July Update Email

People often ask us what we are supposed to do while we are in the states. Brazilians know about furlough and used the word vacation to describe what we are doing during this year of furlough. While vacation is part of it (we are in a cabin in the smokies with Sarah's family this week), it is a small part. Our goals are these:

1. Rest

2. Report to supporting churches and friends

3. Training for future ministry

4. Recruit for the Outback, Brazil and ABWE and missions!

5. Spend time with family and friends

6. Plan on the next step

7. Raise more support

While I much prefer the ministry in Brazil to home assignment, there is much value to what we are doing here. Of course, resting is biblical, as hard as that is to do sometimes. I was challenged by a Pastor last week to take rest more seriously as tough family circumstances have taught him that lesson lately.

We have spoke at several of our supporting churches as well as some non-supporting. This last month we went down to the Atlanta area with our good friends Mitch and Christa Norman and spoke to their youth group. We still have openings available if you would like to have us there. (We can't guarantee the cute ones of the family will be there as traveling has been slightly difficult). We also will report to the ABWE board on July 18. Pray we do alright and the girls behave!

This last month I was gone for two weeks up at ABWE in Harrisburg, PA for training in Good Soil courses.  I took both the OT and NT Roots of Faith courses which were really good. I am now certified (not necessarily qualified) to teach these courses and will hopefully be able to do that upon returning to Brazil. Should you be interested in these courses being given in Chattanooga, go ahead and contact me. I have thought about doing it, but it would be difficult, but I am willing to give it a try if there is some interest. You can follow this link www.goodsoil.com

to get more info on the courses.

We are spending time with Sarah's family right now and have seen my parents several times since arriving home. We also go up to Michigan next month for a week or so to spend time with them. 

We are in constant planning for our next step of going to the Outback. Right now I am reading Church Planting Movements by David Garrison and it is really catching my attention as far as planning goes. There is much strategy in church planting, as well as much prayer needed, which makes me happy to have you all by our side! You all are such a great blessing. 

We also have more support to raise! We are waiting on confirmation from one church about a significant difference. If that happens, we will be lacking about $850 a month in support. That is only 2 supporters at $150 a month, 3 supporters at $100 a month and 5 supporters at $50 a month. If you feel like you could be one of those, please let me know or just go straight to www.abwe.org/give and get it set up! We also are in need of about $25,000 of one time gifts in order to buy a car, plane tickets, and other moving expenses.  

Thanks for everything; we love you all!

All for HIS glory,

David, Sarah, the super-duper big sister helper to the full of smiles little bug