Work, School, Africa.....the Usual

A missionary once said, “Once the red dirt of Africa gets on the sole of your shoes, it get in the soul of your heart and it never leaves.”

My life has changed drastically over the past year. I’m no longer living out of a suitcase, hopping from country to country, or worrying I have more mosquito bites than friends. My life has become quite normal lately!! As you all know, I left Book of Hope (OneHope) last August to return home to rest and see what God held next for my journey. Here is a quick update on the changes in my life.

I spent my first few months at home catching up with friends, family, and sleep!! I absolutely love being around my beautiful Nadia, Gracie, Danielle, and handsome Sterling!! Fun Aunt Kate is assuming her role once again!!

In January, I started back in school. After a five year hiatus, I was ready to be in the classroom again. I have LOVED this last semester and am hoping to finish this term with a 4.0!! There are many more semesters to complete!!

I started a great job in December as a nanny for a family in Ozark. I watch a 9-month old baby girl and a 10-year old little lady. I really enjoy working for the Orr family, they are so good to me!!

I’m back in the swing of things at church, Ozark Assembly. I help out in the youth group with a crazy bunch of hooligans. I adore these kids and know my mission field is often in my own backyard.

Well, as the quote above states, Africa keeps calling me back. You got it.......I’m returning!! OneHope has asked me to help out this summer with some workshops taking place all over Africa. Praise God.....I don’t have to raise support!! My expenses will be covered. God is so good, He has always taken care of me. Please keep me in your prayers for good health and traveling mercies. Thank you again for your role in my life. I thank the Lord for our partnership and all we were able to accomplish over the years.

Blessings & Love,

Kate Stine

Maybe. Probably. Hopefully. Yes. Definitely.

I had a flashback just the other day. I was back in an English home, sitting around a living room, sharing in a small group church meeting. I was blessed to hear testimony after testimony of people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. I realized after the 8th or 9th one that their stories all started in their 20s. It's as if the Lord was slowly allowing me to realize something......something crucial for my young and impressionable heart.

Yes, I've already lived quite the life, but there is much more in store!! My life is still to start!! There is still more to experience!! There are always more friends to make!! A new love to discover!! New roads to find!!

My heart was slow to grasp this thought. Maybe. Probably. Hopefully. Yes. Definitely.

Thank you Lord!! There's more, much, much more life to live!!

Thailand

 

This is my first time ministering in Asia and I am loving it!! Thailand is a Buddhist nation with only 1% professing Christianity as their faith. It blows my mind to think that the students I am ministering to have NEVER heard of Christ before. Buddhism is so engrained in their culture and history that to be Thai is to be Buddhist. One would think this would make it near impossible to minister here but the Lord is really moving in Thailand and doors are opening up and hearts are being changed!! It’s exciting to be a part of it!!

 

Last week we were invited to do a presentation in a 100% Buddhist village. The last people to evangelize in this area were persecuted. The school was so welcoming and enthusiastic to hear the message we were bringing. We were able to do a presentation for over 600 students!! 600 kids now hold the life changing Word of God in their hands!! Please, please, please pray for the 7,000 students who have received the Book of Hope so far during our trip. Continue to pray for us as we head into our last week of ministry.

 

Blessings & Love

 

Kate

 

portugal!!

Our team traveled to Portugal for two weeks. Two glorious weeks!! Portugal has become one of my favorite countries. The ministry time was phenomenal!! The people were fantastic!! The food was amazing!! Oh and the country itself was beautiful!!  I had many great moments but I will share one here.......

The church we worked with arranged a big youth night and invited several youth groups to attend. I brought the Word that night and encouraged them to say "Yes!" to God and whatever He is calling them to. I was able to share my testimony and my calling to the nations. After the service, a youth worker came forward with her seven year old daughter, Sarah. Sarah's mom had tears in her eyes and she told me that Sarah has told them for about a year now, that she will be a missionary when she grows up. Her mom explained how hearing my story encouraged her and helped her release her daughter to missions. I cried as I prayed for lil Sarah. If the entire trip was only so I could encourage this family with a blooming missionary, so be it. 

I love my job. I love the people the Lord allows me to meet. They bless me more than words...........

Our lil team has become a family.

Our lil team has become a family. We spend day in and day out, together. We cook, we clean, we live, as one. We’ve spent the past four weeks getting to know each other. Everyone’s strengths, everyone’s weaknesses. We’ve learned who likes white bread and who like brown. Who loves their sleep and who loves the morning. Who is the joke-ster and who sits back and laughs. I love the communal lifestyle.

Something we are doing together is going through the book of Acts. Studying and learning from the early church. It is so interesting to see how the church today has changed drastically from how it began. We can sit here all day discussing where and how the church has gone wrong, but that is not my intention. Part of our study had us go through how the church loves and serves each other every day. It was fun to read them and say, “Hey! We do that!” and “Yeah, we don’t do that.” I can honestly say, our little family, did most on that list. We serve, we live, we love.. I am so proud to say our team is a family. We have so much more to experience and learn from each other, our ministry, and our travels.

And I’m glad I get to do so with them…………

And my new assignment is...........the United Kingdom!!

For the next 6 months I will be stationed out of Stoke-on-Trent, England. My team is a fantastic mix of cultures and backgrounds. We have three British interns-Becca, Jesse, and Nathan. One Irish intern-Joel. And one American-Christina. I will be co-leading with my good friend, Mindy. We will be working in schools and with several partner ministries all over England. We're also excited about spending a few weeks in Portugal doing Book of Hope distributions in March. At the end of May and through June, we will be taking the team to South Africa where we will meet up with 8-10 American interns. 

I'm thrilled to begin this term and am ecstatic to make our team a lil family. Please keep us in your prayers. Here are a few things to keep in mind and keep in your heart :

* Pray for unity among not only our team but also in our partnership 

ministries. 

* Pray our interns. Pray that their mind and hearts will be opened to ministry

around the world and how the Lord wants them involved.

* Pray for Mindy and I as we lead this team. Pray for wisdom, grace, and 

strength.

Keep checking back for updates and stories!! Thanks for your love!!

a few speaking engagements

If you live in or near the Ozark, Missouri area please join me for one of the following:

Missions Supporter Party

Saturday, January 10th 2009    7:00 p.m.

Ozark Assembly - Ledbetter Building

Morning Service

Sunday, January 11th 2009 10:30 a.m.

Ozark Assembly - Main Sanctuary 

I would love to see you there!! Bring your family and friends!!