The Need to Press More Buttons

Life moves fast. The word "fast" is often coupled with the "forward" and with all that is going on in this uncertain world, we want life to quickly move past the pain toward future possibilities. However, there are other "buttons" we also need to press every now and then (besides "fast forward"):

• Pause -  Do I take time to get in touch my own thoughts or am I so filled with the voices of external expectations that I am losing track of the "still small voice" within?
• Stop - Am I taking on more projects, more commitment without dropping that which is no longer essential? Before I take on something new, am I willing to drop something old?
• Rewind - Those who do not know the lessons of history are apt to repeat them. What God will do in my life is usually an extrapolation of what He has been doing all along (classic example is the narrative of Joseph in the Old Testament). Examine the "history" of your life and may it bring about a spirit of gratefulness - the Lord is faithful.
• Record - I am glad to start writing in this blog again after a long break. It has been two years since we first touch down here in Charlotte, North Carolina. With two more years to go, this is an opportune time to start recording again the "joy in the journey." Something clicks within when I start to put my thoughts down in writing. 

We had a quite a packed Summer, attending two intensive RTS classes - "Exposition of Hebrews" with D.A. Carson in Charlotte and "The Long Road to Sexual Freedom" with Carl Trueman in Washington, DC. Thankful to Albert & Priscilla Wong who hosted us during our time in DC. It was so refreshing catching up with Albert - not only is he a fellow RTS student but also a fellow Malaysian! He got me addicted to drinking Teh-C every morning!

All of my summer assignments was finally completed last week and the Vickerys came to Charlotte just in time to help me celebrate my "merdeka" from the RTS coursework. We thank God for their faithfulness in serving and watching their children grow up is such a delight! CDPC Puchong - I am sure you guys are missing them!

Thank you for partnering with us in prayer, in this journey of joy:

• Eliza is now in Tokyo, taking pictures as part of the Olympics broadcasting team. Please pray that she will be kept safe in this pandemic situation. We are excited that she is starting her Masters in Photojournalism in George Washington University starting end of next month!
• Eunice will be moving on to her second year at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, majoring in Creative Writing and Broadcast Journalism. Do pray for her to settle in well - she will be a life-group leader for incoming freshman this year. 
• My wife and I will be attending a number of classes this Fall in RTS - do continue to pray that the Lord will help us make the connection between theology and Godly living. There is always the temptation to be "head-heavy" and miss out on the "heart-touch" moments. Do pray for my languages - as I will be taking Hebrews 2 this semester (languages not really my strong point). 
• We will be moving out of our current apartment in Concord by end of the year and taking up a new "apartment life" assignment nearer to Charlotte (where we organize social events for the residents in exchange for discounted rent). Pray for the Lord's guidance in this move and for a heart to be reaching out to others.

Do let us know how we can pray for you and your family.

Thanks for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph, Debra, Eliza & Eunice Tan.

Emmaus Heartburn: A Christ-Centered Journey

Over the past two months, I have been working with Pastor John Sittema of Uptown Church (where I am currently serving as the adult education intern) to develop a weekly Bible reading program for 2021 based on the mobile app Read Scripture. The above is a sample of the weekly encouragement video to "entice" church members to be diligent in reading through all of Scripture as we allow Jesus to explain to us all things concerning himself in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27). It is our goal that our hearts will burn within us just like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus as we read of Christ from every page of Scripture. Check out the blog on a weekly basis if you are interested to journey along with us - https://emmausheartburn.blogspot.com/

This winter season here in Charlotte has been cold and wet, with the coronavirus cases for North Carolina reaching about 674,000 cases. Vaccination is now being rolled out for those who are at least 65 years old. Do pray for the US as not only are we going through a health crisis but the political situation is not improving either - with the upcoming presidential inauguration on Jan 20th, security alert is at an all-time high for potential domestic terrorism and violence. Health-wise, all of us are keeping well (appreciate my wife for building into us the habit of consuming daily supplements!) and we are utilizing this winter break to ready ourselves for the upcoming spring semester starting next month. Had quality catch-up time with Eliza when she was with us last month and Eunice is still with us before heading back to Union University end of January.

Here are the subjects I will be taking for spring semester (Feb-May 2021).

1. Personal Sanctification
2. Pauline Epistles
3. Poets 
4. Christology, Soteriology, Eschatology
5. Christ, Culture, and Contextualization
6. Preaching Lab 1

Debra will be taking all of the above classes as well (except Preaching Lab 1) as an audit student - we are truly appreciative to RTS for offering the opportunity for couples to attend classes together! As of now, classes will still be held in-person and we pray that the situation will continue to be so. Being in a "live class" (with social distancing measures) certainly makes a lot of difference! Praise God for His grace in bringing us through three semester thus far and I am starting to enjoy the studying process (after an initial tough first semester when we first landed here in July of 2019). Have to constantly remind myself to be in conversation with the God of the Word as I study the Word of God. My main area of struggle is studying Greek and Hebrew - one of my new year resolution is to be comfortable in utilizing more software tools towards this end. 

I am thankful that for the past three months, there has been an uptake of online corporate coaching and workshops - this has been a timely financial relief for us. Do continue to pray that there will be continuous client interests for the year of 2021. For Debra and myself, pray that we will continue to be in a listening-mode with the Lord - we find that the further along we travel on the path of discipleship, we begin to plan less because we need to make more leeway for the Spirit to direct our steps (Prov 16:9, Gal 5:25).

Do let us know how we can pray for you and your family.

Thanks for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph, Debra, Eliza & Eunice Tan.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

This is Thanksgiving week here in the US and we are so very thankful that we are able to celebrate it together - all four of us (despite the pandemic .. no worries, we put on our mask as soon as lunch was over!). Eunice is back for her Thanksgiving break from Tennessee and we drove to Georgia to meet up with Eliza. It felt almost like a Chinese New Year Reunion Meal :-) 

The classic hymn says, "When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done." So, here are our blessings, one by one:

1. The Lord's guidance in this period of transition for both Eunice and Eliza as both of them graduated this year - one from high school and the other one from university. 
2. Thankful that Eunice F1 visa issue was resolved just in time (we had to appeal to the North Carolina congressman office for assistance to expediting the application). It was approved just about a week before she entered college!
3. Thankful that Eliza found a job and also a suitable place to stay in Georgia.
4. We found a cheaper apartment to rent and we have such great help from the guys in church in moving from Charlotte to Concord. As part of the rental reduction, we help to organize monthly social events for the apartment residents. Great deal - ministry of hospitality at the same time!
5. Seminary workload is more manageable, now that I am getting used to the study and research routine. Grateful to my wife for her input as to how to improve my study habits!
6. Thankful that all the seminary classes are in-person (with social distancing). The interaction is a helpful part of the learning process.
7. Thankful also for the opportunity for my wife to join as an audit student for the seminary classes which has deepened our theological roots.
8. I look forward to my weekly mentoring session every Monday morning with the interim senior pastor of Uptown, Ps John Sittema who has been the such a refreshing shepherding voice in my spiritual walk with the Lord.
9.  Thankful for a series of online coaching and training projects from clients in Malaysia which is a testament of the Lord's providence. 
10. Thankful for the Lord's protection on the health of family members back home, being so far away do concern us and we are grateful for His grace and mercy.

Do let us know how we can pray for you and your family.

Thanks for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph & Debra Tan.

Honeymoon 2.0 a.k.a. Empty Nest

With Eliza working in Georgia  and Eunice studying in Tennessee, the both of us now in North Carolina have officially started our season of Honeymoon 2.0 with mixed emotions - a sense of hopeful anticipation of the days ahead and yet feeling kind of empty-in-a-thankful-sort-of-way. This is so strange, we have always worked towards our daughters' independence and now, that it is here, it is kind of surreal. The saying - letting go and letting God - doesn't seem so cliché anymore.

Time flies - I started on my 2nd M.Div. year last month and am grateful to the Lord for sustaining me through the last academic year in RTS. "Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed Thy hand hath provided - Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me". Praise the Lord for providing a number of online coaching projects which gave some measure of financial relief and also kept me in touch with what's going on with my client base back home. I always find it refreshing to talk to people back home (feel so much more relaxed in my Malaysian English accent and jokes!).

Please pray for the outworking of what it means when Paul instructed Timothy to "fulfill your ministry" (1 Timothy 4:5) especially for both Debra and myself as a couple. We so need to be sensitive to the Lord's guidance so that we are mindful of His holy calling - "not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" (2 Timothy 1:9). Please pray for the outworking of His purpose and for His glory in our lives. More than the honeymoon, we desire the better option - honey-from-the-Rock! (Psalm 81:16). Amen.

Do let us know how we can pray for you and your family.

Thanks for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph & Debra Tan.

Merdeka! End of Year 1 @RTS

Submitted my final paper yesterday evening, and finally...today I can spend a free and easy day without the "seminarian guilt" of not reading, writing, memorizing and making 3x5 cards 😅

As this is the conclusion of my first year in RTS Charlotte (one down and two more to go), it is an opportune time to reflect on God's faithfulness and providence (and what a season it has been!). Ever since we touched down in the US on July 12 last year, it has been a faith journey for my whole family - I still have times when I ask myself - "What am I doing here, thousand of miles away from familiar and stable environments at home, putting the business on hold while squeezing my brain cells as a student after all these years!?" It all seemed so adventurous when we were planning to come to RTS but reality has a way of setting in at various unexpected places.

With 13 subjects completed in RTS this year, I have picked up certain study skills and tips along the way (with significant help from my wife) - this old dog still need to learn new tricks lah! Yet, I am still working to be more efficient and strategic in my study time management so that my scheduled is more holistic and not just scholastic. On another note, it was interesting that all four of us are attending classes online this semester! (A family that studies together, stays together).

Grateful that both Eliza and Eunice are graduating this year - one from the Asbury University and the other from TPS High School = the graduating class of 2020 is certainly in a unique situation! While Eunice will be graduating virtually, Eliza's session has been postponed to October because the Uni President prefers a physical celebration. Eunice will be starting her freshman year at Union University this Fall in August. The Lord is faithful. Please do pray for Eliza as she seeks for a suitable job here in the US.

One transition for us this summer is that we will be moving to another apartment - located further away in Concord - for a much reduced rent. In return, we will be working with the apartment management to organize regular social events for the apartment complex to ensure higher lease renewals. This is a great chance for us to "formally" connect with others and practice the second greatest commandment. Do pray for our move and also for God to "move" in our hearts as we embark on this new "apartment ministry". Date of move is June 20.

This summer is a precious window God has afforded for us to spend time with Eliza and Eunice before one heads off to the working world and the other to college world. Never in my wildest imagining would I have thought that the four of us will be spending summer of 2020 here in North Carolina together under one roof! Do pray for me to play an active role in facilitating meaningful conversations and to "tie heart strings" so that we continue to be open in our communications.

Thank you for your prayers and support. If it was not for the Lord's presence and His promises, getting through the day (with all the craziness that is happening right now) will be such dry drudgery. "For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:4).

Do let us know how we can also pray for you and your family.

Thank you for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph, Debra, Eliza & Eunice.

Thankful for the CDPC Family

It was our first time joining the CDPC Puchong online worship service yesterday and it was a wonderful reunion as we see familiar faces, all united together despite the present pandemic. Absence do make the heart grow fonder as we have been away from Malaysia for about 8 months now and we desperately miss the three Fs .... Family, Fellowship and ...Food.. (Having Pastor Micah using the curry mee illustration during his sermon certainly reignited my taste buds!).

I am reminded of the group of pastors, elders and deacons in CDPC who were instrumental in our local church life and the eventual decision to come to RTS here in Charlotte. Thank you for your investment into our lives and the Sunday service yesterday was a precious recollection of our moments of fellowship and service together for the Kingdom. Truly, he who loves Christ will also love the Body of Christ. When individual talents come together for the common cause of the Kingdom (especially in the present trying season), the world will "see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). 

CDPC Puchong, you have been a blessing to us and we pray that our covenantal God will work through you all and "in you all the familes of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). 

Thank you for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph, Debra, Eliza & Eunice.

Living on-the-line and online

Greetings from Charlotte, North Carolina. As part of the seminary spring break, I was looking forward to coming back to KL last week for a client training assignment but my flight was cancelled due to the travel restrictions from the US authorities as the flight had to transit through Seoul, Korea. "Cancellation" is becoming a common byword in this trying season where events come to a standstill and people are forced to be still. In the case of my training session, it was reconverted to become an online one instead - spent the last three days staying up from 9.00pm to 5.00am in order to match the Malaysia time zone!

When spring break ends this Sunday, all my remaining classes for the semester will be conducted online. Being in the apartment together with my wife and daughter do make learning into a family project! Eliza's final semester in Asbury University has been converted into an online season as well and she is planning to come and stay with us next week, so our apartment here is being converted into the "Tan Family School" where everyone is a student (but who's paying the bills?, haha)! We are grateful that in this time of health crisis, while there is "social distancing", we have the opportunity to stick together as a family. The Lord is faithful.

Our families back home in Malaysia is safe and healthy - we are thankful. During winter, it was about checking the temperature every day but now it is about checking the number of Covid-19 cases and all of what is happening seem so surreal. The community here is taking the situation seriously - the church service in Uptown has gone online and we are now in day 3 of a 14-day national "shut-down" ordered by the government. This common enemy has certainly united the politicians here and it is encouraging to see how the private and public sectors are working together. Eunice recently wrote a blog post about the current Covid-19 situation and what Psalm 1 has to say about it:

http://toberadical.weebly.com/blog/dont-let-covid-19-take-over-your-life

Over the past two months we have been busy with Eunice's scholarship interview and competition preparations with 3 different universities and we praise the Lord for the positive results. We are in the midst of finalizing the application/acceptance and look forward to her "new life" starting this fall (August). Eliza, on the other hand is transiting to her "new life" in terms of looking for a job (she will be graduating in May). Debra and myself are looking forward to our "new life" as empty-nesters by then! Do pray for us as we go through these transition periods and be sensitive to the Lord's leading and direction. I can often be caught up with my own schemes that I do not seek the Lord as I ought (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Do pray also for a strong finish to this semester despite the health crisis situation. I am taking six subjects - Classics of Personal Devotion, Evangelism, Greek Exegesis, History of Christianity II, Christian Thought & Philosophy, Christian Encounter with Islam.

Thank you for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph & Debra.

First Sermon at Uptown Church

Thank you for praying concerning my sermon preparation last month at Uptown Church. It was the concluding part of our series on the Book of Jonah and it was a great learning experience. I am especially grateful to my wife for assisting me by providing insightful feedback during the preparation process (revised the sermon outline twice based on her input). She is such a special gift!

Here's is the audio link to the sermon:
https://www.uptownchurch.org/sermons/the-mission-and-the-missionary/

Thank you for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph and Debra.

The Already and The Not Yet

With the dawn of each new year, we get a step closer to the "not yet" - this world is not our home, but one day it will be. We live out our days in this sad world eagerly awaiting the new heaven and new earth - although Christmas is a reminder that the Kingdom of God is already inaugurated with the coming of Jesus Christ, the start of the new year is a yearning for the eventual consummation (the not yet).

What should our attitude be in this inter-advent period between the first coming of Jesus and the soon second coming? The apostle Paul in Romans 12:12 (ESV) has three precise exhortation:

"Rejoice in hope"
During the holiday season, joy and merry-making marks the atmosphere (and with Chinese New Year around the corner, it will also exude the same feelings too!). Yet, what is the source of our joy? Joy must be fueled with a source that is external to ourselves, a source that causes us to yearn for an eventual delightful outcome. In other words, repeated experiences of joy is rooted in a hope that is secure. That is the reason why Paul could trumpet confidently, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) - this despite the fact, he was writing from a prison cell.

When there is a lack of joy, do not ask - "Why am I sad?"- instead, reflect - "Where is my hope?". With each passing year, we who are Christ followers, have hope in that eventual reunion of all reunions in that blessed marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). My hope is in Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) This gives me reason to rejoice indeed!

"Be patient in tribulation"
One thing is for sure - there will be trouble in 2020. Despite all the well-intention wishes, difficulty and stress will come your way, for sure. The challenge of living in this "already and not yet" period of history is that God does not act according to my timetable and my milestones on how things should work out the way I expect it to work out! In fact, my period of testing and suffering seem to lengthen with each passing year. How can I be patient if I cannot see the light at the end of my tunnel?

When you are impatient, do not ask - "When is God going to fix this?" - instead, reflect - "What is God saying through all this?". It is not figuring out what God is doing but what is He saying. In every tribulation, we exercise patience not by gritting our teeth in a stoic posture but by removing all distractions that clogs up our spiritual ears. "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains" - C.S. Lewis. Do not underestimate the Lord's personal message to you in times of personal pain. He is patiently working out His will in your life (Philippians 2:13) - be patient and allow Him to continue constructing your character to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29).

"Be constant in prayer"
Prayer is one of those subjects that we talk so much about and yet act so little upon. I find it instructive that Paul here talks about consistency in praying rather than intensity in praying. Personally, I find it easier to attend an all-night prayer meeting (hoping to stock up my spiritual reserves for the year) compared to consistently praying and interceding for 30 minutes each day. Think about it - why does our new year joy fizzle out quickly and we become impatient at the first sign of impending tribulation? - could it be that we have neglected the devotion of prayer?

When the apostles were faced with increased leadership workload of the new church, their leadership decision was not to attend a time management course so that they can do more! On the contrary, they re-committed themselves to the basics and refuse to be distracted (even by worthwhile tasks). Instead of attempting to do more, the apostles wisely appointed seven deacons to take care of the pressing needs of the congregation while "we devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4).

In your area of responsibilities, do not ask - "What can I do more of?" - instead, reflect - "How and who can I pray more for?" Your public life of ministry is only as strong as the private life of your prayers.

Trust that the exhortation from Paul to "rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and be constant in prayer" will be a set of helpful watchwords for you as it has been for me.

Thanks for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph, Debra, Eliza & Eunice.

Fall Semester is Done and Dusted!

Whew! The final exams for the Fall semester ended 9.00pm, Dec 10th and it was a huge relief at the end of an arduous trek of reading assignments, theological papers, quizzes and written exams which started since August. Yet, this is only 1/6th of my journey here in RTS and there is more to come! However, I thank God for His daily sustenance and the opportunity to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NASB).

The day after the finals, we had a sumptuous Taiwanese lunch in the home of a couple who are our fellow RTS students. It was a delightful day of fellowship, playing games and sharing seminary studying tips. 

Yesterday, we drove to Atlanta and reunited with Eliza at Grace Church where she helped conduct a workshop on cultural diversity - it is wonderful to be complete as a family again (she also just completed her exams!) and we will be taking the next few weeks to travel, visit friends, chill and be touristy. We are thankful for the connections Eliza made during her internship in Atlanta last summer.

Over the weekend here in Atlanta, we are staying in the home of Tom and Marilyn Reese - our long time friends through AiG (Anwers in Genesis - www.answersingenesis.org). They hosted Eliza for her first Thanksgiving here in the US three years ago when she was a freshman - we are grateful for their heart of ministry and commitment to Kingdom building. 

Please pray for us

We will be on the road for the next week or so. Do pray for safety and favorable weather as we travel. In the midst of having fun, we are also seeking the Lord's direction for Eliza and Eunice as next year, one will graduate and the other entering college.

I have been given the opportunity to preach in Uptown Church on Dec 29th on Jonah 4:5-11. Please pray for my period of preparation that I may exegete true to the meaning of the text and be relevant in the application. 

Will be taking three classes during the Winter break starting Jan 6th.

Thanks for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph, Debra, Eliza & Eunice. 

When God Wants to Drill a Man

When God wants to drill a man
And thrill a man
And skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His Heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses
And with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendour out -
God knows what He's about!

(Author Unknown)

A List of Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful time of Thanksgiving lunch fellowship yesterday with friends from Eunice's speech and debate club. Besides the sumptuous array of food (turkey, ham, chocolate turtle cheesecake, pumpkin pie, etc), we also enjoyed the conversation, the short hike around the neighborhood and opinions about American politics! We are truly the recipients of refreshing Christian hospitality, for this we are grateful (especially after a sustained period of studies and paper preparation!).

Since landing in Charlotte on July 12, we certainly have a lot to be thankful for:

1. Friendship with Tommy Fuller who helped us to settle down in the first two weeks.
2. The band of brothers from Uptown Church who helped us with the move (heavy duty lifting up to the apartment). Also, for the gifts of household items and furniture to get us started.
3. The flexibility provided by RTS in allowing for my wife to audit the classes - it is such a wonderful blessing to have her as my classmate!
4. Eunice was really diligent in her preparation for SAT exam here in the US. Praise God for her good scores.
5. Opportunity to meet up with Eliza and connecting with her friends at Asbury University.
6. We have a car on loan to us for use till March next year.
7. Men/women mentoring groups at Uptown Church for my wife and I.
8. Uptown Church women bible study group for my wife.
9. A like-minded speech and debate student community for Eunice. 
10. Opportunity for a corporate training program in KL. I now have one online coaching client.
11. Learning community and culture in RTS - have helped deepen my love for Word of God and the God of the Word.
12. Studying here in the US together with the family is fun! Can't imagine having to attend seminary on my own. The presence of my wife and daughter here is precious!

Please pray for us

I am now in the final two seeks of the Fall semester - that means paper submissions, reading assignments and exams! Feel like running in the last leg of the marathon, tired but looking forward to crossing the finishing line. Please pray for endurance, good health (lost my voice a week ago) and a sound mind.

We will be doing a few campus visits with Eunice next month. Do pray for wisdom in selecting the right university for her to attend next year. 

Thank you for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph, Debra & Eunice.

Dr. Bill Mounce - Teacher & Translator

We had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Bill Mounce today who is a teacher and translator extraordinaire:

• He is the author of my Greek textbook in RTS.
• He is the founder and president of biblicaltraining.org
• He is on the committee of Bible translation (NIV)
• He was the New Testament chair of the ESV translation.

Yet, he spoke with the humility, like the heart of a shepherd who cares for his flock to be grazing on the words of truth and life. He challenged us - "why are you in seminary?" - your goal should be that when you leave seminary, you have a deeper love for Jesus Christ. I like how he summed up the outcome of seminary studies - it should lead me to have an informed love - growing to love the Lord with all of my heart, soul, strength and mind. (By the way, be sure to check out the FREE biblicaltraining.org website - it is a fantastic teaching resource!)

After speaking at the RTS Chapel, Dr. Mounce went on to share deeper insights on his role as a Bible translator. That left me with a greater appreciation for the various English translations out there and the different philosophy of translation (formal, function or natural). It is an amazing demonstration of how God inspires His Word through the means of using real people with real language and cultural context. Managed to be "thick-skinned" enough to raise my hand for a free copy of a personal sized Bible for my wife!

Please pray for us

Thank you for praying for Eunice - we are pleased and thankful for her results. She just submitted her university applications and we plan to go on a campus visit road trip soon. Do continue to pray for wisdom in selecting the right university with the right environment for her to grow not only intellectually but more importantly in her faith and worldview.

The month of November is the last lap of this semester for me with a pile of research papers to write and exams to prepare for. Please pray for this 51-year-old-long-time-no-study-type-brain to be able to rise up to the occasion and do my best not to compete but to complete it for God's glory and because I want to love Him with all of my mind!

Do pray for all three of us to be in good health as the cooler season approaches. We miss the warm fellowship with you guys at home!

Thank you for partnering with us in this journey of joy.

Joseph, Debra & Eunice.