Katie Bailey

Learning French…

Katie Bailey — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 08:33:14 +0000

I recently finished a year of studying the French language. It was a great/interesting/challenging/frustrating/at times overwhelming/blessed/entertaining year. I really like the French language. In those rare moments when I actually have a coherent conversation with someone I feel pretty proud of myself for all I have learned. There were times through this past year when I was really struggling and someone would say to me, “Wow, just think of all that God is teaching you this year.” My response was, “That’s all well and good, but what I really need to be learning is FRENCH!” But, really when I look back on it, I am grateful for the lessons I learned. And God tends to have extra grace in the moments when I really need to know some French.

I am in no way fluent, but I feel like I have a really good foundation to build on. I have to keep reminding myself that I am going to live in France for a while and I will continue to learn. Overall, I feel fairly confident in my ability, and I am really grateful to have completed the year.

Just for the fun of it, here are some things you may not know about the French language.

-Every noun has a gender. The window is a girl and the problem is a boy. For a while I thought I could get by without learning the gender of words, but they came back to haunt me. A lot of times I speak in plurals.

-There is no logical way to figure out what gender a word will be.

-Whoever created numbers in French could not count past 60. 70 is 60-10. 80 is 4 20′s. 95 is 4 20′s-15. Fun!

-No matter how solid a rule is, there will always be an exception.

-If you use the verb ‘to be’ ‘to have’ ‘to know’ or ‘to want’ you will most likely use the wrong form. They are always the exceptions.

But really, I enjoy the language and I am really looking forward to continue learning. I am so happy when I walk down the street and can actually eavesdrop on someones conversation rather than wondering if they are talking about the silly American who clearly has no clue what is going on.

Thank you to anyone and everyone who has had a hand in my language learning. Thank you for your words of encouragement and your prayers and support. Although most of my work in France is in English, I know it will make a significant difference in reaching France.

Be Blessed!! (Que Dieu vous bénisse)

Becoming the Church

Katie Bailey — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 18:24:53 +0000

Right now at the Bridge we are in the middle of a sermon series called “Becoming the Church from Neighbors to Nations.” We are looking at the early church in the book of Acts. We have talked about becoming the church that witnesses, prays BIG and gives. Today we talked about becoming the church that serves. This series has been great and we are really being challenged as a church to grow and reach out to those around us.
Yesterday I had an opportunity to share at our Ladies Spring Tea. I started thinking about this series and how so many times when we think about reaching out to our neighbors and doing our part to grow the church, we are tied down by our own insecurities. At the Tea I shared about how sometimes I feel inadequate to do what God has called me to do. I mean, I am just me. But I’ve realized over and over these past couple years that God created me to be me… just as I am. And when He created me His intention was to use me for His purposes…just as I am. I am so grateful to a God who can take the simple gifts that I have to offer and use them for His work.
Just like the little boy in the Book of Matthew who offered Jesus some bread and fish, we have to hold out what we have and offer it to Him with a willing heart. We have no idea how He can use us! Our gifts in His hands can become miracles.
We are all called to be the church that serves. Offer what you have to Jesus. Offer your life to serve Him and serve others. The rewards are endless.

In Paris…

Katie Bailey — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:20:50 +0000

Well, after a long battle and many miracles, I am finally living in Paris, France! I arrived in France on March 3, 2010. It’s been three weeks and I am feeling settled and adjusted, well, as much as I can after three weeks. I am living in a town called Massy which is just south of Paris and I will be studying French in Massy for a year. I am really looking forward to learning the language. I am really going to need it.

On Sunday, March 14 our team had the first public service of The Bridge International Church (see ‘pictures’ page for pictures from the launch). There were 74 people in attendance from 9 different countries. A great big thanks to the team from Evangel University in Springfield, MO for helping us prepare and execute the launch of the church.

The ministry of the Bridge is in full swing. We are preparing now for Easter. We plan to have an Easter Egg Hunt for the community as well as a celebration service on Easter Sunday morning.

Our team is complete as of today. In the last 5 weeks four families have arrived in France to be a part of the Bridge team. It’s amazing to me that we all had plans to arrive in France at different times, and through circumstances God brought us all here at the same time. That tells me that He had a greater plan in mind.

I am so happy to finally be here. It feels right for me to be here; it feels like home. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me here.

Thank you for sticking with me through this long process. Thank you for your prayers and support and encouragement. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

Haiti…

Katie Bailey — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:33:36 +0000

I wanted to post a link to Convoy of Hope. Convoy of Hope is an organization that provides disaster relief. They are working hard to help out in Haiti after this incredible disaster. If you would like to give to support this effort please visit www.convoyofhope.org.

Thanks!

visa troubles….

Katie Bailey — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:22:15 +0000

Well I know the plan was for me to be in Paris by now, but things have changed a little bit. I was all packed and ready to go and enrolled to start language study on at the beginning of the month…and now I’m not. I received a call on Dec 30 from the French Consulate and they said that my Visa application has been denied. I’m not really sure why and they don’t give any explanation. I am working with my colleagues and superiors with the AG World Missions and I am trying to figure out what my next steps should be. Right now it’s very unknown. I don’t really know what happens in a situation like this and I’m just having to take it one step at a time. Needless to say this was pretty disheartening news for me, but I still believe with all my heart that God wants me in France. I believe that He has a purpose for me there and He is faithful through all the bumps in the road I face along the way. I am still believing for miracles and I know that I’ll get there eventually. I want to thank you all for your support during this time. It’s been an emotional roller coaster for me and I’m so glad that in all the ups and downs I have such a faithful strong circle of prayer warriors around me. Thank you for praying and believing with me that God’s perfect plans will come to pass. I’ll keep you posted on the details as I find them out. Please continue to pray that there will be a quick and simple solution to this issue.

and closer and closer…

Katie Bailey — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:19:42 +0000

God is so amazing! Right now I have all of my monthly support and cash raised and am ready to go to Paris. I am waiting for my Visa to arrive and then I can book my flight and get over there.

The Visa process is interesting. I had to actually go to Los Angeles for a meeting with the French Consulate. It was very intimidating, but ended up not being as bad as I thought it would be. I was one document short but was able to mail it to them and now (fingers crossed) it’s being processed and I should have it sometime within the next week. My goal is to leave for Paris sometime on or around the 10th of December.

I am really glad that I got to spend Thanksgiving with my family before I head out. I am a little bummed to not be around for Christmas, but moving to France has been such a long time coming that I am ready to go and I think my family is pretty understanding. I am glad to know that I have friends and colleagues in France who will welcome me and make me feel like I am with family for Christmas.

I have decided on a Language School and I am all registered to start classes on Jan. 4. I am looking forward to this and dreading it all at the same time. I know I need to learn the language and I know that God will give me the strength.

So, that’s the news today. I will post more as I know more as far as departure dates and I’ll be sure to keep you updated when I arrive in France.

Thank you all for your prayers and support over the past two years. It’s been a really long journey and I have learned so much and I would not be ready for the next step if I did not have your support.

Have a blessed holiday season!!

getting closer…

Katie Bailey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:48:02 +0000

Well, I’ve been delayed a little bit, but I am still on my way. It looks like I will be able to move to France in mid-November. I still have a long way to go in my support raising so, of course, I can still really use your prayers!

God is (as usual) teaching me something. I have been given a deadline to raise my support of the end of October. This scares me just a bit because I still have a lot to raise and it’s been a hard road so far. Every once in a while I am overwhelmed by fear and doubt and really wondering if it will happen… but here is the good news: GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Yesterday I read a passage in Numbers 23 and it said, “does He speak and then not act? does He promise and then not fulfill?” God is so faithful. God has called me to go and work in France and God has promised to give me a ministry in France. He keeps His promises. He is faithful! Sometimes the storm is still raging around me and the enemy is still trying to poke his way into my thoughts but God is in control. God calms the storm and His voice overpowers the voice of the enemy.

God has a purpose for me in France and I am so excited to get there and do all that He wants me to do. I know it will happen soon. Thank you for your prayers and support and for believing with me in the promises of God.

Please be praying…

Katie Bailey — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:16:10 +0000

Friends, I really need your prayers. I don’t know that I am completely discouraged, but I think I am at a bit of a loss. I have been working hard to raise the support needed to get to France and it’s just a really hard time right now. I’m not quite sure what to do or where to go. We all know that economic times are hard and in spite of that I have seen God doing some amazing things. I have really seen people and churches step out in faith and God is blessing.

Right now I feel like God is constantly challenging me to believe for miracles. Sometimes I don’t even know really what that entails, but I am doing my best to have faith. I am trying to ask Him for big things and believe that it’s no task for Him to answer my prayers. Yesterday, the Lord reminded me that I have no reason to worry; He says if I give my worries to Him with praise, His peace will guard my heart and my mind. I am relying on that. We need to pray God’s promises and if He promises to answer our prayers and provide and bring peace, then I believe Him.

Can you please be praying. I need encouragement, and I really need to raise the money to get to France. God is also speaking to me about trusting His timing. Maybe it’s not what I had planned, but He has a perfect plan. Please agree with me that He is going to work it all out in His time and in His way.

Thanks!

March Travel Schedule

Katie Bailey — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:17:58 +0000

I am looking forward to March. I have a lot of exciting things schedule and I am praying for some excellent connections and progress. Please pray with me for continued movement in my financial support.

Here is where I’ll be in March…

March 1 (AM) Flagstaff First Assembly Networking

March 1 (PM) Cameron First Assembly Preaching

March 2 Radiant Church Networking

March 3 Phoenix World Outreach Networking

March 8 (AM) Whiteriver First Assembly Preaching

March 8 (PM) Springerville First Assembly Preaching

March 15 (AM) Lapwai AG, ID Preaching

March 15 (PM) Valley Christian Center, ID Preaching

March 16 Snake River Missions Banquet Sharing/Networking

I still have some openings in March. If you would like to schedule a Sunday or Wednesday evening missions service please contact me at katie.bailey@agmd.org or 480 316 8946.

Humbled…

Katie Bailey — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 22:08:15 +0000

God is so good! Anyone?

Lately I have been thinking about all the things that I have been able to do in my life and all the people I’ve had opportunity to work with and I realize that I am so blessed. This thought really humbles me. God has placed some incredible people in my life and who am I?

Recently I went through the process of becoming an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God. As I was interviewing with the committee at the Arizona District Office I realized how blessed I am to work under the leadership that I have. The Arizona District has leaders who really care about ministers and what we are involved in. We have a leader who is so passionate about world missions! I love that I am working for a leader who is invested and proud of what I am doing.

I also think about the team of people that I am privileged to work with through this Bridge project. God has placed amazing people beside me to help me, to teach me, to grow with me. I’m so blessed by relationships that have already formed and I am so excited to form new friendships and partnerships over the next few years.

In Exodus 17, there is a story about the Israelites facing the Amelikite army in battle. Moses was the leader of the people, but God brought others beside him to uphold him and partner with him.

“As long as Moses held up the staff in His hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.” Ex 17:11-12

God sent people alongside of Moses to hold his arms up in battle. I am humbled by the people who have stood by me, both in time of war and in time of peace; people who have held up my arms in battle, and people who have chosen to walk and grow and work alongside of me.