Sept Newsletter

Friends and Family, 8/21/08

It is amazing how fast time flies between these updates. A lot has happened in the last month so I will get directly to the big news first.

After having encouraging communication with the Brazilian Embassy earlier this year, and continuing to meet their requests for additional information, we were shocked to learn last week that our visa application had been denied. They denied our application because they felt our moving down there would take a job away from a Brazilian. With this application denied, our visa options for Brazil are limited to appealing the decision.

Pursuing that path, Asas de Socorro and MMS have written letters of appeal to the government trying to prove that we are unpaid volunteers and that an average Brazilian cannot do the job we have been invited to do. From a human perspective, the chance that the appeal letters are going to work is rather slim. But we’re not looking at this from a human perspective. We want to look at this through God’s perspective and give Him the glory as the process continues to unfold.

I’m sure that many of you are surprised, we certainly were. We entered this application process confident the visa would be approved. And the visa still could be but approved, but for that to happen it’s going to take a bit more time and a bit more prayer.

In the mean time, we will continue to stay and serve with MMS. There’s so much to do right here that strategically impacts the worldwide mission effort. MMS is very short-handed right now and needs all the mechanics they can hang on to, to assist with missionary aircraft projects headed to Brazil, South Africa, Honduras, Canada, and even here within the US. I was recently encouraged by a co-worker who shared his time of trial with us and finished with the statement: “nothing is wasted in God’s economy.” Somehow this delay is part of His perfect plan. We just need to trust Him and continue to be His faithful servants each day wherever our “mission field” may be. Until the Lord’s will is clearly revealed, our mission field will continue to be Coshocton, Ohio. I am certain that one day we will look back on this and see God’s perfect wisdom at work.

We will gladly field any questions you have and will post our answers on our blog for everyone to share. We will also be glad to hear any comments or words of encouragement you might have.

On the home front:

Last month Scott Lazaros and I took our “Way of the Wild Heart” group camping at a local private campground. There were six young men that went with us including Noah. We spent the week end canoeing, swimming, hiking and just hanging out and getting to know one another better. Scott’s and my main purpose for the camping trip was to take time with each young man, listen to him and encourage them towards righteousness and I feel that goal was accomplished. We also try to be role models for these young men knowing that they do not have a father or do not have a father involved in there lives. The book we are studying main theme is “God fathers the fatherless” and I am certainly thankful for the small opportunity God has given to us to help father these young men. Check out the pictures in our July photo album.

Luke also had his fifth birthday in July, celebrating at Grandma & Grandpa Farley’s house with a pool party. Luke has been growing amazingly these last few months. He has thinned out and lost his babyish looks. His personality is developing and growing. The words I would use to best describe Luke are: active, fun loving & passionate. We have certainly been blessed by God and are lives are fuller because of Luke.

We have started our school year. One convenience of homeschooling is that you get to choose the first day of school. The kids are looking forward to getting back to history which is their favorite subject. We are also planning on learning some Latin and trying a new writing program. This year will be the first time we have all school age children. Luke starts Kindergarten and we officially have no more preschool age kids (sniff).

In closing, we would appreciate it if you would continue to pray for us. Our specific needs are: Clear direction for our lives and an improvement in Kristi’s health. Along with these two specific goes all the general prayers for safety, health and provision.

Thank you for taking the time to catch up on us and praying for us.

Josh & Kristi Adelsberger