I'm sorry that it's been a while since I gave you an update. I will try not to write a book, but you may want to get confortable because it may take you some time to read it all or you can skim through it to the interesting parts. haha:)
First of all, I have to tell you that having Lucy and her mom here was awesome! We really enjoyed having them worship and fellowship with us on our Sunday morning service. Thank you to the Jr. High Class for skyping in with our kids (and us) on that Sunday! We were all so encouraged by it! We are so excited for Lucy to get here and for the rest of the team. We know God will bring the laborers that He wants to this field in His timing! We have enjoyed being here and we truly believe this is where God wants us. We miss our body of believers to fellowship with, pray with, carry each other's burdens, build one another and so on. This is our season to plow the field. It's a lot of work without seeing inmediate fruit so it's discouraging at times but through it all, God is breaking me more and more for the lost. Right now we are developing relationships with different people. God keeps giving us connections, so we are just walking through those open doors and loving on people. God will bring the fruit! We are very much longing for that fruit but we don't want to make it happen, instead we are praying, fasting and waiting for the fruit! Please pray with us :)
Our main outlet for ministry right now has been Nykki's soccer team. I spend at least 3 hours a week with the moms while we are at practices, so I've been able to share with some of them why we are here. I've had good conversations with a couple of the moms, like I said, we are plowing. God will give the increase!
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| Soccer ministry (Dads and moms) |
Update on our bible study: By request from the couple, we've had to stop for a few weeks because they've needed some time to figure some things out in their personal lives but they are supposed to get back with us when they are ready to start again. Continue to pray for them and that God will continue to be at work in their lives. We continue to stay in touch with them and we were able to hang out with them. We got to go with them to a "dog beach" so Tebow was able to see the beach for the first time and he liked it! It was a fun outing for everyone!!! As far as the second bible study that I had asked you to pray for, that didn't come through, so I guess that was an answer to prayer.
Mark is at the end of his training for his job and almost to start on his own. He's enjoying it and we believe this will be a great fit for him, our family and ministry. It's been nice to have our roles back the way God designed it. Daddy working and Mommy being a keeper at home! :) Our home feels like is going back to the right balance. God has also been gracious to bless me with a couple of interpreting jobs. It helps us financially and it also helps me to keep up with my interpreting skills and to meet more people.
That's the ministry side, now on a personal note about our family........you can check out now if you're done reading, this is just for fun for those who like the other details (like I do). :)
Mark and I had our 17th year anniversary on October 12th. We went to eat and had a nice evening walk on the beach! We praise God for giving us each other and for everything he has allowed us to go through together and we are excited to continue to be used by Him!
I've heard people say before you blink and your kids will be all grown up so you better enjoy every minute with them. Well, I guess it hit me a couple of weeks ago when we took Syera to a parking lot and Mark was giving her her first driving lesson. I can't believe she will be able to get a driving permit next year, our little Syera is growing up! She did pretty good for her first time, no surprise to all that she was very cautious, which is good!:)
Dylan will be trying out for basketball at his school next month. We hope he makes it! I think that will be encouraging to him and another venue for us to connect with more people. I've also been able to volunteer a few times at their schools already, so that's been good to make more connections with people and to be there for my kids!
This is just a funny observation that I've made living here in Florida. In the last couple of months that we've been here, I have seen all kinds of God's creation. I'm talking about all kinds of animals that I just see as I'm driving or walking just outside my apartment. I even have pictures to prove it, so, I've seen turtles and birds crossing the street , all kinds of big, little, fat, skinny legged birds, frogs, ducks, lizards, squirrels, deer, snakes, slugs, and of course cats and dogs too! I just thought that was crazy that I can see that many animals without even paying an admission ticket to go to the zoo. haha:) I have yet to see a gator on the road, but I'll let you know when that happens!
Phew, that was a lot of stuff! Thank you faithful readers that read all of it! We truly appreciate your prayers and please continue to pray for this field. We know God is working and we are and will be a small part of what He is going to do.
You can be praying for the following:
1. Teen Bible study to get started.
2. Mike and Katie's heart to be broken for the Lord.
3. Our investment in the soccer team parents.
4. Friendships for our kids.
5. Protection and grace for our family during this time of transition.
6. Job for Lucy.
Thank you for praying and we love you all! Please feel free to ask any questions if you want to know more detailed information about anything I have mentioned.:)
Have a great week and stay warm! We're enjoying the sunshine!!!
He is Faithful!
The Schaffers
