Leaving for Deutschland!

Hello faithful blog followers of mine,

I may have already told you, or you may have already heard, but I have received news that I am moving to an army base in GERMANY!!!

This is great because 2 1/2 years ago I was on an airplane coming back from my weeklong missions trip to Berlin with Covenant College and writing in my journal about how I didn't want to come back to the states. I've long since had a feeling that I would return, specifically, to Germany.

Turns out it was God. :)

Unfortunately, there are some things up in the air in regards to the exact army base, but the good news is I'll know that in 11 days when I go to Community Director School in Colorado Springs until the 22nd of this month. After that, my friends and family are throwing a going away party for me on the 23rd (you're invited), I will be commissioned at Grace Church on the 24th, and leave THAT AFTERNOON FOR GERMANY!

(that's me & my team in Berlin in front of the Brandenburg Gate in '08)

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU donors and prayer supporters!! I could not have made it to this point of leaving without you and the hand of God in all of this. It is all of us who are leaving for Germany on the 24th. You're going with me on this journey, and I am grateful for you. It just feels surreal to be at this point after well over a year of anticipation. God is so faithful.

Newsletter coming your way soon, but a word about funding, if I may...

I am at 95%. You're thinking, I thought you had to get to 100% to leave? Well, MCYM has graciously agreed to cover the remaining costs to get me on staff overseas. However they are still a ministry that needs money, and if I can find donors to cover that remaining $200/month, it will not only free up money the ministry can use in other areas, but it will also help give me the option of being able to ask donors to continue to give if God calls me to stay longer than my minimum 3 years. Think and pray about becoming part of this!! Military teens need the love of Jesus. There are specific kids over there right now with faces and names that I will meet very soon and whose lives you have the opportunity to change. Let me know if you're interested.

********IMPORTANT upcoming dates:

October

17-22 Community Directors School, Colorado (training in doing ministry on a military base)

23 My going away party, Grace Church, 5pm (I want to see ALL of you before I leave!!)

24 Deploy for Germany!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (can you tell I'm excited?)

25 Arrival in Frankfurt, in-processing in Heidelberg

26-Nov 2 MCYM Europe Staff Conference, Black Forest, Germany

November

2-6 MCYM training, Black Forest, Germany

6- Arrival at my base assignment, apartment and car hunting!

Auf Wiedersehen!

The When and the How and the Why, but no Where?

Hey everyone! It's been awhile since I've blogged, I know. Life has been very busy. I went on a weeklong trip to Chattanooga to attend the wedding of my Young Life area director, as well as to do some fundraising, which was successful! My percentage is now in the lower 90s! Shortly after I returned, my grandmother passed away so I have been busy with family in town, etc. I am grateful that my grandmother is now reunited with her husband and is with our Savior. Life is short, ya'll, but I'm thankful for the hope we have in Jesus Christ. The challenges I've been facing this summer are further preparing me to do the ministry God has called me to.

I just bought a one-way plane ticket to Europe. WHERE? I have not yet been told of my assignment...and I am not yet 100% funded.

HOW can this be?

Well, the staff at MCYM/Young Life want me to attend the the staff conference in Germany, which starts October 27th, so, regardless of my location, I would have to fly into Germany first. They believe that I can be at my goal of 100% funded by that point. And I believe I can, too, with your help!

Please consider increasing your monthly gift! Or if you have given a special gift and perhaps can afford to give $25 a month, let me know! (See the Giving sidebar on the right hand side of this blog for more information) If you have friends or family who may be interested in giving to this ministry, send me their contact information if you can.

It is only through God's grace that I have gotten this far and I know He alone will provide the rest needed for my journey! Please pray about becoming a part of His work in the lives of military kids. YOU can change lives! I have seen first-hand the ministry of Young Life bringing kids to the feet of Jesus, and it is awesome.

When I am 100% funded, I will deploy exactly one month from today: OCTOBER 24th! Be praying for those who are currently deciding where to place me.

In the meantime, check out this great video that includes parents talking about how their teens have been affected by MCYM/Club Beyond:

80%!!!!

Hey everyone, I've reached 80% funded!! God is really providing and He is faithful. I am continually amazed at what He's been doing through this journey. It is definitely a humbling experience where I know that only God is the one raising this money, not me! Thank you to all for your generosity!

So....what does this amount mean? Well, I am now released to be able to discuss my placement. This is very exciting! All of this time I have been raising money without knowing which country or which base I will be assigned to, and I can't wait to find out! I will be sure to let you all know as soon as I do.

Right now I have about $800/month left to raise. It is time for me to ask those of you who have already given to consider increasing your gift to a monthly one, or for those of you who are already monthly donors to consider increasing or doubling your monthly gift. There are military teens over in Europe waiting for me to meet them, and if you can afford to give more, please consider doing so that I can get over there as quickly as possible!! I cannot wait!

If you have any questions please contact me at lreisinger@clubbeyond.org.

What's that? A newsletter, you ask? Why, yes! A new one is in the making, be looking out for that to hit your inboxes/mailboxes very soon.