Update

The Foot prints in the sand  

Nicole’s journey to Thailand

February /March

What been happening: 

Hello, friends! Spring is finally here, the sun is out and the flowers are in bloom. The past two months have flown by, I feel like I blinked and the next thing I knew it was April!  Over the past two months, we have received 6 new young women at the New American Center.  It has been a sheer joy getting to know these young women and helping them adapt to the American culture. In March, I had the chance to attend a sunrise church service on Eastern Sunday at Plum Island Beach. The service could not have been more beautiful as the sun came up over the beach and we sang praises and rejoiced in the fact that Jesus Christ is risen.

Easter Sunday Plum Island

.

Upcoming events:

BCOM, here I come.   The last week of April into the first week of May, I will be returning to Bloomington, Minnesota for a visit. I am looking forwarded to spending some time with college friends and catching up. I will also be meeting with the Thailand Mission’s team.  If you are going to be there, I would love the chance to get together with you as well!   Contact me either by e-mail  at  nikki.downer@bcom.org or a call at 978-810-55874.  

Support Raising

This upcoming Fall, I will be embarking on a 16 month long mission trip to Thailand where I will minister to young women working in the area of human trafficking.  The goal is to teach them English as well as evangelize to the homeless children found in the slums and brothels.   Expect details shortly on my next fundraiser which will take place during mid-May.   For more information about my upcoming mission trip, please contact me at nikki.downer@bcom.org or by phone at 978-810-5874.  Below is a copy of my pledge card which includes information on how to join me in my ministry. 

Praise:

•       6 new students at the New American Center.
•        Easter Sunday at Byfield Parish Church was a great time of hope and renewal.
•        The provisions for my support raising that I have received.

payer 

•    For the new students at New American Center
• During my trip to Minnesota, I would love to be able to find the time to connect with as many people as possible and share the news about my upcoming mission trip with them. 

check out these ministry

Here a few different ministry's that are located in Thailand.

January Newsletter

   The Foot prints in the sand!!!!  Nicole's journey to Thailand             

 What’s been happening!

On January 27, I hosted a family fun night fundraiser at the local YMCA. It was a good time with friends as we watched a movie on the big screen, enjoyed each other’s company and had some good laughs.  At the NAC, I continue to be amazed at how great the children are and how complex their stories are. Recently, two students and I took on the task of repainting the mural on the window in one of the main classrooms. We decided to paint a flag for each student’s homeland.  It was a lot of work, but I have to say, I really like how the windows came out. (See picture below.) 

Fundraising

I have come to realize just how hard fundraising really is and I am truly thankful for all the help and kindness I have received from friends during this time. Currently, I have raised about 14% of my support need for Thailand. If you would like to know more about my upcoming trip to Thailand, or how you could support me finically or through prayer, please feel free to contact me at email- nikki.downer@bcom.org or by phone -978-645-1839.

Prayer

·     

  That I would continue to  make connections and  new relationships as I fundraise

·        Funds for internship

Praise

·       That I am 14% supported for Thailand

·       For all the new friendships I have made while fundraising

With love in Christ,

Nicole Downer 

2012 report on human trafficking in Thailand

please take a moment and follow this link and read Of the 2012 report on human trafficking in Thailand. My hope for sharing this report with you is to give you a deeper look in to the issue of trafficking. I also would like to give you a better understanding of my heart for Thailand. 

sttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4fe30c8e0.html

some information on my upcoming family fun night!!!!!!

Hey every one if your in the area Come join me on January 27th from 5 pm to 8 pm  at the Ipswich family  YMCA for a fun night watching a movie. All proceeds go to my upcoming mission trip to Thailand. Coast are 5$ per person or 20$ a family. There will also be snacks available for sale. If you have any question please feel free to contact me at nikki.downer@bcom.org or by phone at 9786451839

Control, do we really have it!?!

 In life there are times, events, and circumstance that make us feel as if we have lost control, have no control, or are just along for the ride. But honestly, do we have control over our life?Or does God have control of our life?  What does it really mean to give over control to the Lord?  Does it mean that we trust God with things such as our emotions, our relationship, our loved ones, our future?  In life, we are taught to take control. But the truth is, we don't really have control over things like a loved one who is making bad decisions.  We may want to fix the problem, we may want to hide our emotions and control how feel , control what others think about us, but the truth is we can't.   We need to trust that God, by his grace and mercy, has a plan for our lives.   No matter what is happening right now or will come in the future, it is in God's hands.  The Lord has control, even if we don't truly understand.

Now, I don't say that thinking this way is an easy thing to do.  Giving up control, as I know personally, can be a painfully hard thing to do. However, I also know that God is full of grace for his people and that the Lord has a plan.  His plan is far better then any thing that we as his children could have even imagined.  Romans 8:28 says:  And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV).  Proverbs 19:21 says:  Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.(NIV)

So who's in control?  I know that God has control over my life now and my life in the future. God has a plan for me better then I could even imagine. Yes, sometimes it is really hard to let go and ask God to perform His perfect will  in my life, but in the end it comes to trust. Do I trust God? Yes.  Do I trust that He has a plan? Yes.  Is it scary sometimes to let go and allow God to work? Yes.  It also really amazing.  So there is something to the old saying, "Let go and let God"!

Little information about my upcoming trip

Dear Friends the flyer blow provides some information about my upcoming mission trip if you would like to know more please contact me at email-nikki.downer@bcom.org or phone 978-645-1839.  Also more will by posted shortly on my blog.

Nicole Downer

Bethany International Ministries                                     

Thailand 2012-2013

The AgencyBethany International MinistriesMission statement: We have joined God to recruit, train, send and support—mobilizing movements of Kingdom
workers worldwide to reach strategically among the unreached, and the least reached, to transform people and
nations for Christ wherever darkness reigns.
Bethany College of Mission: Outfits men and women for missions through classroom instruction, mentoring,
team growth and hands-on ministry opportunities including a 16 month Global Internship.
The MinistryThailand: Stationed in Chiang Mai, province population of 1,595,855 with 94.6% Buddhist
During my time in Thailand, I will evangelize in the slums and brothels while teaching English to the young
women engaged in human trafficking and the homeless children living there.
Ministry facts Thailand
 Since about 1990 about 80,000 women and children have been sold into Thailand's sex industry. In Thailand, up to 400,000 children under the age of 16 are believed to be working in brothels, clubs or bars.