Itineration Report

It has been quite a while since my last update. We have been busy itinerating and time just seems to fly by very quickly. Itineration details such as making hundreds of phone calls, sending letters, and meetings with pastors aren't quite as exciting to read about as life in Europe. But here goes.
We have really had a great time back in the U.S. Last update I wrote that we had been approved as fully-appointed career missionaries. In June we had to go to Springfield for what used to be Pre-field orientation and school of missions, now called missionary training and renewal. At the end of our three weeks in Springfield, there is a commissioning service for all of the new missionaries. Despite trying to keep all of our kids quiet and still during the commissioning prayer at the end, it was a very meaningful night. Since we were going out to the Midwest, we decided we were going to visit a few churches on our way to and from Springfield. So, we actually visited churches/pastors in Kentucky, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas before returning home. Then we had the opportunity to speak about missions for three weeks at the NC district kids camp. That was really a great experience. Also sandwiched in there was a trip to the Outer Banks for two services. So, we ended up driving close to 5,000 miles in a six week period. And that is all 7 of us in our van, with all of our stuff (clothes for all occasions, stroller, portable crib, etc., etc.). And we didn't kill each other! It was a really great 6 weeks. We saw lots of old friends and made a lot of new ones. The churches we visited took great care of us and were more than generous. Thanks to everyone who fed us, housed us, and took care of us on our summer journeys.
There are some great things about itineration and some very difficult things. One of the great things is being able to visit churches and share missions. It has been wonderful going to churches and getting to know more pastors and church members. Everyone has been so good to us. We have had really good services, and many positive comments from pastors and other individuals. All the churches have been very generous and we have received very good offerings, some of them just amazing. I have to take a minute and praise the kids from the summer camps. A missions offering was taken for us after we spoke at each of the three kids camps. The total of the three offerings was $2,556. From kids at summer camp! Absolutely incredible. I know that God will bless all of those kids in an incredible way. I pray that they will have a heart for missions for the rest of their lives.
On a family note, the kids all did well in school. They enjoyed school, liked their teachers, and made good grades. All of the boys played sports. Last fall, they all played soccer. This spring, Nathan and Aaron played soccer, and Matthew played baseball. Looks like they will all play soccer again this fall. Madelyn is also fine, our little princess. Most days she wears a tiara on her head all day like a princess. She is going to pre-school and I think will start some dance class this fall. Abigail is about 5 months old now. We weren't really expecting to have another child and it was hard trying to get mentally adjusted to the idea of having another baby. But she has been a great blessing. She is such good baby. She is very good-natured and content, and doesn't cry very often. She has been a great addition and all the kids love her.
Now, back to business. As I said, our offerings have been very good, but monthly commitments have been slow. Right now, we have around 43% or our budget raised. We still have a long way to go. We need to average $400 per month in new commitments every month until next summer to be able to return to the field. That's a lot of commitments. At $50 a piece, that's 8 per month. At $25 a piece, that's 16 per month. That adds up to a lot of churches (or individuals). So, please pray for us. Everything that has happened to us since we became missionaries has been miraculous. Getting to the field the first time, and being able to stay on the field, were both totally because of God's provision. We experienced many miracles and really saw God's hand move. It will have to be the same this time. There is no way we can raise these funds on our own. But God can do it, His resources are unlimited. We trust that He will provide once again. Would you please pray with us that God would touch the hearts of pastors and individuals to support us on a monthly basis. We really need your prayers. Nothing will be accomplished without prayer. Also, pray that God will use us to be a blessing to the churches that we visit. It's about more than money. We want to challenge, encourage, and motivate people to do something for God, to have a heart for missions, to make a difference.
Thanks to everyone for your friendship, prayers, e-mails, and financial support. You guys are the greatest.