SEND Family Conference!

Almost 300 missionaries who have or are serving across the world got together this week to fellowship, be encouraged, and lift up the world in prayer. This past week I was a part of this conference. Every year, SEND has a family conference, where they invite all home-service missionaries, retired missionaries, appointed missionaries, home office staff, and explorers to meet in Detroit. I met so many new people and was encouraged as I shared my story with them and heard their stories. We heard updates for what God is doing in each of the regions across the world where SEND serves, after which we prayed for them.

One of the neatest things that happened when I was there was a meeting we had of all Philippines missionaries. The head of the Philippine Sending Council (PSC), who will be my "boss" while I am in the country, was there. It was so great to meet him and hear his story. He grew up in a church that SEND planted in the Philippines and served with SEND as a missionary to Poland before becoming the head of the PSC. Also at our meeting were many people who are retired SEND missionaries from the Philippines (even some distant Mennonite relatives!). It was incredible to hear about how God has worked from the time SEND first went to the Philippines right after WWII when there were very few Christians, to now hearing how God has raised up PSC, which trains Filipinos to be missionaries!

I also met some people who have been just recently serving in the Philippines. This was great for me to be able to get some logistical questions answered about living in the Philippines. I also got some good ideas about what I might be able to do during my summers! I am very excited for these possiblities!

When I returned from Detroit, my prayer cards and personal ministry brochures were waiting for me!!! I have a newsletter stuffing party with my church on Monday! I am so excited to get to send out my first newsletter! Wednesday, my friends and I are leaving for our epic support raising road trip! I am excited to see what God will do!