Letter.

Because this blog will have all of my updates from Russia, I have decided to post my prayer letter that I sent out last week.  I hope it gives people a better idea of how to pray for me during this time.  Here it is, and thanks for your support!


Здравствуйте! (Hello!)

Did you know that only 1.2% of Russia is evangelical Christian?  This coming summer (June 23-August 6), God has given me the opportunity to put my Moody education into practice in the beautiful, yet hurting country of Russia.  I will be going to the city of Тамбов (Tambov), Russia for 6 weeks with SEND International to do a missions internship.  During my time in Russia, I will be part of a team putting on an English camp, a youth discipleship camp, and a family evangelistic camp, along with contributing to daily ministry tasks.  I will be able to utilize my major of evangelism and discipleship in a very practical way.  In order to go on this trip and live out what I have learned in the classroom at Moody, I need to raise a total of $4,710.  I strongly feel that this trip is something God has had planned for my life since before my birth.

The internship will also be my official vision trip with SEND International, which means that it is the first step in going to Russia with SEND full time post-Moody.  The country of Russia is a place God has been making me passionate about for over 2 years.  I pray that my time there will serve to confirm His calling on my life for full time ministry, and enable me to learn more about how to minister to the wonderful people of Russia.  In order for this trip to be made possible, I must rely on friends and family who support the cause of global missions.  I ask that you would pray and consider making a financial investment in this trip and the Russian people.

Perhaps even more important than my financial need is the necessity of prayer.  Jesus says in John 15:5, "Apart from me you can do nothing."  I know that I am insufficient for the task of spreading His great name among the nations, and thus, I need much prayer that God will work through me to expand His kingdom.  Would you please consider being a financial donor and a prayer warrior for this cause of eternal value?  Words cannot express the value each and every one of you has in my life.  You have all played a significant role in shaping me into who I am today, and I thank the Lord for the investments you have already placed in my life.  May God bless your generosity, and may you continue to serve Him faithfully in the ways that He may call you.      

In the love of Christ,

Courtney Mellinger

Preamble.

This week officially commenced the support raising process for my internship in Russia this summer.  I recently found out the specific price of the trip, allowing me to send out letters soon with all the details.  Due to that, this blog is largely going to be about Russia these next few months.  I hope to use it to post prayer requests, and give updates on the whole process (especially while I am there).  That being said, I want to share a few thoughts about trust as I begin this journey that could largely determine future plans post-Moody.  

E.M. Bounds has a quote on trust that has challenged my perspective about planning this trip.

"Trust is faith that has become absolute, approved, and accomplished. When all is said and done, there is a sort of risk in faith and its exercise. But trust is firm belief; it is faith in full bloom. Trust is a conscious act, a fact of which we are aware. " 

My trust in God about this trip ought to be something that is absolute, approved, and accomplished.  In other words, as I am raising money, I ought to trust God that He has already absolutely accomplished everything that needs to happen in order for me to board a plane for Russia.  My trust in God ought to be out of a firm belief in His provision and purpose.  Whew, I am severely lacking in such belief.  I too often take things into my own hands and make lists and accomplish tasks that reflect my distrust in God.  Those things are not bad in and of themselves, but when done in one's inability to rely on God's strength, they are sinful and meaningless.  Due to this, my theme prayer in this whole process must be Mark 9:24:

"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!" 

God has called us to believe firmly in Him, because in doing so, we are able to go deeper and deeper into the depths of who He is and greatly strengthen out relationship with Him.  This is why God says in Isaiah 41:10, "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."  We are not to fear because He is with us.  As a professor recently pointed out, the verse does not say, "fear not, for I am sovereign," or, "fear not for I am trustworthy."  While these things are absolutely true and wonderful, the verse says we are not to fear because God is WITH us, in relationship with us, working on our behalf for His glory.  Such a relational, loving God who is always with us can certainly be trusted for all things.  

A perspective shift must occur in my mindset about this trip as I begin.  I must stop viewing it as something to be accomplished, and start viewing as a way to more deeply interact with my Creator God who is already with me and eager to provide me with all I need so I can accomplish His purpose.  This is absolute, approved, and accomplished trust.  Lord, in my moments of unbelief, help my unbelief and give me the ability to trust you more.  

Childish.

Today I am going to post another video.  I barely know anything about this girl, but one thing I do know: she seems to be the epitome of sweet childlike faith.  She is so sure that God delights in answering her prayers, and that He will answer.  She also has a deep desire at such a young age to encourage other people in Christ.  Watch and be challenged in your childlike faith.

"But Jesus called the children to Him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it." Luke 8:16-17.

This concept of childlike faith will be fresh on my heart in these coming months.  In June, I will go to Russia for 7 weeks to do an internship with SEND International.  This trip will suffice as a vision trip, which means it will lay the foundation for future fill time ministry with SEND in Russia, if that is where God is leading.  That being said, this blog may have a lot of entries related to that trip such as support letters, prayer letters, and updates from the field.  May I approach this trip with faith like a child regarding raising funds, etc.  May I allow God to use my filthy rags however He sees fit.

P.S.- Special shout-out to my friend Leah Gordon for putting my blog in her post.  Leah has ben my friend since middle school, and even though we no longer talk every day, when we do, she encourages me in the Lord.  Thank the Lord for friends He has given you who have shaped your walk in with Christ and molded into who you are today.  Leah's blog can be read here.