Life in Nigeria still goes on without me!
- Posted by under Life at Bethel , Travel
- Thursday June 21st, 2007
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WOW!! I have been back in the states for almost a month, and it just seems like a few days. Time is flying by, but I knew it would. I have had an absolute blast being home, and been able to see so many people. What a blessing. As excited as I am to get back to Nigeria, it will be really really hard leaving everyone again. But the good news is this … I will be keeping my blog while i am teaching in Nigeria, as a Bethel Alum. Hahaha. How cool is that? So now you will really get a good idea of what life is like teaching overseas! I finally got my diploma in the mail, and didn’t even open it for a few days. Finally, my mom said, okay that’s it, I am opening it:):) I must admit, it does feel nice!!! The sad part is that I graduated with 160 credit hours and have 1 degree, while my coach has 175 credit hours, 3 degrees, including a masters, and 2 minors … somehow that just doesn’t seem fair. I guess you could say I got the “full” Bethel experience. Haha:) I had to post some amazing pictures I got from a friend … Enjoy!!!
I am excited to report that I finally have a job for the summer!!! I will be working as a cashier at McDonalds. Although it is definitely not the type of job I was hoping to have this summer, I am actually really excited about it. I can see that the Lord is doing work there and I’m eager to join Him in it! My manager, Mike, is amazing. He loves Crusade students and has hired them for the last 7 years. After talking with him for over an hour, I knew he would be a great leader to work for.
I had been contemplating working at Wendy’s because the pay is significantly greater. However, they couldn’t guarantee my hours and I just didn’t have a very good feeling about it. After talking things through with my amazing Dad yesterday, I have a lot more peace about working at McDonalds. I will be starting on Monday at 8:00!
Holly
BLOGGER: Holly Birkey
Last Saturday afternoon, we went to the beach to share our faith with people. There was a big sand soccer tournament going on. My friend Nicole and I paired up and had some great conversations. Three junior high girls (Rachel, Liz, and Silvanna) prayed to accept Christ with us! Two other girls (Amber and Casey) live here locally and are planning to come to Pac Ave (our weekly meeting for new believers and people seeking the Lord) next Thursday. Please be praying for them!
Myrtle Beach…
On Sunday, I left with two other team members (Will & Lindsay) to go to the Student Venture Getaway Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC. Student Venture is the high school ministry of Campus Crusade. There were about 600 high school students there and we had some incredible opportunities to connect with them. While we were there, we got plugged in with one of the high school groups from Indianapolis. We went putt-putting together, went out for ice cream, went sharing on the beach, had late night discussion groups (chat rooms), and saw the Lord do some awesome work! I was amazed by how authentic the students were and how willing they were to share with me. Being able to see the ministry of Student Venture in action was a wonderful privilege. Several people asked me if I would consider joining SV staff upon graduation. At this point, I am definitely not ready to commit to that type of decision, but I am adding it to the list of possibilities.
The job search…
This morning I had an interview at McDonald’s (the last place I wanted to work). They offered me a job on the spot. I am going to check on one or two other job possibilities before I get back with them. Please pray for wisdom as I decide where to invest a great deal of time and energy this summer. God is faithful. Although McDonald’s is not my first preference, if this is where He wants me to be, then it’s where I want to be.
Virginia is for Lovers…
One of the famous slogans in Virginia Beach is “Virginia is for Lovers.” While I was at the SV Getaway, the Lord reminded me that this time in Virginia Beach is all about falling more in love with Him. Please pray that I will be consumed with Jesus.
I am so excited to be here!!! This week we had orientation and settled in.
My living situation… I have three roommates (Rachael, Audrey, and Jess) at this point, but the other one (Lauren) is supposed to be arriving soon. We are all SO different, but have been getting along really well. It’s amazing how the love of Christ can be so unifying!
Before coming to project, I received an email saying that we would each have 8″ of closet space and ½ a drawer! I definitely had to simplify my suitcases quite a bit. However, I am glad to report that I actually have a full drawer to myself. 
Our apartment is simple, but sufficient. Our kitchen has a range, microwave, small refrigerator and freezer. We had a few leaking problems at the beginning of the week, but things got fixed yesterday. We’re doing our best to make our living space as much of a home as we can… so far, we’ve been pretty creative. I will post pictures on my blog as soon as it is up.
The amazing community… It’s hard to believe I’ve only been here a week! I already feel like I am getting to know these people. This is an incredible atmosphere for spiritual growth – one of the staff leaders referred to it as a “greenhouse for growth.” It’s amazing how we interact together as a group. Already this week, we’ve had some real times of bonding – ultimate Frisbee on the beach, sharing Christ at the boardwalk (six people accepted Christ!), meeting teenagers at a local high school, hanging out in the Coral Reef (student lounge), playing Apples to Apples, praying together, encouraging one another, sharing our “real life stories” together… it’s been amazing. To think that we have ten weeks together is so exciting to me! I can’t wait to see what the Lord does this summer!
We are in charge of our own meals. Last night, we had three guys over for dinner. I made Taco Salad. I think it went over pretty well. Tonight, they are going to be making dinner for us. After dinner, I’ll be babysitting two of the kids (Jake & Zac) that belong to our project directors (they are celebrating they’re wedding anniversary in Williamsburg this weekend).
The beach… Last night I went to the beach after our evening activities with a few friends. I usually take my purse with me so that I don’t lose my things (since arriving here, I’ve had a severe case of losing important things… God has been faithful to help me find everything I need, though). So, I decided to just take my cell phone and water bottle with me, thinking it would be less to worry about dragging along. Well, after walking across the beach for quite a while, we sat down and talked for a while. After about an hour, I realized that my cell phone was missing. After a quick prayer, we began a ridiculous attempt to find my cell phone… on the beach… in the dark. Fortunately a truck was on the beach, so we were able to walk in front of it as we tried to retrace our steps. I was pretty sure we wouldn’t find my phone when my friend stumbled across something in the sand… my cell phone!!! Once again, I am overwhelmed with God’s provision and faithfulness.
What our time will be looking like:
Our focus of the summer: to experience Jesus, embrace transformation, and engage in His mission.
This is how we are going to work toward these goals:
Sunday – church, free time, worship practice, Impact Group dinners (small group Bible study – guys and girls), Student Ministry Team meetings (I’m on the Student Venture team – reaching out to high school students)
Monday – work, evening – men’s/women’s times at Galilee (the church where all of our meetings are)
Tuesday – work, evening – Action groups (small group Bible study with my discipler and two other girls)
Wednesday – work, evening – date night with Jesus (I can’t even tell you how excited I am about this time!), prayer & praise at Galilee
Thursday – work, evening – Pac Ave at Galilee (a place we can invite our coworkers to come, hang out, and experience the love of Christ and Christian community)
Friday – work, evening – free
Saturday – work, outreach, evening – project party or hang time with coworkers
* I will have one day off each week, I’m just not sure which one. During that time, I will be meeting with my discipler (Roxanne) and we will share our faith on the boardwalk and then have some sharing time together.
* I am still searching for a job. So far, I have applied to Starbucks, Kohr’s (ice cream and smoothie place), 18th St. Caf © and Grill, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, Beach Bodies, and a few other places. I am really hoping to work at Starbucks or Kohr’s. Please join me in praying that I find out soon!
An exciting opportunity…
On Sunday afternoon, I will be leaving for Myrtle Beach with two other people on my Student Venture ministry team to go to a Getaway week for high school students. My discipler will be there for the whole week. We will only be staying until Wednesday. I’m so excited about this opportunity. I’m not exactly sure what will be in store. Please be praying for safety and that God will teach me what He wants to teach me!
God is doing great work here!
