exciting news!

I don't normally post our monthly newsletters on the blog. But not all of our blog readers receive our newsletters, and I didn't want anyone to miss out on what's happening with us. So here's the update, copied and pasted straight from the newsletter without the fancy template :-)...

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We are pleased to share with all of you a new and exciting opportunity for us!  We have been asked by the headquarters and management staff of Mercy Ships to be part of the Advance Team to Sierra Leone, the country of next year’s outreach. 

What does this mean?  First, we will finish this outreach and sail to South Africa as previously planned. There we will stay for two months before we fly to Sierra Leone!  In Sierra Leone our mission will be to prepare everything needed for the ship’s arrival in February and set-up contacts, sites, and logistics for the upcoming outreach. Tim will be Assistant Team Leader.  His responsibilities will include establishing relations with government officials and port authorities, preparing the port for the ship, and keeping the team’s finances. Hannah will be Medical Coordinator, establishing relations with local hospitals and medical personnel, coordinating screenings, and locating sites for off-ship programs, and dental and eye clinics.

We will be living off-ship on land during this time until the ship arrives, giving us an even broader exposure to African culture.

How long is this commitment? The preparations will go until the ship’s arrival in February. We will then hand over all the information, contacts, and logistics to each affected department, and help ensure a smooth transition. This requires that we may stay until June 2011! We will be extending our commitment by six months!

This brings us to our second piece of exciting news. Because of a longer commitment we are coming home for a visit!! We will be home for the month of July to see family and catch up with all you, our faithful supporters. J

We will also be speaking in the service at First Baptist Church in Bend on July 18th. We would love to see as many of you as possible while we are home. But please understand that our time is limited and we may not be able to see everyone.

Thank you for journeying with us!  We graciously ask that you consider continuing your partnership with us through your prayers and financial support as we extend our service with Mercy Ships in the months to come.

We are excited for what lies ahead! We give God all the glory for what He has done and has yet to do!

 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. 

Proverbs 19:21

Love, Tim and Hannah