AIM Candidate Week finally!  An amazing week filled with so much that still hasn’t all sunk in quite yet.

24 candidates, 25 kids – we all gathered and stayed at AIM’s headquarter’s for the week.  Living together for a week was a special part of the process.  It was so blessed by so many of the couples and other single girls there for the week.  It was encouraging to hear their stories, their struggles, their excitement for this big life change we are all about to take. I’m sure many of those relationships will last as we all spread out across Africa.

The Mission is an amazing family.  We all got to know the home team at the NY office who is sending all of us  out.  Most have been in the field and have many pearls of wisdom to share.  I left feeling that AIM cares an incredible amount for their missionaries and loves us like family.

During the week we went through some heavy topics.  AIM’s history, finances, partnership development, leaving & grieving, risk assessment, health, travel, our mental and emotional state, where we might go, and more.  Much of this I’m still processing.  Every night we’d meet with our small group to talk through the day.  I loved this, and the group of people I got to know a bit more personally.

At the end of the week, I got accepted appointed as a missionary with AIM!   It’s been a long process of discovering where the Lord wants me, but he is faithful. My first term of preparation begins NOW…

I came back to Tacoma, exhausted mentally, emotionally and physically, but with such a peace about where the Lord has me right now.

The next morning, I quit my job! Let the next great adventure begin!

Yes…that’s the plan.  Africa in 2011.  When I was growing up I always wanted to be an archeologist or an astronaut…not a missionary.  Then I got a horse and wanted to become a horse trainer…not a missionary.  But then I listened to Jesus’ purpose for my life and now I want to become a missionary!

Africa Inland Mission is the organization with whom I’m pursing my ministry journey.  They have been in Africa for 100+ years, so I figured they probably have something figured out about living and serving in Africa.  Here’s the process I’m going through.  I’ll keep you updated on where I’m at in the process.

1.  Prelim application – DONE

2.  Prelim meeting with a regional representative – Al Dobra – DONE

3.  Submit 4-5 references – DONE

4.  1.5 hour phone interview with Al Dobra – DONE

5.  Complete “Application Packet” which includes 4 Life Sketch essay questions, 2 confidential questions I’ll discuss with an AIM psychologist and 1 doctrinal statement and a bunch of other crazy things like my blood type!  - IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING

6. Invitation to Ccandidate Week (June 21-26) at AIM Headquarters in Pearl River, NY – Here I’ll meet other candidates seeking longer term missions placements. Meet my placement coordinator to discuss my placement in Africa (living, job, etc…).  Meet with a psychologist to discuss my questions, my life story and how to be successful in a placement.  Meet in small groups to pray and process.  Cross cultural ministry overview. Go through seminars, learn more about AIM, financial overview and advice, and so much more.

7.  Final placement - Candidate Week Friday – get my placement package with estimated departure date and budget

8.  Go home and GET READY! Start raising funds, wrapping up “life,” and complete any Bible requirements

9.  Estimated Departure (as of now) January 2011 – First go to NYC for a few days of training (all outgoing missionaries go at the same time)  Then to Nairobi, Kenya for 3 weeks more of training

10.  Move to my new home in Africa and begin my new life!

This video shows a bit of the orientation process I’ll go through. HINT:  Mom & Dad this is for you (and Matt & Jon).

AIM Orientation