It is amazing to think that we completed one full year of deputation at the end of December. After two great meetings at the beginning of December in Arkansas and Mississippi, we returned to Pensacola, where we celebrated Christmas with our family. Thanks to a co-worker of Kari’s dad, we were able to get away for a couple of days at the end of December with her dad. This short trip gave us the opportunity to visit one of our supporting churches in Panama City.
As we reflect on our first year of deputation, we continue to be so thankful and in awe of God’s goodness to us. We are undeserving of His faithfulness, yet we rejoice that HE IS FAITHFUL! Our travels in 2015 took us to 79 churches in thirteen states with over 18,000 miles traveled. And we have already had four meetings this year. We are so excited to report that our support has reached 80%, which is a direct answer to our prayers. Several churches have indicated that they make decisions regarding support during this time of year so we continue to pray that the Lord will partner some of these churches with us.
Just last week we had the special opportunity to attend a camp meeting in Perry, Florida. This was a special time because it was the first traveling meeting we went to one year ago at the start of deputation. Not only did we get to see three of our partnering pastors and friends we made a year ago, but we also had multiple individuals tell us that they prayed for us all year long. These prayer partners are so precious to us and we continue to covet your prayers on our behalf.
One of our specific prayer requests this year has been for God’s direction for language school for Jim (Kari is already fluent in Spanish). There is not a language school in Paraguay and we have had some pastors counsel us to find a place where the focus can be on Jim learning Spanish so that he can teach and preach as soon as possible. We believe the Lord has answered our prayers by directing us to a language school in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. It is an intensive missionary language school which provides total immersion affordably and would only last 7 ½ months. As of right now, our last scheduled meeting is May 1st. There is a language class starting on May 2nd. We are trusting that we will have reached 100% by this time so that Jim can start with the May class. This would allow him to finish by December and we would be in Paraguay in January of 2017. We would ask you to pray specifically for this matter.
Please pray for wisdom as we make decisions and for churches and individuals to prayerfully and financially partner with us.
We are eager to get to Paraguay; however, we know that the Lord has a ministry for us in each place we are in on deputation. Our prayer is that we will be faithful to what He was for us regardless of the geographical location.
May the Lord continue to richly bless each of you for your investment into our lives and ministry. We know that your reward shall be great in Heaven for partnering to see souls reached with the Gospel!
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