“A time to tear (a sign of grief), and a time to sew.” Eccl 3:7
As I write this last update of the 2022 calendar, my heart is full. “Glory to God—all glory in the highest,” as the song goes. It’s not necessarily been the easiest season for us, but there is a final Rest coming (Heb 4:9). For now, though, there is a harvest to prepare for. We are grateful for so many of you who have helped us on our journey in one way or another this year! Here are the seeds we’ve been sowing this last quarter.
Church Partnerships
I can’t say this enough: I am simply in wonder at the number of connections God is continually bringing across our path. Even now as I plan out more of our 2023 calendar, I’m reflecting on the new friends and partners we’ve met in Florida, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska (I know!), Illinois, and Ohio this fall. Our percentage is now above the 75% mark! We are in Oklahoma again now for the holidays, looking towards future travels primarily in the South in early 2023.
Schooling
I enrolled at SBTS in the Spring of 2017. This past week I walked across the stage to receive my MA degree in biblical counseling. As many of you know, that choice of degree (over more common studies for aspiring pastors) was to strengthen an area that might be regularly exercised in Japan, Lord willing. I’m thinking specifically of our discipleship and evangelistic relationships. I’m immensely grateful for my time at SBTS. My biggest takeaway is that Scripture is authoritative and entirely sufficient for all of life and godliness. I’ve only got one more class to finish—this is towards the MDiv track—before schooling goes on hold for a long while. It is a languages class focusing on biblical Greek. Once that is finished, Japanese awaits!
Parenting
Next week we will celebrate little Sophie’s first birthday. As all of you parents told us—shew, that was fast! Our daughter has been a blessing and a challenge. She means the world to us and brings so much daily joy. If you’ve met her, you know what I mean! I think often of the world she will be growing up in. How ugly, strong, and vicious will the dragons be that the Christians her generation will have to fight? As you pray for us, especially Sierah, pray that we would have the wisdom to raise Sophie to be a godly, wise, and courageous servant of the King.
Grace and peace,
Joe and Sierah
NOTE: To hear an audio version of this update, click here.?