Final Stateside Update

Hi everyone! This past month has been a busy one and we know that will be the new norm for a while for us. We successfully closed on our house and became 100% debt free, what a great feeling and an amazing answer to prayer! We have been living in the basement of Rebecca's parents house which has been going great because it is like our own apartment. Our fundraising also picked up to the point that we are nearly fully funded with just a little left to raise. We lead a small group of second and third graders at VBS at church which was a really fun experience. The message was centered around the gospel so we were able to share much about Jesus with them.

Mark finished up a big project at work and then we left to visit family in Canada. Now we're in Ramona California going through our orientation with Heart 2 Heart. We have been learning more about what we will be experiencing once we get to Romania. We have been having a great time hanging out with the Sorrels family and have enjoyed kayaking on the ocean and touring around San Diego.

We will be commissioned at our church (Fair Haven Ministries | 2900 Baldwin Street | Hudsonville, MI 49426) on Sunday August 30, at the 9:00 and 10:45 am services. At 12:00 we will have a light lunch in the gym of the church. We would love it if you came to see us off and to share this time with us. We will leave for Romania the following Sunday, August 6 in the late afternoon.

As we go forward please pray for us and our mission in Romania. Here are some requests:

- for a smooth transition into Romanian culture

- for quick learning of the Romanian language

- for new friendships with kids and other missionaries in the country

- for our families as they adjust to our decision to serve overseas

- for the remainder of our support to come in

- for the orphans, that they will come to relationship with Christ

- for strength in all things and especially in our marriage

Thanks so much for your prayers and your support, it really does mean a lot to us and we couldn't do this without it.

In Christ,

Mark & Rebecca