In the midst of moving, we had been waiting for our container to arrive from China, but the date it would arrive was uncertain. Praise the Lord it was delivered just in time; the week before we needed it to pack things from our house!
Next we finished our packing and loaded up our belongings in Lafayette. We were so blessed by a huge turnout from our church and several surgical colleagues/friends who took time on a Friday to load a Uhaul truck, trailer, and another van and trailer. We were especially blessed by Pastor Mike who bailed us out with the church van and trailer when we came up short on moving space. He made the trip to our parents in Heyworth, IL to deliver our goods.
The following day a group of guys from Nine Mile Baptist Church drove up to the site where we are packing a container that will be shipped to Togo. We built wood crates, that now contain our belongings inside the container. This will help protect things on the trip, and the wood can be used to build a variety of items in our house when we arrive in Togo. We were able to build about half of the needed crates, so we still have some work ahead.
We are very thankful for the time and encouragement so many have given during this move. John 13:34 - 35 talks about the love we are to have for each other, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." We certainly felt this kind of love from our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are so grateful the Lord has brought each of you into our lives.
We are currently in Harrisburg, PA as Natasha finishes the 3rd of 4 required Bible classes. Over the past few weeks we have completed several of the requirements necessary for us to get clearance. These Bible classes are the only things we have remaining! The light is at the end of the tunnel for this first portion of our journey. Next up is language school in France. In fact, this past week we purchased tickets to fly to France on Dec 29 and were officially accepted to language school. Please continue to pray for us as we work out the details of the language school and French Visas.
Prayer requests:
Our family and ministry: With just a little over 3 months before we leave, we are beginning to say our good byes to our family and friends. Also we have been gone from our big kids a lot over the past several months, and they have started in a new school. They also realize we will soon be moving far from family and friends and will be experiencing a lot more changes like new schools, new language and new culture. Please pray for us and our children as these changes and emotions are challenging for all.
We continue to seek someone to help our family in France. Several of our teammates have told us how important this is, in order for us to maximize our time in France learning language. We have one individual seriously considering this ministry. We have to figure out several details to include funding and Visa requirements for it to work. Please pray for her and our family as we wait on the Lord to give guidance and work through these roadblocks/details.
Our Team: The physical and spiritual needs are very great. The Lord is clearly at work and moving in great ways through the ministry in Mango. Please pray for more medical staff long term and short term. There are needs especially for nurses as those who have committed for 1 year are over 1/2 way done. There are also needs for physicians and mid level providers of all specialties. Please contact us, if you are interested in helping short or long term.
Upcoming events:
October 4-7 - American College of Surgeons meeting - Opportunity to meet several surgeons from the WACS (West African College of Surgeons)
October 24 - Natasha speaking at women's event at Cornerstone Baptist church
November - 5-8 Global Missions Health Conference in Louisville, KY
November 23-29 - Family gathering with Nattier's and Murry's
Dec 6 - Commissioning service at University Baptist Church
Dec 7-? - Travel to South Carolina and Georgia
Dec 29 - Leave from Chicago to France
Jan 4 - Language school begins
