Happy New Year

Hard to believe it is 2009. What happened to 2008? It's amazing to think back at all the miles we've driven, all the places we've been, all the people we've met, all the old friends we've seen. Itineration has been really difficult and, at the same time, really great. Hard to explain, but it has been a pleasure meeting pastors and church members all over the country. It has been a pleasure sharing about missions in so many different places. Definitely a learning and growing experience.
We have currently raised about 63% of our monthly budget (including verbal commitments). We thank God for His provision. He is awesome and all credit goes to him. But we would like to ask that you stand with us in prayer. We are scheduled to return to Europe this summer. That's basically 6 1/2 months, at the most. We still need to raise the other 37% before we are cleared to return. This will take a miracle. There is no way we can do this. It will take a supernatural move of God to make this happen. But, we are believing it will happen. We are making plans to return. So, please pray and believe with us. We are anxious to see what God will do. Also, I still have many openings in my schedule that need to be filled. Pray with us that God will open doors with pastors so that these open dates will be filled.
It looks as though we will be moving to Prague when we return to Europe. We have talked a lot about where we should live when we go back to the field. It would be easy to return to Dresden, but we have been feeling that God may be leading us somewhere else. After talking with our area director last summer, we were really thinking about Prague. We have continued to think and pray, and really feel that is where we should live. It is located right in the center of the Central Europe region, which is great for me and all of my travels. We have Czech friends, and our area directors will be living in Prague as well. There is also a great school for the kids, and the possibility of Lenee' doing some volunteer work at the school as well. Everything seems to be falling into place. We are applying to the school and basically planning like we will be moving to Prague. Pray that God will continue to lead us in the right direction and that we will live where He wants us to live.
I went to the World Missions Summit in Cincinnati over New Years. It was incredible. Around 5,000 college students attended this year. Over 800 made a commitment to give a year to missions and pray about a lifetime. It was great to be there and have the opportunity to speak with many of these students. It was also great to be able to hang out with many of our missionary colleagues.
Special thanks again to everyone for their prayers and financial support. Nothing would be accomplished without you. You guys are the best! Until next time...