January 2009 Updates and Big News!

The Time Has Come

Since I moved here in July of 2006, I knew God would bring this season to an end when the time was right. Each year, as it came time to renew or terminate my commitment with WGO, I fervently prayed and asked the Lord for wisdom and discernment. Each year, He provided an answer.

This year was different. Beginning in May of 2008, I was seeking the Lord and His face concerning what to do in June of 2009, as I knew that a decision would need to be made by the end of 2008. At the end of 2008, I felt a peace about not knowing which way I would go, but I still didn’t know what to do. I rested in that peace and continued to ask the Lord for His wisdom over the Christmas vacation.

Two Words: Be Faithful

The time had come and gone to decide and I still didn’t feel a firm answer from the Lord. The ministry asked for my decision. For the first time, maybe in all my Christian life, I felt the Lord saying: “Shelly, just make a decision. You can go either way, just choose one and be faithful.” Two key words stuck out to me: be faithful. At this point, I knew that either way: stay or go, just be faithful. Be faithful.

So, I have chosen to continue my life in the United States starting in June of 2009, which is when my current term with WGO ends. My emotions vary. I am very excited at the opportunities that have presented themselves back in the States. My heart breaks to leave this ministry, at least for a time. I do see myself continually being involved, be it through short-term trips, or financially giving and prayerfully supporting this ministry. Please continue to lift up this ministry in your prayers. Pray that God will send someone to fill my shoes. Pray for a peaceful time of transition for those here as well as for me.

Academic Success

I have watched so many of my students grow academically. I can remember one student in particular. She came to me with poor reading skills and a true lack of Phonics knowledge, therefore, impacting her reading, writing and spelling. I knew that she would be coming through my class. At the time, I had the option to move on with my current class, therefore, not having her in class. It would take a lot to bring her up to speed. I really didn’t want the extra work. It was recommended that I stay at her grade level and help bring her up to par. I did. In the course of one school year, she went from making D’s and F’s to making the A/B Honor Roll! Her academic goal this year is to make the A Honor Roll and she is well on her way! Praise God!

Three Years of Giving
God has continually confirmed me and blessed me with finances. Even over this past year, I have gained more monthly supporters than ever before. In the past, I have depended mostly on “special gifts” and the monthly gifts subsidized the financial reserve from special gifts. Each month, the ministry deposits all of my monthly support into my checking account and then, that which is given as a “special gift” is added to the monthly gifts to help me have enough to meet my approved budget each month. This year, about half of my budget is covered by monthly gifts, the other half is covered by the “base” that is built in my account.

Finishing Strong: I Need You
I need you to know that my financial reserve account is running low. Right now, there is enough to cover one month of my budget. What does this mean? This means that, without my monthly supporters, the finances will run out after February. But, it also means that with my monthly supporters giving faithfully each month, through June, and with the rest being subsidized by the reserve account, I can make it about three more months. The timetable does not match up: three months is April. I am committed through the end of June.

To make a complicated thing simple: I want to finish strong! I believe that God will provide for me to finish out the time that I’ve committed here, but I will need your help. If you give monthly, thank you so much! Please help me finish strong by giving monthly through the end. If you give special gifts, and maybe you’ve been waiting to give, I ask you, please give now. I need about double of what is currently in my reserve account. Whatever is leftover in my account, the ministry will give to me over three months after I’m gone to help with the transition and to lessen worry of immediate need for finances. Remember, you can give online at www.wgoreach.org or mail a check made out to WGO to the address in the bar on page one, designating the check to “Medlock fund.”

I know that you probably have questions about what I will do. I don’t have exact plans yet, but I’ll be glad to share with you ideas that I do have. Shoot me and e-mail: Shellymedlock@gmail.com and I’ll fill you in!

Thanks for taking this journey with me. God has made a difference through me. He has recently revealed that to me through the words of those I’ve been with over the past three years. Without you, and your belief in this ministry and mission, God would have had someone else to be His hands and feet here. Instead, the blessing is all mine, and what a joy it has been!

Be Blessed in Jesus-

Shelly