It's taken some time, but I think I am fully recovered from the US National Conference for the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. From June 3 to June 7, I and more than 800 other UB's gathered at Sawmill Creek in Sandusky, Ohio for a few days of business, worship, and the all-important task of electing a new bishop. This was my second full conference I attended, but the first where I actually got to take a small part in the proceedings.
Of course, the highlight of the Conference for me was Saturday night, which was dedicated to missions. I was finally able to show people what I've been working on for the past few months. I have to admit - I was so nervous I couldn't watch it with everyone else. Aside from a few technical glitches, I think it went well, judging by the number of people who have requested the presentation on DVD. Speaking of which, we're still working on that. I, and everyone else in the office, use a Mac, and since the project was originally created in PowerPoint, we're having some issues getting it to save properly as a movie. I'm hoping, though, that this will be accomplished relatively soon.
The theme for the night was Looking Back, Looking Ahead. (I think I just found my title.) Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries, illustrated the problems inherent in trying to impose former ideas about missions onto the world we live in today. It's an important point - a hundred years ago, even fifty years ago, I don't think the idea of a missionary journalist would have gotten very far. (In my opinion, it would have been even more important back then, but that may just be me.) In this technological age, it's so easy to send off a quick e-mail or text and call that communication. I believe, though, in a more personal level of communication. The problem is that it's much more time-consuming than we like.
Anyway, I'm getting off track. Jeff's theme also works as a theme for my life recently. When Queen Elizabeth I was nearing the end of her life, she finally chose a successor. She had no children, but her closest relative was James the Sixth of Scotland. He would ultimately become James I of England. Before Elizabeth died, though, there was some difficulty in the court. It was important to stay in Elizabeth's good graces so she didn't kill you before she died. At the same time, it was also important to start making nice with the man who would be King when she was gone. It was a delicate balance that all too often didn't succeed quite as well as some hoped.
That's been my life for the past few months. Incredible as it may seem, there are actually a lot of things to take care of before you embark on something like this. College debts to settle, equipment to buy, things to pack, paperwork to sign - it's an exhausting process. At the same time, you have to take care of the day-to-day things like your job (so you can pay off those debts and buy food). At the same time, you also have to be thinking about the future, and how it's going to happen. I've been seriously lax in sending updates to supporters, which is partly why I created this blog. However, no one knows about it yet because I haven't sent out an update. I've also been lax in writing support letters and getting in contact with grant agencies. This has made it much more difficult to plan for the future because support has been coming in very slowly. Throw in the project for Global Ministries (about 400 hours), and yes, I've been quite busy, thanks, how are you?
Now that I have more time, the plan is to dive right in to raising support. I still have to work, of course, but once I get the movie situation sorted out, I'll be relatively free.
And that's my life right now. I would appreciate your prayers. I made quite a few connections at Conference, and I'm hoping they come to fruition.
Because His love compels me,
Jessica
