Dear Friends,
Since I last wrote to you, the thought of graduating on May 19th has become much more tangible: I turned in my senior paper two weeks ago and retrieved my cap and gown from the bookstore yesterday among other tasks. The ceremony on Saturday will represent the end of a formative four years in my life, but in reality the end has been a several months in process. In my usual sentimentality, I began by marking the last 'first day' of this fall and proceeded from there. In the past couple weeks, I have intentionally spent time with friends, reflected on my time at Taylor and expressed my thanks to several faculty and staff.
Last Friday I attended my final chapel at Taylor University; the speaker was Dr. Habecker, the university president. In his address to the student body Dr. Habecker highlighted the university's intention to send graduates into the world as peacemakers. My heart was stirred by his message as I prepare for the next stage of life working in the Omaha office of Word Made Flesh. My prayer is that as I move forward I can learn to be an agent of reconciliation in my relationship with God and others. I would like to share the following passages with you:
Matthew 5: 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. (NLT)
Isaiah 32:17 Right will build a home in the fertile field. And where there's Right, there'll be Peace and the progeny of Right: quiet lives and endless trust. My people will live in a peaceful neighborhood-in safe houses, in quiet gardens. (The Message)
I ask that you join me in prayer concerning the next stage of my life; that I would continue to grow and develop in the likeness of my Jesus as an instrument of peace.
After spending some time in Des Moines with my family this summer I plan to move to Omaha at the end of June to begin my position as the Short Term Programs Coordinator. I have been blessed by your response to my first letter and would love to continue hearing from you. I am still in need of financial support, especially monthly donations, as I plan to be with Word Made Flesh for an extended amount of time. If you choose to make a donation please be sure to include my full first and last name on the response card because my sister is also working with Word Made Flesh in the Peru field (she's M. Ghali, too).
I will continue to keep in touch as I transition to Omaha. If you would like to receive my updates electronically please send me an email. I deeply appreciate your friendship and support.
Peace,
Marcia Ghali
14072 Lakeview Dr.
Clive, IA 50325
marcia.ghali@wordmadeflesh.com
You can access prayer letters and give online at: http://www.wordmadeflesh.com/support/