Starting another round of goodbyes...

Goodbyes never get any easier.

 

We are finishing up our time here in Jackson, and while we are really excited to move on to the next phase of training...it is hard to leave so many friends here!

 

As my mentor and friend (on staff here at NTBI) told me recently..."It is hard to say good-bye to the students here every year, but we wouldn't want you to stay...we are training you to GO!"  (or something along those lines).  And it is so true!  God has graciously allowed us this time to grow here in Jackson, and He is now graciously allowing us to be trained in Missouri.  And then, Lord willing, He will allow us to bring the gospel to a group of people who, otherwise, would have no chance to hear it! We are so thankful for NTM's training, and so thankful to God for leading us in all of this.

 

So, that being said...we said goodbye to some very dear friends of ours yesterday.  Josh and Nicole are a fun, godly couple who have an amazing heart for the Lord and for the unreached.  Their enthusiasm and faith has been a testimony and example to Nathan and I in these past 2 years.  They will soon be welcoming their first baby into their family, and we rejoice with them--they will be wonderful parents!  They will be continuing on with New Tribes' training, but first they are going to work with their sending church for 2 years.  So by the time they begin their training in Missouri...we will be gone :( 

Josh is an amazingly fun, energetic, funny guy, and he is packed with personality.  He also loves everything to do with ninjas!  So you can imagine...the kids at our school (such as Kaine) just love him!    A couple of weeks ago, Josh spent his evening doing a "ninja party" for the kids here--it was so great!

Josh called himself "Sensei Josh"...

 

...and he had a faithful sidekick, "Sensei Nathan".  Ha...it was so funny!  The kiddos loved it.

 

Josh and Nicole, we love you guys so much!  We are so thankful that God has brought you into our lives.  We will be so excited for you guys to visit the MTC next year, and can't wait to meet your sweet baby :)  And of course, like we said yesterday...we will be so excited to see you at the Bema!!