Dearest friends and partners in the Kingdom of God,
We are here in front of the office! Emily and I have made it safely to Gainesville, GA. We have jumped right in, meeting new people and learning about the history and present state of Adventures in Missions. We have felt a little overwhelmed with how much there is to do and know about our role with Short-Term Missions.
On our way to Gainesville, we stopped to see 3 different ministry partners that Adventures has been sending mission teams to for years. My brother Ben even got to make a couple videos to show more about each place. We got to encourage the staff and ministry partners in Chicago, IL, Asheville, NC, and Hilton Head, SC. Learning about their ministry and the impact that Adventures in Missions’s short-term groups have was so encouraging to us. We are stepping into a big role, but believing the Lord would use us to activate His people in their Kingdom purpose!
Over the last month, we have moved into our new apartment and have tried to learn the area. Honestly, it feels a little bit like culture shock. When someone asks you, “Where do you live?” and your response is “I don’t know exactly where I live” you know you are in transition. It’s been hard, getting connected and wanting a sense of community and belonging but realizing relationships are built over time.
We recently went to a new church and felt the Lord bring Jeremiah 29:4-7 to heart for where we are. It says,
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem. ‘Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.’”
We have been encouraged to see that the Lord has a home for us here. As missionaries come and go from this place, we are part of their experience and sending, training, equipping, and discipling them. Most recently we are part of sending 300 participants this summer to 15+ locations around the United States and the world. As our nation opens up and as we see hope in our world, more teams are going out to the nations.
Prayer requests:
-To get connected with this community
-Strength and health as seasonal sickness is going around
-Hope and vision for Short-Term Missions
-Churches to desire to go
-All the details of mission preparation would work well
Again, thank you so much for supporting us prayerfully and financially. Without you we would not be able to do this work. We are grateful to the LORD for you and how He has divinely placed you in our lives.
So good to hear from you. I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing. We will pray for good health and all the things that you listed. Take care my friends!!
Exciting work in a crucial time of history!
Andrew, it is good to hear from you. So glad that you are able to start this new adventure and society is lessening restrictions so you can do what you need to do. Moving can be a heavy trial just in itself. Take one day at a time. Praying Ep 3:13-21. Blessings to you and Emily.
Thank you for keeping in touch with us. It was good to hear from you and I think of you and pray for both of you often. Prayers that you will soon feel at home and I am sure you will, once you meet people. They are bound to fall in love with both of you. Love to both of you.
Hi Renee & Jerry,
I hope you guys are doing well. Thank you for your prayer for us and following this journey. If you have any ideas of blog post and updates in the future I will take them. We are healthy and doing well for now. Excited to see all that will happen in the next couple months!
Blessings on you today!
Thank mom! Love you so much. Thanks for inspiring me to be the man I am today.
Thanks Linda! We think about you and Arlen often. Thanks for your encouragement and prayer.
Wow such a blessing! Thank you Valerie. Powerful verses to read and reflect on. Thank you for that prayer over us in this season!
We love you to Arlie! I am excited to see you again. Thank you for your prayers and support for us. You amaze me and we are so blessed by you. Prayers over you today!
Glad to see you had a safe trip. Sending prayers for the days ahead as you share the Good News with those you meet! May God bless you and each of the lives you touch.