Porter/Hartnett Team Update - 12/11/06

Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 23:17:30 -0600
Subject: Africa Team Update - 12/11/06 - Second Try


Hey everyone!

First off, sorry if you got this twice. I'm just now builing the e-mail list and messed it up the first try. You won't get it twice every time - I promise.

You're getting this e-mail because you either signed up at Harvest of the "Botswana Bash" to get updates from the Hartnett/Porter team or because you're my friend and I thought you'd like to hear what's going on as we go through this adventure of preparing to move to Africa. Either way, if you dont' want to get any more updates from us e-mail me back and I'll cross you off the list.

Now that that's said and done - I hope you all are well. Sorry that we haven't sent out an update since the Botswana Bash. Life has been pretty hectic for all of us - we've been remodeling the store/installing a new system at the Bluestem and it's consumed almost all of my time. And I may be speaking out of turn, but Becky is pretty busy with school and being a dorm resident assistant and being active on campus. It think we're all ready for the rest that we hope the holidays will bring. That is certinaly one way that you could be praying for us. Just that God would give us times of rest. I am feeling really overwhelmed with work (both at the Bluestem and as a Jr. High Basketball Coach), trying to figure out how to move to Africa (which is amazingly exciting and a LOT of work) and the pressures of everyday life. I'm pretty worn out. But, hopefully things will be slowing down here shortly.

In other news, we are in the process of trying to start a partnership with an organzation called the Flying Mission. They are an organization that works extesnively with HIV/AIDS communities by providing humanitarian aid in the name of Christ. They do a lot of work in Botswana and the capitol city where we will be and we hope that we can mutually help/work along side one another to glorify God. They asked us to write them a letter explaining what we will be doing in Old Naledi, how they can help, and what we would like to do for them. They also asked us to send them some resumes. I just finished the letter tonight. We just need to polish up our resumes and we'll fax it to them. They could really provide a lot of help finding us housing (maybe even provide it for free), with visas, with language/culture training... things like that. You could really be praying that God would cause that to come about. It would make the logistical things SO much easier. Also, it would be good for us to have fellowship outside of Old Naledi as well.

I am also currently working on drafting up a support letter. We finally have a better idea of how much the Porters need to put this whole thing into action. Pray for God's wisdom as we finalize the budget stuff and write this letter. Also, praise Him for the blessings of a great church home. Harvest has really been a great support to us in SO many ways - through prayer, support, accountability, and friendship. They also have gotten behind us and agreed to be our sending church. They also made us an official part of the budget and provided our first real financial support. It's exciting to see our dreams of working with this church in Old Naledi turn into tangible realities. Prasie God for that.

We're also excited that around New Year's our team will be going to St. Louis for a conference called Urbana. It's a missions conference that helps people prepare to go into the field. We're especially excited because this year they have an option to focus specifically on going to parts of the world where AIDs is a major issue. It should be a great time to build some team unity as well as a great time of learning/eqiuiping as well as worshiping. If anybody knows anyone in St. Louis that might have a place where we can stay, Kevin, Erine, and Elijah's place to stay didn't pan out. We have a hotel option, but it's pretty expensive and it would be a blessing to have place to stay for cheap/free. Anyways, keep the confernece in your prayers. It's the 27th of Dec through the 1st of January. It should be a really good learning time.

This letter is getting kinda long and that wraps up the big things going on with the Botswana Team (or at least the the big things on the Porter side of things). We are so greatful for the prayers and support that all of you provide in so many ways. I promise that we won't be so long in giving you an update next time. I'm going to shoot for at least every two weeks. Feel free to e-mail me any questions/comments/suggestions/a quick hello or ways that we can be praying for you all. Thanks so much. We are so greatful for you all.

Blessings,
Kevin for the Botwana Team