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.