March 24, 2008
Hello!
I don't know how many inquiries I've gotten..."Where in the world is Emily Taylor?" Thank you for your prayers and emails!
I was reading 2 Corinthians 1 and
though I'm sure Paul's troubles were much larger than mine, applying his words
to the last several months did help me put things into perspective. I love the
way the Message translated Paul's words: "As it turned out, it was the best
thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits
to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally." Wow. He has a way of
showing us that our strength and wits are nothing compared to His. That whole
"forced to trust God totally" thing isn't much fun, but it does bring a whole
lotta peace. Though this was a crazy time, He has been there in it all and I
have no doubt that in the end, good will emerge from it. It was one of those
times that I just had no idea what to do. What's best for the kids? What's best
for the ministry? What's best for my class? What's best for the kingdom of God?
These were all questions that were running through my head constantly.
I had planned on being at Children of Zion Village for 16 months. I was there
for 5. The decision came with much prayer, and I pray God's richest blessings on
this ministry: that its leaders and staff will follow the Lord and that it will
blossom, because the love and truth of the Lord is evident in every aspect of
the ministry.
Upon leaving
COZV, I went to Grootfontein, Namibia, and stayed there for 3 weeks with three
friends. It was wonderful to have a quiet place to pray, read, think about, and
discuss the situation and the future. After the three weeks, we took a bus from
Grootfontein to Cape Town, South Africa. We've been staying in a hostel,
staring in the face of majestic Table Mountain. While here I looked into many
options for the next step. Children of Zion, Inc. has said that I can take my
funds to another ministry, so I've been studying ministries trying to find a
place where God is the center of their work. So, after alot of emails,
telephone calls, discussions, and prayer, I have decided to join the ministry in
Carpina, Brazil called
World Renewal-Brazil. Although I have
never been to Brazil, I know this ministry well. My home church, Brookville Road
Community Church, has been a longtime supporter of
World Renewal and several of my family members have been there multiple times.
The ministry there focuses on planting churches in order to reach the lost for
Christ. One of World Renewal's ministries is the International School in Carpina
which is in need of English teachers. I hope to also be a part of the Living
Stones Program, which reaches the poorest children in the area. There is a new
challenge in this, though, in that I don't speak Portuguese. That brings me to
some prayer requests.
1. Safe travel. I am planning on traveling from South Africa to Brazil on Friday, March 28th. Please also pray that my visa goes through quickly and without problems.
2. The intro. Pray that I'll fit in to the needs of Brazil and be helpful to the ministry there.
3. The language.
4. Children of Zion. Please keep COZV (the kids, staff, volunteers, & management) in your prayers.
Many of you have been giving monthly to Children of Zion, Inc. in my name. Thank you for your support. I have been assured that this money will be able to follow me to World Renewal-Brazil. If you would like to give in my name in the future, please send donations with a note (not on the check itself) indicating that it is for me to:
World Renewal International.
PO Box 399
Greenfield, IN 46140
Thank you again for your faithfulness in praying for
me and the ministry in Namibia.
Blessings,
Emily