Summer, 2011
Dear Friends and Family,
Many of you already know what the journey of the last few weeks and months has encompassed, so I thank you for your past and continued support for me and my family at this exciting, but challenging, and sometimes perplexing, time of life. Your prayers are much needed and appreciated!
I am so blessed to look back at 6 long, incredible years – 5 ½ spent studying (finally graduating from CU in December) and a semester spent TEACHING! I stepped into a really tough classroom as part of an after-school literacy program in the inner city of Grand Rapids. I was planning to take a break from teaching, but God dropped this placement in my lap and it was hard, but I LOVED it! God is good!
Still, after these packed years, my body is screaming for REST, especially having not been well over a period of time and having had unusual trouble sleeping. To complicate matters, I had had everything lined up to fulfill a life-long dream of spending a 4-month season living and working on an artist island in Maine, but since Easter weekend God has been guiding me to see it was not His BEST for me in this season of life. Letting go of Maine, praying and working through potential alternatives for the summer, and having to pursue new job opportunities for the Fall (my school is closing, so I needed a new placement) amidst the health issues, general finish-up and catch-up, and other involvements have made the last few weeks particularly tough.
I trust the Lord to continue guiding faithfully, as He promised, and always has, but it’s been a discouraging, tiring road and I truly need to spend a solid season RESTING – catching up on sleep and seeking the Lord in His Word. So the current plan, Lord willing, is to spend nearly seven weeks (June 26 – August 11) at a slower pace among “family” in Jamaica and helping out, as I’m able, with the same organizations I’ve partnered with several times in the past – the Deaf School and a Ministry Empowerment Centre for mission teams as they come to serve in the area. I feel the LORD teaching me in new, gentle ways, to wait on Him FIRST, step forward in faith, and trust that He knows my needs even better than I do, and can CERTAINLY meet them more adequately. He is so faithful (Hebrews 10:23)! I long to be faithful to Him in return, but He never asked for me to strive. I want to honor Him with my body, my heart, my mind, and my soul, by actually receiving His gift of PEACE on a daily basis…
My expenses are covered, but as I’ve felt and appreciated your prayerful interest and loving concern in the past, it’s your continued prayer covering for which I’d be most grateful as I step forward on this journey. My specific prayer requests for this trip include:
- SLEEP – Practically speaking, I am praying for a comfortable bed and relief from the heat so I can truly get caught up on some rest. I hope to rejuvenate in other ways as well, such as through hobbies like reading, watercolor painting, and music.
- SCRIPTURE – I have specific goals to be awash in God’s Truth this summer: I want to start the day in God’s Word, and I want to begin reading the Bible from cover-to-cover during my stay. In addition, I’m thankful for support I already have from my family here and my “Jamaican Family” there, but I’m also praying for one or two specific people to take me under their wing while I’m there and mentor me in my spiritual walk in this weary season.
- SERVICE – Though I wouldn’t consider this a “mission trip” per se, I consider my daily life an offering of service to the LORD and want to be open to His leading. During this time, I simply want to be available, as I’m able, to come alongside or relieve others of their duties, as well as to occasionally contribute additional ideas or expertise. As the LORD wills, that will at least include the following: providing additional support looking after students in their last week of school (Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf), and providing kitchen help (particularly breakfast) and housekeeping help at the “hotel” for teams (Fairhaven Ministry Empowerment Centre, part of Jamaica Link Ministries). Please pray for Spirit-led focus and prioritizing.
- STUDY – Though not a primary focus, and again Lord willing, I am hoping to scope out a few additional ministry opportunities in Jamaica for the future, for myself and CU teams, as well as ways to enhance my long-term ministry goals to promote individualized education and literacy in the States. This may include assisting with a local teacher’s conference and visiting another Deaf school on the island. Please pray that the Lord will guide and order my steps.
- SAFETY – Please pray for protection for me and my belongings, and that I would be wise and discerning.
With love and gratitude, as I seek the Shepherd Who “makes me lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23),
Bethany Joy Main
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God;
He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love
to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.”
Deuteronomy 7:9
*Check out my partnering ministries here: http://www.jamaicalink.org/ (click the Fairhaven Link or watch the video for more info!) and http://www.jcsdeaf.org/
**Follow my blog: http://missionrest.blogspot.com/
