A New Beginning

As a follow-up to one of my best friends' (Ben Hungerford) suggestions, I'll work on blogging more in order to keep those interested updated on the news in my life.

Right now, I'm beginning a new chapter as I'm planning to head back to school in just a few days. This time, instead of an 18 year-old freshman, I'll be 22. Lots have changed since my first walk through college; self-discipline, desire, focus: to name a few. I no longer have the distraction of a freshly broken relationship of three years. I will no longer struggle to maintain a late-night job through the week. I now have a pull to exceed among my peers, and a passion to learn what I believe God has ordained me.

The same question has been asked of me over and over again, "Are you excited?". Sure, of course I'm excited to acquire some independence. But really, if you want better insight to how I feel, I'm ready. God first called me to the mission-field when I was just nine years. Well, do the math, it's been thirteen years since! Can you imagine how it feels to know for thirteen years what you're meant to do, and then to only take such small steps towards that goal? It's a bit frustrating. I must admit, though, that much of the frustration is my own fault. Instead of listening to God's "still, small" voice, I chose to focus on my music and a girl (which cost me 3 1/2 wasted years). I guess God does have a sense of humor in that my respective college career is 3 1/2 years long. Lesson: do it God's way the first time, or choose your way and let it take at least twice as long.

For those that still don't know exactly what I'll be doing for the next 3 1/2 years, I'll explain. First of all, I'm planning to become a missionary of New Tribes Mission (google it if you want). New Tribes, due to the specialty of their mission work, trains missionaries themselves. This is a 3 1/2 year process, the two years at their Bible Institute and the 1 1/2 at their Missionary Training Center. They require a Bible degree for their missionaries and offer this through their BI (they also accept degrees from other Christian colleges). Although, their BI is open to anyone and not limited only to prospective missionaries. The BI offers strictly Bible classes. The MTC is purposed only for prospective New Tribes missionaries. The MTC offers classes in missions, linguistics, and "Practical Skills" (a.k.a. survival training).

Anyway, it's late and I think this is sufficient to meet my friend's expectations. over and out.

Nate Clonch

New Tribes Mission
New Tribes Bible Institute
My Music
My Videos

Comments

Jason said…
It is great to hear how the Lord is leading you!
January 12, 2011 at 4:11 AM
bobby said…
Its your big brother Superman! I want to start off by saying that I love you very much. I'm proud of you. I can't tell you how often I just sit and listen to your music, alot of times bringing tears to my eyes. You're Amazing! God has truly blessed you and I'm proud to see you using those gifts. Don't stop writing! Put your new beginning to songs and I'll look forward to hearing them when you come back home. I know you will be safe because God will be watching over you. I'll miss you and definitely be prayin for ya brudda!
January 12, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Summary Of the Newest

Keeping up-to-date with my blog has been a lot harder than I had imagined. Actually, I was going to put it off again tonight, but after Josh Evans had mentioned it to me I figured I could take an hour to sit down and review what I've experienced within the past month. Oh, where do I start? What's new? Well, I read so much more now than I ever have in my life. This past Monday I sat down and read Deuteronomy, to finish my reading of the Pentateuch. It's the first time that I've read the whole thing through (the Pentateuch that is). Isn't that crazy? A 22 year-old church boy who's been saved for nine years is just now reading the foundation of God's Word . I'm convinced now that if you haven't read the Pentateuch and understood it then you're probably misunderstanding much of the rest of the Bible. Understanding Genesis-Deuteronomy brings those lyrics to mind, "I can see clearly now; the rain is gone." So much that I never had a good gras...
Read more

Another So Soon?

Am I posting a blog again so soon? Yup. There's a lot on my mind, I guess. If I were to re-title this, I'd call it "Anxious, Overwhelmed, and Guilt." These are the three feelings that summarize me right now. On that note, I'll elaborate. "Anxious: experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome." If you asked me if I was nervous a week ago, you heard a confident "No." But now I think I may feel a bit uneasy about a whole new venture (yes, that's venture, not a typo for ad venture). These are the things that I'm not worried over, but concerned about: a solitary (confinement) ten hour drive, a large school bill that will require trusting God to see paid off (by the way, I struggle with trust), a brand new institution of people that I've never met yet I'll expect to befriend, and another dive into study of which I've taken a two-year break. I think any stude...
Read more