The homeschool year has officially started with our Classical Conversations weekly community meetings. Kem is leading Sarah's Challenge 2 Class, and Hannah is enjoying Challenge A.
Josiah finished all of his Eagle Scout requirements! He just has a couple of review meetings, then Court of Honor where he will receive his Eagle rank! He has also started attending our local community college as a dual-enrolled senior high schooler.
Sarah celebrated "Sweet 16" with her CC friends - they had a blast! The very next weekend we had Josiah's 18th birthday party, including a time of sharing, commissioning, and prayer as he enters adulthood. And Hannah will turn 14 in just a few more days!
As I write this, Hurricane Hermine is coming ashore on the West coast of Florida. Our forecast here in Gainesville calls for lots of rain and wind for the next couple of days, but hopefully things won't be too severe as we are a good ways inland.
Sarah (in the middle) with her birthday buddies
Sweet Sixteen!
Josiah's youth pastor Asa speaks a blessing and challenge to him
at his 18th birthday party
Ministry Updates
My workshop at the Missions Information Workers Conference in Texas went well last week. We discussed the data that missions agencies would like to have about the global diaspora in order to make good decisions about working among them.
Our 7 NextMove Teams continue to make progress on their research projects, working together towards "solutions for diaspora missions." We are just weeks away from our 2nd annual NextMove Gathering in October in Louisville KY.
Missio Nexus, the largest network of missions organizations in North America, has increased our involvement even more since my last newsletter. We've been asked to serve as Mission Advisors on the subject of diaspora missions to the Missio Nexus community, including webinars, workshops, and publishing articles on the Missio Nexus website.
Our Gainesville Perspectives Team met this week to begin planning in earnest for our Spring 2017 class. We already have a great lineup of instructors and anticipate a great class!
On October 8, I will spend the day in Jacksonville with some of my Indian / Hindu running buddies for my first half-marathon! I am praying for good Gospel-centered interactions, lots of fun, and a good run! Just a couple of weeks ago I had a frank but loving conversation about eternity with one of my best friends from running group. I am hoping to continue to cultivate the seeds of the Gospel that have been planted in my friends.
We can't say thank you enough for your prayers, love,
friendship, and generous support that make our ministry possible!
