Julie and I took Jon and Meghan and our grandson Daniel to the airport this morning to fly back to China – Hohhot, to be precise. Please pray that they have a good trip back, and especially that God sends people their way to be an encouragement and help to them as they fly literally halfway around the world with a tiny baby.
We also just got word that another grandbaby is on its way. Our youngest daughter Brynna, who lives in Altamonte Springs, is expecting; her due date is in May. Pray for a good pregnancy and safe, healthy delivery.
Jackie, our oldest, is moving to another house in the San Diego area. Pray that the move goes well and the new place works out for her.
Our youngest, Evan, is in Tallahassee, with plans to start at Tallahassee Community College in January. Please pray that he is able to find a job soon.
Speaking of Tallahassee …
Taking Evan back Saturday, Julie and I talked about how unreliable our 10-year-old car has become. It would not start that morning and we had to use the van to take Evan home. We discussed using the van for upcoming trips in October and November. Though it would at least double our gasoline costs, it was an option.
No more.
A rock hit the van’s windshield during the trip, and it is cracking. We have only liability insurance, so replacement isn’t covered. And when the man came out to replace the windshield, and he said he could not because of rust damage. He said the van would need hundreds of dollars of work to repair the area around the windshield first.
Well, the van is:
- 17 years old and rusting out
- Far too big for us now and gets terrible gas mileage
And there’s more, so we don’t think it’s worth repairing it. We’re thankful for all the use we got out of it, and that it held up for the whole time Jon and Meghan were here. But this does leave us with a problem.
- Our car has become unreliable.
- It is too small for all our needs (We chose a small car when we had a van.)
- We have road trips at the end of October and mid-November.
We need to replace the car with something more reliable and a bit larger – soon.
Yes, we’ve been running a deficit each month this year, thanks to loss of support, increased costs and increased giving. And yes, our resources are almost gone. Thanks to a special gift from Julie’s mom’s Bible study group and a couple of other recent gifts, we can make it through the end of October.
But you know what? We expected to be out of money long ago. You have given, we have been careful and God has been faithful. Julie and I have what we need today. Tomorrow is in God’s hands.
Please pray that we remain in God’s peace as we await His answer, and that we keep a godly perspective. Pray that God will make clear to you whether you are to give to our ministry, and/or to share this need with others. Pray that the people God prompts to give are obedient to Him.
On our blog, you can give online and find other options for giving.
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