Dear Friends and Family,
Here is an update to let you know what has been going on, on this side of the world and how you can be praying about some EXCITING UPCOMING EVENTS!
PAST
The past 2 months have been a change for some of us:
- I(Andrea) have completed my official language study so have been able to get into other projects, helping Tim format and finalize Bible lessons and also checking Scripture with a helper
- The girls have had a bit of a summer break and have enjoyed some summer projects of creating and also opening special little surprises that I have saved up from some of the care packages from the States
- We were out in town for 2 weeks getting supplies and enjoying some family time at the beach with another couple
- While traveling out to town we stopped in Dina’s birthplace village and met with her birth-family and enjoyed catching up with them. They were all SO excited to see her, we felt like we were in a parade as we drove into the village and tons of people came out to welcome us!
PRESENT
- Thank the Lord we’re all feeling well right now, and full of energy for the things God is putting before us
- We’re finalizing a chunk of the lessons to be ready for teaching soon
- Tim has drafted most of the gospel scripture portions needed for the teaching, and is working on getting the last 200 verses recorded (one of the first steps in checking).
- 2 helpers are consistently coming to help with the translation- such a praise!
FUTURE
Of course only the Lord knows what is up ahead and how He will choose to orchestrate it, but these are the things we are praying for and anticipating:
- STARTING THE TEACHING FOR THE FIRST TIME HERE! There is a group of people in a near village who are wanting to start studying so we are really hoping to get started with that at the end of August. This will be the first time they will be hearing God’s incredible message in their language! We are really excited to finally be at this point in the ministry.
- I will start teaching Dina & Abby 1st Grade in another 2 weeks here.
- Ongoing translation and lesson preparation. Tim works through each portion of scripture with three different people here in the village. Also each lesson is read through and checked with a helper before it is ready to be used in our teaching program.
- I’m praying about attending a “Thrive” ladies retreat on another island, in October.
- We are convinced that the Lord’s presence and leading are in our future and we can rest in that truth no matter what comes our way.
The above items also serve as prayer requests that God would work in each of the areas and continue to provide our needs of strength, wisdom and ability to live here in spite of our weaknesses.
Thank you so much for your faithful concern, prayers, and support of our family here in Southeast Asia, we know you also have a heart for the lost and God is using you in our lives.
Grace & Peace,
Andrea,Tim, Dina & Abby