Current Events in Upside-Down Life Land

Happy Valentine's Day! As my first real post other than my initial introductory post, I wanted to give everyone an idea as to how my life has changed since being accepted as an appointee in October.

Northeast Germany with Rostock and Schwerin

At first, I was over the moon that the process of acceptance was finally coming to a close, and practically high with excitement having just returned from my week-long visit to Rostock and the neighboring capitol of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schwerin. I was hyped up beyond belief and couldn't wait to get back and start! Once the dust settled, however, I realized that I had very little idea what I was doing or where to start. Thankfully, ECMI-USA supplied me with a "to-do list" of sorts full of steps I needed to take between then and my departure.

A view of what the class looked like...a little strange (and I
hate to admit this, but it's really difficult not to watch yourself!)

I began with signing up for a support-raising class held by Kingdom Come Training. The class came recommended and required by the folks at ECMI, including the head honcho, George Brown. The format of this class was something I had never experienced before...in an online-meeting room. I armed myself with a webcam, a microphone and a homemade 50-foot long ethernet cable jury-rigged by my friend, Andrew. After 3 weeks of 4 day-a-week, 1 1/2 hour long classes that consisted of composing a "ministry visit" (an ordered collection of stories forming a presentation for support-raising), I was released to begin calling folks and presenting my appeal. I felt (and still do feel) a little awkward about phoning people, many of them mere aquaintances, and entering their homes with a "ministry visit" filled with stories that they may or may not find interesting. Not to mention that some of the people on my list are those I am close enough with that they actually know all of these stories. I am hyper-terrified of sounding unauthentic or of my stories sounding contrived or "canned." I presented to a couple that is friends of mine and I *gasp* ended up throwing my entire presentation away as I feared I would stoop to possible disrespect if I was to tell vignettes that this couple lived through. Ever since that experience, I have found it difficult to go through the entire ministry visit unaltered. I am still making calls and appointments, though. Perhaps after a few months of being prideful and trying it my way without success, I may go back to the original status quo.

The jewelry biz propaganda

After my becoming a little jaded by the rehearsed ministry visit, I chose to also integrate other more modern aspects into my strategy. I created this particular blog in hopes of reaching a larger number of people, while also forming a simple way to keep my friends and family posted. I am also reaching folks via Facebook and email, and by resurrecting my little itty-bitty jewlery business. Aliza Designs, which I started in or around November of 2009, is said jewelry business. My desire is to devote more time than I have in the past with hopes to spread the word of my mission while simultaneously devoting the profits to my support account.

Needless to say, time has sort of become...an issue. I also work full-time (9am-6pm) in a church-based preschool where I care for 4 little babies. Combined with small group/bible study, leading an Alpha table, and attempting to have a social life, I am feeling the pressure! Because of this, I recently decided to take Wednesday's off so I could have a "work day." I'm a bit worried about how this is going to affect me financially, but frankly, I wasn't able to make much headway in prep for the move to Germany. Thankfully, I am still at 32 hours a week and my insurance coverage will remain stable...I am well beyond relieved about that!

My baptism...God gave me the most INCREDIBLE
thunderstorm afterwards to celebrate!

Another more personal change has been my decision to switch home churches. I had been at my original church since my baptism, and attended regularly before that. It has always been my dream to eventually return to Europe, and so when I became involved with ECMI, I immediately informed the leadership at my home church. After being accepted as an appointee, I was doing a page in my devotional (click here! I highly recommend this book. It has helped me to really deepen my knowledge of the bible and my relationship with God) and it asked me to consider where I had made commitments without asking God...or if I had made commitments because of what would be done for me. I began to wonder if I had committed to a church based on the resources it could offer me rather than what I could give to it. I found that God was really leading me to be sent as a missionary by an inner-city church called Embrace. Though Embrace is very young and still without a building to call home, I knew it was important that I feel a close relationship with my sending church...that we be equally excited about each other, and not be clouded by what one can do for the

Embrace's current home at The Kentucky Theatre

 other. I feel so at home yet challenged by this church...I am overjoyed by its future and what it stands for. I also believe that they are ready, willing and able to send me out as its first long-term missionary. I am super excited to partner up with my pastor, Rosario Picardo, and the rest of the Embrace family for this new movement!

What you can do if you'd like to help...

• Continue to read this blog! :)
• Pray for the church-plant in Rostock...that it would continue to grow and that it's current members would be blessed in their relationships with each other.
• Consider supporting me on a monthly basis...even a $10 a month commitment gets me closer! A 1% ($44 a month) donation would get me even closer. One time gifts are equally welcomed and appreciated! I believe God will provide for those who give...He has never failed to provide for me even when I didn't know how I could ever make it to the next set of bills! All donations are tax deductible. Here's giving info:

Click here and designate that your gift is for me, Alison Settle. You can also set up electronic transfers from this site.

Make checks out payable to ECMI-USA, designate that they are for Alison Settle on a seperate note and mail to:
European Christian Mission International-USA
PO Box 181
West Unity, Ohio
43570-018

And if you'd like to set up donations via electronic transfer, send a quick note specifying my name, Alison Settle, to the above mailing address or to the email here: rebekah.burkholder@ecmi.org

Thanks for reading and praying!

Alison