Summer Praises and Fall Prayers

We had a great summer! Here are some things to praise God for…

• Four hundred campers were loved on this summer, and we partnered with twelve different urban ministries (three of them coming for the first time)!
• We did not send a single camper home this summer due to behavioral issues (first time ever!). 
• We had eleven returning summer staff (out of a total of 40)!
• God not only provided seven male counselors for our summer staff, but they were all mature men of God and showed leadership capabilities that far exceeded our expectations.  In past summers we have struggled to fill all of our male counselor positions. This was a huge answer to prayer, especially since it turned out that we had more boy campers than girls each week!
• God continues to use THE OAKS to give summer staff a new vision and to seek God’s call on their lives.  Three of our summer staff are going on to serve World Impact this year through internships, one of them coming back to THE OAKS, and the others serving in the cities.
• Disciples were made and growth was developed in all of the campers, many of them making difficult life-changing decisions that will bring them true joy in the end.

…and some ways you can be praying for Jared and I over the next month:

• A good trip up to Bellingham, Washington this week for Jared’s mom’s wedding! God has brought so much joy and blessing into her life this past year, and we are excited to rejoice with her over this day.
• As soon as we return from Washington, we’ll be moving into a larger apartment two doors down from where we are now.  We’re so thankful for the opportunity to have more space, but also a little overwhelmed with all that needs to happen over the next couple of weeks. Please pray for strength and joy in the midst of it all.
• Continued health of our second baby BOY!  Yes, its another boy, and the due date is now officially December 18.
• Wisdom for Jared and the rest of the program team as they adjust to staff changes and seek God’s plan for programming at THE OAKS.
• Three new families are joining missionary staff here at THE OAKS—praise the Lord!  One couple will be moving here at the end of the month, and the other two families are in the process of raising support and will not be joining us until their support is covered. Please pray that the process goes quickly and that God will bring them here as soon as possible!

Thanks for your prayers and support—we always appreciate it!