“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

My Plan
I (Kristie) was all set to kick off another year of SV ministry at the middle school—that is, until tropical storm Fay descended over central Florida. The county shut down all campuses the first week of school. Then, I learned that due to a conflict with the new school schedule, our teacher sponsor of six years was no longer available to lead the eighth grade girls. Eeek! When it rains it pours!

God Determines
God is so gracious. The storm week gave me some extra time to pray, prepare and find a new leader. Getting back on campus every week was not part of my plan for the year. But with both kids in school (or pre-school), I realized I have more time. I just needed to figure out what to do with Hannah and Ethan since their school day ends while I’m at the middle school on Friday afternoons.

Hannah is able to go to a friend’s house most Fridays after school. And, I met a new friend who picks up Ethan along with her son every Friday after school. God solved the childcare and transportation issues!

Now, He just had to work through my fear. Yes, after all these years of student ministry, I felt insecure interacting with these girls on a regular basis. It’s so much different from coaching someone else to lead for you!

After seven weeks my heart is growing fond of the girls. God is giving me a passion for their spiritual growth and is showing me areas where they need to step out in faith and trust Him.

How you can pray

• Pray with me for their spiritual growth.
• Pray for two outreach parties coming up on October 24 and November 7.
• This year our high school volunteers are in class until 5pm and can’t help with middle school ministry. We are praying for some college students to become available. Would you pray with me for God to send laborers into this spiritual harvest field?

In grateful appreciation,

We are always looking for ways to spur on Ethan’s physical development, so we signed him up for soccer. He’s all laughs and smiles while jogging around the field behind the herd during practices and games. It’s the most physically intense two hours of his week.

Ethan runs downfield against the Sharks.

Ethan also tried out gymnastics as the guest of a friend. Being around other boys in such a fun and physically challenging environment was so great for him. Would you please pray with us as we decide if gymnastics is the right opportunity for Ethan and figure out how to rearrange the finances to make that happen?

Hannah has already graduated from her first grade Dolch site words and loves to read. She’s reading so well we’re going to have to check out more difficult books from the library! She loves her brother and has the job of helping him dress Dapper Dan in the mornings when they wake up. Hannah and Ethan slept in the same room all summer and didn’t want to separate once school began. And believe it or not, they sleep better in the same room.

Greg is going to be in California for two weeks in November to participate in Cypress Church’s Missions Week. He will also be visiting ministry partners and will be looking to meet new partners. We are trusting God to provide some significant new monthly support. We appreciate your prayer!