Missio Colonia | Kevin and Kathi in Cologne, Germany

Kevin: Not much new to report right now. We're still hovering around 13% of support. We've been having a lot of support appointments the past week, but we've been learning that this is definitely a patience exercise. Please be praying for specifically that. We're in need of renewed patience.

One of the things that has crossed my mind recently has been the similarities between support raising and evangelism. We've been told countless times that this period is preparing us for ministry in the field. But, one aspect of this recently came to mind. One of the most amazing things about this past year for Kathi and I has been that God has transformed support raising from a burden we should dread to a joy. I've realized that my experiences with evangelism have been similar to my previous experiences in raising support; namely, that is was a burden that you have push through.

I'm starting to think that it's not supposed to be like that. If the results of evangelism are truly left to the Holy Spirit, then we are simply to share the wealth of joy and peace we have in Christ Jesus with others. There's no burden to persuade or convince people, rather, evangelism should be the overflow of our joy in Jesus. The only burden we should feel is the urgency of love for those who don't know Him. It's my prayer that God would transform evangelism for us in the same way He has transformed support raising.

Kevin: Thank you to everyone that was praying for Kathi and I as well as the rest of my family this weekend. We got back yesterday from the memorial service in Ohio. It was a tough weekend, but we definitely found comfort. We really appreciate everyone who sent encouraging words and prayers. It means a lot to us.

Everything regarding support raising has been put on hold the past few days, but now we're starting to work on that again. Despite the pause, we added two new supports this week. Please be praying that we would start seeing some significant strides in our support raising.

Kevin: Many of you may have already heard, but my grandmother died this past weekend. Kathi and I are driving home this Thursday for the memorial, which will be held on Sunday. Please be praying for Kathi and I and the rest of my family. Also pray that God would give us the love and wisdom to minister to my family while we are home.

With this on our hearts, it was hard to do support raising this weekend. But, we felt that God wanted us to keep at it in His strength. We had some great meetings with people, and God really did provide us with the energy to them despite our physical and emotional exhaustion.