Hello! My name is Nicole Gillette and this is my brand new blog (who knew I'd ever have something to actually blog about?!). Here is a recent-ish picture of me and my precious nephews, Isaiah and AJ, so you get a picture of me in your head while you read and mainly just because they are uber cute!
About 3 months ago I began praying about the possibility of serving with a ministry in Johannesburg, South Africa called Door of Hope http://www.holeinthewall.org.za/. DOH's mission statement reads:
"Our goal is to meet the need as a result of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa, by placing AIDS affected and infected children into loving, stable and Christian environments in order to encourage them to become upright citizens and agents of change in South Africa and the world".
I first heard about DOH and their ministry from my sister, Melinda, who visited DOH on a short-term missions trip in 2003. I have been praying about serving with DOH since that time but the timing has never felt right, until now!
2009 ushered in a new season of life where my next step was not perfectly clear. After spending a few months working on healing from my life's last season and really seeking to delight in the rest that the Father delights in giving me, I felt the Lord encouraging me to make a plan of action and to walk in humility as He changes and molds the "plan" as He sees fit. So (drum roll please!) here's "the plan" as far as I can tell:
I am planning on moving back to the Bay Area (and into my parent's house - woo hoo!) over Thanksgiving break. If I am going to be living out of the country I want to spend some concentrated time with the fam!
I am going to planning, praying, preparing, saving and raising support until the Summer/Fall of 2010 which is when I am planning to move to Johannesburg, South Africa to work with DOH. I am still working out details as far as when I'll be going for sure (the Soccer World Cup is happening in J-berg in July which is affecting ticket prices) but I am planning on living overseas for a year.
There is so much more to say and so much more to come! But seeing as this is my very first blog about this new hopeful adventure, I think I'll leave it at this chunk from Ch. 2 from McManus' Chasing Daylight:
"Paul didn't know where he was going, but he did know why. His compass was the heart of God. He was fueled and driven by the passion and urgency that God had placed in his heart -- to take the life and freedom that comes in Jesus Christ to every person on the face of the earth. What God makes clear is that when we're committed to seizing His divine moments, He'll make sure He gets us to the right place at the right time."
I'm sure this blog is going to get a whole lot more exciting once I set feet on the African continent! As for today, the exciting news is that I will be moving back to the East Bay this weekend! I've rented a moving truck, recruited 3 brave moving buddies (Sarah Jane, Carissa and Shea), started packing and saying sad goodbyes to my Colorado friends and family. In some ways it feels like just yesterday I was packing up and moving to Littleton but when I catalogue all that has happened in these last 4 years it feels more like 20. I am so grateful that I have had the privilege of living, serving and loving here. I am thankful to the Father for growing, protecting, providing and defending me through this adventure in independence and trust. I am so glad that because of the Savior and His love that I will be forever bonded to my brothers and sisters who I can't imagine life without. I'm overjoyed with the promise of eternity...to be able to spend forever with the the One I love most and the precious children He died to redeem. Words cannot express how honored I am to be considered "one of the family"...thank you to all who loved and adopted me these past 4 years. You have been sweet and tangible examples of the Father's deep love for me. Thank you. I will miss you. I can't wait until our paths cross again...
