Ham and Thanksgiving

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We’ve been on the field for ten months now and one thing continues to grasp the strings of our hearts.  That so many people believe in Christ’s calling us to the peoples of Togo and are willing to sacrifice consistently for that cause.  We could not be here without the churches and families who faithfully partner with us. And we want to say a huge thank you!  Thank you from us and thank you from those whom we reach every day because of your partnerships. Only eternity will tell the impact that your efforts have and continue to make.  We know that it is as much a sacrifice for those sending as those who are sent.  We are all part of the same body and joyfully share in the same sacrifice.

In less than seven weeks, with God’s blessing, we will be in Togo.  Plans have been made and tickets bought. And there is so much that needs to happen before then and start then. Our truck needs to ship still.  We have arranged for it to be taken to port but it won’t be available in Togo until at least a month after we get there.  We will need to find (or build) a house, get furnishings, move in – all while adjusting to a new culture, in a freshly learned language, far from the familiar.  It’s exciting. It’s scary. It’s intimidating. It’s what we’ve been preparing for.  In many ways it’s like anticipation of an inevitable battle. You acknowledge the fear as a reminder that you are merely human and then take courage affirming that the Word has proclaimed, “‘My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in [our] weakness.’ Therefore [we] will boast all the more gladly in [our] weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on [us].”

Language Learning Progress

Our most recent language test results show Jonathan was at A2 and Bethany at B1.  Now Jonathan is at B1 and Bethany is just short of B2!  We will have one final test in December to tell where we are and are hoping and planning to continue formal language learning, to a lesser extent, in Mango.

HAM

Radio started out as a casual interest, and grew until one day at a church in New Jersey a couple of guys gave a small transmitter radio to us. These HAMs encouraged Jonathan to pursue the hobby more and Jonathan used the opportunity during a recent visit to the US for a wedding (for Bethany’s sister) to attain his general HAM license.  So if ever you’re on the airwaves, keep your ears open for him. This hobby not only provides a great pastime, but also a great ministry tool in allowing a way to set up high powered wireless networks and can be used as a education and training tool and emergency communication if ever all other forms of communication are unavailable.

The Elephant in the Room

There’s also the elephant in the room.  It’s the one bit of housekeeping that every missionary must talk about and everyone hates to bring up.  At the end of the year, we an estimate being $150.00 per month below the 100% level of partnership. So far, we have been able to mitigate most of the shortfall with a surplus created by a strong US dollar but that is temporary at best and looks to be on the way out already.  This shortfall is mostly made up of growing costs of US-base health insurance (as required by the AHCA).  It might not seem like much, but this normal, slow attrition makes ministry just a little bit less efficient. It is also difficult to make up these differences when we are far removed from the relationships that God uses to fill these needs. Would you please pray for God to raise up several new partners to fill this need?

We continue to pray for you and thank God for your faithfulness in the same.

Serving Him Together,

Jonathan & Bethany