There is a time & season for everything.

Proverbs 31:10-31 [selected verses] MSG. "A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it [He knows that she is committed to him alone & he knows that she is his greatest supporter]. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.[love & respect have been deeply established in their lives]She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family & organizing her day [she knows that this may be her only time alone with the Lord]. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home & hearth, diligent in homemaking. She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; the winter clothes are all mended & ready to wear [she is always prepared].Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. Her clothes are well made & elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly [living out the fruits of the spirit]. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy & productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: [respect & words of praise are earned] Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all! Charm can mislead & beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired & praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. giver her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!"

As the months quickly go by before I become a wife I often find myself meditating on this section of scripture. There is so much wisdom out there & so many different ideas on what it means to be a "good wife". I've been blessed to have several role models speak into my life over the years that have taught me a great deal of information through their lifestyle and the words that they have spoken over me [A very special thank-you to my Mom & Mrs. Budzinski, you two have forever challenged me, changed me, & have grown me into who I am today]. But I still constantly find myself back at this portion of scripture. I don't know if it is the simplicity that speaks to me, the beautiful poetry, or the lifestyle that this woman lived that moves me so deeply. Whatever it is, these characteristics are ones that I aspire to grow in [especially as I've seen the fruit of them play out through my role model's lives]. I feel that each day God is challenging me with something new & for this season in my life I am just suppose to take each new lifestyle change one step at a time. For those of you that know me personally, this is one of my greatest challenges. When I see something in me that I want to change I am hoping/expecting an immediate change and that rarely is the reality. 

This morning when I was spending my quiet time with the Lord He quickly rested the verse in my heart "She's up before dawn". I am not a morning person but ever sense moving to Australia I have decided to make myself a morning person. [This is a characteristic that I always saw my dear mentor Mrs. Budzinski doing. I could never understand how she received this energy or motivation to get up before dawn DAILY & to run one of the most incredible households of all] I was taken back this morning as I sat in awe of the impossible change that I saw in myself. I couldn't believe that sense I've been here that nearly every morning I've managed to wake up several hours before I had to be someone just so I could "be up before dawn" & start my day out with the Lord. This isn't said to give myself praises but to give all of the praises to God. I thought getting up early in the morning was IMPOSSIBLE for me & I was right. It was impossible FOR ME to do on my own. I needed to realize that I NEEDED God's help in order to succeed with this one. 

I'm sharing this not out of self praise [especially because I am no where near the woman that I'm called to be], but as an encouragement to those out there who are in this season of life preparing for marriage. As I continue planning Ryan & I's wedding I quickly loose focus of the women that I am called to be & am too focused on temperamental issues or emotions. But we must join together & not loose heart because this is one of the most beautiful seasons of growth that we will ever have! 

This morning God just told me to STOP. Instead of living in condemnation for the things that I am not, I needed to quickly give Him praises for the things that I AM. So now I can confidently say that through Christ, I AM a morning person who desperately desires time with the Lord before the sun arises. 

Now time to focus on one of the next areas that I highlighted...

To Be Continued: As God continues to reveal new things to me & molds me towards the woman that He has designed me to be.

Also anyone who is married, let me know what your best advice would be to someone preparing for this season of marriage.

March Update

To my faithful supporters,

I cannot believe that March is already here! This past month has been one of the greatest months that I have ever experienced. God has been so faithful and has answered so many of my prayers. Each day continues to be filled with so much excitement, so many challenges, and great growth. As much as I am missing my family and dear friends, I know that God has called me here for such a time as this. As I continue through my days so much gratitude fills my heart because I know that I wouldn't be experiencing all of this without each one of you. This truly is a season of growth and preparation for me. I fully believe that opportunities are going to present themselves; I believe also that these opportunities will change the rest of my life, my families' and the ministry that God has called Ryan and me to one day. 

ANSWERED PRAYER:

For a little update on last month's prayer requests, I was employed by a company called Go Fresh which sells salads, juices, and frozen yogurt. God had His hand over me in receiving this particular job. I was submitting many applications during the day and I decided to check one more place (Go Fresh). When I handed the owner my resume he saw that I attended Hillsong College and the next words that came out of his mouth were, "Can you come in next Saturday to start training?" It is amazing to see how God knew exactly where I needed to work and opened up an incredible opportunity for me. 

CLASSES:

Classes are incredible. I frequently find myself saying, "Wow, this is the type of learning that I've been waiting for my whole life." I have lectures Monday-Wednesday and each lecture has a tutorial which consists of a group of 20 students who review lecture material with a trainer. By doing things this way, it helps me apply so much of what I learn in lecture and teaches me how to practically apply it in ministry. Throughout my week I am assigned to work with an organization called City Care. This is one of those opportunities that I feel like I have been waiting for my entire life. I have the opportunity to work with a group of inner city high school girls on a weekly basis. I have been given the opportunity to teach them for an hour each week through a program called SHINE. The program is designed to show women that they are beautiful, intelligent, have value, and have a voice in the world. Not only is it amazing that this is where my heart has always been, teaching in an inner city school, but this program also has world wide influence. This also means that I will have the opportunity to bring this program and the men's program called STRENGTH to Cambodia. (STRENGTH is the program that Ryan is placed in). God couldn't have picked a more amazing weekly service opportunity for us to be a part of.  

SISTERHOOD:

On Thursdays we have a weekly women's gathering called Sisterhood. Let me tell you, this is a ministry that is done with excellence. I have never been a part of such a fruitful women's ministry program in my entire life. You walk into the church Thursday morning and see stations set up around the foyer with signs that say PAMPER, stations with coffee and tea, and men serving you hand picked special treats. Pamper consists of someone giving you a manicure, a massage or getting your hair done. There are also places for women to sit and chat over coffee and tea. Afterwards, all the women gather together to hear a teaching by either our main pastor Bobbie Houston, or one of her hand picked guests. Sisterhood has shown me so much about the voice that women can have in ministry. I have had the opportunity to see so many incredible, determined, confident women speak to Sisterhood during the week and then preach in front of the whole congregation the following weekend. This shows me that I don't need to limit my dreams because I now see the blessing that women can be to the Kingdom of God. 

COLOUR CONFERENCE:

This past week I was able to serve in my first ever Colour Conference (yes, this is how Australian's spell color). This is a women's conference that I've always wanted to attend, so it was so surreal to finally be there. Colour is a two week event with two separate conferences. The first conference occurs in downtown Sydney where 15,000 women gather together for three days. The second conference occurs at our church at the Hills campus. The conference also travels to several other locations around the world including London, Cape Town and Kiev. It truly is an experience like no other. This past week I was assigned to serve as venue safety which is very similar to security. I had the opportunity to sit by many of our key speakers at this year's conference which allowed me to listen to many of the messages, including one by Christine Caine! It was one of the most exhausting yet exhilarating weeks that I have experienced.  This week the conference is at our Hills location, which is an opportunity for me as a first year student to experience conference first hand. I cannot wait to see what Christ does through this next week.

PRAYER REQUEST:

This past week I meet a man named London who I believe will have an impact on the rest of my time here and potentially the rest of my life. I was sharing with him my background and how I just graduated with my bachelor's degree in communications, have a passion for teaching, and have a desire to end human trafficking in Cambodia. He listened to everything I said and he just paused. He then told me that he was in charge of implementing a system that brings A21 to local school districts to educate students on human trafficking and ways they can prevent it. (A21 is Christine Caine's anti-human trafficking organization http://www.thea21campaign.org). London then told me that he was looking for someone with a communications degree, someone who enjoyed teaching, and had a passion to end human trafficking. This was a God ordained moment. I am still in awe that the only reason I met him was because I decided to work through my allotted break time so someone else could receive a break at conference. God is so faithful. I cannot comprehend this new opportunity. Please partner with me in praying that this opportunity would fit my timetable.

I continue to come to each of you with gratitude and complete thankfulness because I know I wouldn't be in Australia without you. As difficult as it is to be away from everyone and everything familiar each day, God continues to confirm that this year will be a year that changes the rest of my life. I am once again honored that Christ asked me to go out and preach the gospel to all nations. As I have come to terms with this, God has started to expand Ryan's and my vision for the future. This means not just limiting ourselves to Cambodia, but believing that we have been called to many more countries as well. God is so good and so faithful. Thank you for your support and believing in me. I am honored to be a part of your prayers and your financial contribution. Praying that through this next season of your life that God only continues to make himself more known to you. We all have the potential and capability to be growing and developing the characteristics of Christ!

Praying for each one of you and your precious families.

In Him,

Kristen Hoffmeyer

hoffm2kr@gmail.com

         Please email me if you would like me to add you to my monthly email update list.

Honored.

The first word that comes to my mind when I think about my time so far in Australia is honored.

I feel so honored to be here.

So honored to be stepping into a season of growth.

Honored to be a part of an incredible ministry & to grow from some of the most humble people.

I feel honored that God told me where I needed to go and provided me with supporters to get me here.

Each day I continue to say "Wow, this was the best day of my life" or "That was the best message I have ever heard" or "Wow God, you are so so faithful".  I sometimes have to take a step back and realize that this is real life! Prayers are being answered everyday, visions are being created, I'm being broken down to my very core, and classes haven't even begun! I have no idea what is in store for my first day of intensives tomorrow, but I know that if it is anything like orientation, it will be great. This week we have many different speakers and sessions Tuesday-Thursday 9-5 and Friday have a meet and greet with the staff. I cannot wait for classes to begin because as soon as they do we will figure out where we are serving each week which allows us to pour our heart and soul into this ministry and take away from it as much as possible.

Sunday started off Hillsong's "Vision Sunday". This is a three part event. The morning services we were able to watch an incredible video that brought us into the eyes of those around the world. The evening service held over 1,000 baptisms. And Tuesday night, Brian and Bobbie Houston (the lead pastors and founders of Hillsong) will share their heart and soul with us as they share the vision that God has given them for this next year. I am so expectant of what God is going to do and cannot wait to see the revival that comes this next year!

I would ask that you would be praying for a few specific things. Australia is a very beautiful (but very expensive) place to live. I'm praying for employment and the grace of my employer as I will have a very difficult schedule to work around.  Next, please be praying for Christ to be casting a vision for this next season in Ryan and I's lives.  It is crazy to think that we are only going to be here for a year, but we know that God will open up many MANY doors for what He desires us to do in the future. We actually had the opportunity to meet a couple who are two of our teachers that work with planning churches and water wells in Cambodia. It was such a blessing to meet them and I cannot wait to experience the wisdom & guidance that they will provide for us. Finally, please continue to pray that I can continue to be broken down by Christ. As I desire nothing more than to be stretched past my capability and grown to do all that I can for the kingdom.

Thank-you so much for all of your prayers and support. God is creating a year of revival & I fully believe that THIS year HE is going to make His name known to more people than ever before which means that as the body of Christ, we have a BIG year ahead of us!!!

In Him,

Kristen

January Update

To may faithful supporters,

The countdown is finally over. I am finally in Sydney and it all seems so surreal.  I cannot comprehend God's faithfulness through this whole process. It is incredible to think that God placed going to Australia to study at Hillsong on my heart nearly a year and a half ago. I need to say thank-you for all of your support. I would not be here if it weren't for your prayers and financial contribution. I am so thankful to have so many people who believe in my vision for the future. You have no idea how encouraging that it is to know that back in the states there are countless people praying for what God wants me to do in Australia. 

As hard as it was leaving home, I know that this next year will grow me and stretch me in ways that I truly cannot comprehend. I experienced my first Sunday yesterday and needless to say, my mind was blown. Everyone told me that Sundays are unbelievable and I feel like unbelievable is an understatement. I feel so blessed to be here and have the opportunity to learn and minister here. God continues to bless me immensely. I was placed in the most beautiful college house that is fully furnished. I will be living with 9 other girls. Everyone that I meet is so friendly and so welcoming that it makes me feel at home already. I know that this is how the Spirit is moving and I couldn't be more thankful or blessed. 

Please continue to be in prayer for me as well as my family as this move to Australia is truly challenging.  Being someone who loves being at home as much as possible, I have no idea why Christ called me to study somewhere several time zones and a day away, but all I can do is sit back and trust that His plan is far greater than my own. It is times like this when I cannot allow fear to overrule my thoughts, but to hold every thought captive to Christ. I greatly encourage you to do the same. As we begin a new year there are so many opportunities for growth, change, and challenges. Take on each opportunity with the armor of  Christ on you knowing and believing that ALL things can be accomplished through Christ. 

As  have previously mentioned, I wouldn't be at Hillsong Church at this moment without each one of you. I would not have this opportunity to trust God with every part of me if it weren't for you believing in me and believing in the calling that Christ has placed on my heart. I will continue to keep you updated as much as possible. Thank-you for all that you have done for me, thank-you for the extra love that you are giving my family right now, and thank-you for believing in me. You all mean so much to me. 

In Him,

Kristen Hoffmeyer

October Update

From Australia to Cambodia

"The righteous gives and does not hold back" Proverbs 21:26

I have been able to experience an overabundance of blessings these past six months as I have started on my journey of raising support to go to Australia.  While I have been going through this process of raising support God has been constantly clarifying the vision that He has given me. I am so excited to depart to Australia in January but am looking even more forward to heading back to Cambodia as soon as possible. 

I have currently raised $8,400, which means that I am nearing the end of my goal of $10,000. I wouldn't be at this point without the generous support that you have given me. I am incredibly thankful for each of you. 

As my departure date continues to get closer God continues to redefine the vision that He has given me. Through much prayer and seeking out of council, God has started to redirect the vision that He has given me. Currently I plan on attending Hillsong International Leadership College for one year to receive my certification in ministry. While I am at Hillsong I will be receiving over 720 hours of in depth structured learning time as well as 240 hours of practical ministry work experience. Once I conclude with my studies at Hillsong focusing on Pastoral Leadership and Social Justice I plan on returning to the states to focus on the ministry that Christ has placed on my heart to plant in Cambodia. I currently plan on moving to Cambodia the summer of 2015 to be fully emerged in the ministry that is planted there. 

I have recently been able to partner with my boyfriend's church (who is also attending Hillsong this January) who has provided a way for my supporters to receive a tax deductible donation. If you are interested in this option of receiving a tax right off, please contact me so we can make this possible.

As always, I will be keeping my blog as updated as possible leading up to my departure and while I am overseas. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I would be in touch with you. Thank-you again so much for your support and partnering up with the vision that God has given me. 

Fundraising.

I have never been more challenged in my faith than I am right now. Raising support is truly one of the most humbling experiences that I have ever had. I am slowly starting to understand the importance of raising support. I came to the realization last night that God desires for me to go through this process. I know that if He wanted all of my funds to come to me in an instant, then that is what would happen, but there is a process that He wants me to experience through all of this. He is teaching me that I need to continue to fully trust Him. I need to continue to trust that He is going to provide for Australia because this is where He has called me to go. I'm learning more and more about what it means when Christ says that we may have to leave our mother and father if that is how He is calling us to serve Him. Leaving home is going to be one of the most challenging things for me, but I know the plans that God has to use me are going to be wild and they are going to be great.
One of the most beautiful things about receiving support is the fact that every single person who supports me financially or through prayer really believes in the call that Christ has given me. I feel so honored and blessed to receive a letter back from someone because I know that they believe in me, which is one of the most encouraging things of all. 
Like I said, support raising is going. I have currently raised $2,650. I cannot believe that God has provided this much in only a 6 weeks time period. I do start to get nervous when I see this number and then realize that I still have a long way to go in the next 5 months to get to my goal of $15,000. But there is a beauty in waiting and persevering to reach this goal.
Please continue to pray that I will grow in faith, that Christ will continue to teach me what it means to surrender my desires over to Him. This is such a critical time in my walk with the Lord and I am truly loving every moment of learning more about Him and being grown in His likeness.
If you are interested in finding out more about what I am going to be doing in Australia, please check out my website, email me, or give me a call!
http://hoffm2kr.wix.com/southeastasia


In Him, 
Kristen Hoffmeyer
hoffm2kr@gmail.com
616.403.2437

Now that we're back home.

Besides the crazy sleep schedules that most of our bodies are on & going from with-drawls from not seeing any of my teammates being home has been really good for the most part.  It is awesome to share with so many people all of the amazing things that God did through us while we were over in Cambodia & Thailand.  It is awesome to process through the things that God taught us & to be reminded of how He showed up in our lives in such powerful ways.  I have loved sharing stories about our time in Southeast Asia but through doing that it has caused me to miss being over there so much more.  My heart truly aches when I think about not knowing when the time will come for when I'm suppose to go back.  I know that there is so much that God wants to teach me here, but I also know that being here is only temporal, which is hard to process.  But one huge thing that I learned on my trip was when you vision and purpose line up with Christ, then nothing can get in the way of the things that He is going to use you for.  I fully believe that as long as Christ makes my vision, as long as He is the one who is placing these desires on my heart, then I do not have anything to worry about because in the end my goal is to bring glory to God through everything that I do.  So, I don't know what these next few weeks, months, years will teach me but I've learned that with a God centered vision that I have nothing to fear.
I ask each of you to continue to pour your prayers out onto our team as many of us are having a difficult time adjusting back to American culture.  That you would continue to pray for the boys center that is opening up for services in September.  I know that God is going to use that building to bring light to His name.  Please be praying for the staff that we worked with in Cambodia and Thailand, that God would daily remind them that they are there doing His work & that they are being used daily.  And to be praying for funds to be raised for those who feel called to go back.  I know that from having to raise support for this trip that God will provide, but it is difficult sometimes to have to rely on God moving through others in order for you to go where you are called to go.
Thank-you each so much for your prayers, that is how we made it through our five weeks.  I know that God is going to continue to work through these prayers to bring glory to His name in such a broken area.   Here are a few pictures of some of the kids that we were able to work with & one of the towns that we spent time in...

Love, Kristen