Erich Bridges, a writer for the International Board, put together an article that tugged at my heart. I hope it will touch you as well: In ‘open letter to teens,’ third-culture kid seeks a friend. 

Is it my imagination, or does it seem that God is no longer "blessing" America as He once did? I haven't been there for about a year, but it seems that either God is no longer welcome in certain aspects of American culture. I hope I'm wrong.

+ I didn't want to miss out on what God was doing, so you prayed with me that I would see Him at work in a special way last week... we received word that the much coveted Stateside Assignment (STAS) housing we thought we had "in the bag" was tentative. Knowing you were praying helped relieve a lot of anxiety. Sure enough, another e-mail came later (from another person) giving us that earlier degree of certainty.

+ Shirin requested daily prayer as she prepared Jasmine's homeschooling lessons, especially that Jasmine would learn to do her best at all times... Shirin writes, "Thank you for your prayers. Last week our house seemed a lot hotter than usual making learning a little tougher. Jasmine is learning that first grade is going to require more effort than she thought."

+ You prayed with Jasmine as she prepared for 1st grade within two weeks (now about three days). You asked God to relieve any anxiety she might be facing... God is so good. We have bought all of Jasmine's school supplies and she is counting down the day before she will see her friends again and see her new classroom.

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< I have been experiencing a lot more aggravation and irritation than usual, and it seems to be taking its toll emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Pray with me to its end.

<>< Shirin and an other co-worker ask you to join them in praying for other ways to share the gospel with the girls in the Lazarus home. They had asked the director if they could start a cooking class with some older girls. The director was agreeable at first but then changed her mind.

<>< Jasmine asks that you'd pray for her best friend Nana to know Jesus.

>< Pray for the High-Caste Hindus of the Madya Pradesh State.>

CALENDAR UPDATES

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24-25, Pray for Jasmine's back to school health physical. May she be found healthy in all ways!

* Jasmine is doing great outside of a few stuffy nose days from allergies.

26-27, Pray for Jasmine as she prepares for 1st grade with buying books and other school supplies.

* Oh, how excited she is! Thanks for praying for her. How great God is. We had everything except shoes. We looked in several malls and could not find black shoes in Jasmine's size. On Sunday we went to Bethlehem to attend worship. After the service there was only one store open on the other side on the street and our car was right in front of the shoe store. We were able to found exactly what Jasmine needed.

28, May we see a new believer born today!

* There were lots of new people; unfortunately, we didn't see a new believer born - how about you?

29, safe food

* So far, so good! Your prayers are appreciated.

30, Jasmine is 3 months past 6.

* She's learning more responsibility, enough for someone her age.