Update 2008 March

Dear Friends and Family,

With all the busyness and traveling we have been doing, it sometimes becomes very important to stop and remember that we are dependent on the prayer of those that support us and our ministry. We’ve become more and more aware of the prayers of those around us, and the need for prayer in not only the big things—like raising support, but also the daily-ness of life. And we’re so grateful that you care and do pray for us!

We have been very busy over the last few weeks and we are gearing up for even more. Last weekend we spoke at Springfield Bible Church, in Springfield, MO and had a wonderful time talking with the church people and the pastor and their family. They were very kind and welcoming to us and we really appreciated their open hearts to us!

Let me now give you a run down of what is happening this week and you’ll understand the pressure and need for prayer! It’s wonderful to be this busy and doing what the Lord has asked us to do, but we need your prayers this week!

• Wednesday Julie has a suspicious mole removed from her leg and we have church at night
• Thursday Todd speaks at Brookes Bible Institute for a missions class
• By Friday we pack up every thing that doesn’t fit in closets for the first PRA retreat! We are so excited for our hosts and the new season in the camp for their ministry as well. Please pray we’ll get it all moved by Friday, and that the remodeling of the basement will be complete by then.
• Friday we also travel to Kansas City.
• Sunday we speak at a church in Odessa, MO.
• Monday we plan on printing and mailing out our prayer letter.

Over the next few weeks please pray as Todd is trying to finalize our trip to Kansas City to meet with supporting churches there, going to a homeschooling conference to make our final purchase of material to take to Brazil, set up appointments for a possible to trip to Maine and/or Florida to visit churches that are considering supporting us, and many other meetings. It’s very good for us to be busy and we are excited to see the Lord’s direction and provision over the next few months. With all these meetings takes planning, many hours by Todd spent on the phone, writing e-mails and letters, sending out our information and researching possible new churches.

My parents, who many of you know are missionaries who will be retiring in about a year, have given us a list of some of their supporting churches that we are sending information to and contacting to see if there are any opportunities with them. We would probably be spending time in Maine visiting my parents and brother and family while on home assignment every 3 years, so we would have an opportunity to meet with these churches in Maine and New Brunswick. We also received quite a surprise when we were told about a church in Florida that contacted Avant and asked for information on missionaries going to South America. Since we always travel through Miami to go to Brazil, we would have the opportunity to meet with this church regularly if they are led to support us. So we are in the process of contacting and talking with pastors and missions committees of several churches.

Our goal remains to be in Brazil this year and we keep praying that the Lord would allow us to have around 10 churches supporting us so we can spend substantial time with each church and build a partnering relationship with each one. Currently we have 6 churches with commitments and one who is very promising but needs to wait until their budget meeting in July to be sure. We also continue to be grateful to the 47 individuals and families that are giving of themselves sacrificially so that Brazilians will be reached for the Lord!

Would you pray for the Lord’s guidance in all this? Would you be willing to pray for His peace and rest? Would you be willing to pray for stamina and perseverance in moving and packing? Samuel has been throwing up all day and Todd has a bad cold. Would you please pray that the healthy ones would stay healthy and the sick ones would get better? As my mother and I were talking—God can provide all the support we need in one day if He so desires—so we must trust His timetable and His method and location for providing for this work. We continue to trust and are excited to see God work! And God cares about every aspect about our lives—sick children, packing boxes, suspicious moles and everything you are dealing with today and this week. Thank you for your prayers for us and we do want to know how we can pray for you as well! Please let us know about you too!

Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Amen, and Amen!

Serving with you,
Todd and Julie Hendry