Dear Friends,

It is with wonder and amazement that I write to you!  The adventures of the last two months have shown God’s hand in all that has gone on.

At the end of May I closed the homeschooling books, packed all my belongings and departed for two months of travels.  Since I had to travel to the USA, and since almost all flights have layovers in Europe somewhere, I took advantage of the opportunity to travel through seven European countries.  I got a Eurail Pass and went visiting.  I visited three of the interns who had come to Kaffrine during these past two years; Silas and Jaël in different parts of Switzerland and Alexia in France.  I also visited four friends from Abu Dhabi; Adriana Mirgoace in Romania, Brigitte Wensauer in Germany, and Adlien David and Ken Wong in London.  My sister, Jackie, traveled with me to Romania and we explored some areas in the Netherlands together.  I also had the pleasure of spending time with my brother, Jim, and his family during their vacation in Rome.  It was an altogether lovely time of visiting, renewing and refreshing one another in every instance.

Upon my return to the USA on July 5, I planned to get a new driving license in Chicago, where my permanent residence is located (my daughter’s address).  Great was my disappointment when the Secretary of State required my physical Social Security card despite multiple official documents containing my SS number.  We visited the SS office and discovered it would take two weeks to obtain a duplicate SS card.  I flew to my debriefing at SIM USA headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina baffled and wondering would happen to my plans to drive to friends in several southern states for the remainder of July.

When I arrived at the SIM USA office for morning prayers on Monday morning, July 9, and was asked to share prayer requests, I freely shared my predicament.  Several on staff indicated there might be opportunity for me to help with the two-week orientation for new missionaries (SIMGo) that would start the following Monday, and one sweet lady offered to allow me to stay in her home.  Before my two days of debriefing interviews were over, it was discovered that the main planner of SIMGo had been ordered to bed rest at home with final preparations for the 50 candidates incomplete.  I was immediately called upon to help with the completion of informational notebooks for each one and to assist with welcoming them as they arrived on the SIM USA campus.  During the two-week event I also assisted in preparing lunch and supper for the group (attendance averaging 140 for lunch and 110 at supper!) Monday through Friday plus meals for the first weekend.  The director of SIMCo knew that my work would include early and late hours and arranged for me to stay just across the street from the office so I wasn’t dependent upon anyone for transportation, and no one would need to wait around or return to pick me up.

If this were not enough, I also was able to have programs for my work with the SIM Northwest Regional Director installed on my laptop and obtained security clearance and training for them.

Additionally, I was able to see Corey and Katie and the girls when they came through for their debriefing upon entering the USA, as well as again midway through when they returned for Katie to attend the SIM USA Board Meeting in her capacity as a new Board Member.  They also gave me a ride in their newly purchased previously-owned van!

The completion of SIMGo matched perfectly with my daughter, Julie’s, graduation from her two-year certificate program to qualify her to be a Spiritual Director.  AND I did finally get my driving license.

Through this whole incredible time, it was so clear that these things were of God’s arrangement, I was amazed.  My need perfectly matched the need of the SIM USA staff at just the right time, for just the right time!  I did miss seeing my friends, but every one of them has expressed a desire to reschedule and connect while I am in the USA.

Corey and Katie arrived safely in Connecticut and tell me that my borrowed RED Toyota awaits my arrival August 1.  They have been settling in with furniture they have been gifted with as well as bounteous supplies of food and warm welcomes from good friends.  God is soo good!

Next?  I will fly to Connecticut August 1 and have Corey and Katie show me around a bit before they leave for two and a half weeks with her parents at their Maine home.  I will visit them for about a week in mid-August.

The first week I am in Connecticut the SIM Regional Director will meet with me between out of state trips to go over exactly what he initially wants me to do.

My web site is down due to complicated technical difficulties and all through this time I have been struggling with rebuilding it.  It seems that it is almost done, but there is still a daunting amount of work needed.  This will be one of the first things I need to get done when I arrive in Connecticut and settle in one spot.

Now that I have committed to serving with SIM for another three years, I am looking ot raise the support I will need in order t do this.  Currently I have received promises which cover 40% of my support requirement.  Thanks to all of you who are a part of this huge blessing!  I still need $1565 per month (5700 Dh per month for those of you in the UAE).  This amount includes health insurance, my plane ticket to Senegal, pension, taxes, a small amount of administrative costs as well as salary and housing.  I need to be fully supported in order to remain on active status with health insurance while I am here in the USA and in order to return to Senegal with Corey and Katie next June.  If you have supported me in the past, and plan to continue, or if you want to join my support team with a financial gift or monthly pledge, please send me an email at Janie.garrett@sim.org.  I also need people willing to regularly pray for me and the ministry I have been called to.  Please join me in praying for this needed support!

In the next week or so, I will settle into a new town and church, find a grocery store, doctor, dentist, etc, fabric store(!?!) and wear out a map.  Be assured I am confident God will be with me, and guide all my days!

 

Prayer Points:

Praises for travel safety and good visits with all those I saw.

Praises for vehicles for both Corey and Katie and me.

Praises for all the events of July at SIM USA and the help I was able to be at SIMGo.

Praise for getting to see my daughter’s graduation.

Guidance for us all settling into a new home in Simsbury, Connecticut

Refreshment for us all in a time of renewing family relationships

Wisdom to be able to do the work for the SIM Regional Director

Pray that I will get the new web site active quickly

Pray for the building of my Support Team and the remaining 60% of my finances