(Christmas Eve in Bethlehem)**************************************
Wow, a lot has happened since I blogged about a month ago. Just for an update, here's our current status on things you may have been wondering about:
VISA SITUATION
Well, we went to our appointment and were told there was no way we would be renewed for another year, but that we could put our application through anyway. So, we did and now we're just going on with life as usual as we wait for the committee to contact us on their decision. The lady said the earliest they would get back to us is 3 weeks (which we are now a week & 1/2 into). The church's lawyer seems to think it could actually take a few months for them to get back to us, which we are hoping for. Basically, we are just buying time to try to finish out the classes we are teaching. They will be finished at the end of March.
ENGLISH
We have already been teaching English in one program on Tuesdays that ends in the middle of February, but now we are about to begin another English program on Mondays & Wednesdays that will last until the end of March. We're hoping that we'll be able to stay in the country long enough to finish the Mon/Wed program. These programs are really great opportunities to build relationships and give the gift of a language to them that can help them to reach their future goals whether that's education at a higher level or a job position that requires them to know English. We really feel honored to be a part of their process in making life better for themselves and their families.
ARABIC
In addition to these things we're involved in, we are trying to pull together some sort of lessons for learning Arabic here while we still have the chance. We've thought about joining one of many different courses available in the area, but, aside from not having the time in our schedule for an intensive course, we simply don't have ANY extra money at all to take on an actual academic course. We're left with one option really, and that's to hire a tutor who can work around our schedules and meet with us 1 or 2 times a week. Though much cheaper than taking one of those courses, hiring a tutor also means we need money (of course) to pay them. It is our prayer that God would provide the money for us to take advantage of this opportunity while we're still in the country; to make the most of our time remaining. It's so important to us to be able to push forward in preparation for later return and learning a bit of the language is so pertinent in building that foundation for the future.
VOLUNTEERS
We now have Doug back! Yay! He was here last year, but wasn't able to come for the first school semester of this year. He arrived this week and Josh will come back next week from being home for Christmas. We're excited to have Doug back and I know that Josh is excited to have a roommate and friend around. Together, the 4 of us will juggle the teaching responsibilities and help with the Bible Studies we have as well. On top of these things, Josh & Doug will continue to take their own college courses online this semester, so they both have a full work-load.
So, that's what has been going on and what is planned for the coming months. We take comfort in knowing that God is ultimately in control of all things. Plans may fail or change, but plans are simply tentative anyway, nothing is certain until it is experienced. So I'm glad to know the Lord is leading us no matter what the path before us looks like.
If you didn't pick up on some very huge needs that we desire for you to join us in prayer about, I'll recap:
1. Our Finances- God has always provided, so I have no doubt that He will continue to provide, but just so you know, I went over our budget for the rest of this month and we basically only have the money to pay our bills at this point. While you're praying, if you feel led to give, please feel so free to do so! :)
2. Our Future- I don't know when is the earliest that we could go home- surely no sooner than a month, but the latest is probably the first of April. While we have some ideas that we've been throwing around of what in the world we're going to do when we get back to America and what kinds of jobs we'd like to do, we really need the Lord's direction. I have no doubt that God has plans for us- He doesn't leave us when we leave "ministry"- He continues to lead us to minister in other ways to other people in other contexts. While we're excited about the unknown because we trust God, I have to admit it's a bit scary, especially knowing the state of the economy back home.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support! Please let us know if you have needs that we can take to the Father in prayer. May God bless you and keep you and continue to bring His kingdom to the world through us all. We love you!
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