One of the issues I’ve had to deal with is time management. That’s never been my strong point and it’s been even more difficult at this point in my life. Why? Everything takes time. Not only do the requirements of school take time, but starting a new life in a new country takes time. Finding and building new friendships takes time. Building relationships with the youth and their families takes time. Learning my way around town so I don’t get lost every time I go into the center takes time. My time flies away from me faster than I can grasp at it. I’m looking forward to having a few weeks without any studies before heading home to spend time nurturing these budding friendships here.

I am so thankful God has provided the opportunity to get plugged back into working with youth again! It really was an answer to pray to be able to get on staff part time with the church. It’s only ten hours a week, but a lot can be done in ten hours! And it helps cover some of the expenses of being over here. Haven’t gone hungry yet, but sure could use a little extra support for the upcoming years.

For those of you who don’t know, Crossroads International Church has brought me on to work with the older 15+ group. My job basically consists of building relationships with the youth, plan socials and volunteer events, be the contact person for parents and students, and be the liaison between volunteer leaders and church staff. It’s been a little bit of an adjustment due to the cultural differences. But it’s been a great experience and I look forward to getting to know the youth, their families, and leaders better over the next few years.

On a personal note, I’ve been blessed to get involved with a small group that meets every week right down the street from the office. It’s made up of mostly Dutch people and one other American. The church has been a great blessing and I’ve been able to develop some good friendships there. And Amsterdam is an amazing city! Every chance I get I enjoy going into town and taking in the sights. My parents bought a museum pass for me when they were here in August and I’ve taken full advantage of that with some of the other students here. We’ve also been able to take some great trips as a school and see some other parts of Holland and Europe. The first trip was to the Palais Het Loo and just last weekend we headed to Cologne, Germany for the opening weekend of the Christmas market.

Thank you for all of your prayers and words of encouragement. I look forward to seeing some of you back home in December. If we aren’t able to meet up then, I’ll be back during the summer for a month and a half (most everyone is on holiday here during July and August, so I’m headed home to see friends and family and do a little support raising). Everyone loves pictures, so click on the photos to see the latest ones:

Autumn in Holland

Third Month In Holland

Dinner was fun as all the new people started mingling with the current, and some graduated, students. The food was good, but let’s face it, you can’t really mess up a good BBQ anywhere you go in the world. We then played a few ice breaker games before breaking off for the evening. Several of us decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and took a walk around town which then lead to drinking tea and talking for a couple hours.

And now it’s 2am Dutch time and my bed is still not 100% put together and I’ve yet to take that now very much needed shower. But, I wanted to share some pics from the first and let everyone know how the day went. Tomorrow brings a pancake breakfast at 8am and orientation at 9am. Some plans have changed for this weekend and it looks like I’ll be talking with Daniel from Crossroads before joining the youth leaders for a BBQ Saturday night and then heading to church Sunday instead of joining the younger crowd for poldersport. Will keep you posted on how things go this weekend!

Click on the link or photo below to check out the pics:

https://picasaweb.google.com/toryjalmond/FirstDayInHolland

1. Visa’s are easier to get.

Getting a visa as a missionary has become very difficult and expensive in Europe. If you fill out the wrong form or file it the wrong way, you could jeopardize you chance of getting in for many years. But, if you go in as a student, the process is much simpler and cheaper. One thing I’ve noticed as I do research for post graduation, several countries allow you a year after graduation to look for a job before being booted out of the country!

2. Cost of living is cheaper.

Just as an example, for me to live with roommates in Amsterdam would cost at least $150,000 a year. By living on campus and eating their food, I’m 0nly out $18,000 a year. That’s a major savings when trying to start raising funds! The nice thing about Europe, especially near university campuses, you don’t need a car to get around. A simple bike and basket gets you around to most places you’d want to go. If the bike can’t get you there, public transportation can get your anywhere else you need to go.

3. Strengthen your gifts.

Not sure if anyone else feels this way, but I could sure use a little refreshing and sharpening of the gifts after doing ministry for several years after college. The experience that now comes to the table while learning brings new perspective and questions. There have been several occasions I felt very unprepared for situations that came up and only through the grace and power of God did I make it through. Going over and studying helps build up your toolbox and sharpens the tools you already have.

4. Great way to connect.

If you know God is leading you overseas and have a general idea of where, going over and spending a few years before jumping on full time can help you get connected in several ways. First, spending a few years in a country helps you learn the culture and language. Which leads to more effective ministry. And most mission boards want you to spend a couple years doing nothing but learning the language and culture, so why not already have that experience before even talking to a mission board. Second, you don’t have to commit to one type of ministry just yet. Throughout your time as a student, you can get to know the people in the area and work with several different churches and missionaries. It’s a great way to see how your gifts can be used to be the hands and feet of God. Knowing more specifically how and where God is leading makes it easier when trying to find an organization or mission board to join after graduation. Third, you may learn by getting involved that particular area is not where God would want you but where you would want to go. On a personal note, I’ve learned my gifts and personality would fit better in a European setting than in South Africa. I’m so glad God knows what’s best for me and closed things off to head south of the equator.

So there you have it. My opinion on why studying in Europe for a few years makes a great way to explore doing missions in Europe long term. Please feel free to comment and ask questions. Let me know your thoughts on the idea.

God has blessed and several people have given recently. One family met me for dinner and handed over an envelope of Euros. Another family is planning a couple fundraising parties for me. Crazy stuff happening everywhere. It really is interesting to see God provide financially through different situations. Unfortunately the exchange rate is not helping at the moment. Praying it drops back to what it was last summer. Please pray with me and every other European missionary about that. It’s amazing how much it effects things.

Here’s some other cool stuff going on. The youth pastor at Crossroads in Amsterdam told the other leaders about me and they are excited about me coming over and helping out. I can’t wait to get over there and plugged in! God provided a cheap plane ticket through Raptim Travel. A $1750 plane ticket became $1075 and gives me 3 free bags of luggage! Who allows three free bags? Go British Airways! And yes that was the cheapest. The second closest was $1450 with some little Polish airline. Insert your own joke now.

Still coaching at Greenville Gymnastics. Unfortunately not as much as I’d like to. Make twice as much than at Starbucks and enjoy coaching way more than dealing caffeine. Been there nine years now! Can’t believe it. Going to miss those girls, families, and fellow coaches. Known some of the girls since they were toddling around in the preschool. Things are going well at Starbucks. Love the people I’m working with and will miss them greatly.

It has been difficult getting things done as I balance several schedules. Struggling with the idea of doing it on my own with the strength God has given me verses slowing down and letting God show up. Everyone has different opinions on this too. Do I over work myself trying to earn money on my own or do I slow down and find ways to share how God has opened this opportunity up and let Him lead people to help. Difficult thing is both ways are Biblical. Oh well. Please continue praying with me as the big day approaches. Would love to share the story of how everything has come about if you’d like to hear it. As always, donations are greatly appreciated and instructions can be found at www.offthecoast.org/sponsor-tory.

The other part of the song “Our God” that can’t be ignored is: “And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us. And if our God is with us, then what could stand against!” Nothing can stop the people of God when we do His work. NOTHING! Why don’t people understand the power they have through God? These words should also be taken to heart and engraved in Christian’s brains. If God tells you to do something, nothing’s going to stop you. The road may be difficult, but that’s because we’re up against satan and his crew in a sinful, fallen world that is no where near perfect.

This song is a great anthem song. It’s a great way to remind ourselves about how bold and strong we can be as children of God. How we can do what He has called us to without worry. But something saddened me as I watched the few thousand people sing this song. I asked myself, do they get it? Do the people around me sitting quietly in their chairs understand the truth behind these words? Because if they did understand the truths and doctrine supporting these lyrics, how could they sit there quietly and not be moved about singing of God’s greatness and power and being able to overcome anyone that gets in the way of doing His will?

I began wondering if they had ever tested God’s power and strength. You know, given their life fully to Him and say, “I’m along for the ride, let me know my part.” Oh the world of comfort we live in. Everyone wants to live a life of comfort. Not take risks. It’s so sad because they miss out on the joy of having God give you the deep desires of your heart.

So next time you sing this song, think about it. Think about the words your singing and ask, “Do I really believe that my God is for me and nothing can stand in my way?”

Here’s the first part that stands out: “Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other. Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!” This is a fundamental part of who God is that anyone who follows God has to get engraved in their brain! God is greater than anything else in the world. ANYTHING! God is stronger than satan, demons, fallen angels, crazy governments, nature, sickness, and EVERYTHING else!

“Hello again everyone, got some exciting news for you.

Long story short, during my time off from ministry in December and January, God used a friend of mine to show me the desire in my heart to return to youth and children’s ministry. The past three years working with college students and young adults has been great! We’ve seen people grow in their walk with God, get involved in the community, and build new friendships. God used these years to grow me spiritually and point out my weaknesses in ministry. So, it’s now time for me to move on to something else while directing college students and young adults in the area to other great ministries that target that age group.

Still feeling a call toward doing ministry overseas, I began looking into ways to minister with youth either in the States or somewhere else in the world. God kept bringing Holland to mind after seeing the need there this past summer. I began talking to YoungLife International and they mentioned contacting Tyndale Theological Seminary in Amsterdam for additional contacts.  After looking into the school, God started showing me what a great opportunity it would be to work on sharpening my tools for ministry while doing ministry in a foreign country. For three years, I will be living just outside Amsterdam, helping with a local church’s youth and children’s ministry, learning the language and culture of Holland, and working on a Masters of Divinity. Already God has provided in several ways: an extra job to earn more money before leaving, a church in Holland to get involved in and help with their youth, half the first year’s expenses sponsored, and money donated to purchase a used bike for transportation once I get there. I also have a couple job possibilities near the church and school to work at and supplement any support not raised before leaving.

Here’s where I ask for you to partner with me in three ways. First, prayerfully. Moving away from family, friends, and church to a foreign country will be exciting, yet challenging. Also pray that I’ll stay focused on God and bringing Him glory while working with the youth. And pray for wisdom and patience as I enter the student mode again.

Second, financially. Most missionaries spend triple or more what it will cost me to do ministry in a foreign country. I’m working two jobs until leaving for Holland on June 22nd to earn as much money as possible, but will still need help to cover the $1,750 a month for living and ministry expenses. If you would be interesting in making a tax-deductible, monthly or one time donation to Tyndale in Amsterdam, please check www.offthecoast.org/sponsor-tory or contact me at 864-660-9255 or toryjalmond@gmail.com for links and info on how to become a sponsor.

Third, verbally. Most missionaries on our mission trip last summer expressed the desire to have people back home communicate with them. It’s exciting to hear news from home and what’s happening in people’s lives, not just share what’s happening in our lives through newsletters and occasional emails. Here are several ways you can keep in touch and up-to-date: @toryalmond, www.facebook.com/tory.almond, www.toryalmond.com, and toryjalmond@gmail.com. I’m planning to post a written or video blog at least once a week to share what God is doing in Holland and what it’s like attending seminary overseas.

Thank you for taking the time to hear what’s happening in my life as I trust God each day for the next step to take in His will. Until next time, keep in touch and God bless.”

If donating, use the link:

http://www.tyndale-europe.edu/index.php?subpage=59&mainpage=25

If making a Paypal donation, add “Support for Tory Almond” in the “Speciale instructies toevoegen voor de verkoper” section before clicking the “Donate $XXXX.XX USD Now” button.

If sending a check to Tyndale Theological Seminary P.O. Box 242 Wheaton, IL 60187, please write “Support of Tory Almond” in the memo line.

After making a donation, please contact Tory directly at toryjalmond@gmail.com so that he may thank you personally for your contribution and keep you up to date with the ministry and studies in Amsterdam.

Here’s the other links mentioned in the video:

toryjalmond@gmail.com

http://twitter.com/toryalmond

http://www.youtube.com/toryjalmond

http://www.vimeo.com/toryalmond