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SETTLING IN

One month ago we arrived in the hot and humid land of the U.A.E. Our schedule so far has been happily filled with slow mornings together at home, meetings with students and staff, drives around town to look at apartments, exploratory trips to new markets, and evenings spent building relationships with new friends and church family. We’ve been received very warmly by the team, the students, and friends already here. Currently, we’re in the throes of apartment hunting. We’re trying to find a home that is ideally situated for ministry and has enough space to host university students, friends, or family. Every day holds whispers (and sometimes shouts) of His lavish grace in Christ. 

FOCUS WEEK

August 16-23 was spent at a rural hotel with 60 university students from all over the world (Egypt, Tanzania, China, India, Nigeria, U.S., etc.). We studied the book of Mark together for close to 30 hours, played games, ate interesting food, and fellowshipped. The biggest highlight of the week for us was the love for the Lord and one another that students displayed. For example, at dinner one night, Todd got to be a part of a conversation where some of the students encouraged a guy who had come to faith the night before. They spoke with grace and confidence, clarifying the nature of repentance and faith to him and encouraging him for the journey ahead. It was wonderful to see these friends minister to him.

DAY-TO-DAY

At this point we have a pretty good idea of what we’ll get to focus on this school year, and it’s all very exciting. As an intern, Todd’s focus will be learning as much as he can from university ministry already going on. But, in addition to that, we are starting new work by building connections at two universities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Both are primarily muslim campuses. Our aim is to come alongside students on these campuses to start regular Bible discussions.

MEET "JOY"

MARRIED LIFE

Some of you may be wondering how we’re doing, given our 3 1/2 month relationship and 2 1/2 month old marriage. :) We’ve had some really hard moments and some really sweet moments and everything in between. Each day holds its challenges in resisting temptations to the age old sins of pride, impatience, and discontentment; but, praise the Lord, His mercy is new every morning. We’re surrounded by couples who care for us and are full of wisdom. God has been very gracious to us and our love for one another grows sweeter and deeper as time goes on.

PRAY FOR US?

• That our relationships with the students on universities would grow strong and that God would fill them with a greater passion and boldness to make Him known on their campuses.

• As "Joy's" love for the Lord grows, that she would be filled with knowledge and all discernment that she may approve what is excellent, being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:9-11)

• For humility and the fullness of love in our marriage and relationships with team members, as we seek to learn and grow together.

• For continued prioritizing time and attention to fellowship with God in His Word and fellowship with one another, especially as our schedules begin to fill up.

• Praise God Todd's business visa has been granted! Continue to pray for it to be finalized, so that we can get the right apartment–soon.