Preparations in Progress

The last few weeks we have been preparing physically, spiritually and emotionally to leave our comfort zone in Tennessee to move to Ethiopia to teach at Bingham Academy. We are so thankful to each of you who have joined us in the ministry in Ethiopia through your faithful prayers, financial support and encouragement. We could not do this without you.

PHYSICALLY-We are setting up our garage for a series of BIG yard sales to lessen our load as we store and pack our belongings. We received most of our immunizations during our training in Charlotte last week and will finish the rest up next week. Did you know that Naomi enjoys wearing a live snake around her neck but has a tendency to pass out while receiving shots? We just found out, the hard way!

SPIRITUALLY-The last two weeks at SIM’s headquarters were spent in countless sessions about sharing our faith with those we will be ministering to, handling stress and culture shock, combating spiritual warfare, and much more. We hold to His promise that when we are weak, He is strong. We are praying that the Lord will be glorified in our willingness and obedience.

EMOTIONALLY-We are beginning to say ‘goodbye’ to many people, places, and routines. The girls asked to be home-schooled for the rest of the time in the states and we joyfully obliged. We enjoy the family time together and are working hard to prepare them for an international curriculum at Bingham Academy. All five of us will be learning to speak Amharic, one of the five hardest languages. (Thank goodness most of our teaching will be done in English!) With 256 characters in the Amharic language, we should know our “ABCs” by this time next year!


Prayer Requests
1) Visas to be granted.
2) Adequate financial and prayer support. We have about 50% of our up-front and 30% of our monthly financial support in SIM’s office now. SIM requires all of our support to be pledged by the end of November to guarantee our fly out date of December 27th.
3) Sale of our house.
4) Bingham Academy still needs staff!

Praises

1) Orientation and training went very well for all of us.
2) Jon’s business, MowMaster, is sold!
3) Good health - even through all of the immunizations, travel, and fatigue.

On My Knees
By Mattie Grace

On my knees

I said a prayer

I know God heard

Because He is always there.

I asked for God

To hold me close

This will be

The time I need Him most.

My life is changing

Before my eyes

But to God

It is no surprise.

He’s gone before me

And created His plan

I know He’ll walk with me

And hold my hand.