Many people have asked us when we are leaving for Togo. We thought we’d share with you a tentative timeline. Our ideal timeline would be to have 100% of our support and leave for language school in France in the fall of 2012. There we’ll study French for two years, and then arrive in Togo in the fall of 2014. Our terms on the field will be four years at a time and our furloughs will be one year. Our language school in France will count toward our first term, so only two years of our first term will be spent in Togo. We plan to begin visiting churches this fall sharing our vision for Togo and seeking prayer and financial partners. If you know of a church that would be interested in being a part of our ministry, please let us know and we’d be happy to schedule a time to share at that church.
In our last letter, one of our prayer requests was that we were planning to start a Bible study for unbelievers in our apartment. We sent invitations to all of the residents in our complex. We had one faithful believing attendee and two others who came when they could. We finished The Story of Hope put out by ABWE with this group and will begin The Truth Project by Focus on the Family on July 7th. Overall, this adventure has been a great blessing of fellowship with other believers in our apartments as well as an opportunity for all of us to grow together as we share the teachings of the Word of God.
We had an interesting opportunity arise out of the invitations to our last Bible Study. One of our invitations made it back to our door with a note on the back that said, “We’re sorry we will not make it to your Bible study, but we’d be happy to teach you if you’d like to learn about Islam.” We jumped at the opportunity! When we met with Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Smith (Kyle is a convert from “Christianity” to Islam) the first time, we asked them questions about Islam. The second time we met with them, we shared with them why we differ from them, and why we felt that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus was so important. Muslims don’t believe Jesus actually died, but they do believe that he is alive now. We were able to give a clear presentation of the gospel. Since that second meeting, we have not met with them again. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would direct us as to when would be a good time to meet with them again. Also pray for Kyle and his wife that God would work in their hearts to see past the lie that the prince of this world has them bound to.
On our blog recently, we ask for prayer concerning the cost of our apartment. We put in our notice with the apartment and told them that the reason we were leaving was because the apartment cost too much. Recently, our manager (who also happens to be a former classmate of SB’s from Tacoma Baptist Schools) called us up and asked us if we’d like to renew our lease for $200 less per month. Don’t you know that our Lord is in control! Needless to say, we renewed.
Lastly, please pray for us as we work on our ministry literature. Every time we sit down to work on it, we hit a wall. It’s almost like working on a resume. If you’re good with words, we could really, really use your help.
As always, thank you for the blessing you are to us! We thank the Lord for the fellowship we have with you in all the different corners of our lives!
Prayer Requests and Praises
Pray that we would have the organization and discipline to get our pre-field ministry off the ground and running.
Pray for that our study in the Truth Project would honor and glorify God.
Pray that our lives would glorify God and that we would continue to walk faithfully with Him.
Pray for Kyle Smith and his wife that God would open their hearts to the Truth.
Praise the Lord that our study in the Story of Hope went well.
Immediate Needs
Tri-fold brochure graphic design and funding.
Projector for church presentations.
A dedicated prayer and encouragement team.
In Christ,
Ryan, Stephanie and Leslie
PS. Our prayer card has been completed. If you would like a copy of it, please email me your mailing address and I'll be happy to send one to you.
Oh Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his Name together. Psalm 34:3
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