It's official - we're on the way!

As you may already know 2nd Congregational Church had applied for a grant from the Day Foundation to help raise the support we need.  We found out a few weeks ago that we would be getting the grant, but we didn't know the amount.  The church asked for $10000 (just over 6% of the total amount we need to raise).  Well we heard back and the Day Foundation is actually contributing $12000, even more than we asked for!

This is a huge confirmation to us and to the church that we really are doing what God is calling us to do!  This also means we've raise just over 60% of the total we need to raise in donations and pledges.  So we're moving!  The church is ready to have us and we're ready to get there, so in one month (the second weekend of September) we're loading up and heading north!

We're really excited but we need your prayers now more than ever.  We have a ton to do between now and then including securing a place to live, planning the move, packing all our stuff and, oh yeah, we still need to raise the other 40% of our support.  So I'm asking for you to help us in a couple of ways:

1. Pray for our transition!  Please pray that all of the details of our move will work out well and get taken care of.  Please also pray that our transition to a whole new culture will go well, that Kerstin's transition to full-time mom will go well and that TJ's transition to working full-time at 2nd Congo will go well.  The church is giving me a month to get settled before I get pushed in the deep end so pray that time will really allow me to build relationships in the church and figure out the best way to serve.

2. Please pray about supporting us financially!  Like I said, we still have to raise the remaining 40% of our money and now we'll be doing it far away from everybody we know, while changing everything else in our lives.  If you've considered supporting us but haven't committed, now is the time!  Every little bit helps!

3. Come help us move!  We'll be loading up a truck soon.  We'll send more details in the coming weeks to help coordinate and we could definitely use your help loading boxes of books.

Thanks so much for your prayers and support!  I'm really looking forward to finding out what God has in store for us and keeping everybody up to date on how He is working in New England!