“To the saints who are in (Iowa and other parts of the world), and are faithful in Christ Jesus. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 1:1-2. (I took the liberty to add the Iowa part.)
I could not come up with my own words sufficient to greet you, but I knew the Word would have it. We cannot express to you our thanks for your outpouring of grace and service during this time. We have finally arrived, but not without many tears and much pain in separation from our family at Grace. I spent the first several hundred miles in Iowa and Missouri thinking of the faces of those who poured themselves out for our family. Tears come to my eyes as I write this now. The emotion of the flood, the hurting people, the move, the tension between the two of us, the delayed closing of our house, and our children, has been overwhelming. The enemy has taken every opportunity to attempt to sidetrack what God has sent us out to do, but God has been God and shown me time and time again that I am not. He will complete the work He has set out to do, and that includes in us as well as in you.
Your love and generosity cannot be expressed. Thank you all for every second you gave of yourselves to get us packed and ready to move. Special thanks go out to the following families: Holt, Joe Christiansen, McDill, Irmen, Blackley, Barker, Miller (Ryan and Natasha), Pitcher, Young, JoDee Martin (Travis’ sister), Anderson (Lance and Lynn our gracious neighbors and friends), Jim, Dawn and boys Tucker, Davis (Gabe Davis-the master of packing a 24 foot truck), O’Rear, Lightner, and all of our supporters. Thank you so very much.
What now? The work continues and new work begins. I will be finishing up with support over the next few weeks while working at Agape and learning the ropes there. The mail room at Agape is a continual place of action and frenzy, but Jeff (the mail administrator) keeps a close grouping of the volunteers that come in daily to make the operation run smoothly. Putting a plane together to serve the long term goals of Agape is in the forefront. It’s worse than building a house. Nothing is cheap for a plane, as any of you who fly know well. New staff is on the way in several different departments, please pray that we are able to secure housing for them (one of the things I will be doing) and meet all of their physical and spiritual needs. We are placing a family from Agape (John and Sarah Niesen (daughter Evie) in Santo Domingo. They are expecting and will have their new child while on the Island. Please pray for God to make way for them and give them strength as they move even further from their home in Missouri. I will need guidance in caring for them from here.
We are planning our first trip back home in October for a Free to Love marriage conference. We hope to see as many folks as possible during that time frame. The week prior, if Agape duties allow, I will attend a training conference in Atlanta put on by John Regier and Caring for the Heart Ministries. Again, this is dependant on my Agape work load.
I could not come up with my own words sufficient to greet you, but I knew the Word would have it. We cannot express to you our thanks for your outpouring of grace and service during this time. We have finally arrived, but not without many tears and much pain in separation from our family at Grace. I spent the first several hundred miles in Iowa and Missouri thinking of the faces of those who poured themselves out for our family. Tears come to my eyes as I write this now. The emotion of the flood, the hurting people, the move, the tension between the two of us, the delayed closing of our house, and our children, has been overwhelming. The enemy has taken every opportunity to attempt to sidetrack what God has sent us out to do, but God has been God and shown me time and time again that I am not. He will complete the work He has set out to do, and that includes in us as well as in you.
Your love and generosity cannot be expressed. Thank you all for every second you gave of yourselves to get us packed and ready to move. Special thanks go out to the following families: Holt, Joe Christiansen, McDill, Irmen, Blackley, Barker, Miller (Ryan and Natasha), Pitcher, Young, JoDee Martin (Travis’ sister), Anderson (Lance and Lynn our gracious neighbors and friends), Jim, Dawn and boys Tucker, Davis (Gabe Davis-the master of packing a 24 foot truck), O’Rear, Lightner, and all of our supporters. Thank you so very much.
What now? The work continues and new work begins. I will be finishing up with support over the next few weeks while working at Agape and learning the ropes there. The mail room at Agape is a continual place of action and frenzy, but Jeff (the mail administrator) keeps a close grouping of the volunteers that come in daily to make the operation run smoothly. Putting a plane together to serve the long term goals of Agape is in the forefront. It’s worse than building a house. Nothing is cheap for a plane, as any of you who fly know well. New staff is on the way in several different departments, please pray that we are able to secure housing for them (one of the things I will be doing) and meet all of their physical and spiritual needs. We are placing a family from Agape (John and Sarah Niesen (daughter Evie) in Santo Domingo. They are expecting and will have their new child while on the Island. Please pray for God to make way for them and give them strength as they move even further from their home in Missouri. I will need guidance in caring for them from here.
We are planning our first trip back home in October for a Free to Love marriage conference. We hope to see as many folks as possible during that time frame. The week prior, if Agape duties allow, I will attend a training conference in Atlanta put on by John Regier and Caring for the Heart Ministries. Again, this is dependant on my Agape work load.
God has been so gracious during this time of transition. He has been in front of us the entire way paving a straight and narrow path for us to follow. It is evident which way he wants us to go, and when he wants us to go.
Thank you for your continual prayers and support. We love each of you and pray God’s blessings on you all.
Philippians 4:7 (NIV) 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
With Love in Christ to our brothers and sisters,
P
For "Uncle" Kent: see the suckers made it to Florida too!
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