Musings on Deadlines

Sort of like the book of Ecclesiastes, I wonder about God. He is so completely in charge yet I don't completely understand him and his actions. We have missed, I believe, two deadlines for money due for the trip. In the world's view that is bad, but in the eyes of faith I continue to believe he is working on behalf of this trip for our family and for his purpose.

Not Late, Just In Time

Deposit deadlines not meet. In God's time, I guess.

I worry but God doesn't. What will people think? Those crazy Coppedges. They think they are going to Africa when they are struggling financially.

"Trust him," he says.

Success and Ribbons

We were finally able to take our passport paperwork late on Monday afternoon, just twenty minutes prior to their closing. Things throughout the day kept pushing our trip back, but we had success. Our passports are to be back just in time to meet our church's deadline of January 15. God again acted - not late - just in time!

By the way, that was our second attempt to take our applications to the office. We went on Friday, but there was a line. We needed to pick up materials for Woody's business before they closed so we had to leave. God was faithful to him to get all he needed, and the ministry needs were meet too.

Also, I wanted to let you know about our plan to take ribbon with us to Africa. Our leaders asked us to pray about something to take in our luggage to give to those we are serving. I felt lead to take ribbon. It is lightweight for our luggage requirements, and it can to used for may things. We can tie lengths to sticks to make flags for waving during worship. Little girls can use pieces to adorn their hair. Adults can decorate their homes. A little splash of color is a bright note for any one's heart.

If you would like to contribute ribbon to the cause, just let me know. We received our first donation of a foot long piece when I recently told a friend of our plans. Any type, size or length would be a blessing.

Thank you for reading all this. I look forward to someone responding one day.

Good News, Great Joy

We received another donation to cover our passport fees. We are set to take the forms, photos and cash on Monday to the passport office. This is so exciting. Thank you. Thank you.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!!!!

Update

Thank you for your support. We received a check in the mail. We hand delivered it to our church. A phone call came that a check was being sent to the church. We also had our photos taken for our passports thanks to another contribution. God is good.

I am also contributing 10% of the total sales of my purse parties to the trip. If you are wondering what are purse parties, I sell Christian handbags and accessories through home parties, church events and the Internet. All our handbags are named for women of the Bible. During the home parties or church events, I tell their stories. The purses have scripture embroidered on them with key themes from their lives. These messages are just as crucial for us today. You can check out our products at www.livingwaterhandbags.com.

If you want to host an event at your home or church, just e-mail me at ministry@c2solutions.com. Remember it helps us get one step closer to Africa!

No Printer - No Problem

God is good. He gave me the idea to e-mail our support letter to a friend asking her to print one for me. She was already making some color copies for me for our purse business. I could then make copies of it. After a few gyrations with her temperamental printer, we had success. My bank, U.S.Bank, then made 20 copies for me for free. Their service in this area has been a help many times. I called my Mom and she gave me addresses for family and a few friends. I still don't have access to my database, but this is a great start.

As for stamps, our ministry account had enough money in it to cover that cost. We mailed out 14 letters. During homeschooling on Tuesday Selah and I looked at Africa on the world map in relation to Tennessee. She is studying Africa in Classical Conversations this year. We then prayed about God granting us this trip to serve Him. Thank you, Lord, for this blessing of meeting our needs today.

Letter

This is probably more information than you want, but things are low and slow. I have written a support letter like our church recommended. It is now trapped in my computer. Currently, I have no way to print it. I have e-mailed it to five people. We also have our first deadline in October for the initial deposit. I have asked the Lord for his help. I need his creative ideas on how to solve my problems of printing, addresses (e-mail or postal) and stamps. We have a meeting at church on September 27 about the trip and the deposit. I'll keep you posted.

For a bit of history, I wrote the support letter in early June after attending my first mission trip meeting at the church. Woody and I both felt a desire to go on this trip and took that as direction from the Holy Spirit to investigate it. We also found out that the whole family was interested in going. We saw that as a green light to continue. At the meeting I felt doubt creeping in. The trip leader then warned us about that. I was shocked. The adversary had moved in that quickly. As a step of faith, I wrote the letter. The trip coordinator look it over and said it looked fine. I was ready to sent it out, but I needed money for stamps. Then life took a big turn and we moved.

Hello and Welcome

If you have found me here, you have received some type of communication about our family going on a mission trip to Africa in June of next year. Together we will all watch and see if the Lord does send our family, and if so, how he does it. We have many obstacles in our way but we believe we are to try. So here goes ....