Dear family and
friends,
Three months ago
I shared with you my plans to serve in Mongolia for six weeks this summer. As I reread that letter and think of all that
has happened since February, it seems long ago.
Lord willing, I’ll return to the states within three months from now. Much more will happen between now and then!
In my earlier letter
I shared briefly about my new role as a team leader for this summer. Just this afternoon I got a call my team
leader from last year, whom we called Momma J.
We nicknamed her that for a reason:
She was much more than someone who gave directions. She rubbed our backs, visited our classrooms,
brought us tea, prayed over us, kept us moving behind the scenes. Her job didn’t end in Mongolia either; I’ve
called her up many times since to ask for advice or just talk. She’s become a mentor and friend. While I was in Mongolia, I began wondering if
I could become someone like her to others, something that Momma J encouraged me
to keep praying about.
It’s a joy to
share now that I’ll get to be Momma Caroline to a team of eight college girls
this summer. Just before I started
writing this, I was Facebook-messaging with one of them (a wonderful girl from
a small Christian college, majoring in education). I logged off Facebook, ran and told my mom,
and texted my fiancé and sister because I was so excited. I’ve been praying for these girls each day,
and I can hardly wait to start finding out who they are in the next couple
weeks. I’ll get to finally meet them on
June 19, and I’m thrilled for the sisterhood we will form by the end of our six
weeks in Mongolia.
As I type this, I
am much anticipating marriage in less than two weeks. These last few months have been filled with
intense questions, conversations, prayers, fasting, and counsel as my fiancé
and I prepare for both marriage and for my time away in Mongolia. The story is too lengthy for this letter; but,
as I shared with my church congregation last week, I am moving forward with a
greater humility and reliance on God than before. I wrote in my journal recently, “I’m claiming
the promise that his strength will be made perfect in our weaknesses.” And I’m remembering the truth I learned last
summer: “God does everything.”
This afternoon I
was imagining the faces of my girls when we drive into the Mongolian
countryside for the first time. I can’t
wait for them to experience what I did last summer – the sheep and horsemen
roaming the grasslands, khorkhog
(goat cooked with rocks) and airag
(fermented mare’s milk), the horse race during Naadam celebrations. Most of all, I can’t wait to see them open
their hearts and lives to their students, and to see students open their hearts
in return. They – my girls and the
students – will experience a love that is more than human – a love that will
change them.
I am still
raising the remaining $2,300 of my needed financial support and would be truly thankful for your help. [Click here for more information.] Again, much more than finances, I covet your
prayers. Would you please use the enclosed
photo as a reminder to pray for me as we prepare, and during the 41 days I will
be away? Please pray for me, for my
husband-to-be, for my eight girls and their students, for our hearts to be
ready and faithful. As I did last year,
I’ll be sharing updates on my blog,
www.tea-with-jam-and-bread.blogspot.com.
And do feel free to contact me through email! I love hearing from folks at home while I am
away. Thank you, dear friends and
family, for your love and support. I
look forward to sharing this summer with you: A story to be continued!
“And I am sure of
this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the
day of Christ Jesus.”
Sincerely,
Caroline
Eckstrom
cgeckstrom@gmail.com
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