halbert andrew and julie

Ministry Update - Home Ministry


God's perfect provision. Countless times in Scripture God demonstrates his perfect provision for his people. In what ways is God’s provision perfect? First, it is perfectly timed - God’s provision never comes too early or too late but always in the perfect moment to meet our need. A clear example of this is seen when God provides a way through the Red Sea for Israel (Exodus 14). His timing is perfect so that Pharoah and his army are destroyed and the people of Israel are able to continue their trek in peace. Second, it is perfectly sufficient - God’s provision meets our need perfectly (though we may not always see it that way). Demonstrations of this truth are also evident in Scripture. In keeping with the previous example of Israel, we see the sufficiency of God’s provision through the supply of daily bread in the wilderness (Exodus 16). The supply is sufficient for the daily need of each person and family during forty years of desert wandering.

God’s provision for his people is not limited to Israel of old. Instead, we serve a God whose daily provision continues for his people today. We have seen God’s hand of provision in many ways during these months of support raising.  God has provided schools for the children that have been exactly what each of them needed, he has provided housing, friendships, and opportunities for us to share about our work in Costa Rica. In recent weeks God has provided financially, which is of special encouragment because it moves us forward in our goal of returning to Costa Rica.

We are happy to share with you that God has provided 45% of the additional monthly support that we returned to raise. If you remember, our goal was to raise $3,500 in additional monthly support. God has provided about $1,500 of that money at this point, something for which we are tremendously grateful!

Of course, we still have work to do and in the coming days and weeks I (Andrew) will be in Birmingham (AL), Martinsville and Winchester (VA), Columbia (SC), and Charlotte (NC) visiting with churches - many of which represent new potential support. We also have four churches that are currently considering applications that we have submitted. Our prayer is that God would continue in his great provision and supply for our needs perfectly,  both in sufficiency and in timing.

Family Update


Over the last several months we have “settled in” to life here in the US. The kids started school in January and both are doing well, which is a clear answer to prayer. Of course, school also provides a much needed daily routine that has allowed us to move forward in our work of support raising. We have enjoyed the opportunities we have had to see our families and the kids have very much enjoyed seeing grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins!
Despite "settling in" we miss Costa Rica. We all miss different aspects of life in Costa Rica but both kids specifically miss our dog, Bella. On especially difficult days they sometimes come to us and say, “I’m really having a hard day...I miss Bella!” While we are grateful for our time in the US we are very much looking forward to being “home” again.

halb apr1a 

halb apr1b halb apr1c

 

Support Update


As we previously mentioned, support raising is going well. I (Andrew) have been busy making phone calls, arranging and attending meetings, and visiting churches as God opens the doors. We have seen about 45% of our monthly need met and about 5% of our one-time need ($30-35,000).

While those numbers may not seem staggeringly high, we find them tremendously encouraging. We are convinced that Lord is paving the way for our return to Costa Rica later this year. Please continue to pray that God would lead us to the right people and churches and provide for our remaining need. We would also like to say thank you to all of you because without you we would not be where we are. Your faithful giving and your continued prayers sustain us and encourage us!

How you can pray this month...

-Pray for our continued efforts in support raising during the months of April and May
-Pray for Ann Renee who is having allergy issues due to the pollen (she has been miserable for the last several days)
-Pray for our family during our time apart as Andrew travels

Praise and Thanksgiving this month... 

-Praise God for his gracious and generous provision - schools, friends, housing and finances
-Praise God for opportunities to share about our work in Costa Rica

Much love,
Andrew, Julie, Ann Renee and Bryan

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