CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE

So...not everyone is a fan of change, but sometimes life seems to hit us with a lot of them all at once. For any of my friends and family who didn't get letters from me, let me take a second to update you on the changes in my life lately...
A couple of Sundays ago – while visiting my family – the pastor at my church in Colorado spoke about how we suffer in the present, but there is a future glory we can hope for. The message made me cry. These last six months have been a time of present suffering, but I am beginning to see the twinkling of a future glory.
Have you ever been standing outside a door, trying to jimmy the handle, wanting to get in, maybe with a little rain coming down, balancing a few grocery bags, your car keys, your purse and your cup of coffee, hearing the phone ringing away just on the other side of that door? And then you realize that, even though it wasn’t supposed to be, somehow the door is locked? Hopefully someone came and opened the door for you.
These past few months have been a time of me standing outside the door I thought was open, and waiting for God to let me in. In January, I returned to Guatemala to begin working at an orphanage just outside Guatemala City. Due to various factors – conflict with the national director of the orphanage, differences in vision and standards, and other difficulties within the orphanage not relating to me – it has become clear that God wants me to find a different door. Through this time of patience and waiting on God, trials have come one after another, and with them, at times a desire to just say, “ok, I give up!” But right at that moment is when I spotted a second door, and the good news is God already had it open and waiting for me!
Starting a week ago, I returned to work with Sepal (the organization with which I have served for the last two years)! I was able to return to the ministries I have loved since I began working in Guatemala in 2004, such as training and motivating pastors, church leaders and Sunday school teachers, and developing educational material for teaching about missions. I am also a part of the Sepal team again which means being able to serve with a “family” instead of on my own.
For any of you who have been supporting me financially, this also means a change in the giving process. As many of you know, my ministry and my life here in Guatemala is dependent on the support of my friends, family and church. My monthly budget goal is $1000, which covers my rent, utilities, gas, ministry expenses and personal needs (such as groceries, gasoline and phone cards to call home!). Any donations made are tax-deductible and you will receive a receipt from Sunrise United Methodist Church. If you are already supporting me, please take note of the change in address below, and if you feel led to begin offering support, please see the instructions below.

Donations can be sent to:
Sunrise United Methodist Church
2655 Briargate Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

*Please make out any checks to Sunrise UMC and write “For Rebecca Patterson” in the memo line.

God knows what we need, and even though sometimes we may think we understand, God may be waiting for us behind a different door. Thanks for your love and support and may you always find your door!