What's Counting Got To Do With It? 

Well, try as I might to set this aside, God continues to show me that my accounting background is part of His ministry. He developed my skills for a reason over a 15 year career before sending me to the mission field. The ministries and missionaries here have significant need for accounting and tax assistance because of complex issues dealing with being overseas. The issues bog them down in time, frustration and stress. Yet for me, because of God?s design, it is something that comes more easily.

Recently I was invited to the Foreign Workers Field Leaders Conference (?FWFLC?) which is attended by field leaders from numerous ministry organizations working within France, not just TEAM (my organization), such as CMI, Arab World Missions, IMB, GEM, etc. Attending this event was encouraging, enlightening and very beneficial. I attended not as a field leader obviously but as one who is intensely involved in the administration and accounting for our field ministries. I was able to not only learn about what other ministries are doing in France and their results but I also networked, making important connections. I work best, especially when developing an idea, when there is synergy.

I was honored when they asked me to be their liaison to The Association of Americans Resident Overseas (?AARO?) established in Paris. I therefore attended the AARO Tax Seminar in April. Through this event, I was again able to network but this time with valuable resources in the secular arena.

All this networking will eventually prove valuable if I am able to move forward with the coffee house outreach vision. To start anything in France means tackling bureaucratic nightmares, inefficiencies, bizarre regulations and so much more. Knowing people, especially those who have already navigated the complexities, will be helpful. It?s no use recreating the wheel ? I?d rather learn from others and piggyback on their successes.