100% is In!

This is an amazing day! God has done all that I asked and all that my prayer partners prayed. As of 8:45 this morning, He supplied that last $46 per month and I am now at 100%. He supplied it before I sent in my report for salary in June, in time, as I asked Him to. He is so good. His way is a Royal Way, He supplies royally for his children, not just sufficiently, but royally!
There is so much more to this story today. It will have to wait until another post. Suffice it to say, that there is so much going on right now in the EFCA headquarters, and so much change. This morning I wondered if God intended for me to even go, although I could not ignore all that He has done in the last few weeks in order to prepare me to go! As my pastor Randy suggested, I asked God to tell me what to do. He did, by supplying that last of the support and by rewarding our prayers and our faith in Him! I hope to explain in more detail soon. Praise God with me! He has done amazing things!

Taking Peirogies to Wisconsin

Trying to get all those little things done before I leave. I have learned to appreciate certain ethnic foods here in New England. Through the hospitality of a good friend and supporter I learned how to make peirogies this week. Elaine Eli has made these mashed potatoe filled pastries almost all here life. This Polish traditional food is a rarity to me. Having learned how to make really (I mean really) good Italian "sauce" last year from another good friend, I wanted to take this Polish meal with me as well.
We made Onion and potatoe peirogies and even tried some with sweet potatoe! YUM. Smelled great, and tasted great too. Kinda heavy on the carb content, but what they hey, ethnic food is totally worth it!
On the support front, you have to know! I am now at 96% support and climbing! I have set a move date for June 3. Mom, Dad, Sharma and I will drive out of Connecticut on Saturday and arrive in Menomonie late Sunday evening. We're currently making plans for moving, such as which truck to rent and how much I must move. Although we've packed a lot so far, we still have a bunch to do; and we're all sure that it will be a very busy moving day!
Tonight I will be attending the last meeting of a monthly winetasting group, that I have been with for the last year and a half. They have heard that I'm leaving now, for the last year, and they can hardly believe this will actually be my last. This group of people is quite diverse, made up of a few Americans and a number of resident Turkish folks. What a wonderful group of people and a great opportunity it has been to represent Christ amoung them. They know I'm leaving to be a missionary and they have had very good questions. I will miss them very much.
Next week will be filled with not only packing, but also a number of "lasts" as well. Youth group, another dinner with friends, and a girls day out on Saturday. It's amazing how fast this is coming on.
I am still praying that God will supply the remaining $166 dollars per month of support, as well as another daily prayer partner. I know He will. Some have said that well, 96% is good enough. But I know God better now, and as Brother Andrew would say God supplies His people Royally and that means to me to the full extent, not just good enough. He said to me, "I will do for you all that you ask", and I'm asking to fulfill what the authorities over me require, 100%. So, I am faithfully trusting God to complete that, as He has done so amazingly these last few weeks.
Thanks for your support and your time! I look forward to sharing this adventure with you! 

My commissioning service

Commissioning of Dagney Pitts (5-7-2006)
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.

Hi, sorry my post is late in coming. I've been on a family vacation, which was wonderful!
God was so very gracious to me and He totally showed up at this service. My pastors Dave and Randy were such a blessing to me and organized such a precious service. There was both a 8:30 and 11:00 service, but the format was essentially the same. Pastor Dave preached not only to me, but also to the congregation! That it was all of us together in this endeavor. I loved it! He spoke about Gods faithfulness. The elders and missions committee members came up and layed hands on me as they prayed. The weight of their hands was impressive and made that moment for me very sacred. I literally felt as though we were a body, together going to the mission field. I was most impressed with the solemness of the service and the felt presence of the Holy Spirit. It was more than humbling, it was.....I don't know how to explain it. It was simply sacred. Wow.
Pastor Randy told the congregation of my financial and prayer needs. How wonderful to have another speak on that account and how freeing for me to speak about other things when it was my turn to respond. It meant so much to have Pastor Randy pray for me, after sharing with him my concerns regarding prayer and faith; knowing that he knew my struggles. He was such wonderful counsel last Friday before the service.
This last week following the service, I spoke with member of Calvary who joined my prayer team and others who joined my financial team. I now have a growing list of prayer partners (who are praying for the fianancial situation) and am now at 92% support!!
One last comment. I was blown away by God when a member of Calvary came to me following the second service, to share some scripture that she felt God wanted her to share with me. It was Ruth 3. When Ruth had layed at Boaz's feet to ask him for help in being her kinsman redeemer. This friend told me the verses that say "my daughter, do not be afraid. I will do for you all that you ask". She shared this with me and then left. It was such a huge encouragement. God has heard my prayers. And when I am nervous or should I rather say, scared, when I think of the money that is left to raise in the time that is left to raise it. I think of this verse,...."do not be afraid", " I will do for you all that you ask"; it calms my heart especially knowing that God wanted me to specifically hear this verse.
Thank you for your prayers, your support and your friendship. I look forward to seeing how God is going to do this all by May 25!

Commissioning this Sunday!

This Sunday, my pastor Dave McIntyre has graciously allowed me to be commissioned before the whole church. We are hoping that this be a great opportunity for our congregation to be made aware of the work of missions going out from Calvary and to pray for me as I go. I hope that there will be more who will step forward as prayer partners for me because of the service.
Please pray that I will honor God in all I do and say and that others will consider missions for themselves as well!
The link for Calvary's webpage highlights the service this Sunday!http://www.calvaryefc.com

Prayer? You're not serious!

Gotta give you an update. Lots......has been going on. Jesus has seen fit to use the events of the last few days, as well as a well-timed book and a few good friends and mentors to reveal to me why my support has been stalled.
I believe it is because I have not taken prayer seriously, nor found it an important factor in my support process. I believe that He has not allowed these churches to support me financially, because He wants to make it all the more obvious that He is doing the providing. It is even more impossible for me to work out the remaining support and that is exactly what He was planning.
I have been reading the book "Gods Smuggler" about Brother Andrew. He was a prayerful and faithful Christian who smuggled Bibles into communist europe and is now helping bring the scripture to other persecuted areas. Wow. The timing of this book has been amazing and thanks to Flori Lee's help I've been exposed to it. Gods timing.
I am still a bit scared, and unerved by events. I am fully trusting and relying on God to supply the remaining support. I am going to wait and see what He arranges. In the meantime, I am trying to build a serious prayer team.
I need at least 12 people to pray for me every day!! and I would like to have a list of people who will pick one day a month to pray for me. Maybe over their morning coffee or on their drive to work that day. But I need serious prayer coverage.
I am also studying how to be better in prayer myself. Of course, God has made me more aware of prayer in scripture as well as bringing it up in Sunday school and the pastors sermon on Sunday.
Brother Andrew doesn't have to be the only one able to see Gods' hand in his life. I believe now, that the reason we don't see God working through prayer is that we don't give him the big stuff often enough. We are always able to get through it on our own effort. It's only when we're forced into these situations and "all" we have left is prayer; that we make the effort.
I still have questions. James 5, God promises to answer prayer that is believed. But.....not all prayer is answered our way. The sick are not always healed. Just because we pray for it, does not make it happen. Why does He say He will answer prayers that way?
I will believe that there are answers to these questions. I do believe that God is compassionate and merciful. I do believe He hears the prayers of the righteous. No matter how I feel. I believe that He is good, He is in control, and He knows my needs. But I must ask.

thoughts on discouragement

So, where do I start. I felt like talking to the blogosphere. There are a few I know who read this and a few surprises. Thing is, I got discouraging news today in the form of a refusal of support from a church I was not only hoping would support my ministry but was believing would do so. This event is nothing new, it's just at a time when I need things to happen fast and deadlines are creaping up on me.
It's not new that a church would turn me down, has happened a number of time. In fact, it's catchy.....
Just got a phone call while writing this, with yet another refusal.Wayside Chapel in San Antonio, has "too many missionaries and too little support". It's a common theme. Churches around America are reconsidering what kind of missionaries that they will support and even cutting off some from their lists. Who am I to come in at a time like that? Popular ministries are doing well, missions to Asia and the 1040 window as well as any other form of muslim ministry that doesn't fit in the 1040.
Can I just say I'm discouraged. I don't want to doubt God or displease Him. I want to have faith but.....what is faith? What is the difference between believing something will happen and being foolish? Then, when we have doubts, do we kill the whole thing because we're doubting? I understand that just believing something will happen does not mean that God has to make it so. But how do I know when to trust and believe and when to...what....do something?
Why does God make it so hard for missionaries to go? Why is money such a stupid big deal? When I decided to do this, I certainly wasn't thinking of what a great salary I'd get. I wanted to work with Youthbuilders. That's it. I wanted to be involved in short term missions with teens. Money, "support" has become the work. I hate this. And who am I to complain? Missionaries do this and have been doing this for ages! Even Jesus had to have the support of others. A few women travelled with him and the disciples for three years and supported them out of their own means. I shouldn't feel like a beggar, like a lazy person. I've talked to the missionaries in the short term office and they certainly work hard, and I know that hard work is ahead of me. But is that it? Work harder?
I have been reading a recommended book called "God's Smuggler" about a young man who smuggled Bibles into communist lands, and the amazing stories of living by faith. One story was how they got a CAKE in time for a tea that they promised students who would come to an evangelism rally. CAKE! Like, how in the world did those guys know that God would honor such a request! How did they know that what they were doing was in His will. They just promised a tea knowing they had no money, and then waited for God to supply their needs for it. Come on! Cake is certainly not a need. They did give away as easily as they were given it, but does that mean that God is not providing because I'm not giving enough? How much should I DO, before I "please" Him enough? I know that's not it either. I know that Jesus isn't all about doing things to please Him. It's about knowing and talking and being with Him. So what is the answer? What IS living by faith?
To anyone who has made it this far, I feel better just talking....well typing...but I have a request for prayer. Prayer that I'll be fully supported by the deadline of May 25 ( I have to give the mission the notice by then in order to receive any salary for June). And prayer that God would be pleased to teach me what all of this is about and give me hope as well as new ideas of who to ask and whom to go for support. I'm all dried up.

Another Goodbye

I had a final visit with my Disaster Action Team Director Ramone Jimenez, at the Red Cross headquarters in Fairfield. I was priviledged to serve with the Southern Fairfield County Red Cross chapter in the DAT teams. We responded to fires in our area and were able to be part of peoples lives at difficult times. I would recommend volunteering with the Red Cross to anyone! I've learned so much, including what logistics are and how to be a part of a team to accomplish a goal!
It's amazing what the RedCross actually does, and it's not just Blood Collection, in fact it is mostly behind the scenes stuff!
So I've had to "retire" from my team leader position and will definately miss it; although I don't think I'll miss hearing the phone ring at 3:30 AM to hear, "uh, Daganee, we have a fire..":-) Thanks Ramone, for the DAT experience and for all your sacrifice at the Fairfield chapter!
Just one of the goodbyes that are happening and are sortof catching me by surprise. 

Chasing down an apartment

This is me and my future roomate, Josie Siler. Josie worked for YouthBuilders as the office administrative assistant and has just left to work full-time at her local church office. Josie is a missionary candidate too, but with the Christian Missionary Alliance. She plans to leave sometime next year after she pays off her school bills. That's where I come in. Because Josie can stay with me, she will be able to pay off her bills on time. I get to have some company, and we both can now afford DSL ! :-)
Last week I spent 2 days in Menomonie searching for an apartment. My parents traveled with me and were a great help in asking questions. So I've finally chosen the place, it fits all my needs as well as Josie's and my start date is May15. Now, I can't go yet. I have to finish raising another $760 per month. So please pray for God to provide. I am in such a place that I have to be making the plans without the full security of my complete support. This is where trust is coming in. I battle myself with thoughts that I need to find ways to make this work; but realize that I can't. I am waiting on God. It sounds so trite. But seriously....I don't know what else to do. $760 seems so little and yet, so much. Please pray for me in this. My commissioning date is now May7, and I've got to start paying for my apartment May 15. Wow. It's actually happening!!!! Thanks for reading!! 

Replaced by a computer!

So, this is the ultimate! Have yourself replaced by a machine, in fact a lot of machines! I have worked for Dan Getz at BG Lubricare Dist. of CT for the last, oh, many years. I can't remember how long, 7 years or more. I have been doing data entry for their sales invoicing. But since I will be moving to Wisconsin in order to begin to work for the EFCAIM, they decided to get technologically advanced instead of replace me with more help. Now all the salesmen will carry Palm's connected to modem's and record, print and download all their invoices. It's actually a really cool set up! Bill Stratton suggested that they call these Palms "dagney" so that when something goes wrong they can blame, "Dagney". Very funny..... So here's another proof that I am to be moving soon. I'm even losing my position with the best company in Connecticut, and a great job under the best boss in the world, Dan Getz. He has been an amazing example to me and a great example to anyone who desires to honor God in the world of small business! Thanks Dan for all the years of working for BG and I wish you as much blessing as God will give you. 

Moving in MAY?

Oh I hope so! Looks like we're getting closer and closer! I am at 85% support now and there's only $770 left to raise per month! I am on partial support now, and have closed my business for dog training! Weird!
More about this later.

Visit to San Antonio and Degirolomo's

So, we went to San Antonio to visit Karen and Rick, Doug, Jenn and Jason Todd. It was really weird to see our Calvary youth pastor now serving at Wayside EFC. We had a chance to see SanAntonio and to catch up too. I was asked to speak to the Jr. High kids and took the chance, of course. After talking to Rick and Jason, we're hoping to get some Youthbuilders activity from Wayside and I know that they'll be pleasantly surprised by how good Youthbuilders is. Jenn and Jason Todd, who serve as JrHigh leaders at Wayside have been YB leaders to Peru and they loved it. Hopefully we'll see them again on a trip.

Calvary Senior girls at Winter retreat

Me and a new friend from the FSTML conference, John. He works with Wycliffe Bible Translators in California. the Fellowship of Short Term Mission Leaders conference was a great encouragement and a great motivator for me. We spent 4 1/2 days of focusing on making short term missions efforts excellent and full of time for networking with other leaders. I can see why so many of them return year after year!
Posted by Picasa

Short Term Missions conference

I'm hanging out with Short Term missions leaders from all over the country and internationally! We just started our conference today, here in Atlanta, Georgia. The topic of the session tonight was International Justice and was given by a lawyer who is part of a ministry that speaks on behalf of people caught in illegal practices all over the world. It was so inspiring and touching. I was also inspired by his exegesis of the story of the loaves and fishes and how Jesus asked the Disciples....what do you HAVE? and to the boy maybe....look what I can do with your LUNCH! Meaning, let's not be overwhelmed with the task (ie. feeding 5,000 people) give what we have to Him and He will accomplish great things through us. He also said, God's way of making His Goodness known to the world is showing His goodness through US. That there is no other plan, no plan "B" for the task of letting Him be known, we are IT. The main text this conference is Micah 6:8 ..Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God."
Check out the International Justice Mission at www.ijm.org all you law inclined friends.....maybe God has a place for you in rescuing those who are oppressed and have no one to speak for them, no advocate! Will you?
So, I have a roomate, who currently is all alone because I'm here writing to you... and she is cool. She is from India originally.
So this conference has begun well. I'll let you know how it goes!

I went to Wisconsin!

Hi!
At the very last minute I decided to include myself in a retreat that the Short term missions office was having in Menomonie Wisconsin. I'm so glad I went. Everyone from my future office team was there, even some of the other candidates. We got to get to know each other so much better and learn about what each of our strengths are and how we will best fit in at the office.
I even got to be blind and have no use of my arms for lunch one day! Yah, see we had to break up into groups of 5 and then we were all assigned special handicaps that we were to perform durring out lunch break. Out team was given 4$ per person and we were to get ourselves out to lunch eat it and get back, also having learned something new about each other during the event. So! I got "blind and missing both arms". Not until I got into our vehicle did I realize that that meant I wasn't going to be able to feed myself. Oh, fun....yah. but at least I didn't have to see the people who were staring at us as we wadled into the Taco Mac and fed each other and made signlanguage to our mute guy.:-)
So we stayed at a camp in upstate Wisconsin, and FROZE!! the second day. We had some super times praying together and talking about what God is teaching us; as well as laughing and having a good time together. I am really looking forward to working with this group of people. Something that I was afraid of because of the lack of a sense of teamwork; now gives me great encouragement. I can't wait, and now that I'm pushing 70% it is looking like more of a reality!
Thanks for all your help in getting me this far. If it weren't for those of you who are already a part of this team, I'd be so discouraged. THANKS!

I'm an Aunt! My nieces name is Aurora Anne Pitts. She was born Sept.4. I'm gonna teach her how to fly! ;-)
Posted by Picasa

What an Adventure!

Wow! Missed flight, midnight train from Praha(Prague, Czech Republic) and a fabulous time in Slovakia!
We have made it back safely after two weeks in Hermanovce, Slovakia amoung a church family there led by a wonderful pastor, Pastor Peter Pristiak. They made us feel so welcome and at home.
We lived in their church and worked on the future Christian camp site during the morning and part of the afternoon, and then held a kids English class at 4:30 until dinner time. We liked the hard sweaty work in the site ( I blew my shoulder!, dummy) and the girls fell in love with the kids. It was hard to leave. WE really enjoyed getting to know the young people at the church who, left on their own mission trip to Ukraine durring our first week. We climbed up to Falcon Rock, saw a real Castle and learned to really love Hermanovce as "home".
We saw God provide strength and purpose and we heard how our work was investing into the long term goals of the Hermanovce church. They are beginning a unique work in Slovakia with the very first Christian camp of it's kind there. We also were able to begin what may become a long term ministy to children. We held their first class for kids! Those kids were great!
If any of you from Hermanovce are reading this! We SOOO miss you! Tell Maya and Lubka to write and tell us all about Ukraine! and Magdalena......words cannot say how much you meant to us, thank you.....and may we meet again!
I KNOW God wanted us to be in Hermanovce and He taught us alot about Himself and we are so blessed to have had a chance to meet brothers and sisters in Slovakia! We love you.

Our Slovakia Team leaves Friday July 22. Dagney (me), Jessica, Vivian and Hannah!
Posted by Picasa

2 Weeks and we're in Slovakia!

I'm heading off to Slovakia with three teens from Calvary church on July 22! We have so much to accomplish, I can hardly believe it's gonna be that soon!
We've been meeting every Sunday afternoon for 2 hours, memorizing James, preparing English lessons (10 of them to be taught for 2 hrs each), and getting all the various tickets, luggage stuff .....and of course, eating Perogies!-typically potatoe/cheese stuffed bread things!. yumm.
Our biggest challenge right now, is the enormous cost of the airline tickets. $1200 each! whew!
We did a special event, Bible lesson this week...beginning at a maternity ward, then to a nursing home, and followed by a visit with a local funeral home......THAT was weird! AFter all that, we had lunch of Polish perogies and stuffed cabbage at a....cemetery! Makes one wonder about us huh? :-)Actually, it was really cool. Very interesting. The topic was maturity. What IS maturity? There is a difference between age, and maturity. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example to believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" Timothy
Believe me! Adults can be much less mature than teens on the mission field in many ways.
So, we've got about $700 more each to raise before we go. But, we're excited and expectant!!
New York to Kosice,Slovakia ---July 22!!!!

Memorize? ME?

I am going to Slovakia this summer, with a few girls from Calvary. I'll tell more about that in another post. But in preparation for the trip in July, one of the requirements is to memorize the book of James! Yes, the BOOK! So I'm on verse 25.
What is really cool, is that I think about those verses all the time! Today it was specifically encouraging! "If any one lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault!" and......as I continue to learn to keep my mouth shut!!!!!....."Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires"!!!