1 week mark

We leave in one week today! We are feeling excited, sad, and overwhelmed! Our goal is to get everything packed and ready in the next three days so we can enjoy the last few days with family and friends and doing all the unexpected little things that will come up.
A verse we are claiming and praying as we wrap up all the things we need to do and wonder if we are getting it all done is Psalm 94:19.
"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul!"

Visas are here!

Our visas were delivered today. We could purchase a 1 month visa at the airport when we get there but we wanted to get a 3 month visa so we do not have to renew so often while we are waiting on our work visas.

A call for help and it worked!

Friday, we were very frustrated and overwhelmed with all that needed to be done and wondering if we were going to make it by May 20th! We had been claiming the promise that what is impossible with man is possible with God. As we prayed we felt like we needed send out an appeal for help and prayer from our friends who live locally. We have had so many people ask what they could do to help or how to pray so we sent out an email detailing some tangible ways they could be involved. We also asked them to pray for these needs. We listed things that we needed to sell and give away; we included specific ways they could help and also mentioned that we were at 84% of our support commitments. We sent it out at noon and then left for a few hours. When we came back and checked our email, our monthly commitments were up to 88%! We have been overwhelmed by the many ways people have responded! Most of the things listed have been spoken for now or are at the "pending stage". We found a trailer, have someone that looked at our house, and have people interested in our cars and our cat. All of this is a result of God's people knowing how to pray for us. And God answered! He is GOOD!

First Package!

We just received this email from the missionaries at GSF this week:

Hi Mark, we just received your first piece of mail…a small parcel sent by the Hunts. Better hurry or I may be tempted to open it….bob

We were thrilled because it only took a month to get there. Some packages can take around 8 months to get there. My good friend, Laurie, put some goodies (she is not telling what) in a small padded envelope. So we are (purely) guessing that smaller packages may get there faster.

Just a few more things small and great

Our list is whittling down and we are down to 3 weeks left before we leave! Here are some of the "big things" still left. As you read we would appreciate your prayers for these things.
*The house to be sold. We lowered the price once again but only one person has looked at it since we put it on the market almost two months ago. This is our faith builder but we know God has this worked out just as he has all the little details worked out as well!
*We need a trailer to store our things. After looking at our options we have decided that a trailer is the best decision. We are grateful we have a place to park it. We need one that is at least 5x8.
*We need to find a good home for our cat. This may seem a little thing for some, but to our kids it is very important. And praise the Lord, God knows our kids hearts and is ready and willing to answer their prayers.
We were reminded tonight that nothing is too difficult for God! We praise Him for the way He will answer each of these big things and all the small things as well.
"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul!" Psalm 94:19