September 2011 Update

The second half of August has brought several opportunities to reconnect with supporters and promote missions. On weekday evenings we have hosted dinners with supporters.  The goal has been to reconnect and thank them for their involvement.  On weekends we have been involved in a couple of support raising events.  David was invited to share a devotional and missions presentation at a businessman's breakfast.  On another weekend David and Kim were invited to give their mission presentation to a small group in home church fellowship.  So, as God opens doors we are committed to step through those doors to advance His kingdom cause and work in Ukraine.

It is interesting how the Lord has provided for our family during this home ministry assignment.  Not only did the Lord provide a wonderful home in the countryside, He also provided a nearby school for our children.  During the second half of August our children, Austin (tenth grade) and Karyn (seventh grade), started school.  They will attend a private Christian school (Poetry Community Christian School) for one semester.  They are enjoying the regular classes as well as the electives.  Some of the electives that they chose for this semester are Karate, Sign Language, Photography and Puppets.  So far, they seem to be adjusting well to life and school in the States.  We ask your prayers for God to give them positive experiences that will help prepare them for their future life in college and beyond.


Now that the summer has ended and the children are settled in school, we parents can begin our support raising travels.  Every weekend in September has been scheduled with church meetings and conferences in Louisiana and Missouri.  Labor Day weekend we will drive to neighboring Louisiana to give a missions and discipleship presentation in Broadlands Bible Church.  Pray that we would be able to reconnet and recast our vision.  The following weekend we plan to visit Greek Oak Bible Church.  The weekend after that we plan to visit Henderson Bible Church.  Then at the end of the month David is scheduled to attend a week long CrossWorld conference in Kansas City, Missouri.  So, we ask your prayers not only for safe travel but also for strengthened relationships and a fruitful ministry during this busy month.

One of our tasks for home mininstry was to renew the children's passports and to obtain new visas for the family.  The hassles of paperwork and documents are one of the parts of missions that we don't often talk about.  They are a necessary part of missions and consume time and resources.  We can praise the Lord that in August we obtained new passports for the children.  However, we recently learned that in September the Ukrainian government is going to change again their visa issuing rules and regulations.  It seems that every time they change the system this usually presents new hassles for missionaries.  We ask your prayers that we would be able to acquire new visas without hassles before December.  I would like to obtain some kind of residency status in Ukraine so that the document hassles are reduced.  So, would you please pray for God to open a door in this area of lives?

God is doing a great work in Ukraine and around the world.  Will you be a part of His harvest?  What can you do?  "Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers into His harvest field."  Luke 10:2  The key to fulfilling God's spiritual harvest is prayer!