You wouldn't believe what He's been doing and how many doors He's been opening here! And some He's just opening enough for us to peer through and encouraging us to PRAY about entering them.
We have been super busy lately and are pretty booked for the rest of the year. Lemme give you a run down . . .
CURRENTLY:
We are wrapping up our 4 month long project with World Vision in just a week! It's bitter sweet for sure. On one hand, it'll be good to have time to focus on some different projects. But on the other hand, we are so sad for this project to end b/c of how many people it has helped!
We just went to the Handicap village to talk to some of our employees and interview them to gather their testimonies and it was so sad :( to hear how sad they are for this project to be ending!
For some, they've used it to get out of debt. For others, it's given them purpose and a reason to be proud and a means of independence. And for others, it's brought their family closer because they do it together. And then even for some, it's brought them into a relationship with Christ through them hearing the Good News and opening their hearts to receive it!
So, we are praying, praying, praying for more wholesale orders with companies like World Vision. It was totally the Lord that brought this order last year and we are believing for Him to bring us more! :)
BTN:
Then, of course as you know, we are working very hard to get Bridge the Nations up and going 100%. I spend a lot of time on the Facebook page to keep people updated. We are in the process of writing the content for the website & various email blasts.
We are creating a whole new financial system w/ a new bank and new finance "lady" - Ingrid, you ROCK!! We have finances here that Jen is over and constantly working on and organizing.
I need to create marking material like videos & brochures for us to get "out there".
AND then . . . we are working on creating a new look for our jewelry. We are Really stoked about this, but it is very time consuming. We're creating a new name, a new look, new pieces, new systems . . . We love how this project helps so many people and we want to continue to use it in not only Thailand, but other places too like Australia, Africa, Germany . . . and anywhere else the Lord leads!
PROJECTS:
Then we have projects we're fundraising for with BTN. We have a Burmese Medical Clinic coming up, a blanket project, Thanksgiving, Christmas, HIV Orphans, 2 church buildings, new coffee shops . . . it's Crazy!! And on top of that, God keeps opening even more doors!
So something to pray about?!? ---> An orphanage! I wont go into details now, but you can certainly add it to your prayer list. We feel very unqualified for the things that God is giving us, but we know that With Him- we are MORE than conquerors!
END OF YEAR:
And then we have the traveling coming up. We leave in just 2 weeks! And we're gone for half of November. When we get back, it's time for our Thanksgiving outreach, which BTN does every year. It's a big undertaking with lots of food being made from scratch!
And then it's December and we are out of town again for 2 weeks. We're also traveling a ton with our Christmas projects- blankets, gifts, HIV orphans, Christmas parties in each village we did jewelry in, visiting Government contacts . . . Chris and Terra are moving back to America, Anne is moving back into her house, Klaus is coming to stay for 3 months, a friend of Anne's is coming to stay a few weeks . . . Then it's Christmas!
NEXT YEAR:
AND THEN . . . (you thought I was done) we have our 2nd annual International Church Conference the 2nd week in January!
This means more marketing material, creating booklets for the visitors, getting all our BTN stuff ready and teaching English to the staff.
"is that all?" you ask?! Nope!! Jen is also doing more set-up trips and traveling to India, Africa & Nepal!!! All before March!! I'm praying to be able to join her in Africa as we can also do some BTN work while we are there (but more details on that much much later!).
"whew, then you must be done, right?" Nope!! :)
THEN we get 30-50 kids here in June that stay ALL summer long! And we'll be working on setting up all those details in the months before they come. (housing, food, transportation, ministry, etc.)
And then it's August. And we haven't planned past that ;)
So, I just wanted to give you a little preview into our next few months. And perhaps persuade you to pray for us ;)
Also, I (Steph) am planing a trip to the states in April. Please pray for favor on cheap tickets! And holla if you want to grab some coffee or something while I'm there!
Ok, so I think you are all up to speed now :)
I love hearing what you gals are doing... well really want God is doing. It motivates me
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