June 2008
Work . . . and play
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Praying for
healthy pregnancy and baby . . .
Jana’s back pain . . .
Thad as he raises more One-time needs and Monthly Financial Support . . .
the Lord’s work in Italy and England . . .
the Lord’s continued provision amongst a poor exchange rate . . .
preparation and details as we expand to a family of three. . .
Praising God for
His provision . . .
Jana and baby having good health thus far . . .
refreshing and fun time with Thad’s brother and family . . .
upcoming visit with Jana’s mom . . .
strawberry fields . . .
German board games (they are fun!!)
Trip to Florence
Florence, Italy is host to one of Agape Europe’s growing offices. After several years of struggling with very few staff, the Lord has brought many to the country of Italy to strengthen His work there.
At the beginning of May, we spent a week in their office helping with various tasks—from computer systems to Graphics software training and even space-planning. What a delight and encouragement it was to see the Lord’s name being reflected in the hearts of Italians again. God is at work in Italy.
A few things you can pray for are: the use of a newly developed English/Italian Four Spiritual Laws booklet, renovation in the Florence office so they can accommodate more staff and various needs, use and functioning of the new financial system, and Summer outreach projects beginning this month.
Trip to Birmingham
Birmingham, England is host to one of Agape’s more developed Operations offices. In mid-May, Thad took several days to set up some similar financial and computer systems there.
This was a wonderful opportunity for Thad to work with another IT person in Europe. The UK is very blessed to have someone with the knowledge that Jon has and who is also willing to sit behind the scenes to accomplish some great things for the Lord.
Please pray for Jon as he is transitioning from working on a Campus in Scotland to working in the office in Birmingham.
Visit from Ben, Melissa, and co.
The last week of May was filled with all play and very little work. Ben, Thad’s brother, came for a visit with his wife, Melissa, and two daughters, Isabella and Georgia. We were absolutely delighted.
It was a wonderful week filled with much laughter, hugs, and silliness. Thad received many blessings from little Georgia, as she was very polite to ‘bless him’ whenever he sneezed (which due to allergy season was a lot!!!). Jana enjoyed seeing Isabella gobble up German and Alsacian sausages. Ben and Thad made it out on their bikes 6 times for some good brotherly bonding. And Melissa helped Jana with lots of pre-baby planning, jitters, and just general encouragement.
Laugh Out Loud Moment
So I’m in my ballet class and struggling a bit with maintaining the right posture. My instructor pats my tummy and says to keep trying but to be careful. I laughingly try to say that I can’t use my stomach muscles so well...unfortunately, this is what came out of my mouth: “Ich kann nicht so gut machen mit mein baum”. She chuckled a little, which seems to be normal for me. Now I know that sentence wasn’t grammatically correct, but it’s hard to dance and speak in another language. I move along laughing at my poor German, when it hits me. “Baum” isn’t the word for stomach, “Bauch” is!!! So basically, what I said to her was: I can not use my tree so well.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us and Campus Crusade’s Agape Europe Ministry. Your involvement is vital, and we praise God for all that He is doing through you.
Thad and Jana
