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