Quick Update

Thankfully we figured out that the check-engine light wasn't a big deal on our vehicle. It was merely reminding us to change the oil which we had already done and the light is now off. So no car problems up to this point. Praise God! We made it to McAllen, TX safely and are doing our paperwork today and running errands before heading into Mexico tomorrow. Our trip hasn't been comfortable as we are packed in like sardines. One of our close friends, plus our little cat, plust lots of things we are taking back for people, equals one tight ride, but it is all worth the hassle. We are excited to have a friend with us for two weeks and how were we going to leave our Mexican cat back in the States? In addition taking things back that people can't get in Mexico or are just too expensive is a pleasure. We are taking some things for an orphanage and for several other people including our Spanish tutor friend who is going to have twins within the month.

Thanks for praying that our paperwork (visas and insurance) goes smoothly today and that we have a safe trip tomorrow!

Love to you all!

We Are on the Road!

Greetings from Texarkana, on the border of Arkansas and Texas of course. We left this morning from Wilmore, KY at about 10:30am. Thankfully we arrived here safely after having some trouble keeping our car top carrier closed and then having our check-engine light come on. Please pray that nothings serious is wrong with our vehicle and that we can get it checked out and taken care of quickly tomorrow so we can get back on the road. In addition, we would love your prayers for a safe trip all the way and especially on Wednesday as that is the day we will be traveling in Mexico. If our plans change we will let you know.

Thanks for your encouragement, prayers, and support!

Packing and Getting Ready for Our Trip Back to Mexico

We had a wonderful weekend this weekend sharing with the Young Adult Sunday school classes at Nicholasville UMC and spending time with some of our supporters there. Our weekend was a long one, but God used it to bless us very much by the prayers of those at Nicholasville UMC and by the prayers and sending off of the community we've been a part of in Lexington, Communality.

God has been very good to us as he has answered prayers about our stress levels, and given us wonderful churches and supporters to encourage us and to be a part of our team. He continues to surprise us with his goodness as we prepare to leave for Mexico.

Currently, we are packing bags and trying to make everything fit into our vehicle, which is no small task since we are taking things for an orphanage, friends, and one of Jennifer's closest friends is going to be traveling with us. She will be staying with us in Mexico for two weeks which will be a treat as she is our first friend to visit us there. In addition, we have to fit our little Mexican cat. Needless to say we need our vehicle to turn into Mary Poppins bag. Ha, ha, ha.

As we sit here and ponder what we've learned, where we've been, and who we've met over the course of this year we are amazed at what God has done, how far he has brought us, and we are excited about going back to do what he has called us to do. Planting a church is no small task, but we know that it, among other things, are what God has for us in Mexico. Please pray for us and that we would have discernment and wisdom in everything.

Pictured: Us with some dear supporters at Nicholasville UMC

Southern Living

After some much needed R&R we headed to Fort Valley, Georgia to visit one of our supporting churches, Fort Valley UMC. We spent several great days with the heads of the committee and were thankful for the warm welcome at the church. The title of our message when we shared on Sunday morning was “Ministry in the Spirit.” In addition to giving an update about our ministry Josh shared about the fact that we can do nothing without the Spirit working and living through us. We cannot take sips of the Spirit when we want to and get re-charged to go out and minister, but rather we must live in the life of the Spirit all of the time, letting his life flow through us. The truth is we have no ministry apart from God’s ministry and we can do nothing without a deep connection to God through the Spirit. Are we connected to the Father all the time? Or are we like the energizer bunny that keeps going until we need a new battery? Those bunnies do run out of juice at one time or another.

Currently, we are in Sylvan Springs, Alabama visiting some supporters. Yesterday, they took us around their area to see some of the tornado damage. As we road around with the windows down we got cold chills seeing the houses off of their foundations, destruction as far as the eye could see, and complete subdivisions wiped out. In our entire lives we’ve never seen anything like what we saw yesterday. We felt like we just caught a glimpse of what it means to live through a natural disaster and there have been so many in our world as of late. Would you join us in praying for those affected by natural disasters in our own country and abroad and for people who live in conditions much like those after a natural disaster everyday, ones who are living in abject poverty. Our world has so many needs! Let’s do our part.

Several of you have mentioned that our blog aids you in helping to know how to pray for us. We will keep you informed in the coming days, but here is a short list of current prayer requests:

-Safe travels back to Kentucky on Wednesday

-More ongoing financial and prayer support to come in before we leave for Mexico

-Guidance as we pack and prepare to say good good-byes

-Our time at Nicholasville UMC this coming Sunday

-Our stress level as we are getting ready to make a big change and return to Mexico and we still have a lot to do before we leave

PICTURED:

Damage of an EF5 tornado in Concord, Alabama

Fort Valley UMC

Josh with some longtime friends at Fort Valley

Going Forth Fair and An Answer to Prayer

Sunday we spent the main part of the day at St. Luke United Methodist in Lexington, KY. Jennifer attended St. Luke in middle school and her parents are very active members of the church. We had the honor of participating in many ways Sunday at their annual "Going Forth Fair." The congregation was challenged to go forth into the world, their communities and abroad to serve as Christ served. We felt extremely welcomed by everyone and were blessed to be a part of such a wonderful celebration of what God is doing in the world and hear how we can contribute to his work.

After participating in the early service and sharing with several Sunday school classes, José from Wilmore's Casa de José, hosted and donated along with others a HUGE Mexican meal to raise money for our trip back to Mexico. We were amazed at the turn out. Lots of people showed up to eat some pretty amazing, not to mention authentic Mexican food, and to bless us through their donations. We are in awe of what God has done and humbled by the many people who have and do contribute to our ministry so that we can be missionaries and follow God's call on our lives. And when we say "our ministry" we don't really mean our ministry, but rather God's ministry your ministry because you partner with us. We are praising God and happy to announce that yesterday God raised the funds to cover our travel costs back to Mexico! Pray that we will continue to see God's provision in more ongoing monthly support.