Jenny's Journey Around the World

On my way to China!

2010-06-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

Monday I accepted a teaching position in China!? *Beijing, China* Never before had I imagined myself living in China. I have always only thought of myself as an African girl, through and through. Ha, I guess I can't say that anymore. It's fantastic and exciting where the Lord can take you when you let everything go and just decide to follow Him!

So, I guess it all started when I first came back from Mozambique. After hibernating for a couple of weeks, I ventured out with my mom and Aunt Dawn to the Grand Rapids Museum. They were having exhibits from around the world. That's where I ran across a booth for the Grand Rapids African Community Center. I was just looking for ways that I could get involved with Africa while not actually being there. So, I signed up to volunteer. The next week I called to see how I could help. They told me they were in need of ESL tutors. I told her that I didn't have any experience in that, but she told me that didn't matter and wanted to pair me with a lady immediately. And, that is how I met Angelique.

Right from the start I wanted to find some sort of training to help me tutor Angelique. A few months later I took a short class through Bethany Christian Services. Around that same time I had ran across a course that I could take that would actually certify me in TESOL/TESL. I felt very sure that taking the course was my next step. I ended up taking most all of my tax return and signing up for the course. Then I had to wait.

The course didn't start till May, so I did what I could to busy myself till then. I continued to tutor Angelique as well as build on our quickly growing friendship! During those few months I would meet with her every Monday and Friday morning for 2 hours. But only about an hour of that did we really seriously work on English. Mostly we would laugh and giggle with each other and watch and play with Sindi.

Then May came and my classes went by very fast. They were long and intensive and I learned a lot. The week after my classes were over I was excited to try out everything that I had learned on Angelique. But God had other plans. Angelique had gotten a job! It was a huge achievement for her and I couldn't be prouder. It was a close to one chapter in both of our lives and a bright beginning to another.

Only a week after I got certified, my job search began. One Friday the 4th my resume went out to 3 different contacts in China. By Monday the 7th I had my first 2 offers. Two days later I had the interview I was waiting for.

Later that evening I was realistically trying to think about how I was going to come up with the money for a plane ticket to China. I had made the decision to sell my car. The next afternoon I thought I would go ahead and post some ads online to try and sell my car. I just figured it might take me a few weeks to get a bit, so I would get a jump on it. Within 5 mins of posting it on Craigslist I got an email from a guy that was interested and wanted to take a look at it when he got off work. So I made a mad dash to clean the car and get all my personal affects out of it in order to show it. I went ahead and made a proof of sale document, just in case. By 7:00 that evening my car was sold! I had my money for a plane ticket, now just needed the job.

After reviewing the contract from Expertise Education we scheduled to meet again this Monday, the 14th. I was offered the job at the end of that meeting. Finally I accepted that job offer later that afternoon! So, now I can really say that I am on my way to China. I need to arrive on August 16th for orientation and training and start teaching September 1st. Yay!

I am beyond thrilled for this new adventure to been.

I'm Certified!

2010-06-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

Oxford 453 Class

My Certificate!

Class Clown Picture

Everything that has a beginning, must also come to an end.

2010-06-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

So, about two weeks ago I finished tutoring Angelique. I have been helping her since January with her English. On Monday May 31, Angelique told me that she got a job and that she wouldn't be able to meet for tutoring anymore. I should have been happy about this. This is part of what we were work towards, for her to learn English well enough to function here in American and be able to obtain employment. Mission accomplished right? Sure, but I was sad too. I had grown close to Angelique and little Sindi. I enjoyed my Monday and Friday morning, going and spending time with them. We had become friends! But God had it all worked out. He was closing that chapter of my life so that He could open the next. And not just for me but for Angelique as well.
It is always nice to know that you have made an impression on someones life though. Last night, Angelique called me tell let me know how much she missed me and wanted me to come visit soon. My heart swelled just at the sound of her voice and to hear little Sindi in the back ground. At that moment I realized what a huge mark she had also made in my life! Relationships are one of the most important and valuable possessions we can obtain in life. Cherish them with all your heart!

Tutor Time

2010-03-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

Angelique, the young lady that I tutor english to, and her two lovelies, Frida and Sindi.

Here again is Angelique and Sindi, whom I spend my Monday and Friday mornings with.

Here is Angelique and me finishing up our tutor time. Sindi is wanting the camera from her sister so she too can have fun taking some pictures.

Sindi, 1 1/2 yrs. old

Frida, 5 yrs. old and in first grade

What's Next!?!

2010-03-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been back from Africa for almost 3 months now. The question that I have been asking myself, even before getting back, has been "What's Next?” I have slowly but surely been letting go of what I thought my life/ministry was going to look like. I have therefore decided to embrace the adventure that the Lord is laying before. The hardest part for me is not being able to see years into the future, but to simple take it as it comes. It is definitely not looking like what I thought it would. But that is all part of the excitement in letting go and letting God. I know that He has much better and more exciting things planned for me than what I had for myself.

Just a couple of weeks after coming back, I got involved with volunteering at Grand Rapids African Community Center. I started tutoring a young lady that just moved here from Burundi, Africa with her English. I very much enjoy spending time with Angelique and her little 1 ½ yr. old daughter Sindi. I meet with her at her house every Monday and Friday from 10am-Noon. I started out winging it, not really knowing what I was doing. But just having Angelique read through a book and helping her understand and answer the questions. Then last Thursday I took a short ESL training class through Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids. Since my involvement with tutoring Angelique, I started looking into and praying about how this could play into what God has for me the future. I have decided to take a Certification Course in May for TESOL/TEFL (also known as ESL). Basically it is teaching English as a second language abroad.

Once I get my Certification, I hope to find a job teaching abroad for a couple of years to get some experience under my belt. I am currently looking into China or Brazil as my top picks. China would just be an amazing experience as well as getting me on another continent. Brazil, because I could also learn Portuguese while I am there, making it easier for when the Lord calls me back to Mozambique.

Well, that is what is going on right now. Till next time…

~28~

2010-03-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday, 28th birthday! I can faintly remember when birthdays were something exciting, ha. I have not been excited about my birthday for about 5 years now. I can’t explain it. I do always feel blessed, but gitty or thrilled…hardly! I sit here pondering, why? Maybe because at this age, I would have thought that my life would have been different. But don’t most of us feel that way, at any age past 21? By now, I had pictured myself graduated from college, married, and with at least one baby, living in Africa somewhere. Not the case. Never the less, I choose to be happy with where I am at. I’ll choose to embrace 28. My mother tells me it IS the Magic Year!

I am definitely a work in progress, I have felt this most strongly in the past year, and know this is just the beginning. I have elected to pursue my role as a learner in this journey that we call life. I want to read more, have more meaningful conversations, listen more, take more classes, take more walks, make more friends. I want to live to a higher standard than I have in years past, meaning that I want to live out the person that I know is on the inside. Grow in more confidence in myself and the person that God has called me to be, live everyday in a missional mindset. Happy Birthday to Me!

Post Africa Update

2010-01-20T08:17:00.000-08:00

Dearest Friends and Loved Ones,

First and foremost I want to Thank You for all of your support and prayers during my time in Mozambique, Africa.

I am so sorry for not updating in awhile. I got back from Mozambique on New Year’s Eve.

I have pretty much stayed close to home, just trying to re-adjust. I was actually a bit sick with a staph infection for the first couple weeks. Thanks to modern medicine, that has cleared up.

I am currently taking a 'Perspectives' class here in Holland on Monday nights. It is another mission’s course, to keep me focused on the task at hand. I am taking it with a friend, who is herself getting ready to head to Ecuador with her family as missionaries.

While I was in Mozambique I took a ton of photos. Actually, I took a few, and let my new Mozambican friends take most of them. I found that an easy way to make friends was to just whip out my camera. The children loved to have their picture taken, but even more than that, loved taking pictures themselves. Some of the best pictures that I came back with, where taken by village kids that I had befriended. They captured the more, true to life, moments. Plus, kids just naturally have a different view point on life. I have been slowly uploading all my photos onto my facebook and photobucket accounts. It's definitely still a work in progress, but feel free to browse through them. I will also be working on adding descriptions to all the photos, so you know what was going on at the point in time.

I will also begin working on blogging about my time and experiences while I was in Africa. I will try my hardest to take you on a journey through my memories in such a way that you can feel as though you were right there with me.

Thanks again for all your support, love and prayers in this very exciting time in my life!

I am searching and praying about the next steps that God has for me and my journey through Africa. I am looking into different organization and ministries within Africa that I could possible work with. I am very must interested in working with HIV/AIDS, in any aspect that I can be of some help with.

If you know of any contacts, organizations or ministries that you feel that I might be a good fit with, please let me know. Please also feel free to pass my information on, if that would be convenient.

Thank you so much for all your support and prayers!

Many Blessings be upon you!

Jenny Hamm

19 S. Zeeland PKWY
Zeeland, MI 49464
(616)212-6533
jennyhamm82@yahoo.com

Facebook Group: Jenny's Journey Thru Africa
Photobucket: Jenny's Journey Thru Africa Photobucket

Dec. 8th - Update

2009-12-08T19:06:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Jennifer Graduated from Iris Ministries on Friday Dec. 4th. There were approximately 85 students in her graduating class. These students were from all over the world. There was also Mozambique Bible students that graduated. She was excited that their were a few Mozambican students that were women, which is a big deal. She indicated that the Graduation day was totally awesome.

There was praise and worship for several hours, then the actually graduation ceremony took place and each student was prayed over and dedicated to what God had for his or hers life.

Then there was special meal prepare with food that the students have not had for a long while. They had spaghetti/salad/garlic bread. Jennifer was so excited about the salad and garlic bread.(Correction from Jenny: This meal was Sunday with my 10 bush team before heading to Nampula on Monday.) It is amazing the little things that can be missed. Then the students went back for more church in the evening. Jen said that the day was long but exhilarating.

She left for the Bush Retreat of 10 days on Monday, Dec. 7th. They will be visiting 3 villages, each for approximately 3 days a piece. Jennifer was so exciting about what God was going to do on this Retreat.

I continue to update everyone as I talk with Jenny but it may not be for a couple weeks before I receive another update. Please keep her in your prayers the next several weeks as God completes this portion of her journey in Mozambique and prepares her for what / where / when / how - she will continue her Journey thru Africa. Jenny will not be returning to the states until the end of December on the 31st. I know she will have so much to share with each and everyone of you and looks forward to that appointed time.

As a closing note, I know that Jennifer would love to continue receiving any emails with words of encouragement and just Hello's from her friends and family.

Jenny's email: jennyhamm82@yahoo.com
Facebook Grp: Jenny's Journey Thru Africa

GOD Bless,
Betsy Hover

Update from Jenny

2009-11-22T11:12:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Talk to Jennifer today in great detail, she had just gotten back late last night from a retreat into the Bush. The Truck ride to the Bush was 8 hours long.

The went to a village that Jenny totally felt at home there and would have loved to stayed longer.

Before they took off for the retreat it was suggested that Fasting would prepare the students for the move of God on the village. Jennifer was the only student to FAST during the trip. A lot the students and staff got very very ill during the retreat trip.

However Jenny only experienced a little diarrhea and felt fine. She contributes this to FASTING during the trip. There is a lot to be said for Prayer and Fasting as a duo combination.

The previous retreat Bush Trip was a completely different experience. She indicated that there was a heavy feeling over the entire village and that most of the children wore charm pouches made by the Witch doctor around their necks and waist. She knew that there was a spiritual warfare going on during their stay in the village.

Jenny is totally falling in love with the country of Mozambique. She has found out that one of the first missionary bases founded in Mozambique by Heidi Baker is in Matoloa and has a Orphanage there with approximately 20 Aid's babies. Aid's is Jennifer's passion and what she feels GOD is calling as a ministry bases. There is another student that is going to this Orphanage after graduation and leaving Pemba to help out in Matoloa. Jenny is praying as to whether she is suppose to go with this other student to Matoloa, Kenya or a extensive Retreat Bush Trip. Please send up prayers on her behalf that God will provide the answers for complete direction and the finanial means to do his perfect will in her life.

As a closing note, I know that Jennifer would love to receive any emails with words of encouragement and just Hello's from her friends and family.

GOD Bless
Betsy Hover

Jenny's email: jennyhamm82@yahoo.com
Facebook Grp: Jenny's Journey Thru Africa

Support:
19 South Zeeland Pkwy
Zeeland, MI 49464

Update from Africa

2009-11-04T16:08:00.000-08:00

Everything is going great here in Mozambique,Africa. This week was sort of my ground breaking days here. I am really starting to feel at peace here and with the school and stuff. God is really working in my heart and cleaning out all of the cobwebs in the corners of my heart and purifying me for the mission tha He has Called me to do.

I am scheduled to be going on my first BUSH Outreach this coming weekend. We were scheduled to go this last weekend, but my Team Leader (Matt), is also heading up the 24/7 week of prayer that we currently have going this week. So, we changed are Outreach dates so that there was no conflict with both events. My team's day of prayer is Saturday. I have signed up for 5/6 hours of prayer for the day. It should be interesting and intense.

My address here in Mozambique is:
Jenny Hamm
Iris Ministries
CP 275
Pemba Cabo Delgado
Mozambique Africa

Thank you in adavance for the Prayers,
Jennifer Denise Hamm

Update from Jenny on Sat. 10/17

2009-10-18T09:15:00.001-07:00

Jenny's Mom Posted:
Talked to Jenny Sat., she is still try to recovery from her trip over to Africa. She was feeling pretty rough yesterday when I talked to her, she sure could use all of your prayers. She washed her 1st set of clothes the old fashion way per buckets/hang dry on clothes pins. She indicated that the view right outside the complex she is staying at is the ocean/beaches which is absolutely beautiful.

This the summer time season right now so it is very hot and dry. She was extremely excited about the Church services today and the movement of GOD.

Continue to keep her your prayers. GOD Bless.

Jenny has reach Mozambique, Africa

2009-10-14T19:08:00.001-07:00

I received an email this morning from Jenny, she reached her destination at Iris Harvest School in Mozambique Africa today. The flight's went well and She is trying to adjust in to her new surroundings. As she emails, I will update everyone. Please keep her in your prayers. God Bless.

Thank You!

2009-10-11T13:54:00.001-07:00

Jennifer Hamm
19 South Zeeland Parkway
Zeeland, MI 49464
(616)212-6533
E-mail: jennyhamm82@yahoo.com
Iris Ministry website: http://www.irismin.com/index.cfm

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

The time has come, and I am on way…to AFRICA! It almost seems unreal. This is something that I have dreamed about all my life, now here it is becoming a reality. But I couldn’t have made it even this far without the love and support of all of you. I just wanted to take a moment and Thank everyone who has lifted me up in prayer and those who have made the investment to support me financially.

I see this opportunity as just the beginning of what God is going to do in my life. This school is going to equip me with the essential skills that I am going to need as I enter into my Calling to Missions. Some missionaries are called to preach the gospel as their means of reaching the lost for Jesus. I am Called to help with HIV/AIDS in Africa and to preach the gospel through my actions. This school will prepare and propel me to that next step in fulfilling my purpose in Christ.

Once again I want to Thank You for partnering with me on this journey. I would ask that you please continue to hold me up in your prayers as well as all the others students that will be attending Iris Harvest School this session.

I am expecting for The Lord to do amazing things in the upcoming months. I will keep you updated as much as possible and look forward to sharing all that the Lord has taught me upon my arrival back to the states.

Answering His Call,

Jennifer Denise Hamm

“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8, 9

PRAYERS NEEDED

2009-10-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

If I could please have everyone just say a little (or a BIG) prayer for me today. I have ran into a bit of a snag with my Visa and just asking for favor with all the people involved in the processing of it! Thank you, Thank you!

The day after

2009-10-04T16:13:00.001-07:00

Hello There Beautiful People,

Last night was "A CELEBRATION OF HIS CALLING TO AFRICA". Turn out was great. Lots of lovely people showed up and it was a wonderful evening filled with great food and fellowship. Raised a good amount of money, but still a couple thousand short of my goal.

Iris Harvest School in Mozambique starts Oct. 12. In order to get there in time, I would need to fly out this coming Friday or Saturday.

Please pray about it and if you feel lead to and would like to help support this opportunity that God has placed before me, please visit my blog. There is a donation button at the bottom of my blog page: http://jennysjourneythruafrica.blogspot.com/

Thank you for taking the time to read this and being a part of God Calling on my Life to reach the people of Africa!

Love and Blessings,

Jenny Hamm

"Feel the Zeel"

2009-09-29T09:44:00.000-07:00

So, this morning I have an article in the "Feel the Zeel" Blog page. Check it out!

http://www.feelthezeel.com/2009/09/zeelanders-journey-to-africa.html

A CELEBRATION OF HIS CALLING TO AFRICA

2009-09-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

I remember the moment when I was 13 years old when I heard HIM call me to Africa. It was a still small voice and yet so very powerful it still rings like thunder into the very core of who I am. Although my life’s journey has taken me from place to place I cannot abandoned this stronghold of my soul.

Africa, a place of death and poverty, a landscape scattered with bones of the dead and yet HE calls me to a people that cry out to HIM for compassion and mercy. How can I not submit to this yearning that has been within me for years? If I abandon this longing, surely I will die. I am consumed with this passion for face I have not seen and a people I do not know.

I humbly come to you to help me fulfill this calling that burns within me. I am willing to go to a place of poverty knowing full well that my eyes will see things that are unspeakable. My arms cannot wait to hold that HIV/AIDS child who no one wants and that has been left for dead and I will smooth its fevered brow.

To be able to get to where I need to go to and hold that child I feel I must go to Iris Harvest School of Missionaries in Mozambique, Africa where I will be trained in the ways of the people of the countries I will be entering into. The school starts October 12th 2009 and I am in need of $6000.00 to see that my feet touch the soil of Africa.

I ask you to invest in me and the Calling upon my life. I promise not to fail you with your investment and that of The Lord Jesus Christ.

Allow me to show you the faces of those who draw me away to a place of delightful passion for the LORD. You are invited to

A CELEBRATION OF HIS CALLING TO AFRICA
To be held on Saturday, October 3rd 2009
At the Baert Baron Mansion
120 South Church Street
Zeeland, MI 49464
Between the hours of 6:00 & 9:00 p.m.
Hor d’oeuvres & Refreshments will be served

RSVP Jennifer Hamm at (616)212-6533

If you cannot attend, please pray about investing an offering into my Calling.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Denise Hamm

“Open thy mouth for the dump in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8, 9

Iris Harvest School

2009-09-22T20:57:00.000-07:00

Where to begin?! Gosh, it's hard to say, so much has been going on in the past six months, it's hard to know where to start. I guess I start with the most recent events that have been taking place and then just going back to the very beginning at a later time.
So, most currently, I have applied for Iris Harvest School in Mozambique. http://www.irismin.com/index.cfm I started my application on Friday, the 18th; had to trim my testimony by over 500 words just so I could have it submit on Saturday afternoon before church; got friend reference and pastor reference submitted by Sunday evening; now just awaiting the decision. The school starts on Oct. 12th! This is totally going to be a God thing, to get everything together in time. But if my God can move mountains, this will be a piece of cake.It's a good thing that I had already started to pack and get things together, just in anticipation for when the time came that God would Call me to go. I still have a few more things that I would need to get, on top of vaccinations. But my biggest test of faith with this whole thing is going to be raising the funds in such a short period of time. Tuition for the school is $2500, then round trip tickets, estimated about another $2500. God is good! If it is the Lord's Will that I go, then I have no doubt He will provide. I just have to do my part, be obedient and faithful in my thoughts, words and actions. He has already started to bless me with the beginning seeds of faith. I am so luck to have people in my life that support and believe in the Call that God has placed upon my life.
I ask that you would pray for all to work out according to the Lord's Will. If you feel lead to be apart of this journey that the Lord has set in front of me, there is a donation button at the bottom of the page. I am in need of sponsors, but above all else, I am in need of some prayer warriors. I ask that you would pray for me and the work that I have started and will continue in the name of the Lord. I am more than ready to take that next step and get some needed training for work on the mission field. I need a good foundation to be able to grow upon and I believe that Iris Harvest School would be a great place to build that.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and pray on this and to pray about what God is doing in my life. I pray that the Lord would bless each and every one of you! ~Goodnight