Final Preparations

Preparing for a year away is an exciting adventure, but wow, it's also a challenge! The "to-do" and "to-buy" lists seem unending, but I believe everything will get done in time. (The hardest part might be packing a year's supply of everything in 1-2 suitcases. I guess the key word is "simplicity," right?!) Little by little, I'm feeling more ready for take-off.

I thank God for a wonderful summer. He allowed me to see many dear friends and most of my extended family in Texas and Michigan. I am blessed to have so many loving, supportive, prayerful, and caring individuals in my life. Thank you for spending time to learn about the calling God has placed on my heart to go to Cote d'Ivoire. Sharing this journey and partnering with you in this ministry is a gift from God. 

If you would like to partner with me financially and haven't yet, please do! You're giving to God's work in Cote d'Ivoire by helping me get there. 75% of my financial needs are in... so just 25% to go. Click here to give online with a credit or debit card. If you'd prefer to write a check, reply to this email and I'll send you info about how to do that.

Once I'm over in Cote d'Ivoire -- which will be September 13th, Lord-willing -- I'll be updating my blog on a regular basis with stories and photos. Be sure to follow along!

Au revoir for now!

image here

Take-Off: September 12th

The flights have been purchased and time is ticking. My team (April, Eric, Haylei, Shasta, Rebecca) and I are prayerfully and faithfully moving forward with this launch date of September 12th. And I couldn't be more excited about it!

Would you please pray about joining me in seeing God glorified in Cote d'Ivoire? I would love your partnership. In order to actually take off on September 12th, I need more financial support from others...about $8,000.

Every gift of $20, $50, $100, or $1000 is significant. In other words, no amount is too small. Click here to learn more and find the place to give online.

God is faithful. He is faithful to Himself and the glory of His name. His mission in the world is to glorify Himself among the nations. {And, that is the most loving Mission He could have--because His glory is our joy!}

Psalm 66

66 bShout for joy to God, all the earth;

2 sing the glory of his name;

cgive to him glorious praise!

3 Say to God, d“How awesome are your deeds!

So great is your power that your enemies ecome cringing to you.

4 fAll the earth worships you

and sings praises to you;

they sing praises to your name.” Selah

5 gCome and see what God has done:

dhe is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.

6 He hturned the sea into dry land;

they ipassed through the river on foot.

There did we rejoice in him,

7 who rules by his might forever,

whose jeyes keep watch on the nations—

let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

8 Bless our God, O peoples;

let the sound of his praise be heard,

9 who has kept our soul among the living

and khas not let our feet slip.

10 For you, O God, have ltested us;

you have tried us as silver is tried.

11 You brought us into mthe net;

you laid a crushing burden on our backs;

12 you let men nride over our heads;

we went through fire and through owater;

yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

13 I will come into your house with burnt offerings;

I will pperform my vows to you,

14 that which my lips uttered

and my mouth promised qwhen I was in trouble.

15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals,

with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;

I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah

16 rCome and hear, all you who fear God,

and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

17 I cried to him with my mouth,

and high praise was on1 my tongue.2

18 If I had scherished iniquity in my heart,

tthe Lord would not have listened.

19 But truly uGod has listened;

he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God,

because he has not rejected my prayer

or removed his steadfast love from me!