God is so good! I pray that the beginning of 2021 has been a blessing for you and that your January was full of God’s presence and grace. I know mine was!
This year is a big deal for me personally as my husband and I will be welcoming our first child into the world. Throughout my pregnancy I have seen God faithfully answer so many prayers regarding my position here with SGWM and the next steps once Fletcher is born which brings me to some exciting news!
Big News
Even before I knew I was pregnant I was praying that God would raise up and bring the right person to take my position when the time came for me to step into motherhood. I thought that would be a few years down the road yet I was praying that He would raise him or her up from our current batch of interns, not a future batch. Then we got the joyous news and I began praying all the more that God would bring someone capable and called to not only do my job, but to do it better than I have done it. From September to mid-January I prayed, the office staff prayed, and God answered.
Her name is Maribel Blanco and she was a student at our School of Missions in 2020. She has a heart for the unreached, a background in administration and accounting, and a passion to see the Gospel proclaimed throughout the world. This month we began training and she is the perfect fit! It is so wonderful to see the way God has answered the prayers so many lifted up to Him and I truly believe that Maribel will excel here and be an even better servant to our missionaries and our staff.
Where does that leave me?
I won’t be going anywhere. Once Fletcher is born sometime in May I will transition to working from home so that I can adjust to motherhood and still be involved in the ministry. Rather than remaining the administrative assistant, I will become the financial assistant and handle the financial/accounting tasks I have picked up during my almost two years in the office. I will be able to work from home while Fletcher naps and bring him into the office a few times a week to assist our accounting department in anything that is needed.
It is such a blessing to relay this exciting news to God’s glory and I pray that you are encouraged in whatever you are currently praying for. Whether it be the salvation of a loved one, the financial provision of your family, the direction of God in this new year, or anything else, remain fervent and faithful in prayer because He answers!
Prayer Requests
Please pray for Maribel as she learns how to do all of the tasks that allow this ministry to run smoothly. Pray against spiritual attacks from the enemy and that she would remain steadfast in the hope of her calling when those fiery darts do come her way.
Please also pray for wisdom for me as I train her.
I ask for and covet your prayers for my family and the huge transition ahead of us. As I step into part-time work, naturally my income will decrease. We have a lot of one-time costs associated with Fletcher’s birth as well as some on-going increased expenses which I ask you to keep in prayer. Our God has always been faithful to provide for our needs and will remain so. Please pray for strengthened faith as we look to Him and trust in Him for our finances.
If you would like to partner with me financially as I step into my new role(s) with a one-time or regular gift, you can do so at the link below. Just click on the button that says, “Become a Financial Partner” and you will be redirected to a secure online giving page where you can make a donation of any amount. You can also mail a check to Saving Grace World Missions, 17451 Bastanchury Rd, Ste 203, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 with “Hope Douglass Support” in the memo.
Update on Christmas Outreaches…
Thank you for your prayers last month for our Christmas outreaches among the unreached! They were a huge success and I will share pictures and stories in my February update.
May God continue to bless and keep you as you trust in Him.
With love,
Hope