Hello from Husker Country!!

Hello All,

  I'm writing to you again for now the second time. I have exciting news to start off with! Our volleyball season at Grace has gone exceedingly well this fall; this past weekend we went to Springfield, MO for our Regional Tournament determining if we will get to go to Nationals in Florida. Well, I am here to proudly announce that we came out of that tournament as champions and are on our way to Kissemmee, Florida for Nationals!!! Go GU!!! God has blessed our team this year in wonderful ways!

 

  
  After such a wonderful weekend how can I think of school? However, tonight while I was reading a book for my Wisdom Literature class, the whole chapter I was reading about was on friendships. Friendships in life that last and ones that don't. I was examining my life and looking at all of the people in my life. I have been so blessed by all of my wonderful friends and family, supporting me through the good times and the bad. I just wanted to take some time and thank each one of you for being such a big part of my life. I am who I am today because each one of you. I wanted to tell you that I am going to miss each one of you when I am in Africa but I know that you are back home supporting me and praying for me. God has used each one of you to encourage me to pursue me dreams and trust that God has bigger plans for my life then I do.

  Now for an update about Mali, we leave in 63 days and I'm getting super excited about it!! We have had some good heart to heart team talks and have learned a lot. I sent out my second letter this week so if you have not received one yet please let me know and I will send you one. God has been working in such amazing ways through this whole experience. Again the other day, my parents told me that someone supported me financially and I have never even met these people. God has been touching people's lives and has given them willing hearts; for that I am extremely thankful! Support is still needed for the team but I believe that God will continue to bless our team and provide for the rest of what we need.

  Please continue to pray for our team in preparation for this trip. It is hard to think of leaving our close friends and family for six months. While thinking about leaving, I am also very encouraged by thinking about all of the people we will meet while in Mali and all of the relationships we will build while there. I am excited to see how God will use each one of us and also what he will teach us while in Mali. A big goal we have going into this trip is community development. We strive to continue to build community with the Malian people and also encourage the Christians that are already there.

  The Lord is good and all I can think of is how much he has blessed my life. I pray that I can be that blessing in other people's lives as well.Thank you for supporting me and reading my thoughts.

I love you all, have a wonderful week! ~Rachel