Blessings, Hiccups & Schedules

GOD IS GOOD!!!!!
     We want to take a quick minute to thank everyone that was able to come out to our fundraiser dinner.  The love and support shown to us was incredible.  We knew we had a phenomenal support system, but to see so many people in one place at one time all coming together to show us how much they love us and believe in what we are doing was pretty amazing.
     Things are going pretty well in terms of getting ready to go.  Packing lists are are coming together, we're finishing up with school, and travel plans are being made.  Our one little hiccup is that our second rental property has not sold.  Which means we have to find renters, get them settled, and then find someone that will manage the duplex while we are gone.  It was our desire to sell this property but God had other plans.  Will you come together in prayer with us that the right people/family rent our apartments?  It is our hope that God has not allowed this property to be sold because it will bless someone else.
     Scheduling.......time is ticking away!!!  Our official DTS dates are January 7th through June 5, 2015.  The original plan was to be with our families through the holidays and leave the day after Christmas.  Well, once again, God had other plans!!!  We started talking and praying about it and decided that it would be best for our family to leave a little earlier.  Since we are crazy enough to be driving across the country in December we figured that we should probably give ourselves some extra time.  So we will be heading out of Ohio December 20th, with an arrival date in Homer on January 1st.  What a way to ring in the new year!!! 
That means that we have just 44 days left in Ohio!!!  HOLY MOLY folks......we're getting close!!!
     Thank you, again, for all of your love and prayers.  We are going to miss everyone so much, but are really anxious to see what God is going to do in Alaska.

Blessings,
Mark & Megan

Alaska DTS Update

Dear Family and Friends,

            Sorry for the long lapse of time since our last update. In the last few months God has done so much to confirm our call to serve Him in Alaska. First, we have officially received our welcome letter from YWAM for our mission. We also found out that we will not be the only family on this mission trip.  There will be two other families with kids as well!   This will help us all in the transition into missions with people that will be going through the same experience. We ask for your prayers for our family, team, and leaders as our mission approaches. Pray for the Yupik tribes we will be working with in Gambell, AK on Saint Lawrence Island. We know that this is a field that God has given us and that He will ripen it for harvest.

Map of Saint Lawrence Island

The second confirmation we received was that we had one of our rental houses sell.  We felt that having rentals while we were out of state would be a huge burden and would keep our focus away from our mission in Alaska. We still have one more house on the market and would like for you to pray for it to sell as well. I know that God goes before us and He will work out what is best for us.

We have had multiple “little” blessings come along as well.  We were able to sell Megan’s truck and downsize to a much smaller SUV that fits all of us so our getting to Alaska will be less costly.  We have also started gathering items that we will need for our trip, sleeping bags being one thing.  We happened to be at the right place at the right time and got $120 arctic sleeping bags for $35 each!!  We can truly say that God has been with us in each giant leap as well as in each tiny step!!

Since we’ve received our official confirmation from YWAM we figured that we’d better get serious about fundraising.  We are certain that God will provide the funds needed for our trip.  Our family has graciously offered to have a chicken noodle dinner fundraiser for us, and our church has agreed to host it.  We would love to have everyone come to learn about how God called us to Alaska and more about what we will be doing while we are there.  It will also be a great opportunity for us to enjoy a time of  fellowship with our wonderful family and friends before we leave!!

Date: October 25, 2014

Time: 5-7 pm

Location: Agape Community Fellowship in The Hope Center

                212 Chestnut St.

                Marysville, OH 43040  

Menu: Homemade Chicken Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Dessert

 

If you are unable to make it to the dinner but would like to make a donation, checks can be made out to Agape Community Fellowship with YWAM Arctic Mercy on the memo line and sent to our home address :  1095 Lombard Chuckery Rd., Plain City, OH, 43064.  

Thanks so much for praying for us and following along with our journey.  We truly appreciate and treasure every thought, prayer, and letter of encouragement!!

Blessings, 

Mark and Megan

Ethan, Elijah, Josiah and Charity

Jeremiah 29:11