D-Day

Well yesterday was D-Day! What does that mean? It typically means it's the day when something exciting is going to happen, for us it was supposed to mean the day we were to head off to Portugal for language training. Well the Lord has decided that He wants us to hang around just a little while longer. Not a big problem, it seems that the agency in Angola that handles passports likes ours so much that they want to gaze on our "non-smiling" faces for a few more days! Fortunately we have learned not to purchase airline tickets until passports are securely in hand. This is actually turning out to be a good thing because it is allowing us to tie up a few more loose ends before we go. Also it meant that we got to go out with Tami's cousins, Arvid & Debbie Nottveit and 3 of their kids to a Newsboys concert in Edmonton. What a blast! We are hoping to head out somewhere between the 10th and 20th of February depending on when we get our passports and whether British Airways goes on strike, seriously, I am not joking! We are learning to trust in God's timing. We'll keep you all posted on the time line as we find out what's going on!

14 Days and counting!

When I first started this update I was sitting at a desk in Palmer Lake, Colorado where we were taking a language acquisition course before we head to Portugal for actual language training. It is now only 14 days, Lord willing, before we board a plane to take the next step in serving the Lord with MAF. All of the plans and projects that seemed so far off in the future are now just around the corner. We are so blessed by all of the faithful prayers and support that we have received, are receiving and will receive. There are a few things to still complete before we head out such as Provincial exams for Kait, drivers license for Josh, learner's license for Matt, a renewal of an IFR rating for Gary, packing, visiting, dentist and doctor appointments and the return of our passports from Angola so we can go to Portugal. Passport...that almost seems like it's becoming a bad word. We would appreciate your prayers on all of these matters.

Back to the language course in Colorado. Mission Training International has been helping people to prepare to go cross culturally for about 50 years. The staff and teachers were a great encouragement, it was such an amazing time of learning and fellowship. I actually now believe that it is possible, for an old person, such as myself, to be able to learn a second language and be able to speak it!! We met all sorts of interesting, and I do mean that in the most positive sense of the word, people from all over the world who are preparing to serve the Lord in many different places, all over the world. It was such a blessing to meet so many people that are willing to go places and do things for the Lord that are way out of my comfort zone. It was a blessing to hear how God is at work in so many lives and how these people are listening to and following His leading. Our God is such an awesome God!

Again we want to thank you for all your prayers and gifts of support, it humbles us and we pray that we will glorify God with what you all have given. Our monthly support level is still around the 80% mark. Pray with us as we trust in the Lord to take care of this need. We have seen His supply in the past and know that He will take care of things in His time in the future. Please let us know how you are doing and remember that "A heart without Christ is a mission field and a heart with Christ is a missionary"