Milestone: Significant or important event
One of the most significant events in the life of a person is marriage, for two to be united as one as husband and wife. This past weekend we celebrated this event in the life of my son Elliot and his new bride Brenna.
Genesis 2:24
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Daughter-in law
Their wedding was one of the most joyous events of our family’s life. It marks the end of one relationship and enters a whole new person into the family. We are blessed to have celebrated such an event. It was teary and emotional and full of joy. Although we felt Christine’s absence, it was wonderful to be able to celebrate her legacy of love. All the kids were in the wedding party as groomsmen and bridesmaid. Grace loved getting dressed up and looking her best. Elliot is truly blessed to enter into the Lundstrom family who have welcomed him with open arms and hearts.
Land
Some other exciting news, our partners in the tribe contacted us in the summer to let us know that there is a potential plot of land for sale. It is close to the area that the current chapel is occupying. From the picture they sent me, I believe it is just down the road from the current location. The land we are presently leasing is up in the next couple of years so we hoping to secure something soon. I was also pleased to hear that the church there in village has raised thirty thousand pesos so far by themselves. They say it is not enough but is an amazing start. I continue to believe God will creatively meet the needs of that small fellowship on the mountain and provide them a permanent home. It warms my heart every time I think of them worshipping God with their off-tune voices and guitar with broken strings all singing praise to God.
"Ootic"
Bert also contacted me that to tell me he is in the last stages of missionary training and that his lovely wife Janice is about 4 months pregnant. Wow, I feel like I am going to be a grandpa in a way. Please pray for health and safety as they go out for monthly checkups. They are probably going to have the cutest baby with the biggest smile.
Missionary Care
It is wonderful to be able to have ongoing relationship with missionaries on the field and continue to love and support them. Missionaries face unique ministry challenges and meeting those challenges can be tricky at times. Finding people can who can understand and help missionaries is even more rare. The last couple of years we’ve been trying to build a network of people who can meet those needs. As I meet with people in member care, I am thankful knowing God takes care of his people. One such couple whom we are vetting are long time friends ministers and licensed counselor. I am hoping to introduce them to the field one day to be a resource for missionaries with pastoral and mental health needs. I will also be meeting with a long time missionary with OMF who spent many years in Thailand and is now residing in Surrey. Please pray that we would have wisdom as we try to meet the needs of missionaries and missionary kids.
“The missionary heart: Care more than some think is wise. Risk more than some think is safe. Dream more than some think is practical. Expect more than some think is possible. I was called not to comfort or success but to obedience… There is no joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving him.”
Karen Watson
Prayer
- Please pray for Elliot and Brenna as they start their new life together.
- Thank you for praying for Jacob, he continues to grow stronger both physically and mentally.
- Pray for a great school year for Grace !!
- Pray for direction for Nathan as he finishes of his Communications degree this fall.
- Pray for the landowner to agree on a fair price and God's provision for the funds to purchase it.
- Pray for wisdom for me in vetting people for missionary care.
- Pray for mom, I'll be taking her to dermatologist shortly to check out blisters presenting across her body
Thank you for praying for us.
Love,
Harada Family