August Newsletter '12

Greetings,

July began with celebration for Independence Day and it has led us into August where again we find ourselves with reason for celebration for a long successful summer of teams… which isn't quite over.

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Summer Teams for July

This has been the first summer in a long time, where our summer teams have worked in harmony with a single project week after week. Our replacement building to the old shed has been a long time coming and now that August is here we're looking very close completion. However, there is no way we could have gotten this far without the coordinated effort from all our teams. Everyone has contributed above and beyond; some teams worked longer hours, other donated more money to the project, but together God has made it possible.

Teams also invested into local community and children throughout 8 different settlements with Vacation Bible Schools and Discipleship Programs. We had everything from in-depth training from the Gospel of John, to basketball clinics, and arts and crafts. The children were diverse as well, all the way from 21 years old to 2 years old, our teams saw it all and they love them all. We're now trusting the Lord to take these seeds which were sown and by His grace produce a harvest.

Check out Pictures from Union Park Baptist
Check out Pictures from Christian Family Chapel & FBC Frisco
Check out Pictures from FBC Frisco Youth Team

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The Fourth of July and Family

We began last month with the festivities of the American Independence Day. We had our friends over (with only 1 other American) and had the traditional cookout with burgers and all the trimmings. It was a lot of fun and we treated it almost like a summer "thanksgiving" - just being around loved ones with an excuse to grill out is a good day any day.

Emily and Micah then promptly left for the US the next day… and they're still gone. Yes, it has been lonely for Tag and me, but I'm thankful that Emily is getting some time to spend with her parents and friends, and that Micah is getting to be with his cousins and grandparents.

You can checkout pictures of the 4th of July HERE
Pictures of Emily and Micah's US trip HERE

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Update

July was a very productive month albeit somewhat displaced since the family is separated in different countries. Nevertheless, you can get a lot of work done when you're all alone. July was primarily a month of teams for me. Week after week I had some of the best experiences building new relationships and building our summer project: the new Maintenance Facility (which I affectionately call a "Shed"… mostly because its easier to say).

The shed is almost finished, and we'll be painting and hanging doors in the next 2 weeks for it to be ready for the opening of school. But the work that has been done here at the school is only a portion of what needs to be reported from last month. The real blessings have come with how we've seen God show up and do what we cannot do. Personally, we're extremely grateful for our new van which came from one of our mission churches, and for friends who have helped provide the money needed for it.

We are most thankful for our new missionaries: Ryan and Melissa Yates. They moved in last month and have dove in headfirst to helping with anything and everything in ministry and at the school. They are such a blessing to have here, and now we're just waiting for Micah to come back home and play with their little boy Isaac. We're excited for the boys to have new friends.

The summer isn't quite over yet, we've got 1 more team here finishing up some of the construction on the shed. The Lord has certainly been good to us to give us such wonderful people to come and give of their summer to serve Him, and I have made all kinds of new friends: like Tim, Steve, Bobby, Drake, Mark, Sean, Anthony, Dale, Ira, Tom, Aaron, Bill, Matt(s), Jeff… and the list goes on, along with many who have come down before (especially from our home church)! We hope to see them all back again next year!

We've also had people come and stop by and donate items like clothes and shoes and toys in what seems like 'out of the blue' and without asking anything other than in prayer. We thank God for providing both for our needs and with new relationships where we can work together for His kingdom.

Read more HERE about Answered Prayers

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Prayers and Praises

Huge praises for our summer teams
Huge praise for God's provision for a new vehicle for the school (which was our prayer request from last month!)
Praise for Emily's time with family and safe travel

Pray for the upcoming school year and the new school we're beginning this month
Pray for our students - that they'd adjust to school
Pray for all our last preparations for the school year and teachers returning

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Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers and your involvement in our ministry with God's mission. To find out more about support CLICK HERE.

- Ryan Emily and Micah