Seeing as how our deputation services are now over, we'll probably be switching things up a little with how we format this blog, though we're not really sure how yet. One of our goals is to try to shorten up the posts a little to save your eyes while still providing frequent updates. Bear with us for the next couple of months as we experiment with what we are doing with this blog. Any suggestions or comments are welcomed, please e-mail us at tjjohnson98@yahoo.com if you have any.
So, as we said, deputation services are over for us, training is over with, and we are now visiting family and friends before we we head to South Africa. Being so absorbed in the preparation for the past few months, it's hard to believe that it's actually time to go! Right now, we're in Bourbonnais, IL visiting Tricia's family and friends, and then after that we'll head to Kokomo, IN to see Jeremy's family and friends. Then it's back to KC to get things in order and we fly out on January 4th! We thank you all for your prayers, cards, etc. that have helped us get to this point. You are greatly appreciated.
Anyway, twenty-two short hours (we hope short) after we take off from KC, we'll land in Johannesburg, where we'll be for the next three years! We are so excited, although a little nervous as well. However, we know that God has some really special things for us there, and there's nowhere we'd rather be!
Praises and Prayer Requests
We thank God for the opportunity we have to visit with our families for a couple of weeks before we leave. We also thank you for visiting our blog and for your prayers. We also especially thank God for sending his only Son to die for our sins and give us life, as we remember his birth during this time.
Please continue to pray that God will be preparing us for this journey, and especially for traveling mercies as we travel during the next few weeks and on January 4th.
We'll probably write again before we leave and post some pictures, so check back again around New Year's. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families!
Until next time,
Jeremy, Tricia & Jake
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Friday, December 02, 2005
Almost there!
Wow, it really doesn't seem like it's been that long since August (and I suppose it really hasn't), but we are just about done with our training here and are almost ready to head to South Africa! We have learned so much during our time here, and have also gotten so many things accomplished in preparation for our trip. We just got our visas today, which was pretty exciting for us! We're still packing and will be sending our shipment on December 16th, right before we leave KC to go visit family. The shipment takes 6-8 weeks by boat to South Africa, so we decided to send it a few weeks ahead of us.
Anyway, we have had a blast and thank you all for your support and prayers during this time of preparation. We have certainly felt the Lord's presence in our lives through all of this and know that we wouldn't have even made it to this point without him!
Weekend(s) Update
Wow, we are SO late in getting around to this. Hopefully no one feels slighted, we have enjoyed all of our weekend deputation visits (except for the driving part), it's just that we have been so occupied with our preparations that the blog updates have unfortunately taken a back seat. As we wind down, hopefully they will come more consistently! Well, let's see, we've visited 10 different churches since our last update, and the people we have met have just been so generous, hospitable, and kind. We can't say enough how loved and appreciated we feel and how much we love and appreciate all of you that we have met. Deputation travels have been such a blessing, and the fun that we have had at each church has definitely outweighed the trials of travel.
Daily Life
As mentioned earlier, we have spent a lot of time in the last few weeks getting the "details" ironed our for our trip. Gathering all of the necessary paperwork for visas, getting our crates built for our shipment (yes, we built the crates), and trying to pare down our possesions so that we can fit our stuff into those crates had taken up a lot of time. We have also now gotten our plane tickets, and we fly out at 5:45am on January 4th, not too far away! It's about a 2 1/2 hour flight to Atlanta and then another 17 1/2 hours to Johannesburg. Please pray for us (especially Jake) during that time!
Praises and Prayer Requests
There is so much to praise God for, we have learned so much during our time here in KC and are really thankful for this training. We are also thankful that God has given us the grace to manage a hectic schedule and keep our family sane (well, at least as sane as we were)! And of course, we praise God that all of you that are reading this site have come into our lives, many of you just within the last few months!
We ask for your prayers in the following areas:
-- Preparations still being made for the trip
-- Safe holiday travels
-- Meaningful time with our family and friends as we prepare to leave
-- Our trip!
-- The Church of the Nazarene in Africa and all over the world
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us in our journey. May God bless you all during this holiday season as we celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ!
Until next time,
Jeremy, Tricia & Jake
Anyway, we have had a blast and thank you all for your support and prayers during this time of preparation. We have certainly felt the Lord's presence in our lives through all of this and know that we wouldn't have even made it to this point without him!
Weekend(s) Update
Wow, we are SO late in getting around to this. Hopefully no one feels slighted, we have enjoyed all of our weekend deputation visits (except for the driving part), it's just that we have been so occupied with our preparations that the blog updates have unfortunately taken a back seat. As we wind down, hopefully they will come more consistently! Well, let's see, we've visited 10 different churches since our last update, and the people we have met have just been so generous, hospitable, and kind. We can't say enough how loved and appreciated we feel and how much we love and appreciate all of you that we have met. Deputation travels have been such a blessing, and the fun that we have had at each church has definitely outweighed the trials of travel.
Daily Life
As mentioned earlier, we have spent a lot of time in the last few weeks getting the "details" ironed our for our trip. Gathering all of the necessary paperwork for visas, getting our crates built for our shipment (yes, we built the crates), and trying to pare down our possesions so that we can fit our stuff into those crates had taken up a lot of time. We have also now gotten our plane tickets, and we fly out at 5:45am on January 4th, not too far away! It's about a 2 1/2 hour flight to Atlanta and then another 17 1/2 hours to Johannesburg. Please pray for us (especially Jake) during that time!
Praises and Prayer Requests
There is so much to praise God for, we have learned so much during our time here in KC and are really thankful for this training. We are also thankful that God has given us the grace to manage a hectic schedule and keep our family sane (well, at least as sane as we were)! And of course, we praise God that all of you that are reading this site have come into our lives, many of you just within the last few months!
We ask for your prayers in the following areas:
-- Preparations still being made for the trip
-- Safe holiday travels
-- Meaningful time with our family and friends as we prepare to leave
-- Our trip!
-- The Church of the Nazarene in Africa and all over the world
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us in our journey. May God bless you all during this holiday season as we celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ!
Until next time,
Jeremy, Tricia & Jake
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