call to prayer

This month begins the month of Ramadan here in the Islamic world. “Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting for the Islamic people. Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, as well as participating in anything that is ill-natured or excessive; from dawn until the sun sets. Fasting is intended to educate the Muslim in spirituality, humility and patience. It is a time to cleanse the soul, focus attention on god, and put into practice selflessness. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of god and to put forward more prayer than is customary”[1]. Although there are hundreds of thousands of Muslims across the world fasting right now, we see few here (within this city) holding to such a faith.  The fact that most people here live their lives as normal during what is supposed to be such an important time for the Muslim reveals the lack of power in Islam to change the heart and command the desires.  At large people don’t do what they believe they should, because they don’t have a living Savior pulling their hearts toward holiness.  Please pray for us during this time that we may have boldness to proclaim the Gospel at such an opportune moment. Please also pray that God would convict the thousands of Muslims who search for redemption through there own “good” works. May they see Christ as the only Lamb of God who can take away the sins of the world. 

On a lighter note this week has been a gift from God.  We have had one neighbor after another come over to our house, invite us to theirs, or take us out on adventures through out the city.  Our relationships are deepening, our language growing, and our witness increasing. Please pray that the regeneration work of the Holy Spirit would capture their hearts so that we may call them brothers and sisters rather than simply neighbor.

Our language is growing little by little, step by step.  We can now get around town, buy what we need, ask people how they are, talk about simple interests, and pray simple prayers.  My wife's classes at the Culture Center and my private lessons are really fruitful.  Please pray for grace and endurance. We eagerly look forward to the day when we will be able to proclaim the Gospel in this native tongue.

Our community is, by the grace of God, stable and consistent.  We continue to meet and pray five days a week, break bread together, and open the Word together once or twice a week.  We as leadership are continuing to work on tools for the future, structure for growth, and stable hearts set on Jesus for the present.  We amazingly have teams and individuals that visit us as they consider and practice missions in the M.E. We are also preparing for both the Emmaus School of Missions and Emmaus School of Worship beginning later this year. God seems to be using our small community as a hub for releasing people throughout the Middle East. Please pray that God would keep us rooted in the Vine (Jn. 15), and that God would lay His hand on men and women for the furtherance of His kingdom.

[1] http://www.whatisramadan.com

He is enough

It has been so long since I have written a blog I hardly know where to start! For me, the last three months have been somewhat of a stand still blur. Between being too ill to essentially do anything except lay in bed and focus on keeping food down and then recovering from the polar opposite reality of miscarrying (more specifically having a D&C) as well as entering into the grief from that dramatic shift the only thing I know to say is: cling to Jesus. He is enough, He is ever-present, He is near when we feel alone, and He is so very good. These recent days are sometimes emotional and filled with tears, yet we truly are doing so well. We are daily in awe of how much we have to be thankful for, and are un-deserving of the kindness of our God to come rescue and save us. There is deep joy to be found in profound sorrow... and it is only found in Christ. 

As most of you know these past few weeks have been filled with unexpected times for our family. We recently sent out an email update that briefly shared some of the outside events that were placed before us (the gallbladder attack, motor wreck, and loss of our baby). The day after we sent out our last email update our daughter was burned with boiling water down her leg and we, yet again, ventured to the local hospital here. Thankfully her burns were only second degree and are now mostly healed. We cannot communicate enough how thankful we are for your words of encouragement and prayers… it would be lying to say that these past few weeks have been easy, but it is truthful to say that He lifts our loads and makes our yoke easy and burden light. In the place of suffering there’s a God worth worshipping!

The new schedule for language classes/tutoring has been going very well. Both of us feel like we are growing more and more in understanding the grammatical structure of the language and growing in cognitive thinking and speaking.  The classes at the University are quite extensive and challenging. It is an excellent program and already I see improvement in my comprehension. More than education I’m really praying for (and pursuing) relationships with my Teachers. My grammar teacher’s husband is an Islamic religion teacher at one of the many Mosques here. So often, while she is teaching, I think about God’s Sovereignty and irony in having a Muslim woman teach us (I’m in a class with three other people from our community) the language so that we are able to spread the gospel and worth of Jesus in this native tongue. Incredible isn’t it?

Private tutoring sessions, for my other half, are an excellent fit as well. Twice a week a tutor comes to our house for two hours each session. He also meets once a week at a café with a local who previously taught English and is very thorough in teaching correct pronunciation and grammar. When other locals eavesdrop on their lesson they come over with their tea and give much approval (in the form of ear to ear smiles and back slaps) to the language learning lessons. The time spent studying, speaking, memorizing, writing, and stretching our brains is so worth how exhausted we feel sometimes afterward. We keep our eye on the prize… being able to pray with our neighbors, or share with them about God’s faithfulness thru all circumstances, or declare that Jesus truly is the only way to the Father… all in a language they can understand.

Recently, before we fall asleep at night, we've been taking time to read the news. Lately the area that we live in has been consistently highlighted. There is growing tension as beliefs and ideals clash and wars continue to wage on. People are putting their hope in political leaders or ideologies, which will absolutely fail them. It is a fresh reminder that we, as Christians, must place all our hope in our King. As the world shakes its finger in hatred of God and the nations rage against Him our prayer is this: a remnant would arise with a bold and unwavering proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah: the lamb of God that was slain and worthy of all Glory, Power, and Honor. He is the only hope for redemption, restoration, peace, and true freedom. May He build His kingdom here… in every city, in every tribe, and in every nation.

Last but not least I just wanted to say... Thank you for taking time to read this post. Thank you for wondering how we are doing and praying for us. Thank you for sacrificing financially to support us. Thank you for emailing us to let us know that you care and love us. Thank you for being involved in our lives... we say it all the time but feel the truth everyday... we are so grateful for you, our brothers and sisters. We are grateful to run this race beside you until He comes in Glory. Amen.

preparing for growth

As I reflect on the almost five month we have been here I am humbled by God’s amazing grace.  Typically when new teams form out of various backgrounds to embark in frontier missions in sensitive areas, division, identity crisis, and disillusionment are at the door.  However, I am thankful to say God is at work in the darkest of places through the weakest of people for His great glory.  Our team continues to grow and we both love and like each other more and more each day.  We all have strengths and weaknesses, but together we compliment each other well. We are not only growing as a community here, but also through out the M.E. Individuals and teams have been approaching us about linking arms for the spread of the Gospel throughout the M.E.   We are also only months away from the start of our school that will host twelve students for their training and sending throughout various regions. We are also continuing to form local relationships throughout our city and develop our language skills for the future church plant.

Considering the growth now and what is still yet to come we are in the processes of writing out our statement of faith, building multipliable cross cultural structures, and Biblical community development. Rather than focusing on the big and future, we want to focus on the now and local.  Our hope is that God would do a great work through us locally so that we may in the future be vessels of God worth modeling.  We are working on apologetic, discipleship, and evangelistic materials that may be used locally, and be translated in the future to assist others in surrounding regions. Please pray for the purity of the Word and blade of the Spirit as we humbly work to do something greater than us.  We are also pursuing relationships with others who have been doing this longer than us, and have materials already made.  Please pray that God would open doors for the expanse of His kingdom.

Very soon will be a change in our schedule. We will be making more time for language acquisition and splitting our meetings, as a group, due to local laws in existence within this country. A large chunk of our day will be focused on studying, continuing classes, and also a stricter time with language partners. We are excited and curious as to how all of these changes will affect our community and family, but are also excited that as we grow there is flexibility in our schedule to allow for trying new things. There will also be a shift in our gathering together as a team. We have been meeting together in one house Monday-Friday for prayer, worship, and the study of the Word, but are about to split into two groups. We are excited for the growth within our community!

As a family there has been much to adapt to. We are all doing well however, and the pregnancy sickness that has been very present is starting to decline. Thank you so much for all the prayers you have been praying for us! They are felt and much needed. As our schedules change and we take on new roles here a continuing grace from the Lord is upon us. To be honest we aren’t sure what things will look like as we shift or how we will adjust as a family. However, we feel a strong unity in our marriage and a nearness as we are all in this together.  If you have been standing with us in prayer please continue to do so; if you haven’t been, we greatly covet those prayers. As we have said many times before… we need you as a body to be the ones holding our rope as we continue to plod.

A New Season

(First off I apologize for the tardiness of this update, we moved and don’t have internet at our new place yet, and have been having technical difficulties. Thank you for your patience!)    

A new home, new neighborhood, new friends, new schedule, new baby, and a new praying community, God is at work in the darkest places for our good and His glory. We just finished the busiest week we have had since being here. God opened a door for us to move across town away from our community into an incredible neighborhood with endless possibilities for Gospel outreach. Our primary purpose for moving was to come along side a local believer that gave his life to the Lord a little over a year ago. Our great commission desire in local ministry is not to establish an American church in the M.E., but to serve and disciple those whom God saves and see them become the driving force of local ministry. We are daily meeting new people and making connections throughout the city, and our new neighborhood. Please continue to pray that seed falls on good ground producing a large, healthy, and fruit bearing harvest. Moving into the new house will also free up several hundred dollars a month for us to be able to pour into local outreaches, communities, and believers.

A new baby: We are so thankful for everyday God knits the new little baby together inside of Monica. What an incredible gift from our good sovereign God, His timing is perfect! Monica is unfortunately as sick as can be. She spends most her time laying in bed and keeps little down. However, she does it all for the joy set before her and suffers through it with little, to no complaining. Please pray the second trimester comes with a new wave of grace. It is not easy to learn language and build relationship when you don’t feel well.

Beginning in May we as a community will be starting a new schedule to facilitate 35 different learning styles, the need for more time with language partners, personal study, family dynamics, and ministry training in the local language. We believe this will greatly help our community by quickening our language learning and help provide time to build significant local relationships. We will also split our growing community into two different meeting places. This will allow us to continue to raise up leaders in a small group setting, stay under the radar, and lay the foundations for two future church plants. God has blessed our community with many foreign and local laborers and we continually pray that people would come to see and know the treasure inside these pitiful clay vessels.

It is so exciting to be a part of God universal ever growing kingdom.

Please pray for:

~ Unity among the small but growing church here in this city (Eph 4:1-5).
~ An outpouring of the Holy Spirit for boldness to share the Gospel (Acts 4:31). ~ Monica and the new babies health (3 John 2). 

hear His voice

“My sheep hear My voice, & I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all;  no one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” Jn. 10:27-29

Oh how these Words give confidence & stir faith within my heart when the task ahead seems nigh impossible. His sheep will hear His voice... They hear his voice because He calls & because He calls they follow Him, & in the beauty of the following they are known by this Great Shepherd of their souls who will keep them. When my words fail, when my faith gives sway, when i am in weakness, when the darkness seems too much to bear He is the One who has made a way & will call His sheep... they will hear Him & follow. I truly love this Sovereign King.

“How did I come to be a believer? Well, it was simple... I was reading in the Bible and I thought, ‘This must be true.’” This morning I heard these words flow forth from the mouth of a local believer. She told us in 1989, when she was 17, she wanted to read in the Bible but could not find one. She went to several local orthodox churches in her city but they wouldn’t help her because it is illegal to proselytize to anyone 18 & under. When she was 19 she read the Bible for the first time & realized God was speaking to her, & she believed. The Lord called her; she followed. His desire & strength to save is so much stronger than our own. 

During these past few weeks the Lord has begun bringing local believers into our midst! These few have such passion & tender love for the Lord & His Word. Over & over again we have heard this similar testimony... “I read in His Word & knew it was truth.” It has been an honor to have them in our prayer times and invite them into our small (yet growing) community. Our desire is to support, disciple, & give them the resources they need to continue spreading the Worth of Christ & the truth of His Word in this city. These are exciting days as we see the Lord’s leading unfold before us in bringing us to this specific place. He is truly doing amazing things.

Our language adaptation is slow but steady... we feel a great grace in learning. The largest growing conviction surrounding acquisition is the desire to befriend our neighbors, love them well, & testify of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Most days I find it difficult to communicate how old I am, or what my daughter’s name is... we have a long way to go :).

Part of our group traveled last week to a refugee camp for the purpose of distributing medical supplies and connecting with the local churches there. They returned safely (thank you for praying for them) with the desire to invest within that city long term. The need there is pressing, & the suffering of the people is worn on their faces. Those who have been tried by long years of persecution are still standing, & as a community we see opportunity to serve there long-term. We are in prayer as to what this looks like; please be praying for wisdom & guidance. For more info. on the situation within the refugee camps click here ( http://www.faimission.org/a-glimpse-into-the-lives-of-syrian-refugees )

Thank you for your continual faithfulness in giving of your finances, your time, your prayers, & your love for Jesus & for our family... it is overwhelming to us & humbles us. May we all speak & live to makes His name famous, no matter what city or nation we are in! ​

small & hidden

Damp & grey, crisp & bleak, hints of light breaking thru the clouds until color shatters the darkness. Oh how often this is seen in the atmospheric landscape of this nation. Every time I see it, this remarkable reminder of God’s covenant to His people, it causes me to reflect on His great redemption to mankind seen in the face of Jesus Christ. Christ bore the fullness of wrath that we deserved. Instead of once again flooding the earth to wipe out the wicked God chose to pour out His wrath upon His own Son... therefore bringing redemption to us, those whom He called to be His sons & daughters. This is Good News! 

As the weeks have passed since our last post several things have transpired. We obtained our residency! We now have access to be here for 3 years, with the flexibility of flying in and out of the country without much hassle. Thank you for those who have been in prayer for us. The process went so smoothly. Because we obtained residency we were able to purchase a scooter. I cannot express how wonderful it is to have accessible transportation. Now we have a wider reach into the city and surrounding villages that we cannot access by public transportation alone. It is a great blessing! 

Financially we have been so amazed at the commitment & support level we feel from our local church, our friends abroad, & our families. With your support we are able to buy groceries, pay bills, give to those in need, pay for language learning fees, & essentially do everything that we are doing here. We are completely & totally dependent upon the Lord to provide for us, and He is providing for us so greatly thru you. Thank you for being so faithful to give to Him. Thank you for joining us in spreading the Good News to the unreached and unengaged. 

Here is a brief summary of what we have been up to/ things that are up & coming:

Locally:  We started a basic schedule consisting of 2 hours of prayer & worship with our community 5 days a week, language learning 20 hours a week, & various gatherings and Bible studies throughout the week . It is intentionally a light schedule for the purpose of having time to be with the locals. Our goal is to build relationships, share the Gospel, & bless this city. God has given us tremendous favor here. We continually pray that it will be for His glory.    

Regionally:  We are in the process of launching a missions school starting in September. It will be a 9 month immersion into the vision & values of frontier ministry. It is designed to serve those who sense a life-long call to magnify the worth of Jesus among unreached peoples (Romans 15:17-23; Matthew 9:37; 28:18-20). It is part of our concentrated effort to mobilize laborers throughout the Middle East, North Africa, & the Mediterranean Basin. We will hold the school here, train people, & send them throughout the ME. The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few. There are many applicants but we only have space for 12 people: please pray for wisdom as God stirs hearts across the globe. 

Globally:  We are currently in the process of making a film, holding conferences, making connections throughout various denominations & missions organizations, writing books, blogs, & connecting medical professionals throughout the ME as pathways for the Gospel. Our goal is to flood the internet, churches, & lands with the message that Jesus is worthy of our lives.  The call we are shouting is, “Serve Him unhindered wherever He may lead.”  Please pray that we stay Christ-centered & are a blessing to the Church across the globe.    

"He told them another parable. The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." Matthew 13:33

In many ways we are like the leaven in this parable. We are small, hidden, & unlike the masses around us.  We are a Christian remnant in a large Muslim city,  yet darkness is but a theater for the light of the Gospel.  As we live, learn, & do our best to serve in this city we see God’s hand at work both in us & thru us.  We see God challenging & forming. We hold on to the promise that a little leaven changes the whole measure.

We have landed!

Greetings from the M.E.! I must say it shocks me to write this blog post 4,000 miles away from “home”. We have landed… we are settled… we are in a schedule… we are beginning language learning… we are richly blessed.

I’ll briefly go through the details of our traveling and try to communicate as much as possible without boring you. Our flights were so smooth! Seriously, our daughter was a legend. She barely slept on our flights (she did pass out for 3 hours on the floor of the terminal in Paris) but didn’t once have a meltdown, which we consider an absolute miracle. When we finally arrived at our midway destination we were all wiped, passed out around 8pm local time, and promptly awoke at midnight ready for the day… the only problem with that was that it was midnight. It took some time for our bodies to acclimate to the time change. I’ll just say we had many a midnight Cinderella viewing! We spent a few days resting at a hotel and went exploring into the heart of the city to check out the historical sights. After two days we boarded our plane and headed to our final destination…

Since our landing two weeks ago we have been busy: learning the layout of the city, activating/registering our phones, spending time with friends we are serving alongside of, finding/moving into/settling in our new house (which has a guest room… hint hint), applying for permanent residency, beginning language acquisition, spending time together as a family, eating a lot of delicious food, missing our family & friends back home, and falling in love with the people here. This place is beautiful! I’ve been truly taken aback by how easy it has been to adjust in being here. I attribute that solely to the grace that comes from God alone and we are so grateful for the prayers that have been prayed for us! Seriously, we could not make this transition, bring the Good News, or live daily life without your support whether it is thru prayer or finances. From the depths of our hearts we say THANK YOU.

The most crucial task ahead of us at this point is learning the language. Right now we are taking introductory classes three times a week and in February will begin taking class five times a week. Our goal is to spend at least twenty hours a week on focused language learning as well as spending time in the markets and talking with the people. People here are so gracious with us, and it means so much to them that we are trying to learn their language so we can communicate with them. We greatly look forward to the day that we can preach the gospel in their tongue, but not knowing the language is not an excuse to not speak of Jesus! One thing that has been stirring deeply within my husband’s heart is a desperate need for the Holy Spirit. I’ll close with some last thoughts from him.

“As I walk around this city of thousands I am overwhelmed with the realization that apart from Christ we can do nothing! There has been a growing desire to see God pour out His Spirit, to see the dead raised, the sick healed, and the Word of God spread. I do not simply desire a display of power but signs and wonders that reveal the true Sign and Wonder of knowing Jesus Christ. If I am honest I must confess I do not see God pouring out His Spirit like He did in Acts. I am convinced church planting strategies, eloquent words, and charismatic personalities will not save the Muslim souls. We need the Holy Spirit. Please pray that God would have mercy on a people far from Him. Pray for a revival that exults Christ, builds the Church, and blesses this city.”

 Acts 4:29-31 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

the in-between

How sweet it is to be sitting in the familiarity of your childhood home, yet how perfectly strange to think that this world is not our home. We, as believers, live in this overhang crux of waiting in the in-between... like a tightrope walker dangles on the middle of his wire. The Word speaks often on this subject. One example is found in Colossians 3: 2-4, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." As we have been transitioning from one "home" to another I have been so convicted to re-align my gaze into this mystery of Christ being my life. It hits afresh every time I pack and re-pack my suitcase these past few weeks. Most of my earthly belongings are in this very room that I'm sitting in, but they are not my life nor my home. Only Christ. I want to long for Him more than I long to be settled somewhere on this earth. 

We are a mere twelve days away from departing American soil. My jaw dropped when I just counted the days. TWELVE DAYS! We fly out on the 27th of December & begin the two day journey to our new "home". Please pray for us as we continue to travel. We will need much grace & mercy! As far as our recent travels goes, it has been such an amazing time visiting with friends & family. We traveled to New Haven, CT to spend time with dear friends who have recently planted a church near Yale. The Lord is moving within their midst & many are turning to Him in that city. Glory to God! It was an honor to be there with them and connect in with their community.

Now we are in Georgia eating a lot of comfort food & spending much needed time with family. There are so many moments where I want to freeze frame my surroundings. Like when I hold my new nephew, or watch my daughter play peekaboo with her "G'daddy". I'd like to sound capture my niece's incredible southern accent & pack my Momma in my suitcase so she can come with us. It's in these times where I recall that Christ is my life. He gives good gifts, but the best gift He gives is Himself. I can take great joy in my family, but my greater joy is found in laying them down in His hands & following hard after Him. 

Many of you know that once we make the move to the M.E. we will be joining in with a team of 20(ish) people from all across the globe. We wanted to give you the website link to who we will be serving with so that you can have a variety of ways to follow us & stay up to date. Click here. As we've mentioned in the past we will be removing ourselves from social media (facebook, twitter, instagram) as we get established & work thru security issues. The reason we're doing this is not out of fear but wanting to remain as off the grid as possible. We will be updating this blog once a month, on the fifteenth, to stay in communication. 

As a final note we'd like to say, once more, a humungous THANK YOU to those who are partnering with us financially & to those who are on your knees in prayer with us. We are in this together: One Church, One Family, with One Father. We could not do this without you. May the Lord lavish His mercies upon us all & may He give us boldness to proclaim the Good News of His salvation!

Give Him Everything.

Ten days... in ten days our small family begins the first phase of transition: leaving our home, our family, our friends, our way of life as we know it. I'll be the first to admit that this makes me feel deeply saddened. It is no easy thing to say goodbye to people who have stood by your side thru struggles, joys, tears, fears, and dreams... those who have supported and prayed for you in such a capacity that enables you to leave now and follow Jesus. We are so richly blessed by a tight-knit family in Christ. What a joy to feel the sting of goodbye, yet to know that this is not the end.

On the opposite end of the spectrum it is an absolute rush of blood to the head to know we are about to roll out of L-town. I really do feel as though I'm experiencing a bit of shock at the prospect that this is actually happening. You know that one part on the viral youtube video of "David at the dentist" where he exclaims, "Is this real life???" That pretty much sums up how I feel.

In our last post we shared a great need for more monthly financial support. By God's great provision and your lavish kindness we are oh so close to having our full budget! It has been humbling, overwhelming, and downright strikes us dumb at the support the Lord has provided thru your partnership. We were able to book our tickets a few weeks ago and will be flying out of Kansas on the 28th of November. From Kansas we travel to New Haven, CT for a week to spend time with precious friends. We will then travel to Georgia to spend Christmas with family and head to the M.E. on the 27th of December.

I find myself soaking up each final day here... memorizing familiar faces and expressions, all the more knowing soon I won't have the privilege of seeing them regularly. I enjoy each quirky laugh, every inside joke, and cherish all the hugs we have been receiving lately. In all the weight of the loss we feel there is overwhelming joy in Jesus that soothes our souls. He is enough; He is worth everything.

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

where He leads...

I can hear my Savior calling, I can hear my Savior calling, I can hear my Savior calling, “Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”

Where He leads me I will follow, Where He leads me I will follow, Where He leads me I will follow, I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

I’ll go with Him through the waters, I’ll go with Him through the waters, I’ll go with Him through the waters, I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way. 

I’ll go with Him through the garden, I’ll go with Him through the garden, I’ll go with Him through the garden, I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

He will give me grace and glory, He will give me grace and glory, He will give me grace and glory. And go with me, with me all the way.

​Oh how this old hymn has echo'd in my heart & soul these past few weeks. As we continue to prepare for our departure I have been reminded not only of the call to follow Him, but the truth that He will go with us, all the way.  

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of you who have been praying for us. We are so humbled by the support we feel from our friends & family. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to prepare to leave; there is no greater way to stand with us in this time. I also want to communicate our deep gratitude for those who have been prompted to support us financially. It is so overwhelming to see the Lord provide thru you. Our goal before departure is to raise $2,500 monthly. As of right now we have 1/3 of that commited. If you have a desire to support us, please contact us so we can give further details as to how. 

It is hard to believe that September is here. The time is passing like sand thru the hour glass it seems. We have been busy trying to cross tasks off of our list as we look at the legistics of selling the things we own & moving to the M.E.  This last month has literally felt more like a whirlwind or a trainwreck than an actual month. In our last post we mentioned leaving Kansas around the end of September, but due to plan changing we are hoping to leave mid-October, traveling to Georgia for a month, & then leaving for the M.E. around Thanksgiving. All of our plans our dependant upon two main things: 1) God's perfect timing 2) financial funding. 

As time ticks on we feel our hearts shifting toward excitement and anticipation. We sense the Lord continue to remind us to have that one thing mindset which Paul speaks of in Philippians 3:13-14, "but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind & straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Oh that we all may count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus and gaining Him, which is far better than any pleasure this world has to offer!

Our desire for this website is to keep it updated even after we move. For security reasons we will be changing our emails, getting off social media, & be very cautious of what we say online. This is the best way to stay informed as we transition, & while we are gone.