We try to keep our newsletters pretty short, because we understand what its like to be inundated with mail. There are so many things I really do want to read, but just never get around to. So there is alot of news that doesn't make the cut. You have to pop over to the blog for more details. So here they are, in no particular order
- Partnership development going well! A huge huge praise here. We are so grateful for each and every one of our partners, you are part of our team, and we are excited that you have caught the vision. Still waiting for a few more partners, either individuals, churches, or groups, that have a desire to extend their ministry and influence over into East Central Africa. Already trying to think of an exciting way to share with everybody when we reach 100%. Maybe by next month. I'll keep you posted. And thanks for praying!
- Thankfully, Patrick has had an opportunity to jump in and help at the farm where he used to work, as they get ready for hay season. This is wonderful for 2 reasons: root canals, and he was really itching to get out of the house and away from this computer ;-). He has also been doing some flight instructing.
- Kids are doing well, as you can see from our last post. We will be wrapping up school, for the most part, in a few weeks. They have swimming lessons, VBS, and normal kid things this summer. They also, however, have a lot of abnormal kid things: international visas, lots of shots, no stability, and an awful lot of travel, to name a few. We sometimes struggle with knowing when to have grace for them, and when we're actually making excuses for bad behaviour! The stress on them can really take a toll, and it hasn't always been pretty the last little while. We have seen them struggle being in so many unfamiliar situations, with strangers. Parenting is our primary ministry, yet so easy to sacrifice as you pursue other more "glorious" things. You can pray we remember that over the next little while, and that we have enough time and energy to meet their needs.
- Speaking of kids, next week I will be leaving them for 4.5 days to go to a pre-field educational planning seminar in Chicago. It is a lot about their educational options overseas, but I also hope to learn a lot about how to help them through the transition and just to be more aware about how kids go through this process so we can anticipate problems in advance, and be as prepared as possible. Its also a time for the parents to spend time with others in this exact same situation. Pray for Patrick. The kids can be a bit trying. ;-)
- Lots of travel (some to see family, some to speak, some to check in with current partners, and some for training purposes) coming up. No surprise there. We've got Minnesota, Chicago, Kentucky, Canada, North Carolina and Virginia coming up. All before September. Lots of opportunities to share the vision God has given us, and most of all, to share that it isn't something we have some special handle on. It's for everybody to participate in, for everybody to be excited about. Whether its preaching on Sunday morning, children's SS, VBS missionaries of the week, or just casual conversations at the gas station (its a small town. you know everybody at the gas station ;-), we want to be faithful to testify. It isn't about us, it isn't really our story. It's God's story. He's the One who redeemed us, who called us out of darkness into light, to do good works He planned before the foundation of the world. He's the One who equips us and sends us out, clothed only in His power, none of our own. He's the One who is longing to be reconciled with his people, no matter where they live or what language they speak. He is the One who WILL be worshiped by people of every tribe and every tongue. He is the One who deserves the glory, the only thing on earth worth living for or dying for. It's His story, and we all get to be a small small part of that!
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