Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you all for supporting me either financially or prayerfully as I prepare for my missions trip to China this summer.  As I read about Paul preaching to the Romans in Acts 28, I am reminded of the example he sets:

“'Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!' For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.  Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Acts 28:28-31.

Onward to China, boldly and without hindrance.  Training starts on June 20^th in Pasadena, CA, and I will leave for China on June 30^th.  Based on a questionaire and the need, I was placed to teach at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (Lake Campus) in Wuhan, China and will be providing updates throughout the course of my stay in China.  My teaching partner, Caleb Martin, has been assigned (we were all put in teams of two and sent to various locations throughout China).  God has truly taken care of everything.  My teaching partner decided about four weeks ago to join ESI this summer.  God has been confirming Caleb’s decision by providing the majority of his financial needs, but he is still short by about $600.  Currently, the total support I have raised is $3645, $255 over my goal, plus some graduation money which I can use to help with additional living expenses.  Any extra financial support can be used to reimburse other program expenses (such as traveling expenses from my home in Missouri to training in California and training books)  and/or to support other team members who are short of their finanical goal.  Thank you and praise God for His provisions! 

As provided before, here is a timeline that Teachoverseas.org has set for us to keep us on pace with our support raising:
Initial payment: $250 deposit upon acceptance.
By May 15 (already done):  Raise finances or pay $900 installment to ESI (training/program costs).
By June 1 (already done):  Raise finances or pay $1340 installment to ESI (training/program costs).
By June 20:  Raise finances or pay ~$900 to ESI (international travel costs to China).

- Consistent and intimate prayer.
- That my prayers will be from a genuine hope that God provides for our needs.
- Emotional stability in a time of transition from college to isolation in a foreign environment.
- That my teaching partner, Caleb Martin, will be open and a compatible match for me.  That we may keep each other accountable.
- Connection (both social and spiritual) with my students.
- That my students may be open and receptive to the Gospel.
- Adaptability to China (haven’t been to that area of the world since I was ~3/4 years old).
- Breaking down my pride in order to reconcile my relationship with my sister.
- For protection against any unforeseeable attacks from Satan.

 
Fighting the Good Fight,
Alex

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to thank you all for your consideration to support me either financially or prayerfully as I prepare for my missions trip to China this summer.  The location has yet to be determined; it will be based on a character and personality questionnaire which will determine the placement and the pairing of teachers in China.  I will be teaching adults, usually middle school teachers with formal training in English but with no outlets to practice it.  I will be a resource for them to practice conversational English based around a curriculum that focuses on North American culture.  As you can expect, there are a million thoughts and feelings running through me as I prepare for finals and endure the emotional shock ensued by graduation (waaahoo!).  I haven’t been able to devote as much energy and time towards the support-raising effort as much as I would have liked, but God has been amazing.  He truly has taken care of everything. Currently, the total support I have raised is $3325. I have $65 remaining in order to reach my goal of $3390.  Thank you and praise God for His provisions.

Below is a timeline that Teachoverseas.org has set for us to keep us on pace with our support raising:

- Initial payment: $250 deposit upon acceptance

- By May 15 (already done): Raise finances or pay $900 installment to ESI (training/program costs)

- By June 1: Raise finances or pay $1340 installment to ESI (training/program costs)

- By June 20: Raise finances or pay ~$900 to ESI (international travel costs to China)

As finals and the end of my undergraduate career wraps up, I will need a great deal of prayer.  But fortunately, I have a great support group here at Cornell to share with and keep me accountable.  I would appreciate if you could keep these prayers for me in your heart:

Prayer requests:

- Consistent and intimate prayer

- That my prayers will be from a genuine hope that God provides for our needs

- Emotional stability in a time of transition from college to isolation in a foreign environment

- That my teaching partner will be open and a compatible match for me.  That we may keep each other accountable

- Connection (both social and spiritual) with my students

- That my students may be open and receptive to the Gospel

- Adaptability to China (haven’t been to that area of the world since I was ~3/4 years old).

- For protection against any unforeseeable attacks from Satan

I am extremely excited about this mission.  Part of it is probably due to naiveté.  But I am confident that God will protect and grow me.  As I prepare, I am keeping the prayer of Jabez in mind:

“'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!  Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.'  And God granted his request.”--- 1 Chronicles 4:10.

Doesn’t that excite you?  I am excited for open doors and opportunities to spread God’s Kingdom!  So until my next update, God bless and stay in touch!

Fighting the Good Fight, 

Alex