For those of you who don't know, my fiance Nick and I are getting married on July 13th. Now it is only about five and a half weeks until we are married and our lives change forever. To add to that huge life change, we are also moving to the Dominican Republic two weeks later. We have one week in Hawaii for a honeymoon, one week at home to spend time with my family and pack, and then we are off to live in the DR for the next three years. Talk about a lot of change at once.
Nick and I have both felt led to spend some time overseas in ministry positions, and God has opened the door for us to go back to Doulos Discovery School, where I did my student teaching in the Dominican Republic. The staff made it clear at the end of my stay that I should come back with Nick after we get married. Nick and I thought it over and prayed about it, and we felt like this was the opportunity God was giving us to serve Him in a unique way. This coming year, and for at least two years after that, Nick will teach high school English, and I will teach middle school ESL (English as a Second Language).
For those of you who do not know much about Doulos, it is a private Christian school that uses Expeditionary Learning to provide a college preparatory education for students of all socio-economic backgrounds. Students who would otherwise go to a public school that would provide an inadequate education can come to Doulos to get a Christian education that can prepare them for college and for life. This ministry survives and thrives on donations from American sponsors.
Nick and I love the mission and vision of Doulos, and we are so excited to work there next year. We want to be spiritual mentors to our students as we teach them. We hope to have opportunities to be used by God in the lives of the students. We have opened our hearts and our futures to what we believe God has for us to do.
With this comes a need to raise support. In fact, we need to raise around $25,000 per year. In the midst of trying to plan a wedding (which is enough work on its own) we are also seeking support from churches, friends, and family. Although we are still in the first stages of our support, we have already had experiences where we can see God moving in the hearts of people who want to donate. However, we have also run into people who simply cannot understand why we would want to do this. I have explained what we are doing to people whose faces light up at the thought and are eager to help, and I have talked to people who look at us like we are crazy.
What I do know is this: God is in control. While I am tempted to worry that support will not come in, He has a plan. When I feel rejected by those who have to say no to us, He is there loving us and waiting to provide. We just need to trust Him.
Nick and I ask for your prayer. Pray that we can rely on God to take care of all of our needs in this exciting but stressful time. Pray that those who God is prompting to support us financially will step forward. Also, please pray that we can find a sending church who is willing to partner with us over the next three years. We appreciate every small prayer that is offered on our behalf or on the behalf of Doulos. Thank you!
If you feel led to support us financially or would like more information about how you can pray for us, please e-mail Nick or I at katelynnccassel@cedarville.edu or nclark@cedarville.edu
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