Remember...be FLEXIBLE

These content creatures found the munching quite tasty in our yard this week.

Last Saturday Art taught on "Relating to the Local Church" in a seminar that took place on the YWAM base.

This young couple, new friends to us but people we pray for weekly, live and serve in Germany. She is German, he is Nigerian. What a blessing to meet them at last and spend time with them this month!

Lord willing, we are still going to India...just not in March, as originally planned. Because my visa (Canadian) took so long to clear the process, we made arrangements to postpone the trip to teach at the Pastor's Training School in Orissa, India. The new dates have been tentatively set for the end of April. The young man organizing this training school for pastors continues to have difficulty raising the money to insure that the school will indeed happen, so we are trusting God with all the details. If he is not able to pull it off (he has 20 pastors ready to come, but is lacking the finances to house and feed them), we may end up putting the trip off until late fall (Oct. or Nov). Please pray that all of us will know the Lord will in this. Opportunities abound, and the need for solid Bible training is so needed, but we want only to do what is in keeping with God's will, and His timing.

NO...this is not the house we are moving into in late May; it's the house
across the street from the one we'll be renting. Lovely view, eh?

About our housing situation: GREAT NEWS! God has opened up to us a house to rent here in Lakeside (not on the YWAM base) that will be a wonderful asset to the ministry we have among pastoral couples. We'll not be able to move into the house for a couple months yet, as we'll be house-sitting for a young couple who is leaving on Tuesday for an outreach in Cambodia. We'll likely move into what we are calling the R.E.S.T house the middle of May, or so. It's a good-sized house with plenty of space to provide a respite, a refueling station to couples who are in need of restoration, encouragement, strengthening, and training (R.E.S.T.).

Thank you so much to all of you who are faithfully holding us up in prayer. You have been a channel for God's blessing and provision.

Speaking of provision...God continues to add financial partners and we are in awe of the ways He speaks to people and encourages them to be involved in the things He has called us to do. In January we felt God asking us to "bite the bullet" and recruit more supporters for the ministry He has called us to. He encouraged us with scriptures such as: "Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you." (from Matthew 7). So we asked...we sent out a letter, asking folks (you) to consider, and pray about, supporting us with finances as well as with your prayers. And I just want to let you know that God (and several of you) have surprised and blessed us to the point of tears. It's almost like God is saying: "See, told you so."

So, if you are one of those who responded to our request...I just want to take this opportunity to say, "Thank you!!!" Your willingness, and your generosity, not only blesses us beyond words, but, please realize, also enables us to encourage and equip pastors and Christian workers around the globe. Yes, that's right...around the globe! India, Nepal, Thailand, Ukraine, as well as the Pacific Northwest of the United States. And now doors are opening in Africa as well.

Last week I had the privilege of teaching some TESOL principles and interactive activities to students in the DTS Missions track. It was one of the highlights of the month for me. The students were incredible communicators, listeners, and participants. They were very engaging, honest and courageous. I know they will have a lot of fun teaching English during their upcoming outreach to Cambodia, Thailand, etc.

I could hardly believe how refueling the experience was for me. I'm learning new things about myself like never before. I remember how much I loved training new staff on all the instruments and visual testing equipment when I worked for Dr. Magwire (optometrist) in Wallace and Kellogg (Idaho). I feel that same love of teaching coming through again when I teach students how to teach English to speakers of other languages. I can definitely see why God spoke to me while we were in Myanmar about putting this skill in my "tool bag."

This is one of the new friends God has given me here in Lakeside.
How I love friendships!
Like the old song says:
"Make new friends, but keep the old.
One is silver and the other is gold"
I couldn't agree more!