Summer is nearly here!  Are you changing gears, from the routines of the school year to summer breaks?  We’re down to our last full month in the US.  And as activities wind down, our heads are turning toward Africa and what lies ahead.

Ron and I spent the first couple days of June in Chicago at a Covenant World Mission training event primarily for new short term missionaries.  We were amazed to see about 25 people preparing for short term service with the Covenant!  And we got to meet a few people preparing to go to Cameroon.  It was good to get acquainted with these future ministry colleagues.

We also got to hear from Paul DeNeui, North Park Seminary Missions Prof.  In the course of his talk on missiology, he spoke of the significance of the number 40 in the Bible: it’s a number associated with a period of preparation for a new life or new ministry.  After a moment of calculation, Ron whispered to me, “We’ve been in the US for 40 months!”  Goosebumps moment.  Is there any question that God is in control?  “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”  (Jer. 29:11)

Praises from May:

1.  Great visits with churches in Michigan and Minnesota

2.  Strong finish to some of our school year activities and ministries

3.  A good start on the packing stuff to ship (not a lot this time, as we’re moving to a capital city in Africa).

4.  Good weekend (Memorial) annual camping trip – the start of our “last times”

5.  Ron & Janet to Chicago (June 2-3) for part of Missionary Equipping and Training Event (which is mainly for new missionaries, but we got to meet new missionaries preparing to join us in Yaounde, Cameroon.  We also took a few boxes to be shipped by container via a Baptist mission.

Pray for June:

1.  Strong finish of school for the kids.

2.  Serious packing down of things we’re leaving behind; packing up of stuff to bring with us.  Pray us efficiency and wise use of time we have left.

3.  Patience as stress mounts with the fast approach of our departure date.

4.  Final details:  last good-byes, Cameroon visas, final medical appointments.