Spring Break

So this last week was spring break and it flew by!

I did about nine weeks of course work for an online class that I am taking this semester. Packed up five larger boxes of stuff from my room and took them to where they will stay until I get back from Turkey. I cleaned my room multiple times (have you ever noticed how messy it gets when packing?) I also wrote and sent out about half of my support letters. Oh I also got some stuff done at the church that I had been working on.

I spoke Wednesday night at youth group. We have been doing a series on Reconciliation and so I spoke on being reconciled to God. It was really good. The kids are normally really rambunctious and I was not sure how it would go since I had a lot of scriptures and am not the most charismatic speaker... but I started by saying "hey everyone be quite and listen" and remarkably they did I was shocked!

Thursday night we had a family worship night. I was in the nursery and REALLY enjoyed the new carpet, that has padding, that some of the young men had put in during the week! I think the service went well other than a few technology glitches...if all else fails just sing Yes Lord :-)

Friday night we had a youth late nighter 7 PM - 2 AM, us youth workers did not want to do an all nighter :-) it was good the kids all really enjoyed it and we had a good opportunity to bond. I also had a great time hanging out with Nadia!

Saturday night was supposed to be college group but I kind of canceled it...It would have been the same people from all the other nights...and I wanted to just hang out with Bre...so we went to the mall with Talena. We ended the night with meeting Kent and Garret and watching Tron at the cheep theater. I would not recommend this movie there was a ton of modernistic worldview junk in it that was annoying. But then some would say I am to sensitive to such things...

I also throughout the course of the week went shopping with Marca. She took me to the mall and helped me find some really cute jeans. Got contacts, oh Mom Dad i have contacts now :-). Got a haircut and replenished my makeup supply and worked.

And yet this week has been so relaxing and now that school has started up again I think I have developed a case of seniorites...

Turkey

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you to all the people who have been supporting me throughout my life with prayer and wise mentoring. I am GRADUATING! Yes, the time has finally come when I will be able to walk down the aisle and get a piece of paper! No, not a ring. These past two years at New Hope C** College have been a whirlwind of opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen others. I will be graduating with a BA in intercultural studies.

The Lord has been laying on my heart the desire to spread His love and truth to unreached people groups. A great opportunity has opened up for me to go to Turkey with The Evangelical Alliance M**(TEAM). The country of Turkey is in great need of the message as less than 1% know our Savior. I, and another short termer I have yet to meet, will help resident workers plan and execute the Olive Grove camps. We will also be counselors at the camps and participate in outreach ministry to the poorer Turkish youth.

Olive Grove, a camp designed to help children and youth grow and develop as individuals, as friends of God and others, and as followers of our Savior, is two full weeks with well over 100 campers and 30+ staff members, representing nearly 20 nationalities! Olive Grove is located alongside the Mediterranean Sea, in the peaceful village of Çıralı, at the base of Mt. Olympos. Ex-patriot children living in Turkey attend along with a growing percentage of Turkish campers.

During the month of July we will be doing outreach clubs to poorer youth in Turkey. These will involve teaching English, playing sports, and doing crafts with the kids. We will also be teaching Sunday School and doing some activities with their youth group.

I can’t do this alone! Above all I need your prayers, for changed lives, opportunities to share, receptive hearts, and yes, safety. I also need financial help. This commissioned, minded trip will be from May 20^th – August 8^th (I might possibly be spending two of those weeks in Japan). I must have $6010 raised my May 7^th to pay for the Turkey expenses. All donations are tax-deductable and should be sent to TEAM at “TEAM, P.O. Box 969 Wheaton. IL 60187-0969.” Checks should be made out to TEAM, with a note specifying it is for Kristina Goecker. I would love to hear from you and know if you are able to be praying for me.

Cell Phone: (541) 337-7320 (will not be working after May 17^th)

Email: kokobean1@gmail.com

Blog: http://awalkinthewild.blogspot.com

Facebook: facebook.com/krista.goecker

Sincerely,

Krista Goecker

P.S. Do not use the word “m*ssi*n” or any other religious type wording when corresponding through electronic means.

Update

Hey everyone,

So the last couple of months have been a whirlwind!

But the Lord has really been blessing me. My classes are all going well and continue to challenge me to grow and lean more on Him. For one of my classes we have been studying a theology topic of our choice using all the different methods of theology. I chose the topic of redemption and it has been so eye opening to look at it in the Bible, history, and what others have said.

Bre and I were both in the school drama again and that was enjoyable.

I have also been helping a lot at my church, Lively Stone Fellowship, and the ministry is really starting to take off. We had our youth retreat and the Lord really showed up and provided in many amazing ways. I can really see the Lord moving in and through the church and it has been encouraging.