The long-game

It's been about six weeks since our last update. I've tried to be consistent with daily shorter updates of notable (and some not-so-notable) happenings around here. I am aware some of you reading this may not use face book, so I apologize you don't get the full details of all the mundane things I find humorous or inspiring.

We have been also on an every couple of week schedule to immigration, in the process of changing our visas. Misty got her visa changed, finally, which should be converted to a one-year visa the beginning of August. The guys visas should follow shortly thereafter. Thanking God for His provision and favor during this process.

In the meantime, we stay busy! Some days we celebrate victories and testimonies. Many days are just huge opportunities to "count it all joy".

Misty

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In the “mission field” (away from the US), I often figured (in my head) it would be a lot more tracts, preaching, and that the efforts would pay off quickly! (In my opinion, this is how most Americans view it also!) I’ve learned very quickly, that is almost never the case (at least, here in SE Asia). Instead, it is about building a relationship with the people you’re wanting to reach; becoming part of their culture and daily routines. I imagine it also takes a lot longer when you’re starting from ground zero. Fortunately, for us, we are not. But the lesson is still the same for me. It is not easy, and small victories, often can seem like not enough. Daily reminding yourself, God sees something in me(us), that these people need from, for, and to build relationship with Him!

While the above isn’t so much happy, happy, joy, joy, it was necessary to tell, to make God seem that much bigger in the coming words! As a family, we each have our quirks, personalities, and issues that we deal with, together and apart. Both my son and I, struggle with human interaction, unless it is with something we are passionate about. Misty is the social butterfly!

I type all of that to say how proud I am of my son, for not only immersing himself into the culture, but to even start attending a foreign school, in a foreign language, and at a 2nd grade level. Even though he’s the tallest, oldest, and white in the school, and clearly his class. He learned letters, and numbers, and some phrases on his own (with help from some of the kids), to the point he was able to skip 1st grade.

Although I am boasting about my son in the above words, this, to me, is more of a testimony of a few things. 1) God did call us here to do what He told us to do; 2) the words given to us from God about it being a benefit to my son and our family, are indeed being proven; and 3) God can take someone like my son (deep down, myself as well), and help them move beyond their issues, to do what He called them to do! While there are many stories in the Bible of this happening, it makes it so much more real, when you are able to witness how Big and how Awe-inspiring God is!

The school is coming!!! Books are getting translated, visas are being approved, God is moving amongst the team and the people.

Tim

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Prayer Points:

1. We are still living, traveling and ministering with zero re-occurring monthly support. Please pray with us (and help spread the word about what we are doing) about partnering with us either a) prayer support committed to remembering us in prayer weekly; and/or b) financial support.

2. We are still relying on borrowed transportation. We have found some very used trucks and SUVs (which are recommended in the rural mountains, where we live, especially during the rainy season). An approximately 20 year old truck or CRV will cost us around $4,000 to $5,000. Cars are expensive here because they don't lose their resale value as quickly.

3. One of the books on prophetic worship has been fully translated (and paid for) and is sitting at the printer now. We need an additional $200 to pay the printer to get the first 50 copies of that book. This gives us only 7 weeks to fully translate, print and pay for the second book for the worship school.

4. We need an interpreter for the worship school! God has the right person out there, I know it! Please pray with us that God would bring that person across our path quickly!