Missionary

Salem UMC: Ministries- Missions in Germany: Amy-Jo Everts

4/28/08 - Hello family and friends!

Happy Spring to everyone. The weather here is finally starting to warm up. It's now a nice 23 degrees - Celsius, that is (about 76 Fahrenheit). I actually wore a skirt to church today, with no jacket - it was quite an exciting event - after a long winter, we are all ready for Spring. The flowers here are blooming, and are more beautiful than anything I've seen. The tulips are bigger than my hand - and in such different colors, it's so beautiful. Our school yard is full of dandelions - and the little girls love to decorate each other with them during recess.

I was looking over the calendar and realized that I have been in Germany for almost 8 months. It's so hard to believe that. God has done so much in my life in those 8 months. I feel like my relationship with Christ has grown tremendously. I'm also seeing a change in my personal confidence. I am willing to speak out and speak up more and more about God's love and the difference that it has made in my life. I have found an amazing church family that I see Christ through everyday. I spent a few hours yesterday with some of them painting bags for our weekend away in a few weeks. I am so excited about the time that I will be spending with my church family here for that weekend. Our theme is Food for the Journey. I have been calling my life a journey since my Chrysalis Journey last January - and so the theme is quite ironic and quite exciting.

I am also beginning to feel like a competent teacher. My school had Parent-Teacher Conferences on Friday. It was a wonderful experience to discuss with the mother of my student how much progress has been made this year. As we looked over the goals we set in November, it is likely that we will meet or exceed all of the goals before the plan expires this November. When her mother discussed with me how much difference she has seen in my student over the year, I was filled with contentment and joy and a little bit of pride - at the fact that I am a good teacher.

Then, last night, my student made me so proud. The school participated in a relay race through a section of Basel, Switzerland (a town about 10 minutes away from us). My student wanted to run, and while her parents were hesitant that she would back out - the school said that we would gladly let her try. Myself and the P.E. teacher worked together to plan out how to best support her so that she would be able to run independently. We had different plans ready so that she could do it - one of them included me running with her if she wouldn't do it by herself. We didn't need to make any of those plans - because she received the baton from her teammate and took off running her leg (which was the last leg). I ran with her behind the barrier shouting out "Keep going" every once in a while. As she ran across the finish line, I cried. I was so proud of her for doing it all by herself and proving to herself, her parents and the entire school that though she has special needs - she really can do anything she puts her mind to.
She may not always want to do what we want - but when she wants to do it, she can. I loved watching all of the other teachers scoop her up and tell her how proud they were of her and the other students come over and give her high fives, just like they did with everyone else.
I attached a picture of the two of us before she raced, so everyone can see how amazing she is.

Speaking of my student, I would appreciate everyone praying with me for her. She is beginning to show an interest in knowing more about God. She is asking a lot of really great questions that I and her classroom teacher answer as best as we can for her. Her parents are inconsistent church attenders, but neither has ever mentioned having a relationship with Christ. I would love to see my student make a commitment to Christ - and to accept for herself how much God loves her. Please add her to your prayers. Also, please keep me and the other teachers at RIA in your prayers as we try to minister to her in the way that she needs. Many people without special needs have a hard time wrapping their mind around the fact that God loves them and that Jesus died for them - for someone with special needs it can be even harder. However, I know that in God's timing, she will understand all that she needs to.

Also, please join my school in prayer for our student body next year.
As part of an international community, we experience a lot of turnover each year. It appears that over half of our students will be leaving this year to go back to their home country or moving to another country with their parents companies. Right now, we will have 21 students between pre-school and 8th grade. We are asking for others to join us in praying for at least 50 students next year. It may not seem a lot - but it will be the highest number of students the school has ever had - and will bring the school closer to capacity. We know that there is power in prayer - and we are asking for everyone to join together to pray for RIA. Also, please pray for our teachers. We have several teachers who are leaving to go back to the US (one moving to Luxembourg to teach at another international school). Right now, we do not have teachers to fill those positions. Please pray that God will prepare the hearts of those who should fill those positions and that He will begin the preparations for them to come over. We know it's not too late - I learned of the school in June and was here in September - but your prayers are much appreciated.

Looking forward - I only have eight weeks until I fly back to the US.
I'll only be in North Carolina for 2 nights, then I fly to Mississippi for 2 weeks for training with my missionary group. After that, I'll be in North Carolina from July 5 - July 30. During that time, I'll be visiting Fayetteville, Raleigh and Greenville - and trying to see everyone. I'm not sure when I'll be where, but I'll let you all know as the time gets closer. The only dates I have nailed down are July 20-26, when I will be serving as a counselor at ACS again this year.
I'm quite excited to go back to camp and see my kiddos. God really showed me that I was supposed to go back to serve this year - even though it will cut my time at home a bit shorter - it is worth it to me. I've already had a few kids tell me how excited they are that I'll be able to come back, which makes me quite excited.

I'm so excited to be able to come home, even for just a few weeks - just to see everyone and share with you the pictures and stories of this past year. I've been so blessed by this calling to serve in Germany. I can see the difference I make - and I can see the difference that others are making in my life. For me, God really used calling me from my comfort zone to stretch me and change me and to help shape me into the woman that He wants me to be. I'm so thankful for everything that is happening.

I appreciate you all - your faithful emails and encouragements. I appreciate your prayers and love shown in so many ways. Please let me know if there is anything I can join with you in prayer about. I miss you all and love you.

In Christ's Peace and Love,

AJ
--
My Germany Blog - http://evertsaj.blogspot.com/

People think I'm strange, does it make me a stranger that my best friend was born in a manger.

What will people think when they find that I'm a Jesus Freak? What will people do when they find that it's true? I don't really care if they label me a Jesus Freak. There is no denying the truth. - "Jesus Freak" by DC Talk

3/11/08 - Hello everyone!

First of all - I apologize for not having sent an update recently. I have been overwhelmed the last few months since I've been in Germany.
I have started graduate school for the 4th semester (including summer sessions). I'm taking 6 hours again - and while this semester has fewer assignments, they are larger, and are proving to be difficult and time consuming. I have group assignments for both classes - which can be frustrating while living on a different continent than my peers. But, I'm going to keep plugging along - and I will survive, like I always do.

It's been quite a busy semester. I am finally getting back into a routine - there have been many hiccups in routine since I've been back
- sickness and breaks and even a visit from Mom (on her way to Kuwait). It's nice to get back into a routine and be able to plan what is going on each week.

This weekend, I went on a retreat with my Life Group (Bible Study). I was quite excited - I've grown close to these people, consider them family - so the chance to get to know them even more, especially in a spiritual sense, made me quite happy.

On March 18th, I leave for London! I will be spending 10 days in London, by myself for Spring Break. I'm excited for this chance to learn about London, and learn about myself - I've never traveled alone, so having to rely on myself for getting to different places and seeing new sights will be quite interesting. I'm taking suggestions if anyone has recommendations of where/what to visit. I figured it would be safer to go to an English Speaking country, than to try out my wings where I don't speak the language. And since I'm now pretty much fluent in British English, I should be good to go. :)

Two weekends ago, I spent in Taize', France at the monastery. It was a wonderful weekend - I felt so blessed to be able to go. I had learned about Taize' from my time at the Wesley Foundation of Greenville. My experience was so amazing - I'll be going back, just don't know when. It was so nice to get to grow closer to God through the time apart. I was able to put everything else aside and just enjoy the time being in God's presence. That was a blessing.

It appears that my school is getting back to "normal". We had several bugs going around for many weeks that have swept out 1/3 of the school daily. We've given days off in order to disinfect the school, and let everyone try to get healthy. We're hoping that everyone stays healthy.

I miss you all and I can't wait to see everyone. I'd love to hear how everyone else is doing - and if anyone has any prayer requests, feel free to send them my way. Also, feel free to check out my blog - the address is in my signature. I am trying to do a better job of updating - in fact, I'm heading over there now to do an update.

Love you,

AJ
--
My Germany Blog - http://evertsaj.blogspot.com/

People think I'm strange, does it make me a stranger that my best friend was born in a manger.

1/7/08 - Hello Everyone!

Happy New Year to you all. I am writing to let you all know that I have safely arrived in Germany again. All of my flights were on time (or early) this trip - which made it such a smooth trip. I would like to ask for prayers for a quick transition back to German time. I've been awake for about 24 hours now - and I'm supposed to stay awake for at least 7 more to help fight jet lag. Prayers for restful sleep would be greatly appreciated.

I had a really good Christmas at home with my family (and in Disney). It was great to get to go back to the US for Christmas - but it's also great to be back in Germany. I am excited for the year 2008 - I am praying that God will use me in major ways to work for Him - and that is my prayer for your lives as well.

It was so good to get to see many of you over my break. I truly treasure the friendship I share with all of you. I hope to see everyone when I come home this summer. I love you all!

December - Have you ever asked God "What now?" I graduated from ECU in May of 2007, and that's exactly what I did. I had a degree in Special Education - and plans to remain at ECU for graduate school, however I didn't feel graduate school was all God had planned. I had been seeking His leading for many months, waiting to hear where He was leading me. One afternoon I got an email from a professor about an opportunity to teach in Switzerland with a little girl with special needs. I laughed and deleted the email. The next morning, I had the same email in my inbox from a different professor. I read over it a little more thoroughly but still deleted it. The following morning, I had a third email. 3 professors in 3 days recommended this opportunity to me. So I decided to look into it. As I prayed about it, I knew this was where God was leading me, so I decided to say yes to God - and to go where He led me.

He led me to a small, Christian school in Weil Am Rhein, Germany. During the school day, I teach a young lady with special needs. I plan individual lessons and co-teach in the 4th/5th grade classroom.
Around 60% of our students are not from Christian homes. We do teach Biblical concepts and have devotions and prayers as a class. This opens a lot of opportunities to share God's love with these children who are so open to God. They in turn, share what they are taught with their parents. Through our everyday interactions with these children and their families, we are given a chance to not only teach them academic skills, but also to teach the love of God and His desire to have a relationship with them. This is a ministry different from any other I've seen or taken part in.

I now teach at Rhein International Academy, a small English speaking, Christian school in Weil Am Rhein, Germany. To contact me, just click here. I'd love to hear from you.

Updates from Amy-Jo

11/21/07 - Hello everyone.Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone has a wonderful, enjoyable day of feasting and fellowship.Since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, I am working. It is a teacher workday Thursday and Friday - and on Saturday, our director hosts a big Thanksgiving celebration at her apartment. From what I understand, we will have around 50 people in a very small 2 bedroom apartment. I'm interested to see how it works. It's been a tough week, knowing that I am away from friends and family on such a family oriented holiday. If I can remember correctly, this is the first major holiday that I've ever been away from home. I have always loved Thanksgiving - and so it is a hard holiday to be away from family. But, because I know that God has put me here, I am thankful for the blessings that I have received since saying Yes to this journey. I am thankful for the family and friends that have supported me throughout my life. In the last few months I have really felt the support of those who love me. When I made the decision to leave everything behind in the US and move to Germany for a year (or 2) because that was where God had called me - I could never have expected the love and support that I received. Since I've been here, I have had at least one encouraging email every week from someone. Some of my co-workers have spoken of people that stopped talking to them, discouraged their move, etc - I didn't have a single person turn away when I made this decision. In my personal life, I've seen God using me as a witness to His love. I get to see kids learning more about God and asking the tough questions - the ones that lead them away from the path their parents are choosing and onto the path following God for themselves. Those moments are blessings to me. I get to comfort the kids when they get homesick for their home country or are just having a bad day. I wouldn't trade that for anything. I've seen God leading me into a closer relationship with Him. Because I have had to trust Him in so many details - adjusting to a new culture where I don't know the language, starting a new job (my first real full time job), etc - I have noticed that I am now depending on God even in small things - something that I didn't always do back in the US. Today, even though I'm not able to feast with my family, I am very thankful for what God has brought into my life. All of you are in my prayers of thanks - you all impact my life and the lives of others in a positive way and I'm quite thankful for what you do. I pray that God will bless you in this season of celebration and bless the time that you spend with your families in this season. I love you all. AJ

10/21/07 Hello Everyone! I hope this email finds you all well. I am doing great - still loving Germany. I am finally settled into a routine. I have received all of my shipments (the family I came with still had some of my stuff), so I am starting to get my room set up the way I want it. Aubrey and I are still trying to decide how we want to put the living room. We are trying different set-ups, then leaving them for a few days and changing if we don't like something. Hopefully soon we'll be all settled. This week at school, we are expecting an exciting group to visit. The name of the group is Mosaic - and they are from Texas. They are going to be doing special chapels on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - sort of a mini-spiritual emphasis week. I'm excited to see what they bring to us. It will also be nice to have more English speakers to converse with. Last Wednesday, God brought a very special surprise to me. I went with a crew from the school to see the US soccer team play the Swiss soccer team. Diana (our director) brought a few friends from her church as well. One of the people she brought was a young woman, about 25, named Janet. Janet and I seemed to hit it off and started talking. She went to school at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY as an Oboeist (which is my second favorite among the instruments I play). She also is fluent in American Sign Language, and is considering seeking her interpreters license when she returns to the US. She is currently in Switzerland studying Medieval music. It was just neat to me how God brought someone from the US - who I likely would not have met - and put her in my path here. We are hoping to link up at some point and practice our sign - as well as the oboe. For those that are interested, the US did win the soccer game - 1-0. It was a blast. I have to say, the only time I've cried during the National Anthem was when Brad was in Iraq. However, I came very close while at the soccer game. I was in a section that had quite a few ex-pats (what we are called while living in a different country) and we were all singing along with the recording. It was beautiful - and to hear my national anthem played in a different country is an experience that just can't be described. It made me truly proud to be an American. After the game was over, the US soccer team came over to our section holding a US flag and waved - thanking us for our support. It was great. Thursday was my birthday - and the staff here did a great job of helping me celebrate. We went to dinner on Friday night - at a neat little Italian resteraunt. Then we came back to the apartment for cake and presents. One of the other student assistants made the cake - pumpkin poppy seed with cream cheese frosting. It was amazing. I received a lot of neat gifts - but the one that made me laugh was a basket with baking supplies. I had mentioned that I loved baking and I missed it. I've been having trouble finding the ingredients I'm used to. Well, now I have what I need - and know what to look for in the future. Apparently the couples that went in together on the basket asked one of the German families to help them - and went shopping with them to find everything. The thought that went into that gift amazed me. I loved it! I also appreciate all of the birthday wishes from you all. Your emails and cards meant the world to me. It was hard to be away from home on my birthday - but your support and the support of those here made all the difference. God is doing some great work over here in Germany. I have been blessed to be able to minister to a family in my school who are not Christian. They have 3 girls - one of whom is in the 5th grade - and we have formed a special bond. They are a great family - and I hope that God will use me to bless them and guide them. Most of our families are not Christian, but God has specifically put this family on my heart. I am also part of a small ministry group that is in prayer discerning how God would have us minister to the Wican community in this area. A good portion of this area is Wican - and especially now, around the festival of Halloween - prayers and ministry is needed. We are waiting for God's leading about how to interact with them in order to show them Christ's love for them. That's about all that's going on here. I'm very excited to be coming home for Christmas in less than 2 months. It will be a short visit - but I know it will be good. I'll fly in on December 15 and leave again on January 3. I love you and miss you all. Love and Peace, AJ