my life is like the back roads of pennsylvania...

...in that it seems it is always curving, turning, with just enough light to see directly in front of me but not terribly far down the road. Sometimes there are one lane bridges, sometimes I feel stuck going 20 miles under the speed limit, sometimes things (like deer or unexpected news) jump out of the surrounding dark woods and take me off guard. There are plenty of bumps and potholes but these are outnumbered by the countless breathtaking glimpses of the turning trees (it seems early but some of the trees out here already seem to be turning colors), the HUGE glowing auburn moon, the stars, the creek/lake/body of water by Pinchot Park that sparkles with the light from said auburn moon and shiny stars...i could keep going.

Around the most recent bend of my road is the unexpected decision that my internship here with ABWE has come to a premature end. After much prayer, brainstorming and seeking counsel, we (me and Holly, our supervisor and our boss) decided that with the present circumstances it is best for us not to continue. We have been praying over the past few months for needed support and vehicles to carry out our responsibilities here with the mission and for reasons we may never know, they weren't provided. While we don't understand why things have unfolded as they have, why God chose not to provide for this particular situation to move forward, we recognize that He is still more than capable, ever-faithful and remains in control of our every step. I am praising Him for the direction that this decision has provided for all involved.

For now, I am moving back to Chicago a week from today on August 10. I'm in the process of applying for jobs, looking for a place to live, etc. I am looking forward to seeing friends and jumping back into community with the people I love there. I'd appreciate your prayers as I venture back. I'm grateful for "my girls" who are graciously picking me up from the airport and letting me stay with them while I figure things out.

I've been clinging to the following verse from Psalm 37 lately, may it encourage you as it has me:

"I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing." [verses 25-26]

prayer team

Update on the prayer team: currently at 15 people! 35 more to go before July 20! Please email me if you'd like to be a part of the team! See my previous post for more details! Thanks so much everyone! Praise God for faithfully providing and using us, broken vessels, to accomplish His work!
(apparently, I really like exclamation points, haha)

in between the laughter and tears

Well, I just sent out my second round of letters. It is a lot of work, I'm realizing. I'm praying for increased trust and faith as I work and wait for the remaining support I need for this year to come in. I was telling a friend today that I keep finding myself in this place where I feel I have two options: find something to laugh and smile about while begging for increased faith and trust in Jehovah Jireh or succumb to the overwhelming sense of doubt that threatens to bring me to tears. I'm choosing to laugh.

Things in PA continue to progress. I'm feeling more acclimated and learning how things work. I'm still "church searching" which comes with its own frustrations, but again, I'm praying for trust and guidance and learning a lot about the church and the Body of Christ, as well as myself and my role in both, in the process. These are things I've been mulling over for the last year with my community in Chicago as well so its good to be reminded of a lot of the same lessons God has been teaching again and again.

We're entering into our busiest time of the summer here at ABWE in a couple weeks. July is full of conferences and seminars and I'll be running around doing everything from cooking and helping in the kitchen to playing countless high-energy games with a bunch of teenagers. One of the things I'm looking forward to the most is spending time with MKs of all ages. I LOVE it (I definitely wasn't made to sit in an office all day...). I remember what it was like raising support with my parents and facing the identity crisis that comes with switching cultures all the time. I want to be an encouragement and blessing to them as they come with all their unique experiences and personalities.

Prayer Partner update: It is my goal to have 50 committed partners to pray specifically for this ministry by July 20. I've got my first one! Let me know if you want to join the team, please be sure to include your email address so I can send you brief weekly updates!

on the east coast

Well, I am in Harrisburg! I arrived last Thursday and am getting settled in and have started working at the office! It has been a pretty good transition so far. We are busy planning our traveling schedule for the fall and figuring out final details for summer conferences.

I am getting ready to send out another support/prayer letter. I am at about 50% of the needed financial support. Praise the Lord! Its so humbling to receive such generous gifts from God's people. Please continue to pray with me for the remaining funds to come in.

That brings me to another thing I want to update you on and involve you in! I am hoping to establish a team of at least 50 people that are committed to praying weekly for this ministry in Student Mobilization with ABWE. My goal is to have that team established by July 20. I will be sending out brief weekly updates with prayer requests, updates and praises. If you would like to be a part of this team, please email me at cjvoelker@abwe.cc.

a new season

Hello! You may be confused as to why I'm starting another blog. I decided to start fresh on here with ministry updates. You've probably been directed here because you know that I'm embarking on a year long internship with the Mobilization department at ABWE. Here is my support letter. I think that if you click on it you can read it for more information.

I'm currently at about 20% of committed monthly support. Its a joy, a definitely an exercise in faith to watch God provide through His people.



I covet your prayers. I don't know where I'd be without them.