The Congo Team's Last Night Together!
Love you guys!
The conference also brought with it some hard things as well.
As most of you know by now, while serving in the Congo, God brought an amazing man into my life who got down on one knee on July 22 and asked me to be his wife. Without hesitation and with the peace that passes all understanding, I said "yes." My fiancee, Angello Castero, is a Kenyan man who runs two of his own English Language Centers there in Beni. We met at the English Club that I helped with every Saturday and the SECA 20 church, where we both sang in the choir. Those of you who know me well, know that I did not go "looking for love" in the Congo. In fact, I had several conversations before I left for Africa about this exact subject. As always, I blew off the fact that this would happen to me, since my previous history of "no dating" always seemed to come true. Therefore, this all took me by surprise when I found that I was falling in love for the first time.
Unfortunately, this conflicted with my job there at UCBC. They were not comfortable with my having a relationship with someone from a different country. They asked me to go and settle this with his family in Kenya and my family in the states. Also, according to UWM's policy, I am not allowed to be in a relationship while serving with my sending agency. Once reaching the conference here in Budapest, we began meetings to discuss the terms of my contract and the consequences of my actions.
It was decided that I would remain here in Hungary and work with the International Christian School of Budapest (ICSB). I have been given the position of Middle School Science Teacher and have also been asked to help with a class to teach Hungarians English. I am excited about this new opportunity to use my gifts and talents in a different setting. The ICSB staff have welcomed me with open arms and have been helping me to get ready to jump into a new school year next week. It is a very supportive and loving environment and I know that I will be able to thrive here!
Therefore, the conference ended on a sad note. I would not be able to go home to Beni with Grant and Meredith. The picture above was our last night together here in Hungary and unfortunately the only picture I have of the three of us together! I already miss them dearly, but I know that they are continuing the amazing work they have started there in the Congo. Meredith has already started teaching at the women's center and Grant is excited about the Frisbee class he is going to get to teach over this "summer break" they have until October 1st. I love and miss everyone there in Beni and I pray for them daily. I know that it is not "if" I return some day, it is "when!"
Thank you all for sharing in my journey! Thank you all for the love and support you have shown me through the years! Please continue to pray for me as I transition into this new position and focus on my new job. Most importantly, I ask you to pray for Angello. The last consequence for my actions was that I am not allowed to have contact with him. He is now navigating the waters on his own right now. Please pray for God's love and abundant blessings to be showered down on him as he trods a path without me now.
As always, my life is full of adventure, twists and turns that no one could predict! As always, I am clinging to God who has lead me down this path faithfully! As always, my heart is full of joy over the amazing love that has been bestowed upon me and that I willingly bestow on others! As always, I know there is a reason that everything happens and I always come out stronger in the end! The verse I have clung to for years, and that will carry me through this season - most of you have heard me quote it a million times:
Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future."
I have faith, hope, and love - but the greatest of these is love!
I LOVE YOU ALL - as always!
Love ya lots, April
Phil. 1:3
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