Friday, January 22, 2010

Northward Bound




Our life has changed drastically within one week. Since Mark graduated in December, he has been looking for jobs non-stop. We feel drawn to aspects of Social Justice in the form of Relief/Development ministries as well as the area of Microfinance (which we both find fascinating). Basically we feel called to help the poor. A position with any of these ministries will most likely result in a move...domestically at first, and then maybe internationally. As many of you know and have experienced, the economy has made these non-profit/ministerial jobs very hard to come by. On December 30, Mark was offered an unpaid 4 1/2 month internship with Opportunity International, a microfinance org. based in Oak Brook, Il, near the Chicago area. We didn't really think about it seriously at first because it was: a. starting in 12 days b. in Chicago c. UNPAID. We also have a mortgage payment here so if we went, we would have to find unbelievably cheap housing. The odds of us going were slim to none....And then we prayed about it. Mark really felt like he was supposed to do this internship and if we found housing, we would do it. We didn't find housing. We were scheduled to go on a cruise the week before the internship was to start, so we went. When we got back, there was still no housing and the internship had started. We now thought we were supposed to stay here for the time being. So: a.I called Angie and told her I could keep watching her son Barrett b. I called our families and told them we were not going c. I called Nwest Womens Ministry and told them I was for sure staying, so I could still lead my Bible Study group. The very next day after all my phone calls, we got a call from a saint named Ginger, who was recommended by our dear friends Jeremy and Liesel, she found us a part of a house that was going to be furnished with the rent basically next to nothing (for Chicago-area standards). Timing is never our own. The internship had already started. Mark really still felt like he was still supposed to do this internship. He called Opp. Int. and they told him to come on...which he did 2 days later. We will join him soon. This definitely has been and continues to be a journey of faith.

Many people have asked me how I am doing with the speed of all this. Soley by God's grace, I am fine. We decided to do this the very day the news was breaking about the devastation of Haiti.Me not wanting to leave our family and friends was put into real hard-hitting perspective in light of the utter destruction of Haiti and it's people. I was at Kroger yesterday and saw the cover of Time or Newsweek (I forget) On the cover was a precious Haitian little boy standing admist the rubble, the unbelievably beautiful shot zeroed in on his innocent face and I am found constantly thinking about him and what his life looks like now. It is hard to leave my comfort zone of Dallas and all the people that are so precious to me. However,I am excited about Mark learning about Microfinance so that maybe one day we can go help impoverished people in countries like Haiti.

Thank You to all of you that have been praying for Mark to find a job. I humbly ask you to please continue to pray as we continue to search for jobs for when this internship ends. Will try to blog more faithfully about our adventure in Chi-town...and it's surrounding areas:)

6 comments:

stacymac said...

congrats, erin! very exciting! i must say, moving can be scary, but God taught us in our move to virginia two years ago that it's okay. and fun. before we left for VA, we thought we'd never live anyhere other than denver, and here we are, montanans.
besides, this makes me happy, because you can actually fly direct to chicago from missoula. you may have a visitor in the next few months :).

guillotfamily said...

Pack your snowboots girl!! Chicago is awesome and you guys will have so much to do there. I hope you enjoy your stay. Moving stinks, I agree, but this is all about the experience! Hope you enjoy every second of it. I am really excited for you!

Liesel Rios said...

Making me teary reading your post. God is so cool. I'm writing you guys an email now of cheap thrills in the area...

John and Sarah said...

You and Mark are an inspiration to us. You are both such a good example. I feel so blessed to have you as my sister in law!

Kim and Eric said...

Oh Erin! So excited for this new adventure for you and your sweet family. What wonderful memories you will make and when you look back and see God's hand and perfect plan pan out, it will give you such comfort and peace that you are in the center of His will. Praying for the transition to go great.

Chris and Jill said...

Erin, please know that your family will be in our prayers. God has a special way of meeting each day's needs in unique ways - mannah and quail... love y'all!