Dear Praying Friends,

The last 2 months have been busy ones, with nearly every Sunday, Sunday Night, and Wednesday night meetings in different churches 3 different states.  It’s been a time of productivity and blessing as well as a time of great challenge.

First the blessings – It has been a great experience visiting with some great churches!  We’ve been inspired and challenged by the exposure to different ministries in different parts of the country.  As we continue to mature and grow in ministry, these times are enriching.  Also, with our need to increase in support being a big issue, we are thankful to report that 2 new churches have joined our support base.  This is an answer to prayer, as we have to make up for the loss of 50% of our spending power in Australia during our last term.  Further, about 2/3^rd’s of our airfare has been committed to us for our return to Australia, planned for December, 2008. And last, but certainly not least, I am very glad to report that 6 young people have responded to God’s call on their lives for full-time missionary service.  This has been an answer to all of our prayers, as we continue to “pray the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth more laborers into His harvest.” 

And now for the challenges … (these are presented as a request to join us in prayer as we work through some of the difficult circumstances that are a normal part of this “abnormal” job).   We are doing our best in cutting expenses, and a large part of our monthly outlay this month has been our car.  We have had to replace a transmission, an alternator, and a starter.  I’m not saying that money has been so tough that my kids have to eat the stale French-fries in the back seat for their next meal, but could you join us in prayer that our car would hold out for the next half year, without too much more financial outlay.  (I would also like to add that God has blessed us with a great mechanic, who has worked on our car with an attitude of ministry.  We thank God for him and his family.)  Would you please remain with us in prayer for our family as our children still work through the issues of “reverse culture shock”.  Three of our four kids had very little or even no exposure to the American culture prior to this furlough.  This is felt by them in school especially.  Thanks for praying for them as they “soldier through” the difficulty.   Another challenge is the loss of some precious churches due to various reasons.   While we appreciate these good people, we thank God for the fruit that has been placed in their account for the sake of the gospel.    The last difficulty that I ask you to continue to pray for is the traveling that has yet to be done to report to supporting churches, as well as raise the remaining necessary funds to return to work and ministry in Australia.

God Bless You  All,