Dear Friend,

I can’t believe how fast this year has already seemed to fly by. We are almost two months into it, and I’m less than one month away from embarking on another adventure. This time to the continent of Africa and the nation of Rwanda.

Last year I went on my first short term missions trip. The experience made a lasting impact on me! There’s something clarifying about looking at issues of faith and life from a cultural perspective other than your own. I still think about the people in Bovov Dol, the small village where we held VBS in the mornings and then a teen program at night. Chance Galloway, one of the missionaries we continue to work with, said that our work may just help that small church plant survive. Even more so, we were front row witnesses to God turning the heart of one young man from stone to flesh!

Honestly, I was so impacted by the story of the Bulgarian and Roma people, and felt so useful and purposeful each day of the trip, that I didn’t want to come back. And yet once I was back I had a great desire to continue to explore and experience the Lord in new contexts. Friends went to Africa later that year, and I’ve always wanted to travel to that continent. At first I didn’t know if it was just a sense of adventure that was leading me in this direction, but months of prayer showed me that I think God wants to teach me some important things on this next trip, and also, through the grace of His Holy Spirit at work, wants to use me! Oh what a glorious thought!

March 12th a team of five will leave from Christ Community Church. Once again we are partnering with ongoing work, this time with Come Away Missions (http://www.comeawaymissions.com). One of the main reasons I feel so compelled to go on this trip is to learn from Jean Baptiste Tushimeyere! This man is a true disciple-maker. He and his wife regularly host people in their home for discipleship and training and then send them out. He has a vision so big that I know only God can make it come to fruition. This trip will include going to villages and doing group and one-on-one discipleship. Some of our team members will also assist setting up a medical mission. We will get a chance to see some of the micro enterprises Jean has been incorporating into the missions. All in all, there is plenty of work to be done, and a plethora to learn and grow from.

Would you consider helping make this trip possible financially? Financially, the cost of the trip will be $2,350. Should the Lord lead you to give financial support, tax-deductible donations can be sent to Christ Community Church, 4078 Milgen Road, Columbus, GA 31907. Please put “Rwanda – AS” on the memo line of the check. You can also give online at: http://www.ccclive.org/give.html (follow link next to Electronic Giving, enter amount, “Missions Designated” and for optional memo write, “Rwanda – AS”, then continue to follow the instructions).

Would you also consider covering me in prayer? The Rwanda trip will be from March 12-22nd. We will be in Kigali, Nyamata, Gahara, and Muyumbu – pray for our travel to and in country and that we would have fruitful times of connection. I’d also love prayer for another trip back to Bulgaria – this time I’m leading it! Finally, I’m transitioning roles at Christ Community Church this year from doing administrative work to overseeing helping people find their places of service within our church family, leading several church teams, and engaging in more pastoral care. In my spare time I continue to lead the Singles Ministry.

I often find myself on that edge of feeling completely inadequate and yet experiencing the amazing adequacy of our Lord, Jesus Christ, empowering and doing what only He can do. It’s an amazing place to be, and I’m thankful for friend and family who continue to encourage me in this calling and adventure.

Praying that as you read this, you too would experience the Lord working in and through you as you live out your calling!

For His Kingdom,

~anja staten~