A note about donations

Hello family and friends,

By now most of you will have received thank you cards from Ellen. For those of you who have not, I’m sorry they haven’t reached you yet – she had them all written before she was to go away but they were set aside in the shuffle when the trip didn’t happen the way we planned…I was a bit dismayed to discover them this evening and see that some of you haven’t heard thanks from her yet! They are on their way now.

I want to assure all of you that the money will only be used in the event she takes the trip in the next few months. If we have to cancel, the plane tickets can be refunded and we will be glad to return your money. There is a window of time before her teacher leaves Liberia – we expect Ellen will travel by August at the latest.

Thank you for the love and support you have shown Ellen. I think she is handling her disappointment very well – she recognizes there are valuable lessons to be learned in all of this and she is looking forward to the possibility of the trip ahead.

Love to all,
Lindsay

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Quick update

Ellen’s visa did not arrive in time for her to get on the plane this morning. She wants to take some time to gather her thoughts and update you all later. I can tell you that we are able to hold her tickets for future travel, so after we take some time to regroup, we’ll be seeking God’s direction for how to proceed. For now I am bringing a very tender young lady home. She could use your prayers.

Thanks,
Lindsay

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Not this time

Hi everyone,

There’s so much to say but my thoughts are still so scattered!…I’ll try to get it all down.

Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement. All the emails and phone messages were very precious to me, and they ministered to my heart in such a special way!

Yesterday, when we knew I wouldn’t be going, I was so disappointed, I thought my heart would break open! It’s especially hard because I thought that God wanted me on this trip. We went to the airport because we still wanted to send the things for the orphans with the others on the team. I guess I hadn’t realized how much I wanted to meet the team and get to know them until I got there. We were able to send a whole suitcase full of things for the kids at the orphanage, as well as things Christie needs AND the guitar.

I cried a lot yesterday and night…but now my tears are all gone and I’m starting to feel better. I still have my plane tickets (and now my passport and visa are ready!). I’m going to keep my focus on this trip, but still try to listen to what God is telling me to do. We’re looking for someone else for me to travel with – there are a few possibilities right now.
We’re looking into all this, and we still feel a peace about taking the trip.

Here’s what happened – the Liberian Embassy accepted and approved the travel visa application, but for some reason it wasn’t picked up on time. It arrived this morning instead.

We took that as God’s way of telling us to wait a little while. It just wasn’t the right time for me to go.

But I want to be the kind of person who can continue to praise God in the good times and the bad. So, even though my heart is torn and I’m confused, PRAISE GOD! He is who He is, no matter where I am in my life.

Please continue to pray that I will stay moldable and soft, and ready to do God’s work where ever and when ever that may be. Please pray that I won’t grow bitter, and that I can continue to praise my Saviour! I love you all!

Thus ends my incredibly long email,
Ellen

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On our way

Dear Friends,

Now we are off for Portland where I’ll catch my first flight tomorrow.

Everything has gone so well so far–everything is packed and ready to go. I took my first malaria pill today: it was a bit chalky and tasteless. I think that’s a good thing, because I’ll be taking it for the next two months!

Currently we have one suitcase filled to the brim with things for me and Christie Bigelow, and another filled up with things for the kids at the orphanage. We will be giving them beads, balls, jump ropes, stickers, candies, small colorful toys, easy-readers and books, school supplies, and a guitar! (It will interesting to travel with one of those-but I’m told that as long as the security guards know you’re going to an orphanage, they’re really nice.) For the directors at the orphanage, we have lice treatment and scabies lotion for them to use on the kids when needed.

If the visa arrives in time, then by this time tomorrow I’ll be checking in at the airport, and airborne by noon! I am so excited to get there and see what God has in store for me.

I am overwhelmed by your generosity, your prayers, and your love and support. All I can say is that I love you all so much and that I am so grateful for everything. Financially -I have received the money I need. God worked it all out because we found out only a few days ago that my ground expenses were more than we expected! It is such a blessing. I am basically in awe at how gracious everyone has been-spiritually and financially too. Your prayers are so appreciated. I feel calm and peaceful, and so blessed to be covered in prayer. Thank you!

Love from,
Ellen

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Passport

Dear friends,

PRAISE GOD! My passport arrived today. We immediately sent it off to get the Liberian visa. At this rate, it will probably be arriving the morning of my departure (we are having it sent straight to the hotel by the airport in Portland). It’s in God hands and I’ll trust His sovereignty.

We’ll be spending the next few days gathering supplies for the kids at the orphanage. It should be fun.

Please continue to pray that:
The visa will arrive in time for my flight on Wednesday.
I will keep my perspective on God and what He wants to do instead of on myself.
God will keep preparing me to go to Liberia sensitive to their culture and circumstances.

I love you all and thank you so much for your prayers 🙂

Ellen

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