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Short Version (1 min.)

We're Moving:

Our family is (temporarily) relocating to Oklahoma for the duration of David's seminary studies. Please pray for our preparation, travel, and especially for our kids during this transition.

Support Update: 

Our financial support goal has increased to account for inflation, seminary costs, and our family's needs.  Please pray for God to provide during this time of education and preparation for future ministry opportunities.  

Next Steps:

Once David completes his studies, our desire is to partner with Trinity OC as well as 

RUF-International

 to minister to international college students in Orange County.  Please pray for wisdom and trust in God as we discern the ways He is at work and how we can partner with Him in it.

Long Version (3 min.)

Last month marked 5 years since we got married, started How to Be Missionary-ish, and began serving at Trinity OC.  We have so much to celebrate as we remember all that God has done.  Here are some highlights:

• Trinity began supporting 5 additional missions partners.

• The Compassion Team was founded and is thriving with passionate, motivated, and Kingdom-minded members.

• The Compassion Team has “adopted” and facilitated service with several organizations and outreach efforts, including Skyview Elementary School, Family Promise of Orange County, Hart Park homeless outreach, CarePortal, and Home for Refugees.

• The Digital Media Team was created to stream worship services throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, and the ministry continues to this day.

• David has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience through his seminary studies at Reformed Theological Seminary and pastoral internship at Trinity.

• Our family has been able to develop meaningful relationships with the Syrian refugee family, neighbors, community friends, and our Trinity family.

• We added 4 new members to our family!

It’s hard to believe how much has happened in only a few years, and we eagerly anticipate what God will do next. 

We briefly shared in our previous newsletter that we are exploring the idea of shifting our ministry focus while continuing to partner with Trinity.  Over the past few months, we believe God has made it clear that it is time for a change.Although we are no longer serving in missions abroad, our hearts still feel burdened to share the Gospel with people from countries with little access to it.  One way to do this is through ministry to international students, especially those who return to their home countries after completing their studies here.  Our denomination, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has a ministry specifically for this:  Reformed University Fellowship-International (RUF-I). So many international students come to the USA without any connections, and they struggle with feelings of loneliness.  The opportunity to meet other students who are going through the same thing; get to know people who genuinely care about their academic, social, and spiritual struggles; experience the hospitality of believing families; and learn about the One who created and cares for them can have a profound impact on their time here and on their lives (and the lives of their families and friends back home) beyond their time of study.  RUF-I seeks to step into this role, and it works closely with the local church in doing it.  This is something we are interested in starting on a university campus in Orange County in the next few years—in close partnership with Trinity.One prerequisite for this is that David must be an ordained minister.  He has been pursing a Master’s in Biblical Studies for a number of years now, but the added load of work and now family responsibilities has made it difficult for David to complete his education efficiently.  In order for him to finally be able to focus on this, he stepped down from a leadership position at Trinity at the end of August to become a full-time seminary student.During this period of full-time study—which will likely last 2-3 years—our family will also be moving to Oklahoma.  This is where Reagan’s family is located and where our financial support level will allow us to rent a larger space for David to study and for our increasingly lively gaggle to sleep and play.  We plan to leave Orange County near the end of September.  The vision, Lord willing, is to stay in Oklahoma for those 2-3 years and then return to Orange County to help start RUF-I.The prayers and generous giving of our supporters like you have made it possible for us to serve and for David to continue his studies, which now comprise most of his time.  As we continue this journey of ministry, we humbly ask that you pray about and consider continuing with us.  (At this time, no changes in method of giving will need to be made for those who would like to keep giving.  Donations will continue to go through Trinity, as before.)Regardless of how you choose to partner with us moving forward, we want to thank you. We cannot adequately express how grateful we are for all of you and for the incredible encouragement you have been to us over the years.

If you want to hear more about any of these things or have any questions, please feel free to reach out.  We would love to connect with you.

Support Update:

Our financial support goal has increased to account for inflation, seminary costs, and our family's needs.We have almost 85% of our needs for the 2023 ministry year. We will need to raise an additional $1,421 per month to hit our goal. Here is a breakdown of what this could look like: MONTHLY DONATIONS 1 person at $500 per month 2 people at $300 per month 4 people at $100 per month 3 people at $50 per month 3 people at $25 per monthWith rising inflation and our family growing, could you pray about a possible increase in funding or help refer us to new potentially interested partners? We'd love to meet with them in person or on Zoom and share the vision of this ministry with them! Please pray for God's provision as always.Just as the apostle Paul relied on making tents to fund his missionary trips, we started a coffee business to supplement our income. All proceeds directly support our family. We currently carry single-origin coffees of the highest quality from 3 different farms. You can order free samples on our website! www.faithfulsaintcoffee.com

If you would like to learn more on how you can partner with us, you can ask us, check out our website, or click the button below!

How About You?

As we pray for our ministry partners, we really like knowing we are praying for specific, current things in their lives.  , we would love to hear an update on your life and how we can pray for you.  

Talk to us!

Thank you for your faithful giving and support. We definitely can't do this work without you!In Christ,David, Reagan, Judah, Ezra, Joy, and Evy