Adelante–Onward & Upward–Prayer Updates
Just thought I should give some quick updates on our lives and things you have been praying for recently. The word that comes to mind as I describe what is happening is a Spanish word–adelante. The difficult part is effectively translating the word into English, the language of most of my readers. My best efforts are "onward and upward." That may be as close as I can get at a dynamic equivalence translation, which is what most Bible translators try to do when putting the scriptures into the language of indigenous cultures around the globe. A word for word, literal translation, often does not convey the message of the original. So what's up, you ask. What is this "adelante" referring to?
1. First, my proposal was accepted in June at the Covenant mission meeting in Wisconsin. That means that I am approved to go forward with the Mosaics project, but based in Seattle. That is great news! Thanks for praying for this. My role with the project will morph a little bit into facilitating ministry from local churches in the states, to training and supporting people who engage focus people, showing the love of Christ and friendship. I will travel some back to Europe and other parts of the world as well, doing some recruiting and serving as a liaison to our work with focus people with our denomination. I will also build bridges into the focus community locally. If you want a 1-page synopsis of my ministry, email me for a copy @ prayformosaics@yahoo.com.
2. Nicki is headed to North Park in about a month. She is excited and beginning to plan for the next big chapter in her life. Continue to pray for her and this next step. She is asking for a good roommate, for clarity and direction in her life. Pray for God to guide her feet and guard her heart.
3. Kjel was also accepted as a Covenant short-term missionary last month and hopes to be serving with Merge Ministries before the year is out. He now needs to raise his support and begin to make plans for serving with Merge, coordinating and guiding short-term mission trips for groups into Latin America. Get this, he will initially be placed in Monterrey, Mexico where we lived for about 10 years and he has maintained contacts and friends over the years since we have left. He is excited and we join him in that enthusiasm. Who would have guessed 10 years ago that Kjel would be returning to Monterrey as a missionary.
4. Our planned attempt for the summit of Mt. Rainier is still in place. Kjel, Erick and me will be joining a group of 13 climbers August 10th-13th and take the Emmons Glacier route to the summit. That is the plan at least. About 50% of all efforts to summit Rainier fail. My personal rate so far is 30%, with one successful assent in 3 attempts. That was about 25 years ago. We continue to train and are getting psyched. The picture above was one of my recent conditioning climbs up Mt. Si in North Bend. The goal was to carry a 40 lb. pack to the top in under 2 hours. I did it in 1 hour and 50 minutes. I have to keep in shape for this climb so that I can keep up with my boys who have an edge.
5. Carol also is seeking to build her counseling practice and would like to be able to do that full time. Could you pray for a steady flow of clients? She is taking steps to do that, moving adelante, and would love to attend to people's special needs.
So, I invite you to continue to pray for us in all of these things. Your support makes a huge difference and I am deeply grateful for your encouragement and prayer. Please, drop me a note. Tell me what is going on in your life. May your summer be rich in the knowledge of God's abiding faithfulness.
I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:9-11
