HeatherHi, I am Heather Abernathy and Rhonda has asked me to write up a little something about myself :-)   I am so excited to begin working with Mark and Rhonda in September.  I have been a Christian since I was 4 1/2 and knew at a young age I wanted to be a missionary.  I loved babysitting and working with the younger kids in my school and eventually went to school to be a teacher.  Upon graduating from Asbury College, I got a job in inner city Akron, Ohio and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that that was my mission field.  I loved my job and the kids I worked with, but after 9 years, God reminded me of the dream to teach overseas.  I began pursuing that and ended up teaching at Dalat International School in Penang, Malaysia.  I enjoyed my time there, but know God is moving me from there to Cambodia!

I guess I should back up a bit and let you know how I got to Cambodia from Malaysia :-)   After my first year at Dalat, one of the parents called and asked if I would be interested in going to Cambodia with her.  She wanted to do some kid ministry and had heard of this family that had a group of orphans that they were caring for and loving as their own; they were living as a family.  She contacted them and found out that they were just getting ready to open a school and could use the extra help.  I agreed to join her for the main reasons that, not only would it give me something to do, but it would also give me another stamp in my passport (yes, I know, not very good reasons to go, but hey, God used them in a great way!).

We arrived the first day of school for the Bykota kids.  As we sat down to lunch and I looked around I was thinking something was looking VERY familiar; I just couldn’t place it.  I finally asked what curriculum they were using and about fell out of the chair when they told me ACE.  You see, I graduated from an ACE school!!  I went to an ACE school from 6th-12th grade, so I know the system quite well!!  I was able to give Marks lots of pointers and had an incredible week with them.  When I left, I planned to go back on spring break.  At one point before that, Rhonda asked if I might consider spending my summer in Cambodia while they were on a much-needed furlough with the family.  She knew I would be spending a surprise visit home with my family at Christmas, so thought I might consider the summer in Cambodia.  After praying about it, I knew that’s what I was going to do, so my second summer away from home was spent in Cambodia with the Bykota kids.  It was weird being there without Mark and Rhonda, but the kids and I had lots of fun and I fell deeper in love with them.  I had always assumed I would leave Malaysia and head back to America, but by the end of the summer was not so convinced.  I spent a pretty intensive month and a half in prayer about the decision to stay put or move.  During that time, God made His plans very clear and in mid October, I told my director that I would not be at Dalat the following year.  He actually was not surprised and knew it was coming, which just affirmed the decision.  Since then, God has continued to affirm and confirm this move!  I am so excited and am looking forward to being able to work with and love on the Bykota kids and watch them grow in their knowledge.  I am amazed and in awe of the great God I serve!  He began preparing me for this way back when I entered 6th grade.  Only He knew some 22 years ago that I would need the knowledge of ACE to teach in a school in Cambodia; Dad and Mom just thought they were enrolling me in a good Christian school. God has used Malaysia as a stepping-stone to get me used to living in a foreign land and He used a South African to get me to Cambodia for the first time.  He works in strange and mysterious ways that are always perfect and always in His time frame!!

I am currently living with my sister as I am home for the first time in three summers.  I am here raising support for my ministry in Cambodia and will be here until September 8th.  I will then fly back to Malaysia and pick up the rest of my things there, then fly to Cambodia on September 13th.  I am very excited and am walking in faith knowing that this is what God has called me to and HE will provide all that is needed in His exact time and way.