Wow, it's been quite some time since I last wrote. It seems like sometimes life just gets turned upside down and it takes a little while to get back. For those who don't know, Damaris and I have been back in the states for the past 6 weeks or so. Upon our return to the US we were informed that we needed to stay state-side until all of our processing with immigration is complete. Having to stay was surprising in itself, but the length of time was even more of a shock. It could take a year, maybe more, before things clear up for us to be free to travel outside of the states. So we'll be here in the US for quite some time. I think this is God's way of really stretching us and causing us to depend more wholly on Him. It will be a totally new way of life for both of us. We have both been able to secure jobs so that we can start saving up in order to find an apartment of our own. We're having to start from nothing, which is sometimes exactly what we need. Today is the start of another turn in our journey...I am heading back to Belize for a month in order to finish up some things. It's a trip I've taken so many times, yet this time is so much harder than all the rest. I'm going to be away from Damaris for a month. It's really the first time that we have been apart more than a day since we got married. I'm really going to miss her. Right now I'm stuck here in Miami, until tomorrow morning. My flight from Dallas left an hour late, so I missed my connection. Thankfully the airlines put me up in a hotel and gave me some money for food. I can't wait for this month to end. It hasn't even been one full day and my heart is already heavy. This will be a good opportunity for me to spend some quality time with the Lord and to really seek his face. The Lord knows why He does what He does...I just pray that I will do what he wants me to do with the time that he gives me. What a great God we serve. May His name be glorified through every decision that we make.

2 AM after unpacking the Truck

What a crazy week it has been.  Sponsorship Distribution Week is slowly coming to a close.  We saw about 150 students on Monday and about the same amount on the Tuesday.  Yesterday slowed down quite a bit after lunch and we ended the day with about 80 students.  We still have about 2 days left and we are praying that the remaining 150 will show up in a timely matter.  Friday is often one of the most hectic days because we are trying to help out those who do not have sponsors, and sometimes the crowd can get a bit pushy.  Pray for us this year as Friday is only a day away. 

 

Backpacks for Belize!!!

These are all School books! and that's only one side of the room!

God has already been answering prayers as this year has run very smoothely.  Obviously there has been a couple bumps along the way, but that's just part of life.  The saddest thing is that there have been a few children that we have had to inform about the loss of their sponsor.  For many of them we have partnered with new sponsors, but there are still so many in need.  On the bright side, by the end of the week there will be over 500 students walking through their school door with new backpacks and uniforms, knowing that someone in some other part of the world cares about them and has offered them a free gift. 

The windows and doors are going up on Samuel's new house and burglar bars are soon on the way.  The church has only been open a few months and it's already been broken into about 3 times.  As a result we are making a strong effort to seal up the building for my in-law's safety. 

As this week ends, Damaris and I will have 2 weeks to get everything finished up, so that we can take a much needed trip home to Texas.  We are planning on doing quite a bit of traveling in order to visit with several churches through Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia, and possibly more states along the way.  This is a big step of faith for us, because we still aren't fully sure how we will fund all of our travels.  It's just one of those times that we are trusting that if we get in the car and start driving, the Lord will be our great provider.  If Lord lays it on your heart to aide us in anyway, we would love to hear from you. 

We will be sending a newsletter out within the next few weeks.  If you would like to be placed on our mailing list please email us with your contact information and we will send a letter out as quickly as possible.  Our e-mail address is:  fulfilled_by_christ@yahoo.com 

We look forward to hearing form you!

May the Lord's name be declared through every move we make!

Half way through July and we have already had two brand new teams back to back.  We are officially tired.  However it has been a wonderful two weeks.  The first team was from Ardmore Baptist Church in North Carolina.  A great energetic youth group.  They also brought two doctors with them and were able to do a lot of work in the clinic.  The youth were able to get a good start on our new front fence.  What a blessing that will be to one day complete.  The first part will be a great help to us as well, because it involved pouring a small concrete slab where we can put all of our trash.  It will help keep everything a little cleaner, as the dogs will no longer have access to the trash.  They were also very generous and treated Damaris and I to a fun get away out at the islands.  I have to say it was the most beautiful island I have ever visited, much better than the crowded Caye Cauker and San Pedro. 

The day we dropped off the Adrmore team, we picked up another group from Bluefield College in Virginia.  They were able to get a lot completed on the rooms.  They mudded and painted, built shelves and hung cloths rods in all of the rooms.  They were also able to complete our fifth concrete post on the front fence.  It's exciting to see everything coming together.  

Damaris and I were able to get our tickets booked for our trip home in September.  We can't wait to see the family and if everything goes right we will probably be doing quite a bit of traveling to visit supporters and churches and such. We also have quite a bit of paperwork to do as far as her greencard goes, now that it's getting close to our 2 year anniversary.  Wow, I can't believe it's already been two years.  God is so good! 

We are in prayer for some more long term staff.  Scripture says a cord of three strands is not easily broken, however, even a cord of three strands can only bear so much.  Please join us in praying for the preparation and sending of capable and willing individuals/couples to aid us in this important work that God is doing.