On Journey with God

It is a terribly exciting time for Kara and I (Philip). If you are reading this blog you most likely realize that Kara and I are intern missionaries to Russia with Global Partners, or you at least realize that there is some connection between Russia and Philip and Kara Gormong. As of last Fall (2008) we were appointed missionaries to Russia. We will be located and working in a place called Vladimir, a city in western Russia, east of Moscow. But, we are not there yet. Kara and I are presently in the United States, finishing a school semester and beginning the process of building and establishing a support team, as we make preparations for our term overseas. We want to have this blog as a means of communication, a way to keep those who so desire updated on what is going on in our lives in this missions journey with God. We hope it is a helpful way for people to stay connected and up to date on where Kara and I are in this process (by God's grace) of learning, support raising, eventually departing, and ministering in Russia. So where are we now?

Presently, Kara and I are living in Jackson, MS. I (Philip) am heading into my final semester at Wesley Biblical Seminary to complete my Masters of Divinity. Kara has one semester left of teaching 4th graders at a Christian school. We are both very excited as we look ahead to the future, excited about being appointed to Russia, excited to establish a support team, excited to be a part of the Lord's work in Russia, and excited to see the amazing ways God is going to work and move in people's lives, including or own.

Though Kara and I certainly have our hands full with education (each in our own respective ways), we are not hesitating in taking some steps to build a support team. This task of building our support team can seem fairly daunting, wondering where all the prayer and financial support will come from, wondering how time and contacts will work out, and wondering when we will be able to depart to Russia. But, these thoughts are quickly followed by the Lord's ever present, gentle, and assuring reminder that He has led us to this point and that He is with us. His promise is that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and it is upon this promise that Kara and I rest our fears, uncertainties, insecurities, and weaknesses. Praise God for His presence, and Praise God for His wanting to use such ordinary people like Kara and I to be a part of His work in the world.

Please pray for us as we are in the very beginning stages of our lives as appointed missionaries. Pray that school would go well for us as we conclude our time in Jackson, MS. Pray that we would establish numerous contacts and that people would have a heart for overseas missions. Pray that people would be sensitive to the Lord's leading in becoming a part of our team for this ministry in Russia. Thank you for your involvement and interest in our lives.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)