Arriving home, John Onek, a pastor in training from Sudan met us. He sat in our living room and relayed the events of the last few days and how clearly He had seen God work for him. Many groups and missions wait weeks, some months, others literally years to recieve their registration to work in Southern Sudan. Rev. John had WGM's Registration with him to give to us!!! He had found favor with the officials and Jesus had literally made a way where there was no way and now WGM is officially registered in that nation! John told us, "it is clearly because you have so many people in America that pray for you and for us...this is a miracle!" PRAISE JESUS!!!! It is a miracle and your prayers are being answered!
A third answer to prayer we would like to share with you is that yesterday was Billy's daddy's birthday! We are so thankful to Jesus we could call and speak with him and that Jesus is continuing to touch him and work in his life!!! We stand amazed at God's goodness to give us such a father and bless us with another year of life with him! Elsie Jayne was eager to celebrate her grand-daddy and wore her own birthday hat to celebrate (thanks Jamie!).
We have another party today as we count down the days with John and Erica...only four more in Arua! Pray that this time with our staff and friends is a rich and meaningful time for them and that they have the closer needed as they head back to America.
Many of you have asked about our plans as John and Erica go. While these are sad days and difficult days, their going isn't a surprise for any of the four of us. Just as Jeannie committed to being a part of the team for the first year, they made a committment to WGM to serve in Arua for two years. That time is quickly coming to a close. While we have been so thankful for these days of serving together we release them to God's goodnes for them stateside now.
We have no plans of leaving Arua any time soon. Our original committment is what WGM calls a "career appointment." Meaning, this is home, until Jesus asks to be elsewhere. We don't PLAN to return to the states until 2010 (and then that time will be only a few months to visit supporting churches, friends, and family). We realize He has surprised us before and may again, but we are trusting that Arua is His best for now for our family. Do pray with us about how Jesus might grow our team in the days ahead. Children are a great addition, but we'd love the colleagues He has planned for us in His time also!!! Thank you for praying with us!
Also, as we have seen Jesus answer so many prayers, we ask you to keep praying with us about how the ministry might look in the coming days. Sudan is a wide open door now. How does Jesus want us to take advantage of these days?! What should the second full year of training in Nebbi look like? Is there another village or town where Jesus might want to open up more discipling pastoral training work? Just pray He leads us.
In our own home, pray with us as Elsie Jayne has had something "interesting" growing on her tummy in the past couple of weeks. This morning she was diagnosed with a tropical boil. We aren't medical people, but we understand that it sounds worse than it is and she should be fine. Still, we ask you to keep praying for health and wholeness for all (four) of us!
