Spring Update 2020
We've completed our training and are officially members of Ethnos360!!
We didn’t have a graduation ceremony because of COVID-19 but we received our diplomas and certificates in the mail! We both received a Bachelors of Intercultural Ministries and are “Certified as fully qualified to work as translators of indigenous languages”! Whoop whoop! Oh, and Nathan is now an ordained minister! So, let us know if you need a wedding officiant or someone to fill in and give a message at church!
Right now, we are living in Heber Springs, Arkansas. Please let us know if you'd like our new mailing address! We were planning on taking some trips to visit friends, family, and supporters before the virus spread but hope to do that a little later after the baby is born. We love visiting with each of you in person but in the meantime, feel free to video chat us!
Our certificates and diplomas from the Missionary Training Center!
Baby due in June
I don’t believe we ever officially announced what gender this baby is…have we? Ha, second child problems… If not, it’s a girl! My sister, Caitlin, is making the most of the corona virus and is throwing us a virtual baby shower for our sweet little girl. So fun! We can’t wait for you all to meet her! If her personality right now is anything like what it will be after she is born, then she will be a feisty one. We are so excited for the adventure of learning from and with these two kiddos. Our biggest prayer is that both of our children would come to know the Lord and love Him deeply.
We know God didn’t just ask Nathan and I to serve Him in this ministry but has asked our whole FAMILY. And we are thankful to be able to serve Him together!
What's next?
We are moving into a season of growing our Ministry Partnership Team. This team will consist of churches and individuals who will support our life and ministry through prayer, encouragement, and financial support. The mission requires that we, as a family of 4, have funds to cover 100% of their recommended monthly budget for the field of Papua New Guinea as well as our launching/house building costs. Currently we are at 35% of our monthly budget. With the average monthly donation in mind, we still need about 75 financial partners to join our team. This is a big goal, but we are hoping to move overseas by July 2021 and are praying that the Lord will raise up the right team for our family during this next year!
Many of you already prayerfully and financially support our ministry! Thank you for being part of our team! It is such a huge encouragement to us that we are already at 35% and we would not be here without those of you who trusted the Lord and supported us during our 4 years of training. Thank you for understanding the need for us to be equipped well and providing for us to do so! And thank you so much for your love, friendship, and involvement in the Great Commission!
Surgery
Nathan went to the doctor recently for a lump in his cheek. The doctor said it's likely just a cyst but that it is in a critical spot and needs to be removed and biopsied. His surgery is scheduled for May 18th!
We went ahead and decided to shave Nathan's beard now so Simeon wouldn’t be in shock! Simeon got to help shave and had so much fun making a mess. Also, look how good he looks!
Prayer
Just as many of you consistently pray for us, we also pray for you. We know this has been a crazy time for all of us; we’d love to hear what we can be specifically praying for you about. Please reply to this update with your specific prayer requests!
Please join us in praying:
· For a healthy delivery of our baby girl in June and that Simeon would adjust well to being a big brother.
· For Simeon as he deals with all the transitions he has faced and will be facing during this year and next.
· For a quick and easy surgery and recovery for Nathan.
· That the Lord would continually refresh our spirits as we look to Him to guide us during this season of ministry partnership development.
· That God would continue to grow our partnership team and that COVID-19 would not delay us in our ability to raise funds and move overseas by July 2021!