The "home drive!" (or, the drive home?)

We have been quiet in terms of posting for the last six weeks, but busy behind the scenes making the need known and challenging friends and acquaintances to consider becoming involved in this ministry. We have been encouraged. We put forth a challenge of "100 supporters in 100 days" who could contribute $15 monthly. God quickly showed us that he knows our need and that he can supply that need in the way he determines. For example we have two new supporters who are contributing $100 a month! Also, about twenty individuals have expressed their intention to join our support team at the $15 monthly level. It is humbling to see people willing to sacrifice in this difficult economic environment so that we can return to Brazil and the work God has given us there. The Lord knows our need, and we will still need to see a significant increase in pledges in order to buy our tickets and return to the field by the end of the year. Does God want us back in Brazil? Let's see what he will do over the next month to make our return possible!

September 2008 Prayer letter online!

Our newest prayer letter is now online at:
http://www.worldventure.com/Missionaries/Missionary-Directory/Missionary/Nash_Steven_Mary_Ann/Links/Downloads/Nash_Steven_PL_09_08.pdf
The link should work, but if it doesn't, copy and paste the address to your browser. The main theme is announcing our new challenge to discover 100 individual supports over the next 100 days. Actually we need about 90 more, since ten families have verbally indicated their intention to join our support team, praise the Lord! We appreciate your prayers as we seek to serve God. If he wants us back in Brazil we know that he will bring in the needed support. Let's see what God will do!

8 days, 8 new partners, and counting!

I have to admit I am a little astounded at how quickly God seems to be working. Since we first brought this new challenge of discovering 100 new partners in 100 days before God's throne and before his people, 8 individuals or couples have already indicated their desire to partner with us! The amazing thing to consider is that this is more individual supporters than have pledged support during this entire year of home assignment! We continue to ask God to confirm his direction by supplying this need through his people. Whether or not you can give, would you pray with us that God's will, his plan for us, and his perfect timing continue to be revealed to us?
Steve

100 Days, 100 Partners?

We are about 100 days away from our scheduled return to Brazil. It has been a good time for us to be in the US. My Dad's death has left me as the oldest son with some responsibilities in resolving some family matters that would have been difficult to address from Brazil. I do appreciate your prayers as I make a couple of trips down to Tennessee in the near future to deal with an on going family issue there. Its been good to be here this year also as Sarah finished her first year of college successfully, worked this summer, and helped at the food panty at the First Baptist Church in Toms River. Now as we look ahead we realize that we are in the final stretch of this home assignment, and the challenge before us is significant. Several of our supporting churches have made generous increases in their giving. The Lord has added a number of individuals to our support team as well. Even so, the declining value of the US dollar has our current deficit at about $1500 monthly. We are asking God, if it is His will for us to return to Brazil this year, that he supply 100 individual supporters in the next 100 days, willing to commit 50 cents a day, or $15 a month, to our support. This would allow us to return to Brazil fully supported for our next term. It is a huge challenge from our feeble human perspective, but nothing is too difficult for God. 100 new partners in 100 days, would you pray with us about this challenge?

Summer prayer letter online

Though the news is not "new" to those of you who follow this blog, our summer prayer letter in now online. One update is that our current support deficit has improved a bit since our last letter, but there is still a long way to go before we can return to Brazil. The PDF can be seen at http://www.worldventure.com/Missionaries/Missionary-Directory/Missionary/Nash_Steven_Mary_Ann/Links/Downloads/Nash_Steven_PL_07_08.pdf
If clicking on the link doesn't work, copy and paste the address to your browser and you're there! If you have difficulty with this address, you can go to our website at WorldVenture through the link to the right of this page and then click on "prayer letters" and then on the most recent link displayed. We think this "blog" offers great potential for dialog with our friends and supporters, so if you have any questions or observations, please feel free to respond.

On another matter, I do appreciate the words of encouragement and support that many have sent since the death of my father. There are still many details that fall to me as the oldest son to iron out, including a difficult family situation in Tennessee. I will probably need to make at least a couple of trips down there to resolve some issues, and do appreciate your prayers for wisdom and God's guidance.

A few thoughts...

I shared a short message at Pop's funeral. It was emotional, given the situation. I was able to share some thoughts and stories about him, how proud we were as kids (what could be cooler than having a Dad who was a policeman!), how hard he worked (providing for seven kids), how he did his best with us and took care of our mother when she was sick and dying. I know I didn't say everything I intended to, but at least what got out came from the heart. I also shared the message of our heavenly father, and the love he demonstrated in sending Jesus to die for our sins, and how, because of his sacrifice we can receive, by faith, the gift of eternal life. Several people indicated they were thankful for what I said, a couple even accepted gospel tracts. I appreciate your prayers that the seeds that were sown might take root in someone's life. I also appreciate prayers for my brothers.

Steve

Funeral Service

Today two of my brothers and I met with the funeral director in Old Bridge. We will be having the viewings for Pop on Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 PM, and then a short funeral service at 11 AM on Saturday. I appreciate your prayers as I try to share a few words at the funeral on Saturday. Pray that I will effectively share the Good News of salvation with those who are present.
Steve