Dear Family and Friends,
I write to you from my new home: Omaha, Nebraska. Despite what anyone said when I told them I was moving here (e.g. “Nebraska!? What's in Nebraska?”), I am in love with this city. Anytime you are moving, I suggest autumn-it's hard not to love at least a Midwest place during fall. Omaha has lovely trees all over, contrasted by an elegant glow of city lights at night. I can sleep with my window open, enjoying a nice breeze and birdsong in the morning (any day your alarm clock is replaced by melodious birds singing is a good day). I've been going on walks and drives to explore my new stomping grounds, and I find a new treasure with each such trip. For instance, I walked through Memorial Park the other day where a World War II memorial bears the names of Omaha casualties in that war, and where a rose garden resembles something from a Jane Austen novel.
I had the first two weeks after my move to get settled, not officially starting work until October 16. However, my first week here, I was able to help out some with preparations for the big Board Meeting weekend on October 5-7. Word Made Flesh USA's board members gather twice a year to go over policy, determine a budget, interview new candidates for full-time overseas positions and commission the new staff members with prayer.
This was a great way for me to gradually get into the groove of WMF, mostly watching how things play out and only helping behind the scenes. I was also able to meet some really amazing people, like Father Emmanuel, the newest board member who works for Duke University at the Center of Reconciliation, and Tara, the WMF medical advisor.
As part of this weekend, the board members and staff surprised Chris Heuerz with a special celebration honoring his 10 years of service as executive director. Chris, whose mind and mouth usually move a million miles per hour, was nearly speechless. He was so humbled by the words and gifts in tribute of him, and he spoke (eventually) gracefully of how it isn't fair for him to be honored above the rest of the staff, for him to be honored while his friends still suffer. It amazed me how this beautiful community came together to work toward a seemingly endless goal, but still we took the time to celebrate where we are and how far we've come.
For instance, Word Made Flesh has bound together a “Field Forum” book for its members. This book shares the imagination that started WMF, explains how that imagination is lived out practically, defines/explores terms we use like “church” and “incarnational,” and sets up methods of accountability. This book is a breakthrough for the missional industry as a whole. Other organizations are looking at what WMF has done. I'm so excited and humbled to be a part of something that can make a difference.
I'm ecstatic to be joining the advocacy department, whose vision is to serve “as a prophetic ministry for, and a holistic, incarnational ministry among, the poor.” We bring the voice of the poor to the church (how appropriate is our magazine's title, “The Cry”), and we bring the church to the poor, including through recruiting people to serve on short-term programs overseas.
I've also been humbled lately about how many roles exist in our everyday lives. We need people who are good with computers, people who are good at fixing toilets, people who are good at dealing with people. I'm humbled by this because there are so many things that I can't do. I can't drive a semi full of food, deliver everyone's mail in my apartment building, or do WMF's taxes. This is where the idea of community comes into play, isn't it? We really do need each other. I think Word Made Flesh is going to be a cool place to work because we do have the people who are each playing their role, plus people come in and volunteer their time to serve on the board or to fix my computer. You aren't in Omaha, so you can't necessarily pop in and help address some envelopes. But you are a part of the Word Made Flesh community. You are ministering to me, for one, through your gracious prayers and financial support. It just blows my mind, the intricate design of a community.
Part of my transition to full-time employment for this year commitment has been to determine what I will need as a net salary. From there, we add taxes, etc., so we tally up what I will need as gross pay. To begin with, I will be getting a net monthly salary of $1,800, or gross of about $2,500. I am hoping that I have overshot my budget and can lower my salary some, but this is what feels right for starters. It's nice to have more solid numbers, because now I know what I have left to raise.
I am so touched by how many of you have been supporting me. Some of you may have given a one-time donation, and others plan to give monthly. With what I have officially been pledged monthly, I have $2,350 left per month. This isn't so scary. If I had 15 people commit to give $100 a month, 10 to give $50, and 15 to give $20, that would be at my mark. Your donations don't have to be large, but if you are willing to commit a number each month for this year, those numbers will greatly add up. Please prayerfully consider being one of my pledgers.
If you cannot make that commitment, please pray that God will provide. He will. He is so faithful! My faith is growing so much in taking the steps to move out here and believe that my needs will be met. Also, please be praying for my mind to be able to grab onto the tasks that await me as I start this new job.
Thank you, as always, for keeping me in your hearts and minds.
Grace, peace, and love,
Mandy Mowers
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you.” Deuteronomy 31:8