Thursday, March 29, 2007

Oi, everyone! I'm (Jody) really tired, so I hope this makes sense!! We are moving out of the apartment tomorrow, and will be staying with the Marcums for 2 weeks. After that we go to the Smiths for 2 weeks, and then if we need more time, we have several options. I've been packing all day. I thought we had gotten rid of everything we wouldn't take with us, but...We had a huge load for the trash and a load for the storage unit, and we are still pushing it with 3 checked pieces (that's 7 extras) and 2 carry ons each! Shwew! Tomorrow we will spend the day cleaning here.

All of that to tell you about our new contact info, in case you don't know. All mail needs to go to PO Box 506, Frankfort, IN 46041. Don's cell phone is 765-242-2364 and mine is 765-242-2137. Email is fields.jody@gmail.com, or daddydonf@yahoo.com. Sorry if I've already told you this. Also, if you would like pre-addressed envelopes for support, please let us know.

Amanda says she should have the letter we need any day now! Pray for it to come soon, so we can apply for the visas!!

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Boa noite! We have been keeping busy-seems as if we're busy waiting, but we are making progress. We are still waiting for our re-worded letter from Brazil. We have applied for the insurance. We're about to get international drivers licenses. Don has completed his sessions for ordination, and now will write his paper and prepare for his ordination council. We will post the date as soon as we are sure. He will be ordained soon after Easter.
We've been attending Emmanuel Baptist on Sunday mornings and Faith Family Ministries on Wednesday evenings. We met with Jan and Scotty (missionaries to Brazil) before they left, and got to ask lots of banking questions. We have set up our LOVEM bank account and have met with our accountant and the couple who will help handle our finances, mail, etc. while we are gone.
Friday we will move out of the apartment and begin staying with friends and family, about 2 weeks at each place, until we leave. You can reach Don, by phone, at 242-2364, and Jody and the family at 242-2137. All mail should go to PO Box 506, Frankfort, IN 46041.
Jacob and Curt finished up their basketball season at the YMCA. Jacob will continue his paper routes until this Friday. He just turned 13!!! Jacob recently purchased a puppet to use in ministry in Brazil. He used to be part of a puppet ministry at our church. Curt has plans for a basketball camp, with devotions, to do in villages we visit. Emily had her wisdom teeth taken out, turned 18, and is busy working at Wesley Manor. Maggie has about 3 weeks left of this semester of school. Treyton is growing like crazy. His former developmental therapist saw him last week, and said that his speech (as far as putting sentences together and such) was above age level, and his clarity was normal for his age!! Yea!!
Jody met with Junior Miranda last week to discuss plans for doing a soccer tournament here in Frankfort, through his Truth Project. This is a sports evangelism ministry that started in Brazil, and is now targeting the Hispanics in Indiana.
Jody, Jacob and Curt had the opportunity to help fill, move and place sandbags this past week. Yes, there was flooding in Frankfort and the director of the Red Cross is a former homeschooler. Her mom called around to find some strong young men who might be available immediately (which happened to be during public school hours) to help out.
Don is enjoying his temporary job, but says his knees hurt. He's the one who has to go get tools and things for the jobs, so he is walking back and forth, up and down stairs, all day long.
Just thought we'd update you a little! Love to hear from you!

Friday, March 09, 2007

Order Our Steps...

This has been our prayer, "Order our steps..." Things seem to be falling into place. Don left his job of 21 years, so that we could access his retirement money. We are going to use it to pay off the 2nd mortgage, lower the price of the house and list it with a realtor. We will have enough money left to make mortgage payments for a year, if need be. We're trusting God to sell the house in His time.

When Don planned to quit his job at the schools, he started looking for a temporary job. He wondered how likely it was that he would find one that paid enough for us, that was temporary. A couple of days after he began looking, he had a job!! A plumbing business needed to replace someone who was having surgery for 2-3 months! How perfect. Don turned in his notice, and when he quit on a Friday, he began the new job on Monday.

We need to have 1 paper redone in Brazil. I (Jody) was at the computer, ready to contact our friend, Amanda, in Brazil to ask her help in getting the paper. When I signed in, I saw that I had a new message...from Amanda. Pastor Expedito, from Obidos, was actually in her city until morning visiting! I quickly called her and gave her the information we need. She gave it to Pastor E to take to the other pastors in Obidos. We pray we will have this letter in 2 weeks and will be able to apply for the visas.

God is putting people around us to advise us. We have an accountant, and a few people to care for finances and mailings while we are gone. Don is working with a pastor, studying for his ordination. We are so blessed to be surrounded by these people, and our prayer and financial supporters. All of this time of waiting has not been wasted. It's been a time of growth and development.

After meeting with our accountant, we were following some suggestions he made concerning our budget, and taxes. We were able to lower our monthly budget by almost $400 per month, and not only did we not eliminate anything, we added some ministry categories!

We would like to share some good news with you! Not only do we have enough money in our account to cover all of our ministry launching fund, plus 1 1/2 months support in advance, but we also have enough to purchase some kind of transportation when we are settled in Brazil!! Our God supplies all of our needs.