(pictured: at Crossroads Bible Church in Bellevue, WA), which kindly invited
us to come and update them on God’s work through us in Mexico!
April has come and gone… and with it, that nasty flu which started off our time in Spokane! Despite our best efforts, it doggedly trailed us for several days in Western Washington – but the lousy bug finally moved on and left us in peace, for which we are grateful.
Despite all that, we greatly enjoyed our season Seattle-side… spending time with dear friends and family as far north as Ferndale, and heading west to Bremerton as well. Amy and I spoke five times at three churches on what God is doing among the Nahautl, and also were encouraged through meetings with two mission committees. It was a busy month, to say the least! Yet we also found time to relax and enjoy rare time living life alongside family there – attending birthday parties, throwing some hot dogs on the barbecue, and going with Dad to my first Mariner’s game since 2014. What wonderful gifts from our kind Father!
Now back in Spokane, we have six weeks to work from here on the tasks God has placed before us. Our principal project this home assignment is preparing for mountain house construction: drawing up plans, estimating material needs, fundraising, and mobilizing building teams within our partner churches. This goes slowly – due in part to my lack of construction experience, and in part to the sheer amount of other necessary work on our plates during a short furlough! Yet God has provided old friends and new with a heart to help, and we are excited to see how He brings this work together… a work which ultimately isn’t about building a house at all, but rather providing a platform from which we may serve His Church.
In addition to planning for our future mountain home, we are continuing work on several other priorities. Getting together with partner churches and individuals while in-country remains at the top of our list, something we enjoy greatly! Personally sharing ministry updates is a wonderful privilege we have, but the sweet times of fellowship which comes with that are priceless! Old projects delayed by language study are back on our radar: computer maintenance, 2017 taxes, and selling off things we don’t need anymore. Homeschooling is another new endeavor, one bringing challenges and joys alike into daily life. We also prepare in other ways for a more remote lifestyle: outfitting our truck to face intense mountain routes, and locating the tools we’ll need for daily life where the nearest hardware store is a five hour drive away. Now you understand why the easiest description of life these days is summed up in one word: ‘busy!’
family here in Washington State! Board games have always been a recurring
theme in our times of family fellowship.
Already while in Spokane we’ve enjoyed a Sunday of fellowship at our home church (Peaceful Valley Church in Elk, WA), enjoyed a get-together with local Ethnos360 missionaries in Idaho, and shared an update with another partner church (Newport Southern Baptist Church in Newport, WA). Our time here is passing very quickly, so we hope you will come see us at one of these upcoming events – including some open houses scheduled for that sole purpose!
- Sunday, May 20 – Peaceful Valley Church (Elk, WA): sharing a report at the 10:15a service; Teacher’s Appreciation BBQ and Dessert Auction (benefiting our house-building costs) after
- Saturday, May 26 – Open House: 1-5pm at Rob & Laurie Greenslade’s house (1072 Diamond Creek Rd, Newport WA 99156) – come for a time of fellowship and refreshments!
- Sunday, May 27 – Peaceful Valley Church (Elk, WA): attending the 9:00a service
- Sunday, June 3 – Peaceful Valley Church (Elk, WA): preaching at the 9:00a service
- Friday, June 8 – Open House: 6-around 8pm at Larry & Marge Harmon’s house (17925 N Colton Ct, Colbert WA 99005) – come see us; enjoy decaf coffee and desserts!
- Sunday, June 10 – Newport Southern Baptist Church (Newport, WA): preaching and sharing a missions update at the 11:00a service (Sunday School starts at 9:45a)
Last week, our co-workers among the Nahuatl left Las Moras for a period of home assignment. Their absence until August (longer for the Hypki family) leaves the new church relying directly on the Lord, rather than the missionary team – and though we would prefer not to leave at this time, we trust God’s faithfulness to work in all things for the good of His people (Romans 8:28-29a).
As they leave, our team has sent word of seeing lives changed in this little mountain village. Pete Hypki shared his friend Ben’s testimony of faith in Jesus, and the joy of realizing a long-time friend and language helper is now truly a brother in Christ. Katie Moore also told us of her friend Lennie’s desire to see her family saved, and how Lennie begins to see that God loves her just as much as her missionary friends. Please join us in praying for this new extension to the family of the redeemed – that they will grow, share their faith, walk in the Spirit, and that the next generation of Nahuatl will be raised in homes where their parents love God and teach His Word!
For more from Katie on how God is at work among the new Nahuatl believers, check out her April blog post here: https://blogs.ethnos360.org/katie-moore/2018/04/21/a-good-beginning/
Praise God with us!
- There is clear evidence of His Holy Spirit at work among the Nahuatl believers!
- He has so graciously blessed us through this time in Washingon with friends and family!
- Amy and I recently celebrated 11 years of marriage!
Ways you can pray:
- For the Nahuatl church, in this season without the missionary team so soon after coming to Christ
- For our family’s work needs on furlough, as we balance many priorities within short time constraints
- For our coworkers – Rachel, Katie, and the Hypki family – as they head to their own home assignments
We hope to get to one of your events during your time here in the Spokane area! Will be great to see you! Praise God for your family! Prayers as you continue with your prep to return to Mexico…that all of your needs will be supplied.
We will greatly look forward to seeing you guys at one, Lord willing! Thanks so much for praying; it is such an encouragement when brothers and sisters in Christ lift us up to the Lord!
Nice update. Praying as you travel. May you be illness free for the remainder of the trip.
Thank you so much! Actually, just after we hit ‘publish’ we entered into a new round of sickness… wonderful timing, no? Please keep praying for us there!