We leave for Burundi in just two and half weeks! You probably won't hear from us again until we're in Burundi, but before we leave I wanted to share a few major personal prayer requests.
** I'm pregnant again! Praise the Lord! We just heard the baby's heart beat yesterday, so hopefully all will go well this time. I would appreciate your prayers for a healthy pregnancy, especially as we head back to an area where malaria, parasites, and other health problems are so common and the health care isn't the best.
** Accommodations.... there are a few major things still needed before we can move into our new house-- we need to buy a fridge, put in a water tank and water system so we can have running water, and enclose at least part of the yard with a fence so that we can have a little privacy and so that Zach can play without being bombarded by 20-30 kids every time. (We plan to invite just a few kids at a time to play with him so he is not overwhelmed and so that he is exposed to fewer illnesses on a daily basis). Please pray that God will provide the resources for these needs quickly as we will be living with friends until the house is ready and do not want to inconvenience them for too long. We are eager to be move into our new house back on the church compound as soon as possible as it is nearer to our ministry. We are also looking forward to being in our own space after living with other people for so long during these past 8 months.
** Phineas Ntakiyiruta, the amazing father of six who is a key church leader, who is also the administrator and head nurse practitioner at the health center, and also member of the executive committee that runs ancillary works, is going back to medical school to become a full doctor and needs a computer for this. If anyone has an older laptop they are no longer using but that still works fine, it would be a wonderful blessing to him if we could take that out to him with us when we go.
** Pray for wisdom in trying to squeeze in all the last minute details.
** Pray for safety as we travel. (We leave from Atlanta, GA on the 17th of September).
** Pray for Zach to be parasite-free when we first arrive (before we have set up some of the systems which we hope will keep him healthier in the long run)
** Pray for our health there in general--that it will be better this time around.
** Pray for strength and a quick recovery from jet lag as we have only a week to move out of our old house to make room for the people who will be moving into it once we get Burundi.
Thanks for "listening." I know this isn't as interesting as usual but it's what's on our hearts, and I know we couldn't make it without your prayers. God Bless you as you continue to serve Him.
Joy, for Jesse and Zach too.
PS- We would love to have you send us your prayer requests so we could pray with you as well!
