Personal Update (Aug 2012)

Last updated Sep 1, 2012 by Matt

Oh, so many things to share with you in this update. In case you haven’t been following us on Facebook, I’ll go through everything. The short version is we are in Detroit, I have two jobs, and I have started seminary.

God Provided Jobs

The day I finished the July update I received a lead for two positions in Detroit. By the following week, I had obtained a job as a part time sales associate at Inter-City Christian Bookstore, which is affiliated with the seminary and church, and two weeks later I had the strong possibility of another part time position. Those circumstances began a cascade of events with us moving up here this past Saturday.

The verbal confirmation of a ministry and parsonage I mentioned last month was confirmed a few weeks ago, making the parsonage available to us as compensation. Though the parsonage was available to us, the church wanted to do some renovations before we moved in. To help move along the timeline for us to move in, I began commuting up for two days a week earlier in the month to help work on the parsonage. The progress was slow because it was just me, the pastor, and one other guy from the church doing most of the work. But we finished enough for us to move in.

We Have Moved to the Detroit Area

Our move was last Saturday. It was hot, we didn’t have the help we’d hoped for, and we loaded and unloaded in the same day. But thanks be to God for the provisions to make it happen in one day, providing the help we had, and plenty of water to keep us hydrated.

Challenges with settling in still remain. The kitchen, which was a major renovation, is not finished—it’s not even usable at this point. My pastor and I have been working on it as we are able and hope to have it finished in a couple weeks. Meanwhile, we are preparing our hot food out of a microwave and toaster, eating a lot of cereal, and eating a lot of cereal. Unpacking is a chore, as it always is with moves. Unfortunately, Rhoda Jane is the one doing most of the sorting and unpacking because I am working and going to class now.

Attending Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary

Friday, August 31, marked the first day of classes for me. I can now add Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary to the list of institutions of which I am an alumni. Since I was able to transfer in several credits I am about a third of the way to a Master of Divinity already. With family and work, though, my plan is to graduate May 2016. That means I will average eight credit hours a semester. I’m hopeful that this pace will not overly burden my other responsibilities.

I’m going to be busy now, incredibly busy. I am trusting the Lord to sustain me through this time.

Prayer Needs

God has provided for several of our needs, but more have been added. As you think of us this month, please pray for the following:

• That our old apartment will be rented out so we can get out from under our lease.
• That God would grant us grace as we adjust to our new surroundings.
• That I would maintain diligence in my personal walk with God
• That I would be wise in my stewardship of time, balancing my many responsibilities.

I’m sure there are things I am forgetting, but I trust I have painted a picture of God’s faithfulness to us. Though I have not stopped worrying from time to time about the things I think I need, I have stopped being surprised when God provides. It’s just what he does!

 

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