First bit of information on NYC

Dear family and friends,

Some of you know but most of you do not, I am moving to New York City to be a missionary with LAMP Ministries. It is a Catholic Ministry that has been around for 25 plus years. Hopefully this email will answer most of the questions, but if you have any questions I will be happy to answer them.

I have wanted to be a missionary since I was a little girl. I remember reading about Amy Carmichael (missionary in China) when I was 6 or so and specifically praying by my bed at that tender age, asking God to let me do the same thing. Well He has answered my prayer 19 years later :) I have researched and visited with LAMP for well over a year, and know beyond a doubt this is where God is calling me. Please don't mistake me, this decision has been hard. I am leaving so much here in KC and will miss you all very much.

I will be leaving October 30th or 31st and arriving November 1st on All Saints Day. I will be making a minimum 2 year commitment, but many of their missionaries renew their commitment. LAMP provides their missionaries with room and board, a small stipend, insurance, and much encouragement and support. LAMP Ministries primary ministries are with the poor. They visit homeless shelters, lead after school programs, visit the sick, feed the hungry, work with Pro-Life ministries, and many more. I do not know where I will be working, but trust in God to guide the directors to lead them to a great placement for me. I will be living in a house with other women missionaries. The greatest part there is an Adoration chapel in the house!! I have not met the roommates yet, but am excited to do so. I'll come home on vacations and will look forward to visiting with you. Check out their website at www.LAMPministries.org.

I will be sending out periodic emails and starting a blog. It will just be basic updates of what is going on with the ministry and so on. I will also post this information on myspace. Please let me know if you would like to be on the email list to receive and email about once a month. If you do not tell you want to be one it, I will not add you (don't worry!)

Folks, I will depend on your prayers and please be assured you are in mine. You will never be far from my heart. Thank you so much for all the love and support you have shown me.

Always,
Esther

And here we go!

OK first let me say I am not a blogger, but I thought I would give this a go. This is a blog primarily for family and friends to have an idea of what my life is all about when I go to NYC. As most of you know I have decided to take a position with LAMP Ministries in NYC as a missionary. I will work on keeping this updated and current as possible. God bless you all!

Love you all!!
Esther