[Note: This post is an extension and edit of my newsletter update]
What a summer it has been, and what a good God we follow! We’re just over halfway done with the summer, so I wanted to catch everyone up on where I’m at right now. Nine weeks ago I embarked upon the summer support raising process in order to make my move to the Middle East, and it is safe to say I’m not the same person I was nine weeks ago…in a good way! The past nine weeks have been full of challenging conversations, personal growth, countless meetings, and seeing God’s hand at work and providing in ways I’ve never seen before. My summer has also featured new cities, extensive reading lists, independent Arabic study, and, of course, vaccinations. I can officially say I’m on the tail end of the support raising process. There is still tons of work to do, but this thing is going to happen!
Here are just a few highlights as of late:
-A five day trip to Pittsburgh where we intensely studied Islamic theology and Arab culture in order to examine how we are to better engage these things as a Christian.
-A 3 week period of being on the road for support raising, living out of my car, and sleeping on other peoples’ couches…it was way more amazing than it sounds.
-A relaxing 4th of July with some of my best friends from Baylor, and a 2 day backpacking trip to Arkansas with my brother and our roommate.
-Over 50 sit down appointments with people interested in supporting what God is doing in the Middle East and North Africa!
I’m incredibly thankful for everyone’s involvement so far, as the summer progresses here are some specific prayer requests I’d like to share:
-Grace to know Christ deeper even in the midst of productivity and progress.
-Perseverance to stay intentional with supporters and ministry partners.
-Discipline to stay diligent in preparing mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the move. This includes independent Arabic study and the very extensive reading list!
Thanks for the overwhelming support so far, I’d like to leave you guys with the attached video of a song that has proven to be extensively reassuring to me in this season, as well as this quote from Floyd McClung: “Your greatest dream is that His name will be praised in languages never before heard in heaven. Your reward it the look of pure delight you anticipate seeing in His eyes when you lay at His feet, and the just reward of His suffering: the worship of the redeemed.”