Home Assignment Update 005

 12,000. I popped on blogger today to work on this post and noticed that we had reached this milestone number of page-views. OK, so it doesn´t really mean a lot, especially when you take into account the 5 (!!) years and 280 + posts of varying interest I/we have put into this blog. I´m not sure it is what I thought it would be when we started. But, I think it still serves as a useful tool, if to no one else than myself.

It is an outlet to vent (I want to vent less, it doesn´t edify), an update on news (it could be newsier but with the onslaught of other more streamlined social media in that time, the news aspect of our blog has almost disappeared), and a window to my ministerial and theological thoughts (which are surprisingly shallow). Seriously, thanks to those of you who keep up with it and pray for us. We hope that the blog is an encouragement in your walk with God and a blessing to the body of Christ. Both of you who read it . . . jk

This is a quick update on our home assignment for those of you interested. The photos included in this post are just random picks from our lives over the last several weeks. They include the people I love most in this world.

February is now half gone and we find ourselves 3 and a half months into it. We have a long way to go, lots and lots of miles still to travel and many churches still on the schedule. God has given us many good visits already. We are still working with open dates one week in May, one week in June, and three weeks in July. We appreciate your prayers concerning these dates. We need to make the most of every week in order to make our goal of returning to Brazil at the end of August. We are looking to schedule visits in some or most but not exclusively the following states: South Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, and Missouri. Thanks for getting in touch if we can visit your church. If you are curious our schedule with remaining open dates is down below.

The kids have been hammered hard over the last weekend with various symptoms and illnesses, each outbreak adding its own unique stresses to the family environment. They enjoyed two weeks with their cousins in Wisconsin. That was such a remarkable time that I plan to dedicate a post just to that topic.

In the last month we have enjoyed two different winter retreats with youth from Wisconsin and Minnesota. We are still, in many ways, flying off the high of those times. I think they have been highlights of our time to date and we are so excited to watch God work through His Word.

Our thoughts turn back to Brazil more and more these days. I find myself checking flight prices and dreaming about booking our return trip to Brazil. Then I´ll check Realtor websites to see what might be available to rent or buy in our targeted neighborhoods. Ministry in Brazil is wrapping up the summer ministries and vacations. Our church friends will begin gearing up soon to start the annual calendar of church events. This weekend many will be hosting Carnival Retreats. It can be an important time. Thanks for praying for them.

Here is an update on our schedule:
Feb 17-19: Northern Minnesota
Feb 26: Northwest Iowa
March 4: open
Mar 11, 18: four churches in central Illinois
Mar 25: western South Dakota
April 1, 8: Easter Celebrations, western South Dakota
Apr 15, 22, 29: three churches in western and central Nebraska
May 6: western South Dakota
May 13: Mother´s Day (open)
May 20: VBS in western Nebraska
May 27: open
June 3: central Nebraska
June 10: eastern South Dakota
June 17: Father´s Day (open)
June: VBS in western Nebraska
July 1: Western Colorado
July 8: Central Kansas
July 15, 22, 29: open