Happy New Year! As we embark on a new year, it is a real comfort to know that no matter what is going on in our world globally, nationally or personally, we can be sure of at least one thing: God “crowns the year with [His] goodness” (Psalm 65:11). And His goodness is so evident as we look at the past, present and future.
The holidays again provided us with opportunities to share homemade goody bags and Scripture calendars with those around us. One of the couples with whom we have had the least contact invited us into their home for a brief visit and willingly received our gifts.
God gave us refreshment over the Christmas season through the cards, letters and skype calls from distant family and friends as well as through the loving gifts we received. Our friends and missionary colleagues, Don and LeAnne Waite with their daughter Vivian came from Slovakia to spend 12 days with us for a delayed Christmas break in January.
While most of us came down with a nasty flu during their visit, God used their time with us to refresh us in many ways. The boys enjoyed immensely the opportunity to set up shop and do woodworking with “Uncle” Don, a skilled craftsman.
Since LeAnne’s sister is married to Jonathan’s brother David, our kids also enjoyed their time with their “cousin”. Our church benefitted from their visit as Don challenged us from Psalm 119 and they both shared their testimonies with us and presented their ministry.
We continue to work on our itinerary for a 6-month furlough/home ministry trip beginning early in August this year. Our desire is to connect with as many of our support team as possible during that time so we anticipate much travel. Having three kids homeschooling will add a challenge so we know we will need God’s special help. We appreciate prayer for our preparations for this ministry and that the Lord will guide and provide concerning a means of transportation and housing near Grand Rapids, MI for November, December and January.
Praise for
- God’s faithfulness in crowning each year with His goodness.
- the blessings God gave our family over the holidays and for special opportunities to share with others.
- the visit of the Waite family and for a refreshing time despite so much sickness.
- A good finish to the first half of the year of English club with a special program for the parents that could join us.
- the healing of Caleb’s broken arm and that he has been able to return to sports activities this month.
- Adrianna’s good progress on the violin and for opportunities she has had to play in our services and in music school concerts.
Pray for
- God to open hearts to His Word, and bring conviction and salvation to the unsaved and that He would give growth to the believers. Pray for those in attendance who need to make decisions for Christ.
- Pray for wisdom and vision as we study and prepare and that we will be relevant in the way that we present God's Word.
- a door to open for our church to be able to move to a more permanent and practical building.
- God to bring healing and relief to Cherith who is undergoing treatments for acute sinusitis.
- God’s help as we plan for our furlough/home ministry later this year. Pray for His provision of a vehicle for all of the traveling we will be doing in the 6 months we are home, and also for His provision of housing.
