Josh and Bethany Weeks Just another weblog Five Weeks on the Road!
Well, we just recently got back home after five weeks and over 6,000 miles of driving! We left home on December 16th and celebrtaed Christmas with Bethany’s family in Lakeport and then with my family in San Luis Obispo. After that we drove to Texas and visited close friends in Liberty and Decatur. We were blessed with the opportunity to present our ministry to a small group from Crossroads church in Decatur. We then drove up to Missouri and stayed a few days at the Missionary Training Center and reconnected with friends there. On Sunday night we spoke at Heritage Baptist- the church we were part of for 2 1/2 years while studying at the MTC. We were greatly encouraged by the people there who took an interest in our ministry and the work God is doing building His church in “Asia-Pacific” (Indo). We especially want to thank the body at Heritage for helping us on our way with money for travel and two new tires which desparately needed to be replaced!
We left Missouri and traveled to Colorado where we spent 2 nights with a dear family who have been a huge source of encouragement for us. We loved being in the mountains and just taking in the wonders of God’s creation. We made it back to California just in time to attend the CARBC Christian workers retreat in Cambria. While there, we were refreshed by the speaking of God’s word, the fellowship of numerous pastors and their wives, and the hospitality of the folks at First Baptist Church of Cambria. We were also given a few minutes to present our ministry with the hope that we will be invited to speak at some of the churches represented there.
The Lord blessed us with good weather and dry roads for the entire trip. That was an answer to prayer, as we had been a little nervous planning such a long road trip this time of year. The last leg of the trip, from San Francisco to Eureka, was the only time we had to drive in the rain (suprise, suprise!). This explains why it wasn’t untill we were in the middle of a downpour that we realized our windshield wipers had quit working. It was exciting to say the least, but we made it home safe-and-sound (thank God for Rain-X)!
I want to thank everyone who prayed for us while we were traveling. We had a real great time and Nicole (2yrs old) and Bethany (33 weeks pregnant) were comfortable and handled the long days of driving quite well. We were so blessed by those we met along the way who encouraged us and helped provide for our needs.
Please continue to pray for these following requests:
-For Bethany as her due date is now less than 6 weeks away
-That we would have the wisdom and energy to love and raise two children
-That our support level would continue to come up so we can leave for Indo in November
-For opportunities to share our ministry and see God bring people alongside to partner with us financially
-That we would be a blessing to the people and ministries of our home church in Eureka during this time we have here
I know a number of you have expressed interest in partnering with us financially as we get closer to leaving for the field. At this time, our biggest need is for people to commit to monthly giving so we can meet the requirements to begin our visa applications. We need to be at 60% of our recomended support level before that process can begin- (we are currently at 26%). We look forward so much to being a part of bringing God’s word to a people group that has no access to it, and we look forward to the blessings on your behalf as you trust God to be used in this way. If you want to know how to give, you can click on the “GIVE” button above. Also, please feel free to contact us with any questions you have about our ministry or partnering with us.
Because He said, “Go!”
-Josh, for the Weeks family
June Prayer Requests
Prayer Requests for Josh and Bethany:
- For Continued Growth and Maturity over the summer. Summer is often hard for us to keep focused with all the other activities there are to fill our time. But our desire is to press on toward to the goal we feel God has set before us.
- For focused attention on raising financial supporters. This area of ministry is new to us and we are a bit nervous. We desire to clearly share our passion for sharing the gospel in Indonesia and our need to be supported by individuals.
Prayer Requests for Bethany:
- For continued health and strength during the remainder of her pregnancy. Bethany is now in her third trimester (28 weeks along). Unless there is an emergency, the insurance we are on does not allow us to see a doctor in California. So far, Bethany has been feeling quite well with minimal discomfort from a fast growing baby!
Thank you all for your prayers. They are very appreciated!
April prayer requests
I can’t believe it’s only a month in a half until our first semester here at the Missionary Training center is over! The time here has been wonderful and quite challenging. As we finish up these last few weeks, please pray:
That I would be able to get a doctor soon. The process to get on Missouri insurance is taking much longer than expected. I am looking forward to getting a ultrasound to see my baby. I am also uncertain what I am going to do over the summer. I may have to cancel the Missouri insurance to get on something in California for three months then switch back to the Missouri insurance. Please pray that I would trust the Lord in this matter of uncertainty.
For Josh and my endurance to the end of this semester- that we would continue to grow in our knowledge and love for the Lord and be able to retain the teaching.
And for Josh and my relationship. That we would daily grow and mature in the Lord together. And that we would love and honor each other with selflessness and humbleness.
Your prayers are GREATLY appreciated!
Life at the Missionary Training Center
We just finished our fourth week of classes and we have been learning a lot! From Worldview class to Learning Styles, the teachers here have been working to equip us with everything we may need to know while on the field.
Our schedual looks like this: 8am – 12pm are classes. Every week each student is required to do 7 1/2 hours of work detail (working on campus lowers costs and gives us an opportunity to practice teamwork). We also are to do 4 hours a week of off-campus ministry; Josh’s ministry is at Light House which is a home for men recovering from drugs or alcohol addiction. Bethany’s ministry is volunteering at Medical Missions for Christ- here she interviews people to make sure they qualify for the free clinic and the doors are wide for sharing the gospel. Every Thursday we meet with our advisors (Jo and Jakie Bruce). They are a staff couple who take time out of their week to encourage us, answer questions and make sure we are on track. We have really enjoyed getting to know many of the staff and students here and spend a lot of our free time hanging out with people.
One in the oven!
Please pray for Bethany during her pregnancy. For energy and a healthy baby. Bethany is entering her 10th week and each day we are getting more and more excited! Besides fatigue, Bethany has been feeling quite well.
Light House Ministry
Pray for Josh as he disciples Jesse in the Lord. Jesse is a recovering alcoholic and drug adict. He has an intense desire to live for the Lord. He has been out of jail for two weeks and is really enjoying the two hours a week he spends with Josh.