Uncooperative internet delayed this post by two days and in short sums up life here.  Very rarely do things happen with the timeliness I think it should and God is using these situations to teach me patience and reliance on him.  I wish I were a better student, but thankfully the Lord is patient.  Sunday January 17 marked six months for us here in Botswana.  True to what I told you when I was visiting churches in America before we left, we have accomplished very little in actual Bible translation work.  We have, however, accomplished much in the way of building relationships and a good foundation for future work.

I have experienced here some of the most amazing highs as we take in the beauty of this place, or when we connect in some meaningful way with the people among whom we live.  I have also experienced some of the most gut wrenching lows as things fell through that left me scrambling for solutions, or as I came to know how I had really blown it in a particular situation.  It has been an amazing six months.  One thing is sure:  in the mission field your strengths are somewhat muted as you adjust to the new culture while at the same time your weaknesses are magnified.  Praise be to God for my very dear and understanding wife who walks with me through these times and for my children who are getting the experience of a lifetime.  God is good.

Thanks to the many of you who have partnered with us in prayer and by giving to our ministry.  We have been strengthened by the Lord as a result of your prayer and He has also used your generosity to fully fund our mission work in 2009.  A portion of that funding came from door offerings while we were speaking in the USA, and so it will be a challenge to remain fully funded in 2010 since we won't be coming around to speak.  We trust that the Lord will provide as He always had and ask you to prayerfully consider continuing to support our ministry with your regular gifts or to begin supporting us financially as the Lord leads.  We are thankful for all of you who follow our work, read about us, pray for us, and send us notes of encouragement. 

Six months is in and many more months and years lie ahead.  We are in awe of what the Lord has done so far and look to what lies ahead.  Thanks for being partners in the journey.