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

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope you all are having a great Summer and are able to enjoy some beautiful sunshine or at least a little warmer weather! It has been about a month since I've been back in the US, and many of you have sent me emails to check and see how things were going, though I didn't always have time to respond - so I thought I'd just send a general update to everyone and send individual emails as I have more time and get more settled in!  I'll try to keep this one short. :)

I have found a job! Or I should say - God put the right job in my lap.  While on vacation with my family, I received an email from a principal I had not contacted (which is rare) asking if I'd like to do an interview.  When I met her and learned about the position at H.J. MacDonald Middle School, I knew it was where I should be - 15 students with severe/profound special needs, 2 teachers and 4 Teacher Assistants working very closely together, with the ability to focus on life skills (full kitchen and full laundry set-up in the classroom) and a desire to encourage interaction between the children in my classroom and regular ed students - it all seems really amazing!  I'm quite excited.

Now that I had a job, I had to find a place to stay.  I signed my lease on Monday at a duplex in Bridgeton, NC, about 15 minutes from New Bern, where my school is. I have about a 3 minute walk from my home to the Neuse River, which most of you know, I wanted to be near the water.  The beach is also only about a 15 minute drive. Bridgeton is a smaller town and I think I will like it, but it's not too far from New Bern, which is a decent size city.  I've started setting up the new place and trying to make it mine!

The next step for me is finding a church to attend and ministries to get involved in. This is important to me, and I'm praying for direction about where to go and I know that God will help me discern exactly where He wants me to go.  I'd love it if anyone would join me in praying for direction in this aspect of adjusting to life back home.

School stuff starts on Wednesday with some county training. Then, workdays start on August 19.  Kids come on August 25. I'm so excited and ready for this new adventure. I know my two years in Germany will make me a better teacher and I'm ready to take on my classroom, knowing that God is leading and I'm following Him. 

I so appreciate your prayers and your encouragement these past few months as I've waited and listened to see where God was leading me.  God has yet again provided exactly what I needed when I needed it - though I have tried to rush Him along in this process. I've finally learned, once again, to wait on His time and listen for His voice.  Looking back, and seeing how things have "fallen into place", I can see God's fingerprints all through it - and I know the prayers that have been prayed prepared the way for all that has come into being.  So, thanks again!

Love in Abba,

my-Jo

 

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy June! I pray that June is a month filled with the wonder of God's love and peace for each of you.

May was a great month here in Germany! It started with two of the students from my school making a commitment to Christ on the same weekend. They are brother and sister - Fabio is 9 and Caterina is 7 and come from a Christian home (their family has actually served as missionaries in the US previously).  This is always a celebration at school and we are very happy to welcome these two into the body of Christ. 

The church I attend had our annual Weekend Away this month as well.  It was an awesome weekend - and I really felt that the church as a whole was encouraged and experienced healing. There was also a lot of individual healing and encouragement.  It's exciting to see what God will do with all those who were released from things that had been binding them.  There has already been a feeling of freedom and joy in worship that I had not experienced as strongly before.

June is shaping up to be a busy month. There is a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it - but I think that could be said for most of us.  The next few weeks may prove to be pretty difficult in the face of the school year ending, closing down the school, packing my apartment and saying my good-byes. I fly back to NC on 26 June, closing this chapter in my journey, and waiting expectantly for God to reveal where the next chapter will take place. More on that later.

Please join me in praise and petition to Abba for the following things:
 
Prayer Requests and Praises for RIA

- Please pray for the students, parents and staff of RIA as we close out the school year. Please especially pray the week of June 14-20. School ends on June 17 and after that, we will be packing up everything in order to be out of the school building by 25 June.  This is in addition to having to pack apartments and get all of our personal belongings sent off.  Pray for peace for all of us and for the ability to work together and finish well.  Stress is already beginning to run high. Please pray that even in the hardest times we are able to praise God and trust in His provision.

- Please pray specifically for the family of Harsha.  He has not been accepted into any of the schools locally due to his special needs. Please pray that God opens up a door for him and makes it clear for his family what they are to do. 

- Please pray also for the family of Jakob. His family is moving to China during the summer. Jakob has special needs and has had an assistant while at RIA. Pray that Jakob and his sister Kaisa are able to adjust to this environment that will be very different from what they have known. Pray that his family is able to find a school that can meet Jakob's needs while in China.

- Please pray for the family of Darby (my student).  They will be moving to Singapore over the summer. Praise God that Darby has been accepted into a special needs class within a larger mainstream school. This school offers great opportunities for therapy within the school day and inclusion in regular education classes.  Pray that Darby and her sisters, Stephanie and Natalie, are able to make a smooth transition to this new place. 

- Please pray for the staff from RIA who still have no clue what we will be doing or where we will be going next year. Please pray that God makes it clear where we are to go. Right now, the ones who do not have a definite position back in the US or elsewhere (and are seeking jobs) are: Kelly, Aubrey, and myself.

Prayers and Praises for Teen Girls Group

- Pray for my teen girls group at church. Praise God that there has been another young women who has stepped up to lead them next year. Pray that God continues to bless them and grow them, and that through Amanda (their new leader) they are able to see God's love for them more clearly.

- The group is meeting with me one final time, on this coming Saturday for a BBQ and swimming. Pray that through this time the girls and I are able to celebrate what God has done in the group and are able to look forward to what God has in store for them.

Personal Prayer Requests and Praises

- Praise God for an email forwarded to me from 3 professors two years ago that led to this opportunity. I can't imagine my life without coming here - and all that God has done in this time. Praise God for the work that He has done in me and the work that He has used me to do in this time.

- Please pray for me as I say good-bye to friends here and work to end this chapter. This process is difficult, but necessary to leave this place well. Pray for clear direction as I walk from here.

- Please pray for safe flights for me on 26 June, as I travel back home. Pray that I am able to work through the emotions of leaving this place and preparing for all that God has prepared for me as I return to NC. 



Friends - thank you so much for your prayers as I've traveled on this journey. Thank you for your emails, messages on Facebook, cards, etc etc.  Knowing that I had the support of friends and family back home helped make this time easier, even on the hard days.

I love you all and I look forward to seeing you all at some point once I am back in the US.  I will have the same cell phone as I did this summer, active from 26 June on.  If you need the number, send me an email and I'll pass it on. 

Love in Abba,

Amy-Jo

_ _

"For I know the plans I have for you." declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a good future." Jeremiah 29:11

Hello Family and Friends,

I can't believe that May is here already! I hope that April was a great month for everyone and pray that May is even better. 

I must say that my May is off to a shaking start - literally. Many people in my region (including me) were awoken at about 3:30 this morning by a 4.5 magnitude earthquake! It only lasted a few seconds, but the shaking was plenty enough to wake me up. I sat up, confused, and after seeing things around me shaking, realized that I wasn't dreaming. It wasn't confirmed till I got to school and heard others talking about it. This is not the first earthquake in this area - I think there was one here about 2 years ago. The funny thing is that I was substituting in my classroom on Monday and the kids were talking about the possibilities of earthquakes. I mentioned that there was one a few years ago, but they didn't happen often in our region. Boy, did I have to eat my words this morning! :) Overall, it appears that there was no major damage - some people didn't even have a clue that it had happened! 

April was a very busy month for me, but quite a wonderful one.  I started it with a fun lesson for art on 1 April (April Fools Day and Backwards Day at RIA). I must say it's my favorite lesson I've taught so far. The kids and I talked about Michealangelo and the Sistine Chapel - and then we simulated it by coloring upside-down.  They loved it and I felt like a real art teacher! I wasn't brave enough to let them try it with paint - maybe next time!

The second part of April was my trip to Taize', which was wonderful beyond words.  I really can't describe the peace and joy I felt while in Taize'.  It was pretty awesome to have 3 times each day when everything stopped and everyone gathered in the church for prayer. It was a great reminder of the presence of God - and how I should acknowledge Him constantly through my day.  I have noticed a transfer from the time in Taize' and realized that I'm becoming more aware of His Presence with me through my day and even in the most menial tasks.  It has changed my perspective a lot, and I love it! I have attached a picture of my on Easter Sunday. I was helping serve lunch to the over 7,000 young adults that were at Taize'. It was an awesome feeling to serve first at any meal I could, but especially on that day - the day that is celebrating the Resurrection and the Life!  This time I was handing out the red bowls that we used to drink at each meal.  I was also blessed to sing in the choir while at Taize' and got to help introduce one of the new songs - which was super fun!  Overall, it was an amazing trip and I am so thankful that I had such a different Spring Break this year!

The second big thing in April was the retreat that I organized for the teen girls group I work with through the Anglican Church here.  I was amazed at the provision of God throughout the weekend.  Several things happened - from not having the right adapter from my computer to an LCD projector until the day of the retreat (and the store had been sold out of them for a week, received them that morning) to not having an extension cord that I needed (one of the girls had one in her suitcase - we still don't know why) and several more things.  Through it all, God always provided what we needed at exactly the right time.  The girls really seemed to grow together through the weekend and grow closer to God also. I was so excited about what happened in and through them over the time! And, I've found out this month that there is someone to take over the girls group beginning in August. I'm so glad to know that this group that God started is not going to fall apart - and that the things God has been doing already will continue on.

May is going to be another exciting month for me.  I am continuing to apply to jobs around the state of NC, hoping for a position to open soon and to be able to know where I am headed before I move home. Please continue to pray for me and all of the other teachers as we seek jobs. I know that God has the right position for all of us, and it's just the waiting for it to open that can be difficult. 

This weekend (6-8 May), my church is having our annual Weekend Away. I am super excited for this time to get away and be with my friends from church. This year, I have been asked to lead a workshop on signing in worship and teach those who attend how to sign a song in ASL. I am excited to share this part of my journey with my church and to teach some of them to sign - several have been asking for this for a while, so it's fun to have an opportunity to do it.

This month holds a lot of concluding activities for our school - which is really rather sad. Please pray for us as we work to allow our students closure and as we also work on closure ourselves.  We found out this week that we must empty our school building by 25 June - and that it will be torn apart on 1 July.  This is heartbreaking for all of us, but we are trying to be faithful to what we need to do - cleaning out and preparing for this move.  Please pray that we have the strength and energy to persevere in this process. Pray for all of us to be able to say good-bye well - to our students, to the parents and to each other. Please pray also for us to continue planting seeds of Christ in each of their lives - we know that God is faithful to complete the good works He begins in each of their lives and we are praying that these seeds will flourish into fruit for His kingdom in the years to come.

Well, this is already longer than I expected! I thank you for your prayers for me, my fellow teachers and the ministries that we are involved in here. God is doing great things in the Dreilandereck (three lands region) and I'm so thankful to be a part of it.  Thank you for your love and support as I serve. Thank you for your prayers as I prepare to return home. Transition is not easy, but I know that I'm blessed to have a team of people praying me through it! 

Know that I'm also praying for all of you.

Love you all!

AJ

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

Hello Beautiful Friends,

Happy April!  There is a bit of Spring in the air here in Germany, and I must say that as the temperature rises, my mood each morning seems to follow. I'm excited to be able to switch from sweatshirts, gloves and heavy jackets to short sleeves and flip flops.  There's also something so amazing about Spring and watching new life come to be. We've started seeing flowers blooming little by little, but in the past few days, this has been happening rapidly.  This week, God has been using the message of that new life to remind me of the new life we all have in Him.  He's been teaching me, again and again, that just as He cares for each flower that blooms - He also cares for His people. He knows what we need and He is providing. Sometimes that reminder is needed in a fresh way - and I'm thankful for it!

Life here in Germany is going well.  I continue to build strong bonds with friends here, and also have really formed bonds with those in the community. It's hard sometimes to feel confident in my German (especially Swiss German), but I'm learning that it is worth the risk to try sentences and be corrected.  Often, it gives both myself and the person I'm talking to a good laugh, and we figure out what I'm trying to say anyway - it just takes longer. The confidence to take the risks and try to put new sentences together is very welcome.  I feel like I fit in a little better with each new person I'm able to communicate with.  Please pray that this theme continues and that I'm able to build on my knowledge each week, so that I can use what I learn to share God's love with more people here.

Over the past month, I have enjoyed two visitors - my grandmother (Mimi) and my friend Ashley. I had a great time with both of them and was able to visit some new places.  Mimi was able to experience the fun of Fastnacht - and I think really enjoyed it. The easiest way to explain it is that Fastnacht is essentially the Swiss and German version of Mardi Gras, but there's a world of difference at the same time. We went to several parades, including the Liestal Fire Parade. I attached the before picture of one of the wagons - they lit these on fire (or carried brooms of fire) and walked (ran or danced) through and under the city tower and down the main street. It's quite an experience and Mimi loved it!  We also went to Munich and 2 castles there, including Neuschwanstein - which is beautiful.  Ashey and I stayed a little closer to home since her visit was short. However, she and I explored a lot of things around Weil am Rhein, Germany, Hunigue, France and Basel, Switzerland. Then, we also went to Strassbourg, France, which is an amazing city that I've visited once, but was happy to visit again.

Today was the last day of reading month and RIA students met our goal!  We read 21, 865 pages this month.  It's pretty awesome. We had the joy of several past teachers reading to us via Skype - isn't technology amazing!  Today, we had a pizza, popcorn and movie party to celebrate their success.  After that, it was time for Parent-Teacher Conferences, which went well.  I love these meetings because they are a great chance to get to brag on the students and what they do well, but also to discuss issues and make a plan for working together.  I felt really good coming out of my meeting with Darby's Mom. Now, we have a 2 week break, which I have to admit, I am excited for. Please pray for all of our students who are finding out about where they are going to school next year or are still searching for a school. Please pray that we can all have safe holidays, and come back together in 2 weeks ready to have a strong finish to the school year.  Pray for the teachers who are still hunting for jobs and looking for places to live. With the economy as weak as it is, many of us are finding that we have trouble even getting interest from principals because of living abroad or principals hands are tied in regard to hiring due to freezes.

I leave tomorrow morning to head to Taize, France for 8 days (until Easter Monday).  I have been there before, but just for a weekend. It's a monastery and I have found it to be an amazing place. I look forward to a lot of time apart to listen for where God is leading me - in work, in life and in Him.  I'm also very excited for the time to meet with other young adults from all over the world and have discussions about how Jesus love is evident to us in our different lives.  It's a very different type of Spring Break than most of my friends have chosen, but I'm glad that I'm able to do it. I look forward to the worship, the music and the people and think it will be a great trip.  Please pray that this be a time of renewal for me. I am hoping that God gives me some clarity on a few issues - and if He chooses to reveal it during this time, even better - but if not, I know He has all the clarity needed about all the things in my life (and everyone's).

My girls group continues to do well. We now have 10 girls, 8 of whom attend regularly. We are having a great time together each week that we meet. We often have social nights now, just to be able to enjoy the company of each other in places outside of church. I never knew how this group would take off when I took it on. It is truly one of those times of answering the call, expecting very little, but being blessed in overabundant ways. The girls feel it, even if some of them choose to fight it.  Please pray for our retreat, 24-26 April. Pray that God reveal himself to them in just the way each girl needs.  These are amazing girls who have moved so much and often don't feel that they fit in to any group - until this one.  As they left this past week, I watched them giving hugs and making plans to get together outside of the group as well.  There are walls coming down and friendships in Christ being built! I'm so excited to see what He is doing in them individually and as a group - and glad that He's kept me out of the way enough that He can do such awesome work!  Please just pray that someone steps up and is willing to take this group on after I leave. I know God did not form it to let it fall apart now - but it requires someone to step up and have passion for these girls and their lives.

Well, I'm off to pack and get a few last minute things done tonight before my trip tomorrow.  I love you all and I pray that you each have an amazing Easter. I pray that you are able to take the time to truly praise God for the work that He did all those years ago on Calvary. Look to the cross - the shame and pain that Jesus bore - and the celebrate that Jesus is alive and He gives us each new life through Him.

Happy April and Happy Easter!

Love always,

AJ

Hello Family and Friends,

Happy March! This is an exciting month for me for several reasons.  The first one is: My grandmother (mom's mom) is visiting! She arrived on Saturday and will be here until 8 March. The second exciting reason is that my friend Ashley is coming to see me also! She'll be here from 8 -12 March.  With these two visitors, I am going to be quite busy the first few weeks of March.  However, I didn't want to neglect sending an update and asking for prayer support for all that is going on here - and sharing the glorious workings of Christ in Germany and Switzerland.

I have been able to go on a few fun adventures since I last emailed. One of my favorites was going to Mt. Pilatus in Luzern, Switzerland with my roommates. This was the first time I have gone on a gondola ride in the Alps - and it was beautiful!  We were just amazed at the view and how glorious it was.  We were above the clouds, so it was actually rather warm on the top of the mountain!  Aubrey, Mallory and I had lunch in a restaurant at the top - and I have to tell you, having fondue in the Swiss Alps is like nothing else I've ever experienced!

Another fun trip was the staff retreat. We went for an overnight retreat in early February, as a way to be together, recharge after the devastating blow of the announcement of the school's closing, and to prepare for the transition that is awaiting all of us.  We had a great time of fellowship, fun and games.  We also were able to explore more of the Swiss Alps - which is just a great thing to do. There were a lot of cute little towns around us, and we had a blast. 

February was Poetry Month at RIA - and I had the blessing of being able to stretch my teaching muscles and do whole group instruction for the 5th-6th grades class. I taught Language Arts for the entire month, doing a unit on poetry. I had an absolute blast and the kids did too!  We really were able to find out more about poets and poetry and write our own poems!  Some of them were quite silly, but it was fun to work together to create class poems and then work individually and to see each child's personality come out in their poems.

RIA Praises and Prayer Requests:

- Praise God for a continued high spirit among our staff and students. We have continued on in a very positive attitude, even amidst the sad news of the school closing.  Many of our students have begun to explore other schools in the area and spend a day or two in other schools/classes to see what school fits them best. Please pray for all of our families as they continue to seek schools for next year, especially our families with special needs.

- Please pray for all of our staff as we seek jobs for next year. Pray for guidance and God's leading about where we are supposed to go next.  We praise God for a few staff members already finding positions or having leaves of absence, so they are able to go back to a position without any fuss.

- Please pray that we can finish this school year strong. Pray that we are able to continue giving our best, both as staff and students. Praise God for the great work that has already happened in the school year and the growth that we've seen.

- March is Reading Month at RIA. I am in charge. Please pray that I am able to plan activities that encourage our students to read - and edify all of them, regardless of their reading abilities. Please pray that we can encourage this awesome lifetime habit with our students in a fun and meaningful way - so that they don't just read this month, but for their whole lives!

Girls Sunday School Group Praises and Prayer Requests:

- Praise God for an awesome social night last Saturday. One of our church members opened her home and invited all of the girls in. We had pizza, played games and had awesome fellowship. It really gave me a chance to see the girls in a less structured environment and get to know them a little better. They have asked for this to be a monthly thing, so we are going to take one Saturday from each month and use it for a fellowship and fun night.

- For the past few weeks, I had felt God placing a desire to do a weekend retreat with the girls on my heart. I was nervous about asking the Children's Ministry leader about doing this - as I knew it would be expensive, and there is a lot of planning that goes into something like this. After the social night, I was praying, and clearly felt the leading to go ahead with the retreat. So, I emailed the CM leader - and he responded within a day, totally on board with it - saying that as he prayed about it, he felt God's leading as well. He contacted our vicar (who has a daughter in the group) and the vicar is also on board with this.  So, please pray for this weekend. It looks like it will be in April. I am really excited, but also really nervous, as I've never taken on something like this. Please pray that I am able to totally surrender this to God and allow Him to have control of all that goes on - and not try to take this on myself. I praise God for the support of my church in this and for the fact that I know God is going to bless this retreat. Please pray for the hearts of the girls to be open and ready to hear truth about what God is saying to each of them.

Personal Requests

- Please pray for my health. Since November it seems that I have been going to the doctor every few weeks. They put me on antibiotics, I rest, start to feel better and a few weeks later, fall sick again.  This last round caused me to rupture my right eardrum (my Deaf ear) and have to have it patched while it heals.  This is just a tiring cycle - and it is causing me to miss school, which disrupts Darby's schedule and puts her off. Plus, as the art and music teacher, it's asking a lot for other teachers to have to cover when I'm absent.

- Please pray for me as I continue to seek a position for next year. I've been putting my application in for several schools - and though I have a few in mind, I'm open to wherever God may lead me. Pray that He will make the road clear for me - that I will know where I'm supposed to go.

- Praise God for feeling more and more confident in my German each week. This fact is helping me to be willing to reach out to the community. I've begun to converse with the people I see often (people at the bakery or at restaurants or the grocery store). The conversations have moved past Hello and are progressing to "How are you" and "Where are you going".  I'm praying that even in the few months I have left, that these conversations can move further - and that through them, each person I interact with can see Christ's love shining through me. 

That's about all from here for now. Know that I pray for all of you and I'm so thankful for your love and for you joining with me in prayer.  It's so helpful to know that even if I don't have you with me, we are joined together when we pray for each other.

May God make Himself known to you in new ways this month.

Love you all,

Amy-Jo

2/3/09

Hello Friends and Family,

Happy February!  It's hard to believe that January is gone already. Today I wish the snow was gone already from here, but since it's not, I'm trying to enjoy the beauty of it.  The past month has been a wonderful time of learning and fun with my students, and of course, the craziness of life has been thrown in too. I have much excitement right now, as I realize that at the end of this month (and beginning of March), my Mimi (grandmother) will be coming to Germany for about a week.  I am super excited to have her come over and be able to see even a little bit of the blessing that this journey has been for me.

My involvement in my church remains strong, and I feel so much love and so blessed to be a part of it.  "My girls" are all doing well. We are still averaging about 4 girls, but the overall membership has risen to 8.  This past Sunday, I had 6 girls, and we were able to have a great time together. 6 is a great number for doing activities and being able to talk without feeling like one person is doing all the talking.  I learn so much when I am with them, even as I do the teaching.  I love it!  We will be doing a fun social night either at the end of this month or next month, and I think it will be great to be able to interact with the girls in a totally relaxed environment. 

My teaching life is also going very well.  Darby is amazing as always. I love waking up every morning, knowing that I'm going to teach her and excited to see what she is going to learn.  We started subtraction in January, and it has been an amazing journey.  She is doing well with it and I'm excited about seeing her learn this new skill.  We had tried it before, but had to stop. When I re-introduced it, she was ready and she is doing super! 

Music class is going great. We had a recent presentation of two of our songs at a school Invention Convention.  The kids really enjoyed the songs, which were about inventing. They really enjoyed singing, and the parents and other students really enjoyed the songs as well!  We had a success earlier this year, when we were warming up and they sang a scale in tune! I wanted to jump up and down and dance because I was so happy. We start playing recorders tomorrow.  This ought to be an interesting unit, but I'm hoping that through it we can learn how to read music a little better, as well as having experience with playing an instrument.  We will also be getting ready to start our Spring Program preparations soon, which is always fun.

Art Class is also going well.  I'm beginning to feel more and more comfortable in my skin each class that I teach. I don't claim to be an artist, but they are learning and having fun at the same time, which seems to work well for all of us.

However, in the midst of all of these wonderful things, I have some sad news to announce, and it really breaks my heart to share this with you all.  We have received word, and have announced to our students and families, that Rhein International Academy will be closing at the end of this school year.  It's been a very difficult few weeks since the teachers found out, but we have all been able to lean on each other and take care of each other in the midst of the emotions.  I so appreciate all of the prayers that you lifted for RIA, and I am positive that they have impacted the decision, even if it didn't turn out the way we had hoped.  Please continue to pray for our students, for their parents and for the staff.

Please pray that our students are able to understand the details that they need to know, without the extra details that aren't important for them.  Please pray that they are still able to focus on what needs to be done, and that as teachers, we are able to be there with them and support them in what is going on.

Please pray for our parents as they work to find a new school placement for their children.  This is especially important for our students with special needs. RIA was the only school that accepted many of our students, because our director has a background in special education and believes that by accepting everyone, we can teach all students to be accepting of each other.  Now, we are working with the parents and schools in the area to find a school that is willing to accept these students. We are praying for a school that will love and nurture "our kids" as much as we have.

Please pray for the staff as we go through this. It is adding a bit of stress to us, as we have to inventory our apartments, the school, etc. We also have to get the apartments into shape to be rented to others, on top of teaching and carrying the load we have been.  Please also pray for encouragement. I've noticed that our overall tone has remained positive and I praise God for that. Please pray for it to continue to remain upbeat and also, please pray for our staff retreat, which is Thursday and Friday of this week.  We will be going to a retreat center in Switzerland, and spending time with each other and with some members of the NICS home office.  Pray that this will be a time of renewal and relaxation, preparing us to come back and finish out the year strong. 

Overall though, please pray that through this process, God's glory is sought.  It is not easy for any of us to see God's will in this closing, but we are trusting Him as the Great Provider, knowing that He will work this for His glory.  This decision was not made lightly, and while it breaks our hearts, we want it to be used of Him for His work.  Pray also that the seeds that have been planted in the 5 years RIA has been open will continue to be watered and nurtured by whoever accepts our students next.

The last prayer request is a bit selfish, but please pray for me.  I have put in the application to NC-Department of Public Instruction, and I'm beginning to contact the schools that I would be interested in teaching in next school year.  Please just pray for God to make Himself clear to me about where He would like me to go.  I see these schools, I get so excited about the possibilities of the programs, and often the locations as well - but I want to be sure that I follow Him and follow where He is leading me.  Please pray for principals who are willing to interview over the phone, and not require face-to-face interviews, because this will be quite difficult to accomplish, since I am not coming home until the end of June. 

Thank you all for all of your support so far on this journey of mine.  I am including a picture of a recent field trip that 3rd-6th grades took to the Natural History Museum in Basel, Switzerland.  It was a wonderful trip and the kids all had a blast.  I also included a picture of me in front of the Tinguely fountain, a local landmark, which, as you can see, was frozen at the time.  It thawed for a few days, and now is re-frozen.  It's quite a beautiful sight.

Know that I'm praying for all of you and I'm so thankful for your love and your prayers. 

Love in Abba,

Amy-Jo

Hello again friends and family!  Happy New Year to you all!  May 2009 be a year of showing the world the love of God in new and powerful ways - ways that go beyond anything we've done before.  Who knows, if we all passed on to one person a day a simple reminder of God's grace, forgiveness, peace and love - we could shake the foundation of this world!   

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have arrived in Germany safely.  Overall, it was a pretty uneventful trip back - which is always nice. There was a small delay on my last flight, but nothing too long. My flight from Dulles to London Heathrow actually turned into a mission field, which I had never expected (though it happens quite often).  I met two young people, both in their 20's - one living in London, one studying abroad in Spain.  We talked about what we were doing - and when I said that I was teaching at a Christian school, I got many questions about why I believe in Christ.  I shared my heart - and all of us exchanged emails at the end, with plans to continue our conversation.  Please pray that this interaction will grow into a relationship and that through it, these two people may seek a relationship with Christ.  

My time at home was wonderful - I enjoyed a good Christmas with my family and was able to truly enjoy and be a part of Meghann's wedding preparation and the day!  It was also wonderful to see my friends and several family members that made special efforts to come to North Carolina while Mom, Dad and I were home. 

It's so hard to believe that this is my last stretch of time in Germany for now.  I say for now because I am totally open to God bringing me back here (or elsewhere in the world) after some time at home.  The past 18 months have flown by and I know the next 6 will sail by even faster.  I couldn't have made this transition to life here without all of your prayers and encouragement - so thank you all for being a part of this journey with me.

I'd like to ask that you all join with me in prayer over the next 6 months.  I have a tendency to already start thinking about what I'll be doing when I get home - where I'll be living, where I'll teach, etc.  Please pray that while I work on those issues (which can't be ignored) that I am also able to focus on what God has called me here for.  Pray that I'll be able to bless those I work with (families and staff at RIA), the children I teach and the young ladies that I meet with on Sunday mornings.  I'd also appreciate prayers for God to clearly guide me and direct me in taking the next steps of my journey. I don't want to lead - I want to follow - surrendered totally to His will. 

Thanks again for your love and support!  You all are amazing.

Love to you all,

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

Hi Friends and Family,

I know I'm a little late on sending this out, but better late than never, I guess!  Happy December!  May this month be blessed with fun, fellowship and celebration of the Christ Child, come to Earth. 

The Christmas program this past Friday was absolutely amazing. Thank you all for your prayers! The kids did a wonderful job - though they had me nervous at the last minute that they'd forget the words.  It's so awesome to be able to say that we truly shared the story of Christ with the families.  We are praying that the program planted seeds in the hearts of our children and the hearts of our parents.  I'd love for you to pray with us for our families to find Christ through our program and through our interactions with them.  We so desire to share God's love with all of them and make sure they see Christ in all we do!

RIA continues to seek God's face in regard to more students. Today, we said good-bye to another young lady, who is moving to a larger school, seeking more activities.  Each time we lose a student, the staff feels a little discouraged, and it was sad to end the year on that note. Please pray for more students and also for encouragement for the staff in regard to this.  We try to remember that we are God's hands and feet to all of the children in our classes, no matter what number that may be, whether 3 or 30!

Please also pray for our staff as we deal with the loss of one of our members. Deliciana, one of the other 1-on-1 assistants, who said goodbye today as well. She is moving to Alabama to be near her fiancee Jonas, and from there will be getting married and then moving to Russia to serve God with Jonas.  Please pray for her adjusting and for all of us as we adjust to her being gone. This means a lot more work for a staff that is already feeling overstretched -but we know that God is providing strength for us as we follow His leading.  However, in this change, I have been asked to take on teaching art, as well as teaching music and doing the Special Education work that I was hired for.  I'm more than willing to, but adding two more classes a week is going to be stretching to me.  Please pray for wisdom in when to rest, when to work and when to ask for help.  Please also pray for me as I'm not an artist, but I want to be able to help teach basic concepts as much as possible to our students. 

Please pray for safe travels for all RIA staff, as we travel home or to visit friends/family in other parts of the world.  Please pray especially for Delynn.  She did not plan to go home, but she just found out last week that her father has cancer - a serious case that has invaded his whole abdomen.  They did not find it early, and it appears to be in Stage 4.  Please pray for her as she goes home, to support her family and possibly say good-bye to her father.  Please pray for God's healing in his body and for God's peace to be over the entire family.

I leave in just over 6 hours to fly home.  It's amazing that it is already time to come home for the semester.  I would like to ask for prayers for myself - for a time of renewal during this break, even in the midst of wanting to see everyone and do everything I can.  Also, please be praying for me as I seek God's will regarding next year. I know it seems a long way off, but with the way time is flying now, I need to start considering what will happen when this school year is over. God has made it clear to me that I am to return home in June, even though my heart desires to stay here for longer.  I know He will provide direction about what to do, where to apply for jobs when I come back - but I would appreciate your prayers for Him to make clear where I should be as I continue to seek His face when I return back home. 

I praise God for all of you and I'm so thankful for your friendship and love, even when I'm so far away. You are all such a source of encouragement and I know you are a huge force of prayer and seeking God's face and I so appreciate that!  May you all have a wonderful December - and maybe even a little of the snow that I've had here!

And in the words of the children in my classroom:
Merry Christmas! Fröhe Weihnachten! Feliz Navidad! God Jul!  Szczesliwe Boze Narodzenie!

 *English, German, Spanish, Swedish, Polish, in case you were wondering*

Love you all,

AJ

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

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy November!  In this month of Thanksgiving, let us truly give thanks to God for all of His many gifts.  I thank God daily for all of you and the support you have offered to me over the past year and a half as I have taken this journey to a new place, following God's leading and hoping to share His love with people in Germany.  As usual, this month has been full of fun, full of challenge and full of growth.

In my personal life, I am seeing great growth in my friendships with German nationals and with those in the International Community in Germany and Switzerland.  This has been a real blessing to me. I have felt more like a part of the culture here this year than I did last year and I feel like I am learning how to fit in.  I have prior knowledge from last year, so everything isn't as new - which is really helpful when planning for activities.  These experiences are helping to increase my confidence, which in turn helps me to be more willing to make new friends in the area.  It's nice to not feel so much like a fish out of water this year!
  My German is also improving, which is tremendously helpful when communicating with people from the area. I always feel insecure asking them to switch into English, even if they know it, since I am living in their country - so being able to get past basic German sentences has been an exciting experience. I'll never be fluent, but anything is better than nothing.    I'd like to send an extra thank you to anyone who has been praying for more students for RIA. We have had a new student join us since last Monday - and a potential student starting in a few weeks.  Sadly, we are losing 2 students next week because their family is moving to another country.  Please continue your prayers for God to bless us with more students.  I'd also like to ask for you to begin praying for new staff for the coming school year. It's always an interesting transition each year, and sadly, this year, many of us will be leaving because our 2 year contract is up. Please pray for God to be preparing the hearts of those He has called to teach at RIA starting next year.    My Sunday School class is going well.  I now have 6 girls who are attending on a regular basis, which is a small increase from where we started. I will be buying all of them the book that we've been using as a Christmas present, because I want them to have it for their own reading at home.  I'm also beginning to plan a possible overnight retreat with them for sometime in the Spring, just to really get to know their hearts and hopefully minister to them in a different way.  This is an exciting experience for me, and I so feel God's presence as I work with them and prepare activities for them.  I know that God has given me a heart tender for teaching young girls how He views them and for helping to spread His love to them in real, tangible ways.    This month has also included some tough decisions. The biggest by far has been choosing to take a break from graduate school.  I am doing this for a few different reasons, but the biggest is being unsure if God is calling me to get my degree in Special Education or in a different field.  As I'm discerning this, I felt led to take a break and to use the time I gain to invest more in my ministries and relationships here in Germany.  I would love your prayers with me as I take this step back from school (the first break from school I've had since I was 3 years old)!  I would appreciate prayers for discernment and wisdom regarding God's calling on my life in regards to a graduate degree. 

November is a month of preparation for Christmas programs, which are rapidly approaching (yes, there is a bit of anxiousness in my statement).  I am helping with the program for my school, and in charge of the music for the older kids, plus organizing the other parts of the program.  I am so proud of my students - their singing has come a long way, and they are learning to follow my directing.  We are even performing a song with an echo - and they are nailing it!  It's been an encouragement to hear how they are improving each time we practice. I wasn't sure about taking on the role of teaching music, since I have no formal training, but I think that it's been a great step and a step that is helping me to grow in my confidence in teaching overall. Please pray with us that our Christmas program will be a blessing to the families that come. Many of our families are not Christians, so prayers for them to see Christ and the true message of Christmas through our program would be wonderful. 

This update has turned out to be really long, so if you've made it this far, thank you!  It's so exciting to share the ways Christ is moving in our school and I do want to ask for your prayers for one student in particular.  His name is Carles and he is in 5th grade. This young man is so full of passion and love for life.  He is also full of questions and wanting to know how and why things work.  His heart is tender and he is (we believe) on the verge of making a decision to accept Christ. He asks a lot of questions and wants to know more and more about God.  He has a Bible of his own now, and has been reading it and asking questions of myself and his classroom teacher. We share with him all we can and help him find where God speaks answers through the Word.  Please pray for Carles as he walks in this journey. Our prayer is always for our kids to accept Christ as their Saviour - and Carles is very close to making that decision for himself. Please pray that Mr. Barbour and I can continue to speak truth to Carles and share God's love in clear ways with him.

I love you all and I do thank you for your commitment to pray for me and for my work in Germany. God is moving in mighty ways here!  Please let me know if there are any ways that I can be praying for you.

Love in Abba,

AJ

Hello Friends!

As many of you know, the school that I work for is currently experiencing very low student enrollment.  This is causing many issues, and questions are being raised about whether the school will be able to stay open for next school year. The simple fact is: We need more students.  The staff has been praying about the issue of student enrollment, seeking for 80 students.  We feel that we've received specific messages that the school is to remain open, therefore we are asking for our friends and family to join us in a day of prayer and fasting, specifically asking God to provide students for the school.  We have selected Monday, October 13 as the day that we will be fasting (from Sundown Sunday to Sundown Monday).  If you would like to join us in this, please let me know, and I can send a list of specific points that we are praying for.  Even if you do not want to fast or can't do it on that day, but would like the overview of specifics, please let me know.  I so appreciate the heart that all of you have for my mission here, and appreciate your supporting Rhein International Academy in this way.  Please feel free to pass this on to other prayer warriors that you know - we need all the prayer we can get surrounding this!  Thank you for your faithfulness.

Love to you all,

AJ

Hi friends and family!

September has come to a close, and October has arrived.  This is harvest season in Germany, holding many festivals and traditions.  Last weekend, I went to the Pumpkin Festival in a nearby town with a friend from school. We had a great time, enjoying pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie, bratwursts and even a specialty called Delicatesa - which is a type of squash, boiled with warm sour cream over it - amazing!  After we had our fill of great food, we wandered around a corn maze with one of the families from RIA. The maze was huge and the corn was over all of our heads.  The best part was that hidden in pockets around the maze were things for the kids to play on - a trampoline, swings, a seesaw, slides - anything you can imagine! It was great to be able to play with the kids that I work with and to see them in a different place.  It's also a great place to minister to the families - for them to see how much we care and to show Jesus' love in a different environment. 

Tomorrow, I have the blessing of going to visit one of my friends who works for the NICS school in Seoul, Korea. I met her this summer at my training in Mississippi, and with the encouragement of friends and family, decided to go visit her during my Fall Break. I leave this Friday, October 3 and will come back Friday, October 10. I'd love your prayers as I go on this trip.  A big part of my decision to go is that God has been calling me to really learn about His world - to see all that He has created - and He is showing me that after I learn about His world, He will be leading me to reach out to His world in more concrete, direct ways. I have no idea at this point how that will all shape up, but I'm trusting in His unfailing Love and Grace to show me that, as each step needs to be taken.  At this point, I'm following His leading and listening to His voice each step of the way.  Please pray for safe travels, but also, please pray that God shows me more of Himself through this journey - and that I come back changed and able to help change the lives of others.  

School is going really well.  I've attached a picture of the class I work in, so you can see the beautiful faces that greet me everyday!  My student has been having some behavior issues, but I had a Parent/Teacher Conference today and left feeling very encouraged. The parent of my student supports me completely and we are working together to help my student progress and do better in school. I'm so thankful for the support and ability to know that I am doing right by my student.  Music class is also going well.  I have just had a meeting with my director regarding the Christmas Program, which I am in charge of, with help from two other teachers.  I'm quite excited as we are doing a program that will explore the cultures and traditions of each culture group in the school, have songs in a variety of language - but ultimately, focus on the one thing that unites us all - the celebration of Christ's birth!  I think it will be a great program - but your prayers for all the preparation that go in to Christmas Programs would be much appreciated.

I have also been asked to take on a bit of a different role as a Sunday School teacher. Originally, I was a co-leader for the 11-13 year old Sunday School group. This year, we are changing it to hopefully draw in some of the older youth.  It will now be split - and I'll have the 13-18 year old young women - and another leader will take the young men.  i am so excited about this - as I love working with the girls in a setting where we can really talk about the issues going on, without worrying about looking cute for the boys in the group.  I think this will help with building relationships and really dealing with issues of faith, peer pressure and family.  The church I attend here would covet your prayers as we take this next step and step out on faith that this will help to meet some of the needs of the youth and young people.  I would covet your prayers for leadership and being a strong Christian female influence in their lives. 

I think that about sums up life here in Germany right now.  It's been a very different start to the school year, now that everything is familiar and I have a better grasp on the language.  I have really enjoyed being in the community and getting to know the area more intimately.  God is really doing great work in Germany. Please do pray for the education system here.  It is actually illegal to homeschool your child in Germany - however, parents have chosen to do it in order to be able to provide a Christian education for their children (it's rather complex to explain the way schools work here).  These parents face persecution and prosecution (and have had their children removed from their homes) for trying to educate their child in the ways they see fit.  Please pray that they are able to work with the government to meet the needs of the child and yet, follow the laws of the country. 

Happy October!  Hope this month holds many smiles and happy days for everyone.  Please feel free to send on prayer requests/praise reports. I may be far away, but all of you are very near to my heart. 

Love you all,

AJ

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

9/2/08 - Hey y'all!  I know that I've already started off poorly with keeping everyone updated. My huge apologies for that - it's been a crazy year already, and it's only going to become more busy - but, it's all wonderful, amazing things with great people! I am going to try to send out an email at least the first week of every month with updates about what is going on and how to help support me in prayer. 

Before I get started on my update, I would like to ask for prayer for my Grandpa Roy.  He has been having some medical issues and currently has surgery scheduled for later in September.  He has a tumor on his kidney that is going to be removed. As of right now, we don't know if it's cancerous or not - but please pray for complete healing for him.  I know God is the ultimate physician and I ask that you lift my Grandpa up to Him in prayer with me.  (I don't know all the details - but this is what I've heard so far, and I know that God knows all He needs to in order to do what needs to be done.) Thank you.

I realized today that Friday will be a year since I first arrived in Germany. It's so amazing to me that a year has passed already.  It sometimes feels like I just got here.  Please pray with me that this year I may be even more of a blessing to those around me.  I want to be sure to share God's love and glory in everything I do, in my school, in my church, in the community and everywhere I go. 

School has started and is in full swing.  We currently have 28 students between Kindergarten and 6th grade .We have no pre-schoolers, which is unusual, as that is usually our biggest draw.  We are designing a task-force who have a goal of bringing our total number of students up to 80 by the end of the school year. Your prayers for more students would be greatly appreciated as we are currently bringing in less tuition than our operating costs.

Many of you know that I have taken on the additional role of music teacher this year. I love this part of my job - however, I know that I am not trained for it.  I have been blessed with some courses in teaching music, and the facts that I love music and play several instruments are helpful. It's actually been awesome to teach music from the perspective of one who does not know how long she will be able to hear - I have a different kind of appreciation for the music I hear everyday, in nature, in voices, all around - and I hope to bestow this love for sound onto all of the students I work with. Please pray for me as I communicate this love and passion and try to teach in an area where I'm not 100% comfortable.  I've found that sometimes God blesses us the most when He is stretching us - and that's what I feel here - that I'm being stretched, but that it's for God's purpose, and more importantly, for His glory.

This year, I am also stepping out and stepping up in ministry roles.  I am one of the Children's Ministry Leaders for my church. I work with the Senior Pathfinders, which are 11-13 year olds.  I have loved this group so far.  God has given me a heart for this age group, for the struggles that they face and for helping them to see them the way He does.  It's been a huge blessing, but I know it's a huge responsibility in God's eyes and in the eyes of the church.  I would love your prayers for myself and all children's leaders worldwide - that we may follow Christ and His leading in regards to each child that we work with, and that we do not lead even one astray.

This year, I'd like to ask for those of you who read this to pick one of the students from the classes I work with to pray for by name.  If you want to let me know who you are praying for, that's great (If you do, I can give you a few more specifics on them about what to pray for).  If not, just please pick one and lift them up to our Heavenly Father whenever you can. I know that the prayers will make a huge difference in their lives. 

In the 5th-6th grade class: Carles, Darby, Ewa, Jakob and Marvin
In my music class: the five listed above and Dominika, Ellie, Fabio, Harsh, and Shannon

Thank you again for joining me in prayer for my ministry here in Germany. It is such a blessing to be able to serve our Father and show His love to these children whom he has brought into my life.  I miss you all.  Please let me know how I can join you in prayer for the things going on in your life.

In Abba's Love,

AJ

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

7/31/08 Hi Family and Friends!  Well, here I am again - at the start of a new school year. The first step is arriving in Germany safely - and I can check that off the list. I had good flights - a little bumpy, but no major issues (though, due to a delay in Raleigh, I almost missed my flight to Germany - but they kindly held the plane for me). This is even more amazing in light of the fact that Lufthansa was striking - causing a bit of a concern that my last flight would not depart - but it did, and on time at that! Thank you for your prayers for safe travels - I do appreciate it. 

One of the best parts of the trip was reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It's based on the book Hosea in the Bible. If you are a reader - and don't mind a bit of mature content (nothing risque)
- you should pick it up. It's a great fiction read, and it parallels how Christ loves us so much that He continually buys us back from our sin - just as Hosea did with his wife. I'm not finished yet, but wow
- I didn't want to put it down!

The rest of this week includes the fun adventures of getting re-acquainted with my life in Germany - seeing friends, going to my Bible Study, going grocery shopping, etc. It also includes new aspects - like meeting the new roommate moving in with Aubrey and I.
Her name is Mallory and she'll be teaching Kindergarten this year.
I'm quite excited.

Well, jet-lag is taking over, so I think I'm going to get a shower and get moving. Thank you for your prayers, your love and all you have done to make me feel special. I'm so blessed to have friends and family who love and support me as much as you all do.

Love and Peace,

AJ

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

 

6/23/08 - Hello friends and family!   It is hard to believe that as I write this, I only have 4 school days until my first year as a teacher is completed and only 9 days until I fly home.  There is something so amazing, exciting and wonderful about that!  I have been blessed to see success through the progress of my student and could not have asked to teach in a better environment with more supportive co-workers.  I am learning how to be the best teacher I can be, and how to use the gifts God has given me to reach out to further His Kingdom.  The awesome part of my job, however, is that while I came to Germany to teach, I have been able to take on other roles and to work in other ministries - with my single goal being to Honor God and further His Kingdom here in Europe.    I am learning how to reach out in the community to serve God and to be His hands and feet. I have become extremely involved in the church I attend here (the Anglican Church of Basel). I am learning to follow God's leading regarding the roles he wants me to take - so far, that has included leading intercessions during the service, being an active part of a Life Group, taking a Spiritual Gifts course and volunteering to lead a Sunday School class starting in September.  Those are just a few of the roles that God has led me to take on - and I know that through my following His leading, He will continue to help me grow into who He wants me to be.     This weekend, I will be serving as the lead children's minister for a weekend away retreat of a local English speaking church. I'm quite excited. I had the opportunity to dive in and really plan and organize all that the children will be doing this weekend - and found that I enjoy using my ideas and seeing how they'll fit. I was given a Bible passage that the adults would be exploring and told that I could do whatever I wanted to with it.  From there, I was able to plan games, discussions, crafts, etc to help the kids grow as a group, and more importantly, grow in their knowledge and hopefully, acceptance of God's love for them.  I am so thankful that God led me to help in this capacity and hope that I can continue to grow in this way.    This past Saturday, the Euro 2008 Football (Soccer) Championship began.  One of the arenas that is being used is in Basel, Switzerland.  It has been exciting and refreshing to see and feel the energy throughout Basel.  It's also been neat to see how multi-cultural this area is.  There are flags from so many different countries flying in support of the home country of the residents.  Even at our school, students have come in waving flags and wearing their countries colors - quite energized in support of their teams.  I was able to be a part of a worship service that occurred on Friday night before the games began.  I helped with setting up and one of the big parts of the worship service was a balloon release. People were given cards on which to write a prayer for the finder of the card and a prayer for themselves.  Then at one time, all of the attendees, from countries all over Europe (and the world) released the balloons as an act of worship to God.  It brought tears to my eyes - and I wasn't the only one. 
My time at home will be short, I know, but I am really hoping to see everyone while I am there. My basic plan is below - there will be changes I'm sure. 
June 21 - Arrive in Raleigh June 23-July 4 - Mississippi for training with NICS (my missionary agency) July 5-11 - Greenville July 12-19 - Around Fayetteville - day trips outside of town (if you are outside of Fayetteville or Greenville, this will probably be when I'm available to come see you or meet somewhere) July 20-26 - Working as a counselor at ACS camp July 27-29 - Last minute trips around NC July 30 - Fly back to Germany
I currently do not have a cell phone, though Brad is trying to get one for me to use while I'm home.  When I have that number, I will pass it on.  
I want to say thank you to all of you who are on my email list.  I appreciate you so much. I know that your prayers have made a huge difference in how well I transitioned to this place.  It is hard to believe that 10 months have gone by since I left the continent of North America for the first time.  It is amazing to think that this time last year was the first time I had ever thought about leaving the US.  God placed the calling on my heart, created the situation where I was needed and placed me in it - all very quickly - but never too fast that I was worried about following His will.  It is such a blessing to look and see how each of you has played a part in this part of my journey.  You are all special to me and I so appreciate the encouragement and love you have offered me throughout my life, but especially in this last year as I took the leap of faith to leave the familiar and comfortable and embrace the ministry that God had laid before me.  

 

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