Home-Stretch!

From our May trip

Well we are in the homestretch it looks like!  Hard to believe we have 32 days before we are off to Colorado for training for 3 weeks, then a brief stop in Raleigh to grab our 'several' suitcases,then to our new home...the Dominican!  

To update you all, we have been very busy with travel and meeting with partners,family, and friends the last month.  God has provided our start up costs and we are close to 50% of our monthly support.  Our Father had provided (through many of you) 1/2 of our start up costs in about 2 weeks.  It was amazing.  It is so important to stop, breath, and look for His Hand in all of this.  Our house is still on the market, we had some showings while we were out of town (a blessing for me to be out of  town with the kids and know that the house was in showing condition).  If you would join us in praying for the house to sell soon and the rest of our monthly partnerships (about 50%) to come in before we leave for Colorado.  I have more than once been asked, "what are you going to do if the house doesn't sell?"  Well, won't you join me in this faith challenge :) We know that He gave us peace about going and we are having to completely trust Him to work out the details.  "...because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance.  Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  Thank you James!

Yesterday we recieved a letter in the mail from the 2 orphan girls in our neighborhood in the D.R.- mainly addressed to the kids with their picture attached.  They welcomed the kids and us...  The host couple in the D.R. right now said the girls love to look at the picture of our family that I left there in May.  This is a testimony to how the kids there are excited and grateful for the hope in Christ that we/you can bring.

We appreciate your prayers, encouragement, and partnerships.  We are committed to keep you connected with how God is using you in the lives of the kids in the Dominican.

As time is progressing quickly, we will do our best to keep you updated on our status.... and sanity :)

Jen

A quick update....

We are doing well and still moving forward.  We have a trip to Illinois (June 18-25) to visit with family and friends soon, as well as share about Makarios.  We will also be going to Austin, TX (July) for an orientation for Makarios, and a few weeks after that to MTI (missionary training institute), which is 3 weeks long.  So, I believe all the days in between are left for packing, preparing, and visiting with family and friends!!! 

Our house is still on the market ...its awaiting that special buyer :)  .  We are at about 25% partnerships.
Seems like an unattainable task to our earthly minds ( our desire is for the house to be sold and be fully funded by the end of July), but it is a small task for the Creator of ALL things. 

This whole process has been "busy".  Yet, we have seen the Lord work in many ways thus far and so thankful for His provisions and His love.  It has been so encouraging seeing the Body come together through prayer, cards, words, partnerships, even babysitting so I can pack one box without interruptions!
To see His Word lived out in our friends and family has been a blessing in itself.  It has also been a blessing getting to share with unbelievers.

The kids seem to be more excited and are enjoying learning about the Dominican and the Spanish language!  It is cute to hear our two year old counting in Spanish or trying to say "thank you" in Spanish. 

The team that went to the DR from CUC Sunday School in May gave a slide show presentation at Colonial this past Sunday.  We decided to sit in and listen.  I'm telling you, sitting there looking at the kids, some who are orphans, made me want to get on the plane the next day!   He had given us peace that is only growing and we cannot wait to get there and love on the Dominican and Haitian people.  We cannot wait to share the love of Christ.  Join us in praying that all these details, big and small, fall into place and that we would "not be anxious about anything, but in supplication and prayer!".