Dearest brethren,
It is quite pleasant outside here in Southeastern Arizona. We are doing well and thank God for all His continued blessings.
The congregation here in Morenci continues to bless us in so many ways. We are encouraged as we get to know everyone better. It has also been wonderful to be close to my parents. The kids have sure enjoyed their time with grandma and grandpa. They especially love driving the golf cart and feeding the animals (ducks, goats, dogs and cats).
The first weekend had Divine and my mom driving up to Kayenta, AZ to speak at a Ladies Day Retreat. It sounds like they had a wonderful weekend with all the sisters. They said the lessons and fellowship were a true blessing.
Divine and I went to California for four days to attend a leadership conference. It was good information and good for the two of us to spend some quality time together. We are grateful for all the help and hospitality of our brother Bill Salazar and his wife Jill.
We were blessed to go over to Phoenix a day early to do some research on the Pima Reservation. As we make plans for our move in June 2013 we want to have as much information as possible. We mainly wanted to see the communities on the reservation, the school systems and possible places to worship. We also wanted to look at some close neighborhoods that we might want to live in.
We spoke to the community development coordinator to see what it takes to start a new congregation on their land. They seem to be fine with us coming there, it is just a challenge to find a place to worship. They said several denominations share a Presbyterian building. We will continue to be in touch with them and some others that work on the reservation to find a place to worship. As we get to know the community better, we will be exploring opportunities of service.
As soon as we got back from California, my dad and I drove to Denver for the Master’s Blitz Week. I took the Biblical counseling class taught by brother Jerry Martin. It was an excellent class. I was only able to audit about half of the Advanced Hermeneutics class taught by brother Denny Petrillo. It was also a great class to be in. While in Denver, I had to haul a final trailer load of things back to Arizona. After a long trip we finally made it home safe and sound.
The school in Cameroon continues to flourish under difficult circumstances. They had a fruitful campaign after their third quarter of classes and are now back in their final quarter before they graduate. James Coker is scheduled to teach the first week in December and then I will follow by teaching Marriage and Family. I will also be staying to witness the first graduating class from the Cameroon Bible Institute of Wotutu (CBIW).
The plan is for me to continue in the coordinator role until the end of December 2012. Starting January 1st, 2013 brother David Ballard will take on the coordinator role for CBIW). I will then devote more of my focus on preparing for the church plant in Phoenix.
We are so thankful for all of your support and encouragement in our new efforts to plant a congregation in the Phoenix area with a focus on the Native American people. We are thankful for all the prayers and advice and help that each of you give in your own way. Thank you!
In His service,
Austin Family