Some Nuts and Bolts

I’ve had a number of people ask me some “nuts and bolts” questions regarding my work with the military community. Questions like, “What does it mean to be working for the Air Force chapel? Will you be a contractor? Do they pay you?”

Cadence has a contract with the Ramstein chapel that I will be filling. The terms of the contract are to provide a full-time (40+ hrs/week) youth ministry program for teenagers. The job is very similar to that of a youth pastor in the states. And yes it pays, however, the contract amount is not enough to cover living and ministry expenses. It simply reduces or offsets the amount of support that I need to raise.

The most “valuable” aspect of the contract is the ID card that I’ll be issued. It will give me base access and exchange (a mini-mall) and commissary (a grocery store) privileges. This will allow me to shop on base for American brand groceries, household/personal items and ministry supplies, instead of having to buy similar items on the German economy at a much higher rate. I’ll be able to buy gas for my car on base, which will save me a lot of money, as German gas is very expensive. I’ll also be issued a post office box on base, which will allow me to send and receive mail with normal, stateside postage rates - no expensive international rates.

The contract will also give me SOFA status - "military" for Status of Forces Agreement. It’s not a license to be a couch potato : ). SOFA status allows me to reside in Germany without having to go through the hassle/paperwork of obtaining a German Visa and having to renew it every couple of months.

As far as a living situation, my contract does not qualify me for any type of on base housing. I’ll need to rent an apartment off base. I could potentially find a roommate, perhaps a single military gal or a teacher, to live with. However, I’ll need to wait until I’m on the field and see what’s available, and then spend some time praying about what would be the best situation for me personally and for my ministry.

I hope this answers some of the questions people have expressed about my “status” in Germany as a missionary to the American military population.

I’m getting excited to begin ministering in Germany. Support continues to come in and I’m getting close!! I’m trusting that the Lord will raise up the remaining support I need to be released to the field. Would you join me in praying that the rest of my support comes in?

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

Beth

Hey there Key Club!

Hope you're having a good week. It's a beautiful week in the Northwoods. Wonderful 70s, no humidity, nice breeze, sunny days... simply gorgeous. I enjoyed a canoe outing with my dad tonight on a nearby lake. We saw a few bald eagles circling the area - what an awesome sight!

I would like to include my August Newsletter in this post, but I've yet to figure out how to upload a pdf document to blogspot... I'll work on that more this week : ) If you'd like, I can e-mail it to you - let me know - click here. (And if you know how to upload a pdf, e-mail me too, please)

But until then, here are the highlights:

1. God is good - all the time!

2. I'm thankful for supporters - both prayer partners and financial givers.

3. I'm VERY close to reaching my support goal. I'm currently needing just $500 in monthly support, before being released to the field.

4. To help raise the final bit of support, a generous supporter has offered to match 50% of each monthly pledge. For example, if you commit to giving $30 a month, they'll add $15 to it, making it a $45 monthly pledge. They will also match 50% of each special gift that is given. So, if you've been thinking about joining the team, now's a great time to do it! Click here to give!

THANKS so much for your encouragement and support.

Blessings,

Beth

Hello Key Club! I hope this finds you doing well and having a good week. Can you believe August is here? Where did the summer go? Below you'll find some updates from my time in the Northwest. As you read, I hope you're encouraged to see that the Lord is at work!

THANK YOU for joining me in this journey. Thank you for your prayers each week for the military community, and for me as I raise support to serve teens in Germany. I'm so thankful for the many people who've decided to give financially as well.

Blessings,
Beth Mabry

Camp Morrow:
My time at Camp Morrow went extremely well! I had a blast leading the missionary times throughout the week and really enjoyed spending time with students and encouraging them in the Lord. Speaking at a camp was a new, growing experience for me and I'm thankful for the opportunity. The highlight of the camp was working with my friend Dave, who originally introduced me to Cadence and served as my supervising mentor while I interned with Cadence in Okinawa.

Kamiah 2010:
The same day Camp Morrow ended, I joined the Central Bible youth group on a mission trip to the Nez Perce reservation in Kamiah, Idaho. Our team completed a number of service projects (cleaning, painting, lawn work, etc.) during the mornings we were there. In the afternoons, we led basketball camps and a Vacation Bible School for the younger kids. It was really fun to reconnect with the students on the team and hear what's going on in their lives. During my two years at Multnomah, I got to know many of these students very well and was disappointed to say good bye to them when I graduated. Our weeklong reunion was a wonderful blessing!

Support Update:
I returned home on Tuesday night to many encouraging e-mails and letters. A number of people have responded to recent Key Club e-mails and newsletters regarding support. I'm very pleased to report that my start-up funds have been raised in full! I'm also excited to let you know that the number of monthly supporters continues to grow! I'm currently needing just $500 in monthly support before being released to the field. This is exciting! God has been so faithful in providing and I'm confident that He will continue to meet my support needs.

Praises and Prayer Requests:
While in Portland I was able to spend some wonderful time with friends and supporters. I give thanks to the Lord for connecting me with new supporters during my time in the Northwest! I received a number of unexpected donations while sharing about military ministry with different people the Lord crossed my path with. I still hope to be on the field by the end of this month, or sometime in early September. Please join me in praying that God would continue to bring more financial givers to our ministry team.