Protection Provision Passage 

Protection

Monday morning we had a 6-hour drive from MI back to WI. I guess you know you are a missionary when this feels like a short drive. It had started to snow (1-2 inches) but we decided to proceed. The main highway seemed plowed well enough, and it was hardly a delay in movement. About 50 minutes into the trip, we started seeing vehicles making pit stops in the median. Everything still felt safe cruising 65-70 in the passing lane, but then a pickup truck in the right lane lost control for no apparent reason. He was only 5-10 car links away as he swerved across our lane to the left, ran into the wall came back across to the right and plowed into some small trees. I was gently pumping my brakes to avoid him and thankfully we missed each other and passed without incident. We pulled over at the next exit fairly shaken. We were obviously not too traumatized as our first stop was for some good coffee while we evaluated what to do. We were right in Ann Arbor, and I was really close to calling Pastor Barber. However, since I had travelled with him on a ministry team for 3 summers, I didn't think it was fair to ruin his day :-).  After praying and considering options we decided to continue at a slow pace. The roads did not seem as dangerous again and it was clear traffic (including a miraculous lack of delay in Chicago) all the way back. We do not take your prayers for our safety for granted. 

Provision  

We are excited to announce an almost 10% increase in support since our last update bringing us to 63%! Initially we had asked prayer to reach 60% by the end of the year. Around November I personally asked God to bring us to at least 50% by the end of the year and 60% by the end of January. I was having a conversation with God on January 31 (still below the goal) telling Him it even if He did not answer yes, I would trust Him and seek Him first, not His provision. Around 5 pm I received an email letting us know their church voted to support us. The amount brought us to 61% hours before the end of the month! We are encouraged that God is moving us along and we still have a goal for departure to the field by the end of the year. 

Passage

A practical important step in heading to the mission field is finding a way to move there. There are many costs involved from airplane tickets, passports, shipping containers, a vehicle, language school, furniture, appliances and more. We are pleased to be able to say we have received funds to cover a shipping container already (which will cost more than anticipated) and have been able to save a bit more. Baptist World Mission asks us to start raising funds for our "outfit and passage" when we reach 50% of our support. 

We have received and saved somewhere over 20% of what is needed for our outfit and passage funds. I am choosing not to disclose the specific amounts publicly yet, but I am more than happy to email you a copy of my spreadsheet with detailed numbers upon request. 

Would your church consider perhaps giving a one-time gift of $1500 toward our outfit and passage costs? Individuals may give as well if you would like. Baptist World Mission is holding a separate fund on our behalf to cover these costs. Please be sure to designate the gift for outfit and passage and they will hold it until we need it. You may give at https://www.baptistworldmission.org/giving-to-baptist-world-mission/, or you can bill pay or mail a check to: 

Baptist World Mission 
PO Box 2149, Decatur AL, 35602-2149

Any checks may be written to Baptist World Mission with our name and outfit and passage (O&P) in the memo or on the envelope. Thank you for considering speeding us on to the mission field in this way! 

May God bless you! Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support!

Jake & Ramona Allen