Transition

My transition from Athletes in Action to Alongside Ministries International is almost complete!  My time with AIA ended at the end of April.  I continued to work with AIA through the end of the school year in June.  After that, my director left for the States for a Government mandated 6 months and that effectively ended my time with AIA.  I worked at the Multisport Kemp in August and hope to continue to have that ministry opportunity in the future.

My journey to AMI was not clear cut.  Nearly a year ago, i began to look into where God wanted me.  Returning to Prague was not a clear cut decision.  I looked at different ministries and I also looked at going back to school.  Eventually, I do feel called to return to school and get some futher education, but I came to the conclusion that I had unfinished business here in Prague.  Ultimately I didn't feel called elsewhere, so I began looking at other ministries and options in Prague.  A few other things happened during this time span that narrowed my focus on where to look for ministry opportunities.  First, I met Andrew and Amy Funka, who were coming over to Prague with AMI.  Second, I began attending a Czech language church called TaCesta, which means The Way or The Journey, depending on the context.  I began attendign this church simply because Zach attended and had managed to get a number of our football players to attend with him.  I decided it would be good for ministry to go to church where my ministry focus was attending.  

I had looked at a few other ministries, and for one reason or another, those ministries just didn't feel quite right.  So I talked to Andrew about AMI.  After our conversation I began to look more and more into AMI.  After having a conversation with their Executive director, I decided to submit my initial application, which was completed in Mid-July.  At the end of August, I had a preliminary interview, followed by a secondary application which revolved more around personal testimony and theology questions, as well as what ministry looks like for me.  Finally, at the end of September, I had another interview, at the end of which, they gave me an invitation to work with AMI.  

My transition was a much longer process than I had anticipated, but I learned a lot about waiting on God.  I know that God's timing is perfect and that He will bless my ministry here in Prague.  

Over the next few weeks, I will begin the process of support raising yet again.  I have more support needs than I did in the past.  That combined with the fact that my support team has not had a place to support me since March or April will make support raising more of a challenge than it has been in the past.  I also have a very limited window, maybe seven weeks total, to get as much support raised as I can while I am in the States.  

I will be in the States starting around November 9th.  Right now I am at the whim of Czech immigration.  Once they give me a date that I can pick up my visa, I can begin to look into getting a plane ticket.  

Tentatively, I hope to be in Indiana from roughly November 13 to 18.  And I hope to make another trip in December.  I am also looking into trips to other parts of the country.  If you are interested in hearing from me  or having me come talk to a group while I am home, please feel free to email me at micahlembke@gmail.com.