I hope this update finds you heathy and safe during a time seemingly defined by disease. We made the decision in late March to take advantage of the lockdown in California, to visit family in Nebraska. There are few places that are more suitable for isolation and quarantine than the farm where I (Jeff) was raised. There are also few places more suitable to us for a time of recharge and seeking the Lord. The older I get the more I miss the lifestyle and pace of this place and Alishia loves coming here in the spring when new life is springing forth from animal and plant alike. It seems that someone failed to tell the cows and rye that this new world we live in is no place to start a new generation. And so, it is with the Christian, that even though they may find themselves in a place that seems more dangerous than before, a new generation of believers will be birthed and come to maturity in this reality. With this on the foremost of our minds, we make sure that this time isn’t wasted. What better time is there to be in the word and spend time in prayer. I can practice my homiletics with cows as with my fellow interns. We can learn skills that can be helpful on the mission field. And so, the preparation continues and the call draws nearer.
I also wanted to give a praise report and praise the Lord for His provision. Last month our letter was about a six-week church planting and cross-cultural missions school that we are planning to go to this summer. Your generosity has made it a reality. We now have the support to cover the tuition cost. So, when the school happens (it may get postponed, but we will go as soon as its safe to do so) we will be a part of it and we can’t begin to thank you all enough.
We know that our church families are hurting right now, and we pray for you all often. Please respond to this email with any prayer requests you have that we can lift up. Farm life can be tough but it does leave us with time to go before the Lord often, and in this time, we would love to be able to pray for you in any way that you need.
