2007, hard to believe isn't it? It seems like just yesterday everyone was worrying about Y2K. The time definitely does fly by. We are now looking at returning to the U.S. at the end of July. Will it really have been 3 years? Already? We have had a great time here in Central Europe. God has blessed us with many great friends in all of our 6 countries- nationals, as well as other missionaries. It will be difficult to leave. We are called to be here and we really want to be here to assist and encourage the Central European church. We do look forward to being able to spend time with family and friends back in the U.S., and it will be nice to spend a little time back at our home church. But it will be a very busy and difficult time as we re-apply for a new missionary status and itinerate to return to the field. We really feel at home in Central Europe and our prayer is that we can return to the field as soon as possible. It is our desire to be back for the kids to start school in August of 2008. If this is going to happen it will take a miracle. We have seen God provide in many miraculous ways since we started this missionary journey and we know He can make it happen. We know it is all in His hands and we submit to His will. Please pray with us for favor with AGWM and with pastors and individuals as we itinerate. Pray that God will lead us and give us wisdom and creativity. Most importantly, pray that we will be a blessing to the churches that we visit, and that God would work through us to open people's eyes and hearts to the importance of missions.
In December and January, I was able to travel up to Berlin for a few days to help install some carpet and laminate flooring at a church in the Lichtenberg neighborhood. The church was planted a few years ago by missionary Chuck Kackley and is doing well. I was glad to be able to give them a little help.
The other day we were able to go over to Czech and have lunch with my good friend, Teen Challenge director Petr Kral and his wife. We hadn't seen them in a while and it was great to catch up and hear what has been happening at the center in Sluknov. They now have windows in the new addition. They also have 11 students at the center. Things seem to be going very well with the ministry there.
We have no teams until the first of March, but there are many things to do. We have a lot of paperwork to fill out for AGWM, and I have been working a lot on new e-mail lists and newsletters. I also need to put together some sort of new video to use when we return to the U.S. We also want to visit many of the projects where we have worked in the past two and a half years. It is very important to us to maintain and continue to build on the good relationships that we have with all of these churches, even if our "work" there is finished.
Thanks for your prayers and financial support. You guys are the best. We love and appreciate you all. No missionaries could ever have any more generous and faithful supporters than all of you. We are truly blessed to represent you here in Central Europe. Thanks for being a part of building God's kingdom here. We couldn't do anything without all of you.
We pray that you have a blessed 2007!
Chris
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