Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from Wyomissing Pennsylvania!  I’m writing from my parents’ place.  A number of months ago our AIM US headquarters contacted me about coming to the States for a quick 12 day trip in order to represent AIM in some meetings that we have with another organization.  I didn’t send out this email earlier, because as plans came together Melissa said “Hey you should surprise your parents!”.  So my oldest son Josh and I schemed and kept it on the down low…. And were able to pull off a pretty epic surprise when I walked in to my folks place! 

Well, now that the surprisee’s have been surprised, I can let all of you know.  I’ve had a great time these last few days in PA visiting with Josh and my parents.  I got here on Sunday evening, and tomorrow (Friday), I fly to Peachtree City in Georgia, where AIM’s US HQ is.  I’ll meet up with leadership there, and then we head to San Diego on Sunday for meetings Monday and Tuesday.  Please pray for wisdom, discernment, fruitfulness, and the Lord’s favor to go before us in all the interactions that we will have.  To be honest, I’m a bit nervous, just because I haven’t really done something like this before, and it’s an important issue affecting AIM.  But there have been a number of things the Lord has shown me in recent weeks that have encouraged my heart.  Psalm 138 has been encouraging, particularly verses 3, 6, and 8.  Pray for humility and grace and that Christ would be magnified during this trip. 

Melissa, back in TZ, is heading to Dar es Salaam today and then onward to Kilwa for the annual Missionary Ladies Retreat.  Pray for safe travels and a wonderful time being built up in the Lord during that time.  Drew and Rachel are doing well at RVA, Rachel’s beginning a volleyball season and Drew is playing rugby this term.    I’ll be heading back to East Africa next Thursday. 

Thank you for praying! 

Blessings in Christ,

Jon