Greetings friends and family,
December was a great time, as we were able to spend Christmas with one of Rick’s sister’s and family in Kansas as well as Rick was able to have just over a week off for the holidays. Early January saw in the beginning of our second year of marriage and the start of classed again.
As far as weather goes ‘that white stuff outside’ continues to fall, but so far there has only been one ‘snow day’ for Rick. Trace is slowly getting used to it, but still doesn’t like driving on it.
Rick has just finished welding and fabric covering (as seen below in the photos), and is now onto landing gear and sheet metal. Classes continue to be a great deal of information in such a short space of time, but Rick continues to enjoy the challenge of learning so much information.
Tracey and some of the other SMAT wives are now meeting every second week to talk about being women of God on the mission field. There are quite a few of the women who have had only short-term missions experience, if any, so we are all learning a lot.
We are going through a handbook of sorts put together by various missionary women from all aver the world. It covers topics like, what to bring (and what not to bring), depression, children, schooling, cooking, keeping spiritually alive. Please be in prayer as we all continue to learn and grow in being godly women.
Flying Mission
Exciting times lay ahead as we start communication with Flying Mission Zambia (FMZ) in regards to our return in September THIS year. We are getting excited about going ‘home’ and seeing what God has in store for us. We received an email from the FMZ leader in mid January asking us to pray about two possible locations for us; Mukinge and Macha (as seen on the map). Please be in prayer with us and the FMZ leadership as we discuss these options and seek God’s guidance to this end.
Flying Mission Newsletter
Flying Mission has just put out their quarterly news letter, below is the web link. It is a good and interesting read.
http://www.flyingmission.org/newsletters/FlyingTogether-2007Q4.pdf
Support
As you may now be aware, we continue to be burdened by our current support level especially in light of our up coming return to Zambia. MAF (and you our supporters) have been very gracious by allowing us to still be on the MAFC payroll during our time here at SMAT. Our support is based on pledges by supporters and directed to MAF offices world wide. In order for our support to be at 100% the full amount of $5,700 per month needs to be pledged. Please prayerfully consider if you would like to be part of our support team. We are very thankful for your support and prayers. Thanks!
Support Update: We are thankful that our support is up to 75% with only a deficit of $1400.
Thank you to all who have been so generous.
Prayer Requests
Please pray with us and FMZ leadership as we pray about and discuss our placement in Zambia.
Please pray for us as we drive on the snowy roads – especially for Trace who isn’t used to them at all.
Please be in prayer for Trace as she attends a grant writing course
Praise Items
Praise God that Rick is going well in his course and that we are almost half way through
Trace has been able to take some quilting courses
Trace has been able to help out at the school 1-2 days a week
We are thankful for those who have been supporting us so faithfully
