Phone help.

Hello friends and family!

   I am coming off of a long two weeks of preparation, RA training, my first week of Grad school, and now our students are starting to arrive! I am so excited to meet my new faces and hug the old ones :)

    On a separate note I currently have a very old iPhone 4 that is on its last leg. I use iMessage to keep in touch with many friends, and family memebers for free so I know I probably need to stay in the iPhone family. Instead of panicking on how I was going to replace my dying phone I thought I would reach out to all of you lovely friends. Please just keep me in your thoughts if you decide to upgrade, or know someone who has an iPhone (any generation) lying around. I would be so grateful :) I'll need to figure out a way to get it "unlocked" and mailing it here shouldn't be too expensive but if it's a problem I'm sure I can have my family help with that part. Please email me if you have some good news, or just to say hello! Aciu Labai! (Thank you very much!)

Kbergstrom@lcc.lt

Kelsey Bergstrom
LCC International University
Kretingos g. 36
LT-92307 Klaipeda, Lithunia

RA training!

    The RA's are back on campus, and I am so glad to have them here! We have been spending the past few days learning the ins and outs of the job in training sessions, and we are having a lot of fun doing it! Today we went on a scavenger hunt of Klaipeda city for some team bonding. Here are some photos from our day! Please keep the RA's and RD's in prayer this next week as we begin welcoming all of our students back to campus!

A Call to Support.

  We all know by now that I love my job. I love working with students, being involved in mentoring relationships, and growing myself through my time here in Lithuania, and my work in Student Development. Sometimes living in another country away from home is hard, but the purpose I feel here makes any pain worth it. 

Living on, and raising missionary support is a blessing in disguise. On one side I used to see it as a burden. "I have to work a full time job and then raise my own salary on top of that?!" The other side took some time for me to discover, it's the sweeter side of the equation. Through living a support based life I have not been able to rely on myself/my salary for comfort and security. I have been guided into the arms of the Lord every time I need something...literally anything. There have been many weeks when I wonder how far I can stretch my grocery bill, and not being able to lavish friends and family with Christmas, Birthday, or Wedding gifts this year was painful. This past year has taught me to run to God in prayer when I find myself in these situations and there has not yet been a time when I was not provided for. In this process I have also learned what I really need in life, and that doesn't always look the same as it did previously in my comfy life of options :) 

I'm not sure if God's plan will have me living off support forever or just for the next two years but I am willing to live life the way he has intended for me to, and right now that is depending on others. What a humbling experience. I have been overwhelmed with kindness, and generosity, and my faith has increased in seeing people who listen to God's call on their lives to support missions. 

I have been back in Lithuania for a week now and I am still happily reflecting on my wonderful month at home in California. Jesus really knows how to spoil me with the love of his people. I have returned to LCC feeling so affirmed and encouraged by the work that I am doing here. I got to visit and share stories with many of you last month. Many of you surprised me by agreeing to support me right there on the spot. Thank you!

As the school year is about to begin I am spending most of my time tying up loose ends and doing some last minute preparations to ensure a smooth year. This blog post is one of those tasks. Today I will mail out a bunch of thank you cards to this years financial supporters and that brings me so much joy! I wanted to say and overall thank you to everyone who has been a part of my story and invite you to be a part of my next year here at LCC through becoming a supporter. 

There are many ways to support my work here and I would love to talk to you individually about them if you are interested. (Kbergstrom@lcc.lt) I am in need of prayer and encouragement throughout the year, Facetime calls and update emails, and even letters if that something you like to do :) If you are interested in supporting my year financially I will list the options down below. My supporters become my employers and I work hard every day to make them proud. I will always do my best to keep you updated on the happenings at LCC and what amazing things God is doing in our students each week. Please pray about partnering with me or telling a friend, or your church about my work here in Lithuania. You are all so important to me. 

How to financially support Kelsey this year in Lithuania:

-Online giving (monthly or one-time) 

http://www.lcc.lt/giving-north-america/

-Mail a check (state-side office)

LCC International Fund

P.O. Box 4851

San Dimas, California 91773 USA

Memo: Kelsey Bergstrom Staff Support

-Paypal Account

1. Send money to a friend

2. Email: Kelseybergstrom524@pointloma.edu

My Two Homes.

I am currently sitting in my living room in Lithuania after 24 hours of travel and a month at home in California. This past month was easily the fullest, busiest, and most encouraging month I have experienced this year. Thank you to everyone who was a part of my time, whether our visit was planned or not, please know that I valued it. God had many divine appointments for me that I just had to discover along that way. It was a beautiful thing.

God set the tone for my last month when He blessed me with a free dentist appointment. The kindness of one man spoke volumes to me and took away all the fear I had about coming home and all of the obligations that come with it. I left Lithuania expecting to see some friends/family and talk about my work at LCC.

I was blown away every single day.

My small expectations were multiplied by God's perfect plans. I had the most encouraging, and joyful month spending time with loved ones, receiving unexpected support, and telling stories of my time in Eastern Europe to interested ears. I got the chance to see friends I didn't think I would be able to, to receive encouraging words from complete strangers, and to have God speak to me through many new avenues. I was completely restored for this new school year and all of the amazing plans God has asked me to be a part of here at LCC.

Many prayers were answered this month as well, so let praise Him for that! I was able to visit a doctor that helped me with some health problems I have been facing all year and perhaps even before I moved here. I am on new medications, and keeping an eye on things so please keep my health in your prayers this year as I continue to visit doctors in Lithuania. I was able to speak at Glenkirk church in Glendora and my time with the congregation after each service was incredible. People told me their personal stories relating to Eastern Europe, some offered to send supplies, some even offered airline miles! God is so good, He is always my provider! I was able to spend my favorite holiday, the 4th of July in San Diego with my best friends and multiple firework shows! Although my time with loved ones wasn't in quantity is was definitely quality and I am grateful for that.

Thank you to everyone who housed me, fed me, supported me, talked with me, caught up with me, encouraged me,  prayed for me, and especially laughed with me. I am overflowing with joy from you all.

Love & Blessings, Kelsey

Kbergstrom@lcc.lt
*I am still working on fundraising so please message, or email me if you are interested in learning how to support my mission here in Lithuania.

P.S.- If we took pictures together please send them my way :)