a few praises & prayer requests

this past week i was so excited to see the Lord answer prayer & bring me to 90% of my monthly financial goal! thank you for praying!! my remaining monthly need is just $450 - we are SO close! also, my remaining special needs expenses are about $2000 for this first year, & another $2000 for years 2 & 3. i recently spoke with my support coach about setting a departure date & we're in the midst of sorting that out. he would like to see a bit more of my special needs come in, and for me to be a little closer with the monthly amount, before purchasing a ticket.

will you please pray for wisdom as i continue conversations with my coach, the international campus staff (ICS) coordinators, & my campus director in NZ? pray for wisdom as we discuss timing. pray that we will hear from the Lord, that i will submit to Him first & their leadership as well.

the NZ unis are currently in the middle of their second semester - school ends October 17th. it's fairly crucial that i arrive before the semester ends - our women's ministry is particularly affected as the 2 current American STINT girls will be returning to the US, & the other kiwi staff woman will be preparing for & gone on a summer project to East Asia. my team is praying i can be there asap to begin building relationships with the female students before the end of the school year. this will make a big difference in transitioning into our summer ministry & using the summer as a strategic time to cast vision for & develop our student leaders for the coming school year. then, i will be helping to lead our summer bible study along with two other kiwi staff guys from my team.

so, with that said, i am so grateful for your continued prayers. the Lord is teaching me heaps about waiting on Him...i know that His timing is perfect. i look back over this past year & see countless examples to confirm that fact. but right now it's a challenge to truly believe & take Him at His word. to put faith into action. please pray that i seek the Lord first, that i am quick to recognize & take captive to Christ thoughts that breed worry & fear & anxiety in my heart. His word is pure & trustworthy. pray that i fill my mind with His truth & feed daily on His faithfulness.

"trust in the Lord & do good. dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness." Ps. 37:3