Tory's Moving To Holland
Netherlands that is, not Michigan

The past couple months have been a little busy and uncertain. I spent half of December and January asking God what it is He wanted me to do after closing off South Africa. God started showing me through different situations how youth and family ministry is really where my heart and gifts are. I've loved ministering with young adults and college students the past three years, but feel the call to change direction back toward youth and children's ministry. After talking with YoungLife International about serving overseas, they introduced me to Tyndale Theological Seminary in Amsterdam. Off all the countries Demelza and I shot videos this summer, Holland is the one country I would have wanted to do ministry in. So I began praying about the idea of attending seminary as a gateway into doing ministry overseas. It didn't take long for confirmation that this would be an ideal and extremely cost effective way to begin serving in a foreign country, while refining the gifts God has given me and strengthening the weaknesses uncovered after three years of full-time ministry.

God has already started amazing me in many ways concerning this move in June. One of the ways is how He's already connected me with a pastor at Crossroads International Church Amsterdam who is excited about the possibility of me volunteering with the youth and wants to meet as soon as I arrive. I've also started building relationships with several people from the school through phone calls and emails. There's also a possibility of transferring to Starbucks in the Schipol Airport or coaching gymnastics at a nearby gym a few hours a week to help supplement my cost of living and tuition. Another praise, within one minute of posting on Facebook and Twitter the need for $100 toward a bike for transportation in Holland, I got two responses! Also, countless people have encouraged me and look forward to hearing about what God has planned!

I'd like to ask you to partner with me in three ways. First in prayer. Please pray that everything will come together smoothly before I head out on June 22nd. Pray for me as I'm excited yet anxious about being separated from my family and many friends like yourself. Pray for the ministry opportunities God will provide as I begin plugging in at a new church and youth group. Also pray about adjusting to school again. Not only will it be an adjustment to start studying and learning again, but also doing it in a foreign country.

Second, I'd like to ask you to consider partnering with me financially. The cost of ministry, living, and tuition will be about $1,750 a month for three years. I've been coaching extra hours at the gymnastics center and working full-time at Starbucks to earn as much as possible on my own by June, yet know there will be a good amount I can not earn by then. If you would be interested in supporting me through a monthly or one time tax deductible gift, donations may be made directly to Tyndale Theological School in Amsterdam. Instructions, link, and address can be found at: www.offthecoast.org/sponsor-tory.

Finally, please stay connected with me as I minister and study in Holland. I'm planning to blog or do a video update once a week at www.toryalmond.com about what God is doing in Holland and what it is like to study abroad. You can also keep up with me through Facebook and Twitter. And if you'd like to travel, come over to Amsterdam and experience Holland first hand. There are several places in the area to stay cheap. Also, let me know what's going on in your life. Just because Amsterdam is over 4,000 miles away doesn't mean everyone back home is far from my heart. It would be a great joy to get a personal email letting me know what is happening in your life. 

If you'd like to hear more of the details on how everything came together, let me know. It's always fun sharing how God has directed and corrected my path. It's been humbling and an honor to share my story and help others who are seeking out God's will for their life. Looking forward to sharing more of His story and how He's allowed me to be a part of it!