TWO PATHS

We are currently on two paths.

The first path is the one where we are actively working on the "next things" to do. I believe by the end of this month, we will at least started applying for our work permit in Zambia. We want to have this done soon as approval could take up to 3 months. The biggest plus for this (other than just the right to be there) is we will be able to ship many things over in a sea container DUTY FREE! The cost of the container and shipping alone could reach $13,000, so not having to pay a tax on all we send over there would be awesome! We plan to ship some furniture, lots of clothes, an appliance or two, and hopeful some other donations for the farm work. Yes, some of that stuff we could get there; but it is actually more expensive and the quality isn't guaranteed. Many of the things we may already own, or we may get donated, so that would put costs down.
If we get the permits by the end of November, there is a chance we could get the container sent by the end of December. (We're praying everything goes quicker though!). A container will take 4-5 months to get there, and due to family size and situation, we are thinking we don't want to go over there until our container gets there. If possible, we could also be sending over some plumbing things and other fixtures (again, cheaper), so there may be house work to get done still too. So no, we really have no idea when we will leave. All this has factor in the fact that we still will have to raise monthly and start up cost support too. We are currently working on the final draft of a support letter, and putting a list together of things we need. Someone may not be able to commit to monthly support, but may be willing to donate towards start up costs, or have something we need that they could donate. More on that later, obviously.

Okay, so the second path involves our church. Right now the mission board chairman has sent a letter of recommendation to our elder board for us to enter into what is called "Transition To Ministry." The specifics of that are set up once we are accepted, but basically it is a time when the elders have decided to affirm our personal call to missions and help equip us for the work. Again, what that looks like, we don't know yet. It may be training at church, training through other places they suggest (we are planning on going here) for some training at the end of November. Now, at this point the elders are not deciding if they will "go with us"-if and how they will support us or not. That comes in the spring ,when they work with budgets and so forth. We are a little unique in that we have come up in the church and been called out. They haven't dealt with that much. The last couple that was sent, knew they were going to do missions at a younger age. They went to college, then came back to be sent. A little different. Anyway, as we are unique, there really isn't a policy set for how and who decides acceptance into TTM. It seems we are the first for a lot of things in life...we are praying that the policy is set quickly, so the decision can be made. It is clear we have been called, so we are praying that God will so impress that on their hearts, they will be able to joyfully, obediently (and quickly!) send us further down the path.
Anyway, we understand the importance of following the church route and getting their blessing. We are just praying it doesn't take to long to decide! Regardless of their decision, we are still going to Zambia. Hence, the two paths we are on. They are separate paths; though parallel. One may just end up moving quicker than the other.