Wow! What an incredible opportunity we had over the last few weeks. Getting to Togo was cake compared to the travel within.
We have continued to meet with individuals, some of which have chosen to partner with us financially. Given the commited response from the individuals we have met with our current monthly support stands at 16%! It has been a true blessing to meet with families and churches and hear their heart for God and their passion for missions. We are so grateful that God has given us supporters that truly desire the Hope of the Gospel be sent through us to the Togolese, and we trust that they are continually lifting us up in prayer. This month has been joyous as we have watched God faithfully work in our lives.
We're traveling around sharing our vision of ministry with churches and indivduals. Can we visit you?
One of Nora's most common phrases recently is "Whatcha want?" I never know exactly what she is referring to. I often overhear Andy answer her with, "To know God, to love God, and to have God in your heart." If you see her face after he says this her expression is pensive - like she's trying to figure out what he really means. But, she moves on and just asks the question again, "Whatca' want, Daddy?". It reminds me how we are so like that with God. We cry out to Him saying "What do you want? Just tell me!" His desires are clearly outlined in the Scripture, but we don't pay attention and continue to ask the question. "What do you want, God?" I pray that Nora and Silas both do get what we want for them, but I also pray that I don't overlook the answer when I'm asking the same thing of God.
We'd love to hear from you! You can find us on Facebook and Twitter, and YouTube. Like us, sign up for our newsletter, spread the word, invite us over to talk about what God is doing!
We were grateful to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with our families. Nora has continued to talk about "Grandma and Grandpa" since we left a few days ago. Within the week we were able to increase our support to 9.3% and have had two unsolicited partners! It is great to see God working and remember that it's not really anything that we are doing to gain partners, but it is all His doing - and, He can do it without if He choses to do so. What a great reminder of His power!
A few things we are thankful for:
Our kids, our church, our financial partners and prayer warriors, our families, the finances to complete our survey trip, "good" health, the Togo team that is forming, friends that care, the opportunity to serve in Togo, and so, so, so, much more! What are you thankful for?
In October we participated in a Sending Church workshop, completed our Kingdom Come Training, were guests at two mission conferences, and saw our monthly support increase from 0% to 6.3%. Obviously, we still have lots to do, but we are loving our time in this prefield ministry. We have had several ministry visits and really enjoy getting to know the hearts of the people we have met with.
We are also excited about our upcoming survey trip in January. We purchased our airline tickets and plans are underway!
Please continue praying for us as we seek to minister to those around us and those we meet through this pre-field journey.
When you turn on your radio to your favorite station, what do you want to hear? Is it the music? The DJs? Do you yell at the radio when you don't agree with the programming? Is your heart stirred when someone calls in, tells their story, and you identify with them?
What if that radio station was the only station you could get? What if you didn't know any better than to take everything you heard on that station as truth?
We want to bring that truth, the real Truth, to Togo where they are desperate to hear the Word. We want to share the love of Christ with the people there. We, along with several other families, are building a team, heading to Islamic Africa, building a radio station, gathering and producing solid Christian programming, preaching and teaching, and training the nationals to run the station so they can reach their own people. Hope Radio (or Radio Espérance in French) will be one of the many tools we can use to touch the people of Togo. We're hoping our signal can be strong enough to reach the surrounding countries of Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Benin!
Pray with us as move forward in this venture. Specific items of concern include:
