September 2020 Update

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September was a month of new things: new growth, new projects, new friends, new adventures, a new job, and a new addition to our family!! In the kindness of the Lord, we are expecting our first child. Brittany is 8 weeks pregnant (due May 21) and experiencing the wonderful swirl of nausea and exhaustion that is First Trimester. We are humbled by and grateful for this unspeakable (and daunting) gift. And would appreciate your prayers for the health of our baby and Brittany. 

- A New Job! -

We are so grateful that so many of you have already generously given to the work here in the UAE. FOCUS, as a ministry team, has been a constant source of encouragement and blessing to us since joining the team over a year ago. One thing we noticed though was their need for support in the area of administration. When FOCUS leaders offered Brittany a part-time admin position, she was thrilled to accept. The position seems to fit her previous experience well (administrative assistant for 11 years), and as we enter our second year here, we both feel this will be a unique way to be able to serve the FOCUS ministry that we love.Since FOCUS itself doesn't have a budget for this position, we are looking to raise an additional $900/month to source this income. Would you consider joining us in this tangible way to support gospel-centered work abroad? 

- A Hard Goodbye -

We had to say goodbye to our dear friend, Michelle, this month as she graduated from university and got a job offer back in Nigeria. After spending so much time with Michelle over the past 8 months, walking with her as she turned to love Christ through repentance and obedience, this was a difficult parting. But we rejoice to entrust her into our faithful God's hands. We will continue to keep in touch with her and seek to connect her with a gospel-preaching church in Nigeria (since most churches there either preach a prosperity or legalistic gospel). Please pray for Michelle in this new season, that God would draw her nearer to Himself, sanctify her in His Word, and connect her to a healthy church.

- Our Month in Pictures -

- Biblical Counseling Training -

Tuesdays evenings, Joy now joins us for dinner and a virtual course through Biblical Counseling (using Paul Tripp's excellent book, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands) that our church is putting on for its members. It's been a beneficial time of learning so far!

- COFFEE Day! -

One Tuesday, for Brittany and "Joy's" weekly time of discipleship we took advantage of free coffee at a cafe on the Palm. It was a sweet gift. Brittany is taking her through the Book of Proverbs currently and it's been amazing to see the power of the Word bring transformation in Joy's life from one degree of glory to the next in just a short month. 

- Bollywood & Catan -

We're becoming fast friends with Keshav and Sanjana, a young Indian couple in our church who are a constant encouragement to us. They had us over recently to get our first taste of Bollywood, Indian street food, and a familiar taste of Settlers of Catan. :) 

- Home Improvement: Dubai! -

Todd and Ivan tackled quite the project one Saturday, taking out our ancient, smoky, very small oven and installing this beautiful, perfectly functioning, HUGE stove/oven! 

- She's Back! -

Our friend from Saudi Arabia was finally able to return to Dubai! Transitioning from spending all of lockdown with her muslim family to moving in with 3 Christian girls from our church has brought its fair share of culture shock, but we are so encouraged by her desire to learn and grow in her Christian faith. 

- Date Day -

We got out to explore the mountains of the UAE last week, driving up the coast of Masafi, Khor Fakkan, Fujairah, and finishing with dinner next to a fire and a moonlit hike through the mountains. It was a sweet, sweet time to take some time away from work and enjoy each other and God's beautiful creation. 

- Favour's Example -

Favour (a.k.a. Favour Flave) is a student leader at one of the universities I (Todd) now oversee. She's been a Christian for just over a year, but Brittany and I have seen her grow rapidly in her faith and relationship with the Lord in that time! 

The other day, I was giving her a ride to the metro and she saw a group of girls that she has been reaching out to walking along the road. She got so excited and asked to be dropped off there so she could take the long way home in order to talk with them more. I was so encouraged, not only by Favour's desire to spend intentional time with these girls, but also by her willingness to be inconvenienced in order to take advantage of the opportunity she saw to get to know them better. It challenges me to go about my routine day with the same attitude, looking for opportunities to get to know unbelievers.

- PRAY WITH US -

• For a safe and healthy pregnancy. That God would use this to draw us closer to each other and to His heart.

• For Michelle - that she would flourish in her faith in a new setting (Nigeria) and find a healthy church to attend.

• For much fruit to come from 4 virtual workshops that our company is putting on (and Brittany is organizing) for the sake of connecting with more (new) students. 

• For fruitful Bible discussions that are happening virtually and in person across universities in the UAE. 

• For both of us to grow in actively trusting the Lord and fighting anxiety with God's Word and prayer.

I've an anchor for my soulCast into Heaven's deep;Though the winds and clouds may rollThis Hope is my surety.For whate'er may happen hereOn this groaning, churning ground,There is none that I need fearWhen in Christ my hope is found.

- Brittany Hope, 10.06.20 -