A long overdue update

A number of reasons for this email:  First is to test a new (well new to us) email newsletter system.  Second, in doing the first, is to let you know we are alive and well.  Third is a huge prayer request, where we are and what is next.

So back to the first.  With all the traveling we have found it difficult to get accurate, timely updates out to all you wonderful people who have been following us on this journey.  We are hoping by using this system, now that we have all of you in it, will allow us to keep you posted as to where we are and where we will be on a more regular basis.  Things are really getting exciting and we want to keep you all in the know.

Second.  We are well.  In fact we are very well.  With the year of school in Michigan behind us (and a wonderful year it was) we can now focus on the next stage God is placing in front of us.  To get you up to speed with the last few months, we left Michigan August 20th for a 5 week trip to the East coast to visit churches, relatives and old and new friends.  Which is where we met a number of you!  Thank you all for all your blessings, prayers and support.  It was an incredible trip and time well spent.  We have shared the stories of how so many of you graciously blessed us across the country as we headed west.  Which leads us to where we are now.  We spent 2 weeks with LaReina's parents in Alberta where we where "coldly" welcomed with 3 inches of snow.  We have left the snow and headed south to Washington where we were welcomed with non-stop rain, but warmly welcomed by all our dear friends.  We will be speaking at our home/sending church this Sunday and look forward to reconnecting with as many of you as possible.

And here is the big reason for the email.
A huge prayer request!  We are all flying to North Carolina November 3 to begin the 2 week Technical Evaluation of Joel's abilities as a pilot/mechanic.  The process is known to be very thorough and stressful.  Please pray for safety, calm nerves, retention of information under stress, and most importantly that God's will for our family be done.  This evaluation will dictate our next step in this journey to serve God in Africa with AIM AIR.  We are praying for an unconditional green light from AIM AIR to continue raising the rest of our support and be prepared for the next Technical Orientation.  The Technical Orientation is the last step prior for departing for the field.