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.