PLANES, PACHYDERMS, and PRAYERS

PLANES, PACHYDERMS, and PRAYERS

I’m not even going to suggest this will be a short update! They never are! And for those who consistently endure reading them know what’s going on and how to pray . . . THANK YOU!
PLANES: In 5 sleeps our whole family has to get on a little plane and head to a Mozambican border to renew our 6 month visas. At one point, Heath was really hoping and praying that we might be able to come to the States for 3 weeks but that wasn’t feasible. So instead, we are taking a plane to Maputo, the very southern city (the capital) of Mozambique. We’ll spend the night there and then take a bus across the border into a nice little city in South Africa called Nelspruit. There we have reserved a guesthouse for a reasonable price. We are going to take 2 weeks to regroup and be a family without any of the Pemba pressures we’ve been under for the last 6 months. There are a hundred things you could pray about for our 2 weeks away.
PACHYDERMS: Is that how you spell it? It’s elephants. While we’re in Nelspruit we are going to be close to a wild life reserve. In fact, our guesthouse is supposed to be on the edge of a large game reserve called KRUGER PARK. If all works out with transportation and things, we hope to be able to drive through some of it for a couple days. But I’ve heard it’s all kind of hit and miss whether or not you actually see animals! If Jesus can put a lone hippo on a beach out in the middle of nowhere Mozambique for Heath, will you please pray that we see at least a couple pachyderms and a few giraffes? A lion would be nice too but I don’t want to be so greedy!
PRAYERS: We would really appreciate knowing you are really praying for us during this week of preparation to go, while we are away and then the week we return.
** There are many things to get in place and people to find to cover our position for 2 weeks.
** Pray that all of our different desires of a “break” will somehow be met while having 3 very different ages of kids.
** Pray that it will be restful and refreshing for all of us. (I think I’m a bit more pessimistic about this one than Heath is!! Though maybe mom’s always feel that way when you vacation with their kids!)
** Pray that travel, bus, finding our house, and transportation for 2 weeks will be peaceful.
** Pray that we will be ready to come back to a VERY BUSY October.
Thank you all for your love, prayers and financial support over the last 6 months. Though we keep our givers anonymous for many reasons, it does not mean that we appreciate you any less than if you were getting handwritten thank you’s every time you sacrificially give to the Kingdom work we are doing. And I hope you know by now we value those who give of their time to pray, write, send packages, etc just as much as anyone who has given finances.
Here is an update on what our expenses have proven to be in the last 6 months. If you have other questions or want more specifics, we are happy to give them.
Our primary expenses are:
1. A monthly donation to Iris for electricity and guard fees, etc.
2. FOOD and DIAPERS: To be able to eat semi-normal, it has proven to be our biggest expense. We have many people over for dinner and find this to be a large part of our ministry.
3. Occasional dates and outings: Before I began cooking, we would try to go out to eat once a week with our family. We don’t need to do that very often anymore, though occasionally we go out with the kids or with visitors.
4. Odds and Ends around the house.
5. Ministry to the Mozambicans. The Lord has led us to give in various ways and to various people. You have blessed Mozambicans as you have blessed us. I love the giving heart of my husband and I love even more that I am not the one running the finances here!! If you want more details on the things we have given towards, let us know.
6. THE BIGGEST EXPENSE: Travel every 6 months to renew our visas as a family. Then when the baby is born in November we will have to fly again to Maputo (the capital) and get the baby a passport as soon as possible. We desire to come back to the States in February for 2 or 3 months to introduce the baby to everyone and to regroup for another year. The vast majority of money given is going towards these enormous expenses. Once again, we are in awe of how God has provided for us. As we budget out this trip, we have exactly what we need to get there, live for 2 weeks and get back.
THANK YOU ALL. We love you dearly and appreciate you all.
Loving Jesus in the Living of Life,
Emie for the family