Cleared For Departure!
Two days ago (Monday, Dec. 5) we received a call from the AIM Candidate Director informing us that we had been cleared to go to Kenya – two days before our financial clearance date! We give thanks to God for His gracious provision! Our flight leaves Minneapolis on December 27 to Amsterdam and then on to Nairobi (on Delta – not Kenya Air!).
I don’t think the reality of it has really sunk in yet. There’s just too much to do before we go. But of one thing we are aware – the greatness of our God! We prayed. We fasted as we sought Him and His plan for our immediate future. We asked others to join us. And He provided in a major way, raising up partners to pledge 10% of our monthly support amount in just over one week. He would have been good and for our good if He had delayed us again. But in response to His people’s prayers and so that His gracious provision would resound to His glory, He said, “yes!”
On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 1:10–11
You may have noticed that we remain just under 100%, and we told you we had to be at 100% of our monthly support target to be cleared to go. What’s up with that? The fact is, there are still some pledges that were made online that have yet to be figured into our total, and given that we are so close, AIM made the decision to get us on our way so we can begin to serve at Rift Valley Academy for second term. We are still praying to have our full monthly support by the end of the month.
In addition to getting everything ready to go, I have the privilege of baptizing three of my kids, Tiana, Joshua, and Sophia (I already baptized Hannah) this Sunday, December 11 at Oakridge Community Church. We are so grateful God has provided everything we need to go to Kenya, but this opportunity to participate in my kids’ baptism exceeds it by far! Oh, what grace!
On Monday Lilli and I will travel to the AIM headquarters in Georgia to checkout with the Mission, ask lots of questions, and finalize travel plans. Then it’s back to Minnesota to finish packing and celebrate the advent of our Savior – “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
We continue to covet your prayers – maybe even more now. We’ve listed some items to pray for at the bottom left of each page of our website. We again want to thank each of you for your partnership through prayer, encouraging us in practical ways, and giving financially. We are truly honored and humbled by the sacrifices many of you make to provide for your families and to serve the cause of Christ from where you live to across the world.