Aircraft Awaiting Permission to Land - Updated on 19 September!

Diagrams of the Holding Pattern

Those familiar with flying will recognize the holding pattern.  You will be approaching your final destination and the plane begins to circle continuously through the skies as the pilot waits for permission to land.  It's normally a sign of irregular air traffic to the particular airport or an unexpected delay involving the runway or arrival gate.

I have never been trained as a pilot, so this is possibly an over-simplified explanation and there will likely be many more reasons behind it.

The Effect of the Holding Pattern

Over the last few weeks, we have felt like our lives have been in a holding pattern.  Our point of departure was my graduation from Africa International University in early August.  As enthusiastic travelers, we left as if propelled by excitement.  Our final destination was, and still is, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where we will embark on a new ministry adventure.  However, somewhere mid-flight, we have begun circling, waiting, and seemingly unable to land.  Delays involving the processing of needed documents has been the primary, though not completely unexpected cause.  And, as you might imagine, passengers and plane alike find their energy resources diminishing after a lengthy holding pattern.  The plane's fuel begins to dwindle.  The passenger's legs begin to ache and he becomes more and more impatient in his desire to arrive.

As you pray for us, please pray that we'll have patience for the next 2-3 weeks as we continue in our holding pattern of waiting for documents to be issued, processed, and authenticated.  Most of the time, we're able to see God's hand in the timing of all this.  But our "fuel" resources sometimes run thin and we're excited and anxious to arrive in Ethiopia.

UPDATE ON FINANCIAL GIVING

In recent posts, we have endeavored to not only make our financial needs known, but to update you as gifts come in.  Here are some updates:

1. As you know, we are buying a Toyota Land Cruiser from the SIM Ethiopia administration for $40,000 USD.  As of 29 July 2014, we had 50% of the funds already raised, which left us with $20,000 USD needed to complete the purchase.

UPDATE: We have received $1,500 toward the truck (update: another $250 has come in since the original post).  Please keep praying with us about the additional $18,250 USD.  Thank You!

2. You will also remember that we need to raise an additional $400 USD in monthly support.  The transition to a new field brings new financial requirements.

UPDATE: We have had a few individual supporters increase their monthly contributions.  We are so grateful and it is a considerable wind in our sails as we see God provide.  We will need to see our monthly statements in order to place a numerical value on this.  Please pray for two specific churches with whom we would like to establish a relationship.  I cannot name them here, but the Lord knows.

3. From the same article, we indicated the need to set up a new house in Addis Ababa. We already have about $7,000 USD that has been given specifically for this expense, so we are very thankful!

UPDATE: We have recently been advised that setup costs might be closer to $8,000 or $9,000 USD in one-time expenses.  This advice came from our SIM Ethiopia contact who has knowledge of increasing prices of washing machines, beds, refrigerators, and such due to supply and demand.  Please keep praying with us about the affordability of household goods in Ethiopia.

Thanks so much and remember the new online giving links given in the right margin.  God bless as you fulfill the Great Commission through your involvement with us!  - Nate

Answered Prayer & Amazing Generosity

In late July, our lives turned from predictable to chaotic.  We were involved in packing up the house and moving from a suburb of Nairobi to a home closer to the city center.  After a lightning-fast month of August, we have settled in another new place after yet another move.  As you would imagine, it has been both physically and mentally taxing as we approach the final steps of our move to Ethiopia.

It got us thinking about how many times we've moved since we were married in July 2008.  In those six years, we've spent time in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, New York, Wales, Blue Nile State (South Sudan), and the Nairobi area.  We lived in 14 different homes, only one of which was actually ours (which was eventually bombed), and had the pleasure of meeting and/or reconnecting with some very dear friends in each place.  The longest stay in any one of those places was 2 years while I was in seminary here in Kenya.  We've attempted to learn several languages along the way as well. 

Throughout this whole journey, we have been blessed by incredible prayer warriors and financial partners who continually fulfill the Great Commission as we minister together in our unique areas of calling.  We were in touch with you about some of our prayer requests and financial needs during that upheaval in late July.  By early August, we had experienced many answered prayers and amazing generosity on the part of God's people.  In answer to prayer, we have a possible new home in Ethiopia (pictured above).  Please continue to pray that all the necessary arrangements will be made so we can move in and get settled quickly after our arrival.  In response to our financial needs, the updated post from July 29th gives details.  For August, we anticipate another very good month in terms of regular support and special one-time giving.  We have yet to see our statements from the USA, Canada, and United Kingdom in combination, but we know at least $1,000 USD was contributed toward the cost of the Land Cruiser (also pictured).

As you pray for us, please remember these things.  We are excited as we see the Lord moving in answer to your prayers, prompting amazing generosity as you give.  Thanks so much!  As with before, please note the new links for online giving.  God bless, Nate