, as the sweater shrunk vertically, and stretched horizontally.  I was quite sad and mourned the loss of this new [deformed] sweater.  What a waste!  {only slight sarcasm used here}

This got me thinking about the idea of waste and the difficult things we go through in life.  I wrote in my last prayer letter that I was going through some pretty tough stuff.  It's easy to get discouraged when the light at the end of the tunnel is sometimes non-existent.  Groping around in the dark for direction can seem like such a waste of time, effort, and life.  It's especially then that I, we, must cling to the fact that God does not waste pain.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says,

 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ."

So God doesn't waste pain, but that doesn't mean that it is pleasant to endure.  It's still hard, and it will still sometimes feel like a waste, but we know that it is not.  It is in times like these that we cry out with the possessed boy's father in Mark 9:24, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"


On a completely different note, today it is 3 months until my finances are due to be in or pledged.  Yikes!  And then about 5 months till I plan to leave.  Although it sounds ludicrous to say, it is hard to trust God for the finances to come in.  It is such a small amount for such a big God to provide, yet I doubt (maybe this is related to Mark 9:24 after all...).  Can you pray with me that I would trust, and that God would provide for these needs?

In Christ
Tami

It's Coming Fast!

Hello again!

I've been working on a second prayer letter and it is finally finished.  I've copied images of it below so that you can take a read.  I apologize for the quality - this is the only way I know how to do it and they don't allow you to upload word or pdf docs.  If you'd like to be added to the email list where you get the actual file, please email me at tami.zacharias@hotmail.com.  If you live in the southern MB area, there are going to be paper copies available in my church (EMMC) as well.  Or, yet another option, I can mail one to you if you'd like (let me know your address).

Other than that, the prayer letter says it all!  The deadline for when my finances need to be given or pledged is coming up in about five months on June 13th.  And it's only about 8 months until I actually leave.  Wow!  I can hardly believe that time has gone that fast.  Thanks so much for all of your support, and let me know how I can pray for you.

Tami

 



Dogs, Footloose and Serving as Senders

Have you ever seen a dog during the first snowfall?  It's a pretty wonderful thing.  They run around in a frenzy, sniffing and snorting, so incredibly excited for the cold white stuff.  Noses are intermittently buried beneath the white powder in search of toys, and when they resurface, their faces are smattered with snow. 

I was recently over at my sister's place, and we spent some time outside playing with her dog Cody.  Cody is a year and a half old Chocolate Lab, who is a bundle of energy.  He loves playing outside, but he especially loves mittens!  He finds them a lot more interesting than his toys, and will constantly be biting at your hands in an effort to steal their source of warmth.  While we were playfighting in the snow, he got a good hold on my mitten and managed to pull it off my hand.  My sister and I spent the next while trying to corner and tackle him, to no avail.  We offered him various toys, but he would not budge.  He ran around the yard with the prized mitten hanging from his mouth, while my hand's temperature dropped.  Finally, we gave in.  My sister went inside to grab a treat, and this was enough to get the mitten back.  Ahh, my hand began to thaw again.  By the way, that's Cody in the picture below :)  Isn't he cute?



Cody

In mid November, I also had the opportunity to see my youth in the musical Footloose (see picture below).  It was an amazing show, and I was so proud of my youth!  There were quite a few of them in various parts in the musical, and they ALL did an excellent job!



Footloose

In this picture, the main character (Ren) and the rest of the teenagers are at a town council meeting, fighting to be allowed to have a dance.  Dances were outlawed a number of years earlier when some teenagers died in a car accident when coming back from a dance.

Well, those are a few highlights of the past while.  Another was the Games Night the youth had with the older adults in our church.  Both Jr & Sr Youth got together with the older adults (50+) for a night of testimonies (from youth & adults), singing (hymns & contemporary), games (all kinds!), food (mmmm!), and fellowship.  I think there were over 100 people there, and from what I could see, everyone had a great time!  It was so awesome for me to see the various generations mixing - a true picture of the body of Christ.  One senior asked afterward, "Are we doing this every month?"  Perhaps not, but we did have another suggestion of doing it twice a year.  So maybe we can arrange another one for later in spring.

Can you believe it's only 257 days until England?  Wow!  Well, it's not exactly that, but I have that figure from some date in later August 2011.  It's coming up fast, and there's still a lot to do.  Have you thought & prayed about joining my support team?  It's a great ministry opportunity, and an essential part of building God's kingdom.  I think sometimes people believe that praying for & otherwise supporting missionaries isn't that important, but that's simply not true!  It is incredibly important!  Neal Pirolo calls it, "Serving as Senders" (he wrote a book by the same name).  Not all of us can 'go,' but all of us can be senders of others.  Missionaries aren't soloists - they are one part of a choir.  Think and pray about what your involvement needs to be.

That's all I have for now.  Many thanks to those who read these blogs, pray, and/or have been supportive in some other way.  I appreciate you far more than you know.

Tami

here, there, everywhere!

If you're reading this, I apologize for not keeping this more up to date as I had hoped to do.  You may relate to the kind of life I've experienced for the past month and a half or so - somewhat hair-pulling busy as an airport on Christmas Eve when there's been a major snowstorm and all flights have been cancelled.  Well perhaps it has not been that extreme, but so it has felt at times.  I normally see myself as a quite organized person, but I have felt very scattered more often than I would like.  I usually don't forget things, but I've been forgetting things.

So I finally have a moment to update this and I'd really like to share something profound that I've learned through this past busy time.  I'd like to, but I can't.  The truth is, I'm not sure how well I've actually been handling everything.  On top of starting two new jobs and learning the ropes there (I'm still working on it...), there have been a lot of personal and family issues to deal with.  Stress is a bugger, but especially so when you don't feel you have time to deal with it properly.

You may ask, where has God been in all this?  I could give you the nice sounding answer - of course God has been there the whole time!  He has made every step clear and I have been at peace.  But again, to be honest, I cannot really say that.  It has been a struggle to say the least, and I'm trying to persevere through the "dark moments of the soul."  I want to be one of those people who comes out of something like this a better, stronger person, who has learned to trust God through anything.  Will that happen?  Hopefully....

Being so busy with everything else, I've wondered in between - where does this leave me with OM?  What is my next step in preparation for that?  In part, what I am doing now IS preparation - especially working with the youth at my church.  I've been learning so much and really enjoying this opportunity to put into practice what I have studied these past years.  I've come to the conclusion that school is so much easier than real life.  If you're in school, you might not believe that, but you will soon enough. 
Anyways, as for formal prep, I'm not sure.  I was excited to receive an email from OM Lifehope in England the other day saying that someone had signed up to join the Youth Track at the same time I'm planning to join, so God's already setting up people for me to work with.  To remind you, I will be working as a Youth Leader and Trainer in England (starting next summer).  See below for more info on the "youth track", the students I'll be working with more closely.  If you are a youth, you should think about joining yourself!! :)  It makes my stomach flip a bit to think of this new challenge, but I think anticipation wins over.

Anyways, after all this, I'd like to ask for your prayers in a couple areas.  First, if you could pray for the personal and family issues that are going on.  I can't share specifics, but I'd appreciate your prayers about it as God leads you.  Second, pray for wisdom - in my personal life, in my work with youth, for OM planning/prep.

Thanks for your support.  It means a lot to know that we're not alone.  As always, let me know how I can pray for you.

Tami

OM LIFEHOPE YOUTH TRACK

The Youth Track will equip you to be an effective and committed youth worker while gaining a formal UK qualification: The National Certificate in Christian Youth Work. You will receive high quality and relevant training and experience life in a church-based international team.
After an initial time of orientation and training, you will be placed in a Community Outreach Team where you have an unrivalled opportunity to get hands on involvement in evangelism in the UK and experience life in a diverse multicultural team.
Each week throughout the year you will study with Engage! our partner organization in this programme. It uses interactive training days together, distance learning materials, work with young people and help from a mentor to enable you to learn more about youth work and develop your own understanding and skills. OM Lifehope and Engage! together would set up a suitable youth work placement where you can practice and develop your youth work skills.

Who, me?!? A pastor?!?

Fearfully Excited

So, it's been about a month and I want to try and upate this blog at least once a month before I leave for England next summer.  Here's a little update...
Today after church they had a membership vote as to whether or not I would be hired as p/t interim youth director.  And, the vote was affirmative!  I start on Tuesday morning. 
This is the way I had felt God was leading, but it is still somewhat overwhelming now that it has actually been approved.  I'm quite excited for this opportunity to be involved at my home church, which hasn't been able to happen very much the past years due to school, working Sundays, living overseas, etc.  But at the same time, I would say that I have a healthy dose of fear.  I've said numerous times that it was easy to get an A+ in the classroom, but it's impossible to get an A+ in real life.  Can I actually do what I've studied hard to be able to do?  Can I overcome my struggles with unhealthy perfectionism and give & accept the grace I need to do this?  There are many different questions like that.  It's in times like these that I'm all too aware of my need to depend on God for everything!  I know that if I try and do this on my own it will be quite miserable.  And so this new journey begins....Your prayers are more than appreciated, they are absolutely essential!!

Alas, this week I start at my church, and then next week school starts!  I am a f/t Educational Assistant in the Self Directed Learning class at the high school.  So with both jobs then, I'll be working more than 50 hours a week.  I'll be busy :)

Besides work, one really exciting thing (at least to me!) is that I have found a place where I 'take' seminary-level courses for free.  Well, really I only get the lectures, but still. http://www.worldwide-classroom.com/courses/ is the website.  It is through Covenant Theological Seminary.  I'd really been missing school and sad that I couldn't go back in the fall.  I love listening to lectures and soaking up knowledge.  So I've downloaded a couple courses and can listen to all the lectures I want for free, whenever I want!  I think God really provided this at the right time.  He's pretty good like that.

Anyway, this has gotten pretty long and I need not write more.  I don't know how many people actually read this, but at least I am doing my part to keep everyone updated.  It'd be nice to hear from some of you how things are and if you have prayer requests.  Oh, here are some of mine!
PRAYER REQUESTS
1) Prioritizing - I will be busy and want to keep the main things, the main things.  Pray I'd keep God at the centre and be able to prioritize the rest of things.
2) Time management - Pray that I'd manage my time well, as I will have more than enough things to fill it with!  Also that I'd make sure to set aside time for my own relationship with God, as well as family and friends.
3) Prep for OM - In the midst of the busyness of the upcoming year, I still need to prepare to go back to England.  There's lots to do yet, so I'd appreciate your prayers for God's provision.  If you're reading this now, have you prayed about becoming a part of my support team?  You can through prayer and financial support.  Consider $10, $20, or $50 / month, because your heart matters more than the amount.  Let me know if you want more info!

Thanks for persevering through this long blog post and many blessings to you
Tami

God is Laughing!

Thank you to everyone who could make it out to my presentation in church on Sunday, July 11.  It was very encouraging to see you all there, and especially to talk to some of you before & after the service.  I am excited to partner with you in this mission, and I know that God will do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.  Of course there is still a long way to go before my departure, so I look forward to see how God will provide for our needs!

I've been experiencing some divine humour lately.  It seems that every time I think I know what's going to happen, or what is going on, God laughs and says, "Oh, you think you know do you?  You don't.  I've got something else in mind.  Trust me, it's going to be good."  It throws some interesting twists into life, but definitely makes things more interesting - and challenging!  I'd appreciate your prayers for wisdom, guidance, contentment, and a true reliance on God for all things.  As always, I want to hear how I can pray for you too.

In Christ,
Tami

Hey everyone :)

I just wanted to let you know that I'll be presenting about going to England in my home church (Winkler EMMC) on JULY 11 at 10am.  I would love to see you there if you can make it!!  It is located at 600 Southview Drive, just East of Jr Walkof School.

Have a wonderful day :)

Tami

Prayer Letters

Hi everyone!

I hope you are all well and learning lots - I know I have been learning perhaps more than I think is possible, and I sure hope I remember everything.  I'm starting this blog with the intent to keep it updated with news of my time leading up to England, and also while I am there.  I would write more here explaining why I'm hoping to go to England, but rather I've attached my first prayer letter, and prayer card, which explain everything.  I hope it works to read it.  I'll be sending them out by email/mail soon, but I wanted to make it available here if possible.  Please read it and pray for this process.  There are prayer requests on the second page of the prayer letter.  Of course, if I can pray for you about something, please let me know.  Contact info is also on the second page of the prayer letter.

God Bless
Tami