Merry Christmas.
I know this time of year is so busy. It’s nice to stop and think about how many different blessings we have. I know Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I’d like to share some of the things I am thankful for. And, I have a lot to be thankful for.
- I passed my verbal board exam. This was the last step to become board certified. I will have to maintain this certification, but the hardest part is done. I’m thankful for the doctors that helped pay for a review class that I took this summer, so I could be up to date with medicine in America. And, I’m thankful to everyone who helped me study, especially my colleague in New York via telephone.
- I have been fortunate to be chosen as a recipient of a grant from an organization called MedSend (https://medsend.org/). It’s an organization that helps cover the cost of my student loan payments while doing missionary service overseas. It’s a great burden lifted. It allows me to continue working overseas without worrying about my loans.
- I am extremely thankful to have 100% of my monthly support pledged! Thank you so much for your sacrifice and generosity. Once the pledges start to come in, I can schedule my flight to return to the DRC. So, if you’ve made a pledge but haven’t started giving, it would help if you were able to start before Christmas.
- I was able to spend time with family over the Thanksgiving holidays. It was good to see people that I haven’t seen for several years. And, to remember that, especially in the US, how much I have and don’t have to think about…electricity, clean water, food all the time, warm home, hot showers, most of family lives until an old age, the possibility for peace and freedom.
I have a lot to be thankful for.
There is so much more that I could talk about: the job I have where I work part time, friends who help encourage me, my neighbors in the DRC who have helped talk with their friends about supporting me, having the courage to pick up the phone to reconnect with people I haven’t talked to in several years (not easy), etc.
After being home for 6 months, I find that I am thankful for the work that I can do in Nyankunde. Thankful for the time to rest. Thankful that I’m in good health. Thankful that I have the chance to do what I feel God has called me to do.
It makes me think of the words apostle Paul writes about being content in all circumstances, whether well fed or hungry, having a lot or having nothing. I don’t think I can say that I’ve mastered that, but I am confident in the Lord. It’s the promise at the end of his letter to the Philippians that says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
It really is about the Lord and what he has done for me. The more I do, the more I realize he is the one who is providing, even during the difficult times. I can’t accomplish any of what I do on my own. And, a lot of what he accomplishes through me is because of the prayer and support I have from you.
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Please, continue to pray for me. I am a little bit in limbo. I have the goal of returning to Africa by the end of January, but that is dependent on pledges coming in and a few other logistical hurdles.
Also, Pray that I can find a good language teacher. I’m hoping to spend 4-6 weeks in intensive language school. I need to be able to speak Swahili in order to continue work with the people in Nyankunde (it’s the local language spoken by most people).
And, pray that I can find some time to really rest. I’ve had moments here and there, but I really do need to take some time to truly rest from all the busyness.
Thanks for continuing with me on this journey. The plan is to continue with my updates every month. I have a formal letter every 2-3 months and then post pictures on my blog every month.
Stay in touch. It’s great to hear from you and to know what’s going on with you and your family.
I hope you have a great Christmas.
Michelle
Email: michelledoran82@gmail.com
Blog: michelledoran82.blogspot.com
Giving: www.serge.org/staff/id-51412
Pictures from Thanksgiving with part of my family in Ohio.
