Greetings from NE GA

[trudynewell]

Hi - Just a quick note to greet you. I'm new, and am a bit nervous about all this. God has truly blessed Mike and myself as we have begun a new work among the Indian people here in the Athens area of Georgia. Last year we were able to put on an Indian Christian concert "Aradhna" which had been on our hearts for a long time. We are also now members of the Indian association here, which as open new doors of friendship.

We returned to the States in '08. It has been quite a journey to once again settle into the American lifestyle. We are excited about the opportunities and doors He is opening to us here.

I have always enjoyed expressing myself on paper. I write our newsletters, and keep up with correspondence. In the last year I really sense that God wants me to share what He has taught me, and what He is doing - so here it goes. Blessings - Trudy

[Shann]

Hi Trudy, welcome to FW! This is an incredible site filled with amazing people who genuinely want to help others be the best writer possible and all that, plus some wonderful Christian fellowship. This is like a family to me and has given me more than I could have dreamed of when I first joined three years ago.

First, I've made some dear, sweet friends from all over the States to Australia, Africa, England, Thailand and Latvia. These aren't just casual friendships but close friends, many of whom I talk or text each day.

I was going to ask if you were from Georgia the country or the state, but from your statement about returning to the States eight years ago, I'm guessing that you are referring to Athens, Georgia US. I'm not sure if the country has an Athens in it. Geography is not my strong suit. Though I do know there is a Athens in Greece.

The forums are a great place to get to know one another. The Water Cooler is a place to chill and talk about anything from the weather to just saying howdy. There are a couple of small groups who love and support each other. The Pacific Coast Rest Stop or the Southern Porch can be found in that section. (You don't need to be on the Pacific Coast or from The South to pop in) Since I'm assuming you are from the South, I'll leave the link for the Southern Porch here (like I said you don't have to be a Southerner to sit on the porch.)hereThe prayer Forum offers an opportunity to pray with others or ask for your own prayer requests or share some joys. The Open Forum is the best place to find writing related threads.

It sounds like you have some awesome life experience to write about. The weekly challenge is probably the most popular place at FW. You do need to be a paying member to enter, though starting in January they are offering Silver members four credits to enter the challenge which can be used in a row or spread out over the year. If it does appeal to you and you can afford the few dollars each month to become a gold or silver member, it is so totally worth it. Plus there are all kinds of wonderful perks that go along with the Gold and Platinum members.

It sounds like you would be a perfect fit to enter this months blogging contest. You can find more information about it One Hundred Percent The bad news is the deadline is rapidly approaching (I think it's Jan. 31)

Have fun exploring, try not to be too nervous. I know it can be a tad overwhelming at first. Feel free to ask any questions or join the discussions. But most of all have fun!

[trudynewell]

Hi Shann - Thanks for the welcome. I am still learning how to use this site - so thought I'd go ahead with a little introduction on how we came to NE GA. You are right about it being Athens, GA (go bulldogs!) This is going to be part of a booklet I may one day write.

LEAVE THE JOE AND GO -

I smiled at myself as I passed by the mission slogan. For one thing, I know that you can find a better cup of coffee than 'Joe' in many places around the world.

Of course, this is not about a cup of coffee. It's not about Jittery Joe or Starbucks. It's about listening and obeying the Lord in regards to His call on our life. Do we see His plan for us in reaching an unreached world.

It's about my willingness to move from the known to the unknown, the familiar to the unfamiliar, the comfortable to the uncomfortable.

For Mike and I it meant a change in direction. Some time ago we had been challenged with the need of our Indian friends moving into NE Georgia.

We smiled, because you opened the door of our home in Leicester England where we lived onto the sidewalk. There were 100 homes on our block. All but one other couple were Gujaratis from Indian. Two blocks from us was "The Golden Mile." So named because of the number of 22 carat gold shops on Belgrave Rd. We lived in the heart of "little Indian" with the biggest Diwali celebration outside of India.

We loved our Indian friends, and our ministry. We would we leave our nice comfortable life working among the people we love?

For us "Leave the Joe and Go" meant a willingness to return to the States and begin all over again to build relationships with our friends from India -- this time in NE Georgia.

...... So .....

We arrived here in 2008, so are beginning to feel at home and build relationships! After living overseas for more than 35 yrs. it is hard to look American, smell American - but have a heart that is as big as the world in more ways than one. But it has been fun.

I'll check out the "One Hundred Percent" Once we get our feet on the ground as far as finances go, I will probably be wanting to upgrade my membership. In the meantime I'll have fun where I am.

Thanks again. I think it is so neat that there is this kind of a website. Wish I had known about it earlier.