Hello friends,

We have completely dropped the ball on updating you all. I felt like we have seen or talked with most of you and so I personally just thought everyone was “up to date”, but Briana has been saying we need to update everyone officially since we got our visas like we had asked prayer for in May (which we made a cute video of Noelle announcing we were on our way in the airport we never uploaded bc of internet and phone changes) and an update just kept getting pushed off. Updates obviously aren’t our strong point! I didn’t realize the last one we had officially sent out was back in April (SMH- Yikes) so there is much to update on for those of you who might not be aware.

Just incase some of you may not know, we did make it back to the states at the end of May after receiving our new 5 year visas and are praising the Lord for working out all the details.

We flew into Arizona from Indo where we reconnected with a supporting church the day after we landed. It wasn’t ideal, but the Rock Church was very gracious dealing with us and our jet lag and it was a blessing to see them again. After that we made our way on a trip I have wanted to do since I was a kid. An old college roommate of mine who lives in Arizona graciously let us use his camper and truck for us to visit some national parks in Arizona & Utah. We visited the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe bend, Antelope Canyons, Bryce and Zion national park. It was a great time for our family to regroup from all the visa and travel craziness and to see some amazing sights our Father created with just His words.

From there we flew to Philly where we were gifted a car to use and spent a week before we headed to Pittsburgh for the summer. While in Pittsburgh we made a trip to Michigan, Indiana & Ohio to visit friends, supporters & churches. We spent most of the summer in Pittsburgh and headed back to eastern PA before the school year started in August.

We asked many of you to pray for our kids as it was REALLY hard for them to leave “home” and their friends and routine there and adjusting to going to a “real” school here for the first time and adjusting to life in America for longer than we’ve ever done before, and the Lord answered those prayers. The first couple weeks were rough, but since then they have adjusted really well, making friends and getting lots of great life experiences here we felt they needed. We will remain in the Boyertown until the school year ends and then plan to head back to our home in Dem.

These past 6 months have flown by so fast and even though we want to go back to Dem-land, we are thankful for this time. Our family needs/needed some time to work through some things, to grow closer as a unit and also with the Lord. I personally needed a break from ministry for a short time to be energized and refreshed.

As for the kids, Eden was on the volleyball team at school. She had never played any organized sport before (none of our kids have) and she was nervous, but did great and LOVED it. Jericho was on the school soccer team and is currently on a local basketball team and LOVING that. Noelle has been taking piano lessons and attended several birthday parties, which of course she loves. The Lord has been very gracious with providing a place for us to stay, a vehicle, special time with family and a home church that we love being a part of.

As for our Dem friends- Wow is all we can say. The Dem believers continue to grow in their understanding of scripture, and learning what it means to be a child of God and turning from old ways. Just last week 25 Dem believers (ones who have shown great growth and potential future church leaders) stepped out in faith and were baptized. I can’t express the emotions of wanting to be there with our dear friends for this monumental day as they gave testimony to what the Lord has done for them and publicly made a profession to follow the 1 “straight talk” of Yahwe. Our co-workers said in all there is about 300 Dem who want to be baptized, but they started with 25 first and will, over time speak with the remaining people and eventually continue in baptizing them.

The Lord is doing some amazing things in the Dem!! In a time where it seems like the news is filled with negativity, and depressive news, let us take joy in remembering that the One True God is still on His throne, and has not forsaken any of us. He is at work today, just as He has been and we hope that you are encouraged just as we are when we hear about the Dem and what the Lord is doing there.

If anyone would like to talk or catch up email us. There is this tendency every time we come back… that the last 2-3 weeks before we leave people suddenly realize we are leaving and they never got together with us while we could for a meal or coffee or a chat and then invite us to get together. Although we of course would love to, the last 2-3 weeks is the worst time and we have to say “no”. With all it entails to pack up and organize everything to move back across the world and day goodbye, it can be so stressful to say the least so please, lets get together sooner, rather than later. 🙂

Thank you everyone who prayed and even gave towards the visa renewals, vehicles for us to use, housing, kid’s adjustment and everything else in between.