Here's a little history on how God led me to where I am now, and I'm so thankful He has! There are many ups and downs but I'm learning that He is always good - whether your circumstances are or not.
After graduating high school (2007) I worked in a daycare, 'floating' to different rooms/age groups, I settled as the preschool teacher of the 3 year old classroom! I loved that job and adored the kids, it had huge challenges but overall it was a ton of fun and I learned a lot! I worked there for 1 year. Several months into it my Dad (a pastor) received an e-mail from a missionary family looking for a nanny to come to Vietnam for a year to help with their 3 kids. He mentioned it to me (after my sister suggested it-thank you Rachel!) and I jumped at the opportunity. I had been praying for God to tell me whether to stay where I was or to move on. So I sent an application to the missionaries; they knew me a little and knew my parents very well and after a few weeks they accepted me! They didn't have extra funds to pay me so I was going as a missionary myself, not as an employee. This was in March of 2008, there was 4 months to raise the financial support needed. God provided every penny, and then some, it was miraculous! There's much more to that story, for another time :) I lived in Vietnam for 1 year (summer '08 to summer '09), then came back to the states and have been a nanny in Nashville for almost 2 and a half years. In March of this year I got a text message from a friend/pastor's wife that I sometimes babysit for and she said she knew a missionary family looking for a nanny and if I was interested she would give them my number! Because of my experiences in Vietnam she had recommended me to them. I spoke to them on the phone and then met them in person a couple weeks later. We all clicked quickly and I loved their 2 little girls from day 1 :) We all spent a couple months in prayer before really moving forward with the details. We're confident this is what God is leading us to, so Lord willing I will spend 2012 in Bordeaux France with Michael & Liz Cole and their children - Viviane (4 yrs.) Adeline (almost 2 yrs.) and baby Mathieu (7 weeks)!!
Once again I'm going as a supported Missionary, not as their employee. I'll live on my own and the children will be my main focus/ministry, while Michael & Liz attend language school (this will be their first year living in France). Our biggest mission though is sharing the gospel of our Savior with the people of France! Please pray for us as we continue raising the financial support needed; we are also trying to work out the many details it takes to get a visa to live in France.. There is a lot of paperwork involved and I have to appear at the French Consulate in Atlanta on December 6th.. Our prayer is to all be able to fly to France together at the end of December! This will take God helping us through (or moving) the many obstacles that are on the path. We're trusting Him, and taking one day at a time. While trying not to let details stress me out :) Right now I'm training a new nanny to take over with Will, the little boy I've taken care of this year (this is very emotional); trying to get insurance things taken care of from my car accident in September (drama); and preparing to sell my belongings and move out of my apartment December 17th (need furniture? - let me know!); God is teaching me so much through all of this - main point - trust Him! He's leading, He'll come through, and it's out of my hands! I want to enjoy the journey - I'm so blessed!
Love,
*Rissa*
Once again I'm going as a supported Missionary, not as their employee. I'll live on my own and the children will be my main focus/ministry, while Michael & Liz attend language school (this will be their first year living in France). Our biggest mission though is sharing the gospel of our Savior with the people of France! Please pray for us as we continue raising the financial support needed; we are also trying to work out the many details it takes to get a visa to live in France.. There is a lot of paperwork involved and I have to appear at the French Consulate in Atlanta on December 6th.. Our prayer is to all be able to fly to France together at the end of December! This will take God helping us through (or moving) the many obstacles that are on the path. We're trusting Him, and taking one day at a time. While trying not to let details stress me out :) Right now I'm training a new nanny to take over with Will, the little boy I've taken care of this year (this is very emotional); trying to get insurance things taken care of from my car accident in September (drama); and preparing to sell my belongings and move out of my apartment December 17th (need furniture? - let me know!); God is teaching me so much through all of this - main point - trust Him! He's leading, He'll come through, and it's out of my hands! I want to enjoy the journey - I'm so blessed!
Love,
*Rissa*
