God's perfect faithfulness...

"O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago." Isaiah 25:1

Praise God! He has heard our cry and fulfilled our heart's desire. We're all going to Africa!! God has worked in exceedingly wonderful ways to open doors, to bring 'house closings' (my real-estate business), and bring many alongside us financially so that the inital funds for purchasing the plane tickets for our entire family has been reached ($8,000!). This truly is a miracle! We cannot adequately begin to thank God...and each and every one of you that generously and sacrificially contributed...in order that this initial expense could become a reality. We consider each of you a vital part of this team and work. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we are forever grateful.

This past Sunday our pastor, having just returned from a 2 week work trip in Swaziland, showed us a beautifully handmade wood carving that he received. It shows hands clasped in prayer reaching upward and at the base, people joined together supporting the hands. It so poignantly speaks of this work that we are so blessed to be a part of. Here's a picture:

It is a gift from the heart of the Swazi people to us. It is a gift of:

• Thanksgiving...for all of the work that we've been blessed to be a part of thus far...and the work yet to be accomplished. Lives and communities are being transformed (ours as well as theirs). To God be the glory.
• Love...showing that true love breaks through all barriers...and distance.
• Unity...reminding us that in this thing called life; we need eachother...we hold eachother up. And as we join together, work together, pray together we find that with God...'all things are possible'!
• Hope...in the midst of depair, there is a promise of hope. Surely there's more to be done, but our hope is that as we reach out in love and give our lives to this work, by God's grace the Swazi people...will have a future.

How good God is...to have opened the door for us to join Him in what He's doing. We are in awe. There is still much to be done and more money yet to raise, but we 'press on' in this walk of faith...giving God the glory for the great things He has done! Our sincere thanks to all of you who are joining us on this journey. You are amazing! I'll blog again soon...

What God has prepared...

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9

As we get closer to the deadline for raising the initial funds (Mar. 10th), I must say there's butterflies in my stomach. Over the past 8 weeks, we have prayed and asked God to provide in every way for this trip to become a reality for our family. In the course of those weeks, we have seen:

• God move us out of our comfort zone.
• God stretch our faith.
• God work in amazing ways in bringing others alongside us in this work (both in prayer and financially).
• God give us a glimpse into the work that He is preparing for us when we get there.
• God keep us on our knees in utter dependance upon Him.

We have seen God do much, but I sense that there is way, way more that we have 'not yet seen'. In the next couple of days we will know for sure if the initial funds have been met and we'll all be able to go. Please keep us in your prayers as we anticipate what God has in store. Thanks so much.