The Home Stretch!

Parents: We will be calling for the last time your Sunday Night 7:30pm- 9pm

This week was mostly spent away from our city. We got to travel on two crazy trains, 18 hours each way, to one of the coolest places in the world. We even got to swim! It was a great time to spend away with just the team. Because the place we went is a big tourist destination, we were bombarded by sales people, auto drivers and everything South Asia could throw at us. We are so happy to be back in our city, which has actually started to feel like home. We wish you could all experience the sights, sounds and smells of South Asia. The pictures and stories don't really do it. We are all shocked that we only have one more week here, but we can't wait to see you all back home!

PR Requests:

-We would finish this trip strong

-We would continue to be healthy

- For our last meetings and goodbyes with our friends

Patrick: Our time here is so short. I don't really have much to say this week except that we had a really restful trip, got to see some awesome stuff and The Father continues to work in exceptional ways. Glory be to Him. You all have really been an amazing part of seeing this trip happen. From all of your PR to your financial support, I could not be more grateful.This week I look forward to last meetings with some friends and some emotional goodbyes. See you all soon! Thanks for all of your love and support! I love you, Gayle.

Aaron: We are all getting very excited to see friends and family, but at the same time very sad to leave this city and the friends we've made here. It was a strange feeling as we rode the train back into our city having been gone for a few days. In just a few weeks we have made this our home and we were so glad to be coming back to it, despite the heat and craziness. We now find ourselves sprinting to the finish line trying to fill our time left with the urgent sharing of our news. Even now only the Father knows how many more lives we can effect. I've been feeling under the weather these last few days, mostly just a sore throat. PR for our health, for our energy, for our urgency, for the people we still have to talk to and meet. He has been so good to us this whole summer, I am very overwhelmed by His work here.

Jacob: I can't believe this point in our trip is actually here. We have only one week left. It is a bitter sweet feeling, as I think about how much I will miss South Asia. Eric and I went to a mall this week and told a few people about our Big Brother's story. There were mixed reactions, but one friend (Ronny) did show interest in reading more about The Father. PR That The Father will continue to work in Ronny's life. The Father's work in flourishing here in South Asia, and it is far from done. The work in ever increasing here, and so is the need for workers. But The Father is good and provides for every need. Please PR that we will finish strong during this last journey of our trip.

Silas: So much has happened! Our short trip was full of adventure and rest, but I was so happy to return "home" to our city. I truly missed it, as crazy as that seems. On the train rides, I spent hours just sitting out of the open door thinking and talking with Father as the landscape and people blurred past. Upon coming home, we able to visit my brothers' local ch. It was so awesome to meet like-minded people and talk/PR with them about their lives. Jacob and I were able to meet two more times with Rocky (the businessman that wants to believe) and talk about his life and the Father. He said he knows what I tell him is true and wants to believe, but is struggling with life, peer pressure (he told his friends about what I shared), and is not sure if he can actually follow the Son when faced with the culture he lives in. It breaks my heart to talk with him about these things. Please PR that HS would continue to speak to him! Also, as we explored the old city a few nights ago, we went into one of the largest place of PR for our cousins in this city. While I was walking around and talking to Father, a few men motioned me over to speak with a man dressed in a long white robe who spoke English well. I was able to share with him and talk about the Son. I got his number so we can meet again later this week. Thank you all for continued PR!

Sidenote: Real men cry during Pixar movies. (Looking at you "Inside Out"!)

Shout out to Logan Sides for the inspiration.

Brandon: It’s hard to believe that our time here is almost over. We’ve had such a great summer and it will be really sad to have to leave.  I want to thank everyone who has PR’d for us during our time here, we’ve seen your PRers answered in so many ways.  We’ve met a ton of English speakers and had many opportunities to share truth with them, we’ve been extremely healthy the whole time (which is unbelievable for this part of the world), we’ve seen the Father at work in the hearts of our friends, our travels have been safe and hassle free, and we’ve seen local brothers become excited to share the good news here.  As we leave, please do not stop PRing for this part of the world because there is so much work that needs to be done here.  PR for all the people who are lost in the lies of the enemy and PR for the countless who have not yet heard the good news.  Also, PR for the workers who are already here and PR for many more to come. (Matt 9:36-38) (Rom 10:13-15)

Shout-out to Morgan: I finally read The Insanity of the Father and it was the best book I’ve ever read!

Answer to last weeks question:  The optimal angle of relief is 35 degrees.

 This weeks question: How many light bulbs and chairs are in our favorite restaurant?

We've got two very special videos for you this week!

                                          

BFFs 4 EVUH ;)))

This week has been so refreshing and tiring! If that doesn't make sense, come to South Asia and experience it for yourself. We started off our week by spending some amazing time with some old friends from the states! It was so good to see both of them, and especially good to encourage the one who has been in South Asia for the past year. She sends her love. After, a whirlwind couple of days with them, we were able to spend some awesome time with our best friends here. We shared passionately with them and one of them seems really interested! He even asked for a Book and we were able to give him one of ours along with some other gifts from our university. This really seemed to make an impact on them. We truly love these friends! Please PR that their eyes would be opened as they go back to their university in a different part of the country and read The Book. This blog is coming to you a little early because today we are taking an 18 hour train ride across the country to see a major landmark! It should be quite the adventure! We will be there for the next 3 days.

Some things to PR for:

- Safe travels on our trip

- Our best friends and all the people that heard the Good News this week.

- For the local believers here to be bold

Now, here are some stories from our week!

Patrick- This week has been a good one! We continue to meet with friends and share with many people here. This week I got to go out with a local believer and model EV. We went to a mall and were PRing that the father would show us who he wanted us to meet. We met a young H guy who believed in many besides our father. He had added the Son to his list of deities, even saying he had visited a CH. We informed him that "You can not serve two masters." He was really confused and said he would think about these things but I could tell that his H background really had a hold of him. We had finished our time of sharing and were enjoying a meal when two Cousin guys sat next to us and we were also able to share with them. The Father is providing! I feel so humbled to be part of his plan. PR for these guys who are so embedded in their beliefs and the local believer to confidently share. In case anyone forgot, I'M GETTING MARRIED SOON. Hi Gayle.

Brandon: This week has been so much fun! We had another good friend come visit for a few days so it’s been a New Mexico reunion here. She currently works in the villages of South Asia and it was really neat to get to hear her crazy stories.  I have had such a great time this week hanging out with the friends we have made. One day our friends took us to try street food at a place they assured us was “a bit hygienic” and we survived! It also tasted really good! We were able to have really good conversation with a few of our friends this week. As we sat on mats in their living room talking about spiritual things and sharing the good news for hours, I realized there was nothing else I would rather be doing. I also learned a short version of my testimony in the local language and I really enjoy sharing it with auto-drivers during our many auto rides.  PTL that one of the guys Jacob and Silas shared with this week wants to believe! It’s so exciting! Please PR for him.

Shout out to Andy from QJoy: The “FIREBALL!!!” is taking South Asia by storm! PRing for you guys.

Silas: What a crazy week. Father is so good! I took the young men I’m mentoring to the local mall to share the good news with all sorts of people and they are excited to go sharing again soon! A businessman that Jacob and I shared the good news with at a local park called me today asking to meet. He came over to our flat and had so many questions about what we had told him. To make a long story short he came to believe!!! I was almost in shock. We gave him a copy of the good book and went over many stories with him. He let me PR with him that Father would give him understanding as he begins to read the story of the Son for himself. He is so eager to meet again soon to learn more about how he can share the good news himself! Please PR for him!

Emily-Missed you on skype!! :( PRing for you and I miss you tons! <3 Dan-Aaron and I have a massive roach that lives in our bathroom. He’s cool. We named him ‘Papa.’ #CutMyLifeIntoPieces Sam-I don’t think you even, bro! (jk… you probably warm up with my max. hahaha) And of course I even… I’ll even prove I even in next week’s video! #planetfitness

Aaron: We have been seeing Father work so much these last few weeks. It is awesome to see how everything works in His perfect timing. We’ve meet students who have come into town for a single day (to get examination results or apply for general admissions), and every “chance” meeting on the streets, in the gardens, or in the malls further displays answers to PR. Out of the many people we’ve talked with there are several who have displayed a very active interest in our message. Our time here is running short, PR that we continue to use our time effectively.

Lucas – The beard is coming along nicely. I expect some braiding soon.

Jacob: Best week so far! Father gave us so many opportunities this last week. I was finally able to meet with a brother (Eric) from our city this week. It was so encouraging to talk to Eric about the Father, and to find out how excited he is about the Father just makes things that much better. To top it all off, we all met and had great conversations with friends both old and new. But you will have to refer to the other sections to hear some of those stories. I am doing really well in so many ways, so you don’t have to worry Mom. Thank you all for your PRs.

Shout-Out to Logan: I have been thinking and PRing about you a lot. We all love you, man. Feel better soon!

When we are feeling bad, we say, "Hello, Medicines"

BFFs

The answer to last weeks question:

"The Pride of South Asia"
"We'd be Lion if we said this isn't our Mane cereal"

Next week's question: What is the optimal "Angle of Relief?"

MONSOOOOOON!

Parents: We will be calling on your Sunday night between 730pm -9pm

It was a whirlwind week as the monsoon has arrived, friends from the states are here and we continue to meet with amazing believers who have a vision to see their city reached. We had the opportunity to share with many South Asians this week the whole Good News, many of them hearing for the first time. We also had the privilege of leading w-ship and speaking at a local body here. We are becoming experts at making chai and negotiating the price for autos. We live by a simple Code: Act like you know how much something costs and give them that amount. It usually works. We continue to mentor students here in how to share the Good News and this week we will take many of them out to do some practical training. The South Asian people have been so hospitable to us, inviting us in and feeding us (which is a pretty large task). They even "slayed" us a chicken. Your PRs have been answered as we met many english speakers this week and are making plans to meet with them again. The Father is so faithful and we are seeing him work here in both big and small ways.

View from our window

PR Requests:

-We have encountered some people who are interested in reading the Word, and we are working on getting those to them

-PR that we would have a sense of urgency in our short time here

-For continued health

-For even more awesome friends

-For people to not only hear the Good News but believe

Your PR is so appreciated, now here are a few stories from our week.

Aaron: I can't believe we are already half way through our stay. It feels like it was just a few short days ago that we got here. This week I met two English teachers from another part of the country. They are at a university here for a short refresher course. I have been meeting with them every morning. I am earnestly sharing the Father's story with them and they are mostly open to it. PR that Sammy and Chris would hear the Father's voice in what I have shared with them. We are all doing fantastically well and enjoying ourselves immensely. Time is flying by and before we know it, we will be saying goodbye to this city.

 Patrick: This week has been awesome. Even as South Asia can be a tough place to live, the Father is really working here. We were able to meet some guys at the mall and immediately share with them The Good News that can save them. They listened intently and promised they would think about what we told them. PR that we would get a chance to meet with them again and answer their questions. But that is only one of many Good News encounters this week. Many South Asians heard it for the first time in the past few days. On top of that, we met some awesome believers here and were able to worship and PR with them throughout the week. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do the Father's work here. As of me writing this, I have 44 days, about six weeks until I get married to the most beautiful girl who is so dedicated to the Father. PR that the transition and quick turn around would go well. Gayle, I love you and miss you.

South Asians LOVE selfies... too much

Silas: This week has gone by like a blur. I can't believe how little time we have left here. I miss everyone at home, but wish time would slow down. As I was mentoring two young men last night, The Father really impressed on my heart the magnitude and urgency of our purpose here. I realize that we are only here for the Father's glory. 

Storms blowing in

Jacob: Sickness averted yet again. Brandon figured out that we have met around thirty friends so far! I met one guy named Henry a couple days ago. We weren't able to talk for very long but I did get his number. Please PR that the Father will give me a chance to spend more time with Henry. I will spare you all the story, but there have been a few frustrating things that I have been dealing with this last week. However, Father has been teaching me that I need to rely on His plan for everything, even the small things. We opened some letters and gifts from family and friends this week. The letters were very uplifting and encouraging. Thanks to all of you who gave them to us.

Shout-out to Aaron and Logan: Your letters to me were awesome. Thank you both so much!

Brandon: I can’t believe this is already our 3^rd blog! Time is going by so fast! I have really come to love this place (See Silas’ last blog post) and long for the people to hear the good news. This week has been a great one.  We’ve been able to share the good news and follow up with many interested people and are also making some really good friends. Mentoring local brothers and teaching them to share the news has also been really fun and exciting. Our good friend from the States was able to come visit our city this week and it has been such a blast getting to spend time with her here as she shows us the ropes (she used to live here). Some other highlights of the week have been leading w-ship at a local CH, shooting sketchy fireworks off our roof with our friends, jamming on guitar with local brothers and sisters, and doing nightly propane tank workouts with Aaron and Silas.

Shout-out to Logan: I’m glad you’re getting better! Crazy story, Patrick woke us all up in the middle of Tuesday night because he had this strong feeling we needed to PR about something right then. We were sitting there not knowing what we were supposed to PR about and we ended up PRing for you, among other things. Our friend told us about you when she got here and it turns out we were PRing for you just about the time you got sick. We’ve kept PRing for you and I hope things continue to improve.

Crossing the road is tricky here

Did we use it? Yes. Everyone is ok.

This better be wrong.

The answer to last weeks question of the week:

This week's question: What is the most magical cereal in South Asia? 

Parents: We will be calling on your Sunday night between 730pm -9pm