Dear Praying Friends and Family,
Greetings from the beautiful campus of PPMMP, our home of 16 years. In our New Years udpate we told you of and asked you to pray about possible changes in ministry. We would like for you to continue praying concerning this as it is closer on our horizon.
As I write this month the students have just finished mowing the main campus, have harvested the fruit trees, and cleaned around the others trees on the campus. Everything is so green and and alive because of rainy season being in full swing and I feel very blessed to be here enjoying it all!
The Present Horizon: Missionary Training Center
We have just finished out first full month of ministry for this new semester. This semester started on January 25 with 17 students in the Firm Foundations course and 7 students in the Missions 1 class. The students that graduated in December have gone back to their home churches for 6 months of relationship building. The Missions 2 class (10 students and their 6 children) is about half way through their pracitum in a Lauje tribal station where they are putting into practice everything they’ve learned in their 3 ½ years of training. Exciting days for all of us!
Craig, along with Chris Lahu, has been teaching the books of Acts to our 1st year students. He is also team teaching with Kasman Katino Church Phases (infancy to adulthood) to our Missions 2 class. It has been a fascinating time team teaching with these men. There is real freedom for interaction with both the students and teachers in the class. We find this style of teaching much more condusive to learning. The great thing about it is, not only the students learn, but the teachers as well.
It is so neat to see the group of staff God has put together here. One of my favorite times is sports time when the staff men get together and just have fun. We ladies are more free to get together and let our hair down but the men stay busy with various responsibilites so it means so much to me to see them laugh and tease each other. We also try to get in some friendly games of badminton on Tuesday nights. Most of the staff men are avid players.
The Kids Horizon: Home School
I have been pushing Cody and Cheyenne a bit harder in school this semester because we don’t want to pack their books to take home and finish school there. They are doing well and on schedule to finish the middle of May. Cody’s classes have taken a turn toward business math and geometry, which I love! Cheyenne continues to improve her reading skills and shows true signs of an artist with her many projects. Pray that I can continue to keep them interested and motivated. I am always looking for creative ways to enhance their lessons.
Near Future Horizon: Home Assingment
Our Home Assingment is quickly approaching. It is just under a 100 days before we fly. In our last update we told you we would share the various needs and how the Lord is working. Most times when missionaries come home they need to find flights, housing and cars. Often times they can save up for these and sometimes this is just not possible. We have been able to save some for these needs, but not all.
We have been looking into flights and it looks like we will be able to fly home the 1st week of June. We are still working the itenerary with several travel agents. The quotes we have been getting for four one way tickets have been running around $4,500. We will also be looking for a decent used mini van. Last time were able to locate one for $3,600. So far we have been able to put aside just over $3,000 for these needs. We ask you to pray for these needs as the Lord brings them to your mind. All gifts designated for Home Asignment will be used accordingly.
On the housing front, we may have located a missionary house in the Londonderry NH area. This will be available from September 2010 to March 2011. There will be a small monthly rental fee plus electricity. It is only about 8 minutes from our home church and 16 minutes from Craig’s parents’ house. There is rumor that there is a Dunkin Donuts across the street too. This could be dangerous, but delicious.
Mutual Horizon: You & Us
Please allow us to take this time to thank you, again, for your continued faithfulness to us and our ministry. We look forward to sharing with you what God has done through you as you’ve chosen to be a part of our lives. Know that we thank God for you daily and ask Him to continue to meet your needs as He uses you to meet ours. We appreciate you so much!
Love,
Cheryl for…
The 4 C’s. Craig, Cher yl, Cody & Cheyenne
If you would like to give financially, make checks payable to New Tribes Mission with a note attached designating it to the ministry of Craig & Cheryl Cassel and send to the business address below. We will receive 100% of the gift. All gifts are tax deductible. You may also give online.
New Tribes Mission
1000 E. First Street
Sanford, FL 32771