Many of you know I'm working on applying for an R-1 Visa right now. This visa will allow me to be in the US for 3-5 years and I would be able to travel back and forth without any problems. It will hold me over until I can apply for a green card after Nathaniel and I get married.
Please keep my finances for this in your prayers. It's going to cost a chunk of money that I don't have at this moment. The visa itself costs $320 and then there will be lawyer fees on top of that. It's really easy to stress out about the money but I'm trying really hard to just give this to God and let Him provide how He wants to.
Please also pray that the paperwork would get filled out smoothly, that I wouldn't be missing any papers and that all this can be done in the next two weeks!
If you would like to donate towards this you can send a cheque either directly to me:
Sarah Jane Rinas
PO Box 620487
Orlando FL 32862
USA
or if you need a tax receipt you can send it to:
Project Funding Office
PO Box 57100
Vancouver, BC V5K 5G6
Canada
**Make the cheque out to "Youth With A Mission". It is important that my name NOT be anywhere on the cheque! Please attach a separate note saying it is for Sarah Jane Rinas with YWAM Orlando.
Or give online (also tax deductible):
Go to http://ywamcanada.org/donations.html and click "online donations"
Thank you so much for your prayers and support, it is greatly appreciated!
Peace,
Sarah Jane
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Happy New Year!
Wow life got real busy real fast in the past month!
On Monday we had 45 new students com in for 3 different schools. I spent Monday trying to register them all and make sure they were all settled into their houses and whatnot. That was quite a job.
This quarter we have a Discipleship Training School (DTS), a School Of Ministry Development (SOMD) and a School Of Missions (SOM). I will be working with our training department again, helping the school leaders with the administrative things that need to be done.
At the end of this month I will be coming home for a short visit. My visa expires at the end of the month so I will be trying to get another one. I'm a little bit nervous about this as it's out of my control for the most part.
Last but definitely not least, Nathaniel proposed on Saturday night!
We don't have a date quite yet but I will definitely keep you posted on that one.
I'm soooo excited, and so blessed!
Let the wedding planning begin! If you have any tips or words of advice I would love to hear them!
More Updates coming soon.
Peace,
SJ
On Monday we had 45 new students com in for 3 different schools. I spent Monday trying to register them all and make sure they were all settled into their houses and whatnot. That was quite a job.
This quarter we have a Discipleship Training School (DTS), a School Of Ministry Development (SOMD) and a School Of Missions (SOM). I will be working with our training department again, helping the school leaders with the administrative things that need to be done.
At the end of this month I will be coming home for a short visit. My visa expires at the end of the month so I will be trying to get another one. I'm a little bit nervous about this as it's out of my control for the most part.
Last but definitely not least, Nathaniel proposed on Saturday night!
We don't have a date quite yet but I will definitely keep you posted on that one.
I'm soooo excited, and so blessed!
Let the wedding planning begin! If you have any tips or words of advice I would love to hear them!
More Updates coming soon.
Peace,
SJ
Monday, November 30, 2009
Happy (American) Thanksgiving!
I just had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.
Thursday we as a base had a huge Thanksgiving dinner, Friday was Black Friday Shopping day, Saturday was our annual Christmas season kick off party and Sunday was a day for relaxing. Beautiful weekend.
Thanksgiving is a lot of fun around here, everyone hangs out and plays games, there's plenty of laughs and lots of good family time. It's been very refreshing.
I really have so much to be thankful for this year.
I am so blessed to be able to be here full time. I'm so thankful for Gods provision and incredible faithfulness in making sure I have the things I need.
I have a sweet YWAM family and am surrounded by great friends.
I am dating a wonderful man that I hope many of you will be able to meet someday.
YWAM Orlando has been pursuing a large property just outside the city for a few years now and we just found out that the owners signed the contract. This was really exciting as we are growing far too much for the facility we are using right now.
God is so good.
Peace,
SJ
Thursday we as a base had a huge Thanksgiving dinner, Friday was Black Friday Shopping day, Saturday was our annual Christmas season kick off party and Sunday was a day for relaxing. Beautiful weekend.
Thanksgiving is a lot of fun around here, everyone hangs out and plays games, there's plenty of laughs and lots of good family time. It's been very refreshing.
I really have so much to be thankful for this year.
I am so blessed to be able to be here full time. I'm so thankful for Gods provision and incredible faithfulness in making sure I have the things I need.
I have a sweet YWAM family and am surrounded by great friends.
I am dating a wonderful man that I hope many of you will be able to meet someday.
YWAM Orlando has been pursuing a large property just outside the city for a few years now and we just found out that the owners signed the contract. This was really exciting as we are growing far too much for the facility we are using right now.
God is so good.
Peace,
SJ
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Familia!
Hey everyone!
So I'm not going to lie, I've been feeling a tiny bit home sick the past couple weeks. Even though moving here is a huge change I didn't think homesickness would really be an issue since it wasn't during my training schools here. I suppose this is abit different since I don't really know when I'll be home next but it still wasn't something I was counting on dealing with. It's been weird not being home for thanksgiving, knowing I wont be home over Christmas and not really knowing when I'll get to see my family next.
Well good news...my family is coming to visit!!
They should get here on Tuesday night and they'll be here for about a week. I am so excited and SO thankful. Beautiful timing.
I'm looking forward to a week full of catching up, shopping, coffee and lots of hanging out!
Hopefully your week will be as wonderful as mine. :)
Peace,
SJ
So I'm not going to lie, I've been feeling a tiny bit home sick the past couple weeks. Even though moving here is a huge change I didn't think homesickness would really be an issue since it wasn't during my training schools here. I suppose this is abit different since I don't really know when I'll be home next but it still wasn't something I was counting on dealing with. It's been weird not being home for thanksgiving, knowing I wont be home over Christmas and not really knowing when I'll get to see my family next.
Well good news...my family is coming to visit!!
They should get here on Tuesday night and they'll be here for about a week. I am so excited and SO thankful. Beautiful timing.
I'm looking forward to a week full of catching up, shopping, coffee and lots of hanging out!
Hopefully your week will be as wonderful as mine. :)
Peace,
SJ
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Church Update
So we tried a church for the second time last week. It's called High Point Church of Orlando. It's definitely growing on me. The service last week was really good.
Pastor Keith preached a sermon titled "Leaving Boldly" He was talking about how it doesn't really matter how well we live our life here on earth and how many things we do if we're not passing that off to someone. He compared it to one of the relay races in the 2008 Olympics where Darvis Patton failed to pass the baton off to Tyson Gay and both were disqualified. Patton was an outstanding runner but without passing the baton his run meant nothing. This is the same for our lives. We might live awesome christian lives but if we don't pass that off to someone it stops with us, there's nothing to continue.
It sure gives ya something to think about right?
Near the end of the service there were a few baby dedications. Growing up in church I've seen numerous baby dedications and they're pretty much all the same, but these ones were different. The pastor and associate pastors took time to pray for each baby individually and then spoke out things God had placed on their heart for each child. It was really cool!
In YWAM we call this Original Design and it is often done for the students. We take time to pray and ask God how each individual was created, what gifts He has placed in them. It's really sweet. It was exciting to see it done in a church service.
I think we will continue going to this church. Thank you so much for all your prayers!
Peace
SJ
Pastor Keith preached a sermon titled "Leaving Boldly" He was talking about how it doesn't really matter how well we live our life here on earth and how many things we do if we're not passing that off to someone. He compared it to one of the relay races in the 2008 Olympics where Darvis Patton failed to pass the baton off to Tyson Gay and both were disqualified. Patton was an outstanding runner but without passing the baton his run meant nothing. This is the same for our lives. We might live awesome christian lives but if we don't pass that off to someone it stops with us, there's nothing to continue.
It sure gives ya something to think about right?
Near the end of the service there were a few baby dedications. Growing up in church I've seen numerous baby dedications and they're pretty much all the same, but these ones were different. The pastor and associate pastors took time to pray for each baby individually and then spoke out things God had placed on their heart for each child. It was really cool!
In YWAM we call this Original Design and it is often done for the students. We take time to pray and ask God how each individual was created, what gifts He has placed in them. It's really sweet. It was exciting to see it done in a church service.
I think we will continue going to this church. Thank you so much for all your prayers!
Peace
SJ
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Why is everything still green??
Apparently we have entered into the season of Fall...but who would know it around here, nothing changes colour! I miss seeing red, yellow, and orange leaves all over the ground at home. It's disappointing really.
It's weird to think that at home you all will be getting snow soon and I will still be sweating my brains out here. Oy vey.
On Sunday I was drinking my coffee on the way to church and by the time we got there I still had about half of it left but I didn't want to bring it in, so I left it in the car. After church (almost 2 hours later) I went back to the car and my coffee was still hot...kinda weird.
This past month has been a busy time of settling in and figuring out my place for this quarter. Here are some brief updates.
The Fall DTS
The fall DTS has started and we have 43 students roaming about the base. Two of them live in my house which I am quite enjoying. They are now in their second week of teaching and it's so cool to see the transformation beginning already! It's exciting to watch and listen to them as they are learning to hear God's voice and discovering that God wants to speak directly to them. I'm really loving it!
This quarter
I am working in two departments for the next 3 months. Half the time I'm in the Youth department which organizes and runs all our trips for youth under 18. Right now it's alot of planning for next summer and keeping up with the students that went on trips with us this past summer. It's fun though, I get to call alot of the students that were here over the summer and see how they're doing, encourage them in their faith and walk with God, and pray with them.
The other half of the time I'm working in the training department. This involves working with the DTS leaders and helping them with the administrative side of their job. I'm really enjoying this as well.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to hang out with the DTS students and get to know them.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to get to know the DTS students and disciple them as they're growing in what God has for them during this time.
Pray for a church
The past couple weeks I have been looking for a church to start attending regularly. During both of my training schools here in Orlando I went to a young adults evening service that I really enjoyed. The downside of it is that the church is HUGE! I would love to find a smaller church that i could be involved in on a more personal level.
Nathaniel and I have been to two churches so far and we are going back to one of them this Sunday. Please keep this in your prayers as it's rather difficult. I always feel pretty awkward going to new churches and it's not really my favorite thing to do right now.
Working in YWAM I have the privilege to participate in regular teaching and worship times as part of my job, Please pray for a church that feels like family and that i can contribute to, thats really what I'm looking for right now.
Random...
I finally got a cell phone! I've managed just fine without one for a long time but it's proving to be a necessary thing to have around here. I enjoy talking to people on the phone so please feel free to give me a call. 1 407 247 7341
I hope you all are doing awesome.
Peace,
SJ
It's weird to think that at home you all will be getting snow soon and I will still be sweating my brains out here. Oy vey.
On Sunday I was drinking my coffee on the way to church and by the time we got there I still had about half of it left but I didn't want to bring it in, so I left it in the car. After church (almost 2 hours later) I went back to the car and my coffee was still hot...kinda weird.
This past month has been a busy time of settling in and figuring out my place for this quarter. Here are some brief updates.
The Fall DTS
The fall DTS has started and we have 43 students roaming about the base. Two of them live in my house which I am quite enjoying. They are now in their second week of teaching and it's so cool to see the transformation beginning already! It's exciting to watch and listen to them as they are learning to hear God's voice and discovering that God wants to speak directly to them. I'm really loving it!
This quarter
I am working in two departments for the next 3 months. Half the time I'm in the Youth department which organizes and runs all our trips for youth under 18. Right now it's alot of planning for next summer and keeping up with the students that went on trips with us this past summer. It's fun though, I get to call alot of the students that were here over the summer and see how they're doing, encourage them in their faith and walk with God, and pray with them.
The other half of the time I'm working in the training department. This involves working with the DTS leaders and helping them with the administrative side of their job. I'm really enjoying this as well.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to hang out with the DTS students and get to know them.
In the evenings I have the opportunity to get to know the DTS students and disciple them as they're growing in what God has for them during this time.
Pray for a church
The past couple weeks I have been looking for a church to start attending regularly. During both of my training schools here in Orlando I went to a young adults evening service that I really enjoyed. The downside of it is that the church is HUGE! I would love to find a smaller church that i could be involved in on a more personal level.
Nathaniel and I have been to two churches so far and we are going back to one of them this Sunday. Please keep this in your prayers as it's rather difficult. I always feel pretty awkward going to new churches and it's not really my favorite thing to do right now.
Working in YWAM I have the privilege to participate in regular teaching and worship times as part of my job, Please pray for a church that feels like family and that i can contribute to, thats really what I'm looking for right now.
Random...
I finally got a cell phone! I've managed just fine without one for a long time but it's proving to be a necessary thing to have around here. I enjoy talking to people on the phone so please feel free to give me a call. 1 407 247 7341
I hope you all are doing awesome.
Peace,
SJ
Friday, August 21, 2009
I am finally back in Orlando!
I left my cute yellow house in Edmonton two weeks ago, spent a week in Chicago with Nathaniel and then on Sunday night we arrived in Orlando after 20+ hours of driving!
This past week has been spent in training and the first half of next week will be similar. Then on Thursday the staff team here in Orlando is going on "Staff Retreat". This a four day adventure which will probably include more food than anyone needs, a lot of games and plenty of good bonding time. I'm pretty stoked for this as it will be a great time to get to know some of the staff better before the next quarter starts.
Many of you are asking what I will be doing here in Orlando specifically and I promise I will give you more specific details as I get them. Because I am new to this it will take a few weeks to figure out exactly what my role will be this upcoming quarter.
What I do know is this, new students come in on September 24th and I'm so excited to meet them! I will have the opportunity to get to know them and encourage them as they grow in their faith and further discover the character of God. How cool is that??
I am preparing a monthly newsletter that I would love to send you! It will have regular updates on what God is doing in my life and ways that you can pray for me and my ministry here.
If you are interested in receiving this feel free to email me your address and I will send that out to you!
sarahjanerinas@gmail.com
Peace,
SJ
This past week has been spent in training and the first half of next week will be similar. Then on Thursday the staff team here in Orlando is going on "Staff Retreat". This a four day adventure which will probably include more food than anyone needs, a lot of games and plenty of good bonding time. I'm pretty stoked for this as it will be a great time to get to know some of the staff better before the next quarter starts.
Many of you are asking what I will be doing here in Orlando specifically and I promise I will give you more specific details as I get them. Because I am new to this it will take a few weeks to figure out exactly what my role will be this upcoming quarter.
What I do know is this, new students come in on September 24th and I'm so excited to meet them! I will have the opportunity to get to know them and encourage them as they grow in their faith and further discover the character of God. How cool is that??
I am preparing a monthly newsletter that I would love to send you! It will have regular updates on what God is doing in my life and ways that you can pray for me and my ministry here.
If you are interested in receiving this feel free to email me your address and I will send that out to you!
sarahjanerinas@gmail.com
Peace,
SJ
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