God At Work...

Of course, we all know that God is at work all the time-working in every circumstance and situation. But there are certain times when I feel we are especially able to sense and see that the Lord is working in our lives. As Shane prepares to leave for his trip to Asia (he leaves Saturday afternoon for almost 2 weeks), I really want to share with you about how the Lord has brought about this trip. It has really amazed me that we have been able to sense the Lord's leading and know that He has brought about the circumstances for this specific trip.

We received an email from our Area Leader a few months ago regarding a week long training opportunity in Asia. This training specifically focuses on the religion and "larger" people group that we will be working with. It also would give Shane another opportunity to reconnect with the teams we visited in January and meet other people in our area. What a valuable opportunity!!! At first, we just dismissed it. We could not forsee Shane being able to get the time off work especially since he was going to take time off for the birth of Maggie as well as our trip up North in September. We also knew that we did not have the finances to support such a trip overseas. I also didnt think I would be able to make it alone with 3 kids!!!

We then received another email from our Area Leader. He was really keen for Shane to go and said that Shane would be able to get a scholarship to go to the training. Wow-we thought. That would be good if it worked out. Sure enough-Shane received a scholarship covering everything-flights, food, accomodation, etc. We only had to pay a small fee for the training itself. So we began praying that he could get the time off work. Shane went in to talk with his boss about it and it was amazing to see that his boss had no problem with him taking the time off. Shane was able to rearrange his working days so that it would work out! Then, Shane's parents volunteered to come and stay with me to help with the kids while Shane was gone!!!!

And it gets better...

We then began wondering how much it would cost for him to "stop over" and re-visit one of the people groups that we visited in January. In January, both families on the team were still in language school. Now, one of the families is living in the people group and they have 2 boys the same ages as our boys. It would be so good for Shane to have a chance to see the area again and to actually see a family living in the area. As many of you know, we have not yet decided between the two people groups that we visited in January, but we have sensed that the Lord is leading us in a specific direction-so that is why he is going to re-visit the area. We discovered that the cost to "stop over" would only cost an extra $15!!!

But wait...there's more...

Shane then recieved a call from his best friend, Andrew, telling him that he also was going to be in Asia for work at the same time that Shane was. So, Shane suggested that he come with him to visit the people group. Andrew was keen but he also needed to check with his work and his wife too (God Bless You Carlie!!!). So....Guess what? Andrew is going over with Shane to visit the people group with him!!! How Awesome! Shane is so excited about showing him all of the things we saw when we visited in January. Even though, we have not officially chosen this group yet, it is just so valuable to have people at home who know what it is like and to know how better to pray for us.

So Shane will be at his training from August 1st to August 8th. On Sunday, the 8th, he will fly to re-visit the people group. Andrew is flying in on Monday, the 9th. They will both be there until Thursday, the 12th.

Please pray for:
1. Shane's training-That he will gain valuable information for our work in Asia.
2. Shane to connect and re-connect with the people working in our area.
3. Shane's trip to re-visit the people group. This is an important time for us as we seek clarity and confirmation from the Lord for our future work.
4. Andrew. Pray for safe travels and that he doesnt get diarrhoea too bad!
5. The people group. They are yet to hear the good news that they so badly need! Pray for him to begin even now to develop relationships.
6. Safe travels for both Shane and Andrew.
7. Me and the kids at home. Noah has already started saying he misses Daddy and Shane hasnt even left yet!!!

So what do you think? A coincidence? Or a God-Incidence?