PACT Week 7 - Research!

As school and PACT progress, so does our growth. However, growth hardly comes easily. In the module in which we are currently, we are doing research on the area. We are specifically focusing on international residents of Joplin. This includes seeing what parts of town they live in, where they shop, what activities they do, etc. Since we have access to people and other resources in the town who can help fill us in on most of these details, we have been given three weeks for this module. On the field, the stage of research has more to do with the city's history rather than finding out where everyone lives and shops. Since, you know, you're the only foreigner in the city. Still, this is a very important stage as we seek out those with whom we will hopefully be spending a large part of our time for the next nine seven and a half months.

Tomorrow (Tuesday the 21st) Casey and I will be going to the City Hall, to ask if they have info on where internationals might be living. Pray for wisdom as we do this, and for us to encounter the right person. The rest of the team is going through other venues and contacts to find out more. Please pray for them as well.

In terms of the storytelling, Casey and I still would love prayer for boldness and opportunity. We have been able to tell parables and the like to coworkers, but would love to be able to tell them to strangers as well. My most comforting story I have learned so far is Matt 11:28-30. Many days (especially today, a Monday with a 10 hour work day) I need to remember where true rest is found.

Casey blogged a few days ago, by the way. I encourage you to check her post out: Here! I would also second her recommendation of that book she mentions. Definitely a great read (for all followers of Jesus.)

For now, that is all. Please continue letting us know how we can pray for you.
Grace and Peace
Karl and Casey

PACT Week 4

Can you believe it's the end of January already? This is the beginning of the third week of classes, and we've got a rhythm going now. It is also our fourth week of PACT, and that is proving to be challenging. Challenging, but in a very good way. We're being called out of our comfort zone. However, I have decided that I'm not going to stay uncomfortable. I'm going to do my best to learn and adapt. One way which we're being called out of our comfort zone is through telling strangers stories by and about Jesus. For this, we need prayers for both opportunities and for the boldness to make use of such opportunities. Soon, we will begin doing modules, which will help with the cross cultural simulation.

In other news, Casey's mom and 4 month old baby nephew came down to visit this weekend. We had fun playing and loving on the little guy. It was also her mom's birthday, so we watched a movie, ate junk food, and had cupcakes. Princess cupcakes, at that. After church today, they headed back to St Louis.

Finally, we continue to thank God for your support. Our list of people who receive (and, the analytics thing tells me, so do the people who actually read) this update continues to grow. Please, let us know how we can pray for you, and even let us know what's going on with your life!

One Last Semester

The Academic year is about to start! Or, for Casey, already did. She did a Winter Session class, which meant she was sitting in class for 7 hours a day, for the past 5 days. She's done with the class, and now only has to do a few projects. In terms of the Spring Semester, enrollment is on MLK, Jr day, and school starts on Tuesday. Casey will have 5 hours of school, and I will have 9 hours, plus 2 hours for PACT.

Speaking of PACT, we had our first meeting on January 3rd. It was more of an intro night, learning more about what we'd be doing, and deciding on regular meeting days. We met this past Wednesday, but from now until the end of September, we will be meeting every Thursday night. We first got to enjoy a meal together. Then, we had a time of discussion, learning more about each other. We ended the night with a time of prayer, specifically focusing on our next 9 months together. Please pray with us, as we prepare to not only be changed, but also to hopefully make a change for the Kingdom.

Now, we mentioned in the last update that we had purchased Rosetta Stone. Well, we received it, and after about a week of trying it, we have decided to return it. As much as we wish to learn the language, we cannot justify putting so much effort (and money) into a language that we may never use. On a minor side, I really did not trust the pronunciation. Many of the pronunciations completely contradicted the way my German teacher, Herr Mehner (who was a German immigrant) taught me. However, we were brought to the attention of the Pimsleur learning system. I listened to the sample lesson on their website, and it sounded much closer to his pronunciation. Not to mention, we were able to find the Pimsleur German at the Joplin Library!

Thank you always for your prayers. Please let us know how we can pray for you as well.
Grace and Peace
Karl and Casey