Greetings!

Dear friends and family,

Since December, we’ve learned the lesson once again that time simply never slows down. At this stage of life and plans, there’s no such thing as a ‘more simple schedule.’ Perhaps you can relate 🙂

We rejoice that God has kept us very involved with many obligations and responsibilities that have served to keep things moving forward. While it’s been tiring, it’s been exciting and fun.

Here’s the latest on our activities, progress, and support raising status.

Learning Czech…

Shortly after our last update, we began doing online Zoom lessons with Amie Denny. At this point we’re taking it slow with just a couple hours a week of homework. We’re prayerful that this small investment now will aid in a slightly quicker adaptation when we arrive in the Czech Republic. While the language is intimidating, we’re having fun with it.

Getting the house ready to sell…

After some minor cosmetic ‘face lifts’ on the basement, sifting through storage areas to rid our space of miscellanea, and some deep cleaning, a lot has been accomplished. As she sells off all our household items, Claire is practically a ‘mobile yard sale’ on Sundays, and a part-time Facebook Marketplace connoisseur on the weekdays.

We’ve staged the house for photos and will list it very soon. We’re shooting for a 60-day close, and would appreciate your prayers for that!

Visa process very near completion…

Claire has been a rockstar as she’s handled the majority of the paperwork, emails, phone calls, and ‘puzzles’ of this whole process. We also hired an extremely helpful service in Prague to help us along the way, which has certainly made the process smoother.

We’ve submitted the final documents. They arrived in Prague today (Feb. 27, as this is being written), and we’re in the final stages of things. It seems like in just a few weeks the Czech Consulate should let us know where we stand with all of that!

Financial support still needed…

We continue to be amazed at how God is providing and at how so many have generously embraced this mission we’re pursuing.

At this point we are close to having all the one-time costs covered that we would need for getting to CZ, finding a home, and begin settling in. At about 85% of these funds provided, the remaining 15% would enable us to fully settle in to a home, but (perhaps more importantly) also bolster savings for our first furlough visits, emergency visits, and/or other general emergencies.

We humbly ask you to consider contributing to these needs before May if you are willing and able.

Similarly, our monthly ongoing funds are at about 85%.

Again, we humbly ask you to consider joining us for long-term monthly support. Anything you contribute helps free us up for intense language learning, ministering to first-generation believers at the church in Kladno, and engaging in the lives of as many Czech people as possible.

A change in departure dates…

We’ve determined it is best that we leave sooner than our original plan (which was June or July). We now hope to depart sometime between May 20-27. The main reasons for this are: (1) Getting there with enough time to settle before Bennett starts school in September; and (2) not arriving too closely to BSKK’s English Camp (end of June) so as to not burden the church during that busy time, and to receive the help we’ll need for settling.

Other things we’re thankful for…

Bennett participated in a 5-week basketball camp and loved it!

Millie Jo is in full princess mode, rocking all the dresses and crowns she can get her hands on.

Caleb is flying up the stairs now, crawling like he’s got somewhere to be at all hours of the day.

We’ve had a lot of time with family, which is a huge refreshment in this stage of our plans.

We joined Faith Bible Church’s youth camp where Jared taught on the Armor of God from Ephesians 6.

We’re headed to California this Friday, March 1st, to visit a few supporting churches and friends, and to swing by Shepherds Conference as well. Then we’ll participate in Cornerstone Bible Church’s missions conference where Jared will get to preach alongside some of the church’s other missionaries.

We’re excited for what is in store, and we’re thankful you’re alongside us in prayer and support all the way.

Thank you for your love and care. We look forward to updating you again soon.