New York City, here I come

Hello friends! I have some exciting news to share!

Before I came to Slovakia to work for TWR as an intern in September, I was questioning what the next step in my life would be. I knew my internship would be over in the middle of December, and I knew I’d have to make further plans for after I returned. I’d thought about graduate school for awhile, but the thought of acquiring more student loan debt at this time in my life really scared me, though I am still anxious to try for grad school again in the future. I thought about trying to stay in Europe, hoping maybe something would be available through TWR, another organization, or perhaps even teaching at an English speaking school (me? a teacher? whaaaat?!) I thought about my lifelong dream to go to New York City, and the possibilities there in book and magazine publishing. But the more I thought about these dreams the more I wondered if they were the same dreams God had mapped out for my life.

What my internship at TWR has taught me is that my skills in writing and editing can be used for God’s glory. I never thought of entering the missions field because I don’t necessarily see myself as the type of person who can evangelize large groups of unbelievers. But at TWR I’ve learned that the skills I do have can be used to further God’s kingdom as well, even if, at times, it may not seem as significant as those handing out radios across the world to people who’ve never heard the Gospel.

I began thinking of my other skills and desires and how I could use those to continually further God’s kingdom. In recent years I’ve seen myself learn how to take on leadership roles in school and other venues. I’ve seen in myself a compassionate spirit who thrives on deep conversation about life and understanding our place in this world. My desire to travel and to meet people from all over the world has grown immensely in the last few years. I began to wonder how I could use those desires and parts of my personality for something good in this world. 

Last March I had the opportunity to go to New York City with a group from my school. We partnered with the Center for Student Missions (CSM), a non-profit organization that hosts missions groups in cities all across the United States. During that week we worked at several urban ministry sites, learning something new about the city and about what God is doing in the city at each one. I’d always wanted to go to New York, but once I got there and saw how desperately God is needed there, the more my heart began to change. 

So I began thinking about CSM and the work they do. I found myself going back to their website to read about the organization and read up on the positions available. The more I kept going back to it the more I felt God’s urging on my heart to apply. So I applied for a city host position, and two interviews later I got the job. 

That being said, at the end of January 2012 I’ll re-locate to New York City to work for CSM as a city host. It’ll be my responsibility to show groups around the city as they explore different missions sites and learn about what God is doing there. I am so incredibly excited and feel so incredibly blessed. 

The job is only temporary, and though I do feel a calling on my heart to come back to Europe at some point (perhaps even longterm?), I am really excited for this next step. What better time in my life, when I am young and free and passionate, than to go work for this organization? I can’t wait to show groups around the city and help them discover the many wonders of New York City. Subsequently, I hope to be sufficient enough a leader that the groups I host also understand the needs of the city. It’s not all bright lights and Broadway. It’s a city full of aching people who are desperate for God. I can’t wait to meet those hurting brothers and sisters and show them the Christ-like love that the city may be denying them.

So while I will be incredibly sad to leave Eastern Europe, I’m glad that I now have something to look forward to once I’m home. God really does provide and care for his children’s dreams. 

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