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Author: Layne

Countdown

a layne post

Breathe in, breathe out.

In less than 64 hours (64 hours??) Jon and I will be leaving Arizona, beginning our journey to learn Portuguese, in order to speak and minister to Angolans in their first language. How exciting! It will be both of our first experience being able to minister in their first language. Before, when ministering in English, it was their second language, or we had to speak through a translator. We had, so to speak, the upper hand in conversation. Now we will switch spots! We will be the slow speakers and “understanders”. We will highly rely on them. We like the idea of that. =)

For some reason, between the two of us, we feel so terribly behind. Maybe it is because we are leaving containers of our stuff here, or maybe it is because our visas for November are still floating in a strange standstill. I am not sure… that is just our current emotional state.

*Visa Update*     

We are currently waiting on an assured invitation. It is in the process of being requested; however, the missionaries, who are so graciously helping us, do not live in the same town as the church we are requesting an invitation from, therefore, we have to wait until they make a trip. Maybe in a week? We also are not sure of the limitations of communcation when we get to Portugal. Hopefully we do not “disappear” in the eyes of the Consulate here. Pray!

In  other news, in celebration of our 1st anniversary (June 21st), Jon and I took a trip to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. I had never been, so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity. It was a fabulous trip!  On many occasions over the two days we would ask each other, “Are you ready to do this?” Ready or not, here we go.

one-year-anniversary-small

On Tuesday we will be in Corpus Christi, Texas visiting my family. July 4th we take off for Portugal! We hope to update on here frequently, provided we have a consistent internet somewhere.

Main prayer needs:

  • Quick language aquisition
  • Good memory retention
  • Progress on Angolan visas

We love you guys. Your support is felt and much appreciated. Thank you.

June 20, 2009
Personal
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Our last month

A Layne Post

Leaving  on a jet plane… don’t know when I’ll be back again…

In a mere 20 days Jon and I will begin our second journey as a married couple. Wow! Where did the time go?! In some ways I feel like we just returned from our ‘Around the World Trip’ and have gotten into some normal routine.

We will begin by spending a week and a half in Corpus Christi, Texas with my lovely family, taking in as much as we can. I treasure these short weeks. Once we head to Africa, we will not be sure of the next return. That is a strange feeling for me, accompanied by many tears that seem to come on at random times. Jon is so comforting and understanding.

On July 4th we board a plane to Porto, Portugal! It is exciting to be taking another step towards the start of our future ministry.

Jon is still working as I sit at home looking at our stuff to pack. Yes, I said looking. Ha! I have pulled our belongings out into the middle of our living space, gotten rid of a lot, bought plastic tubs… and pretty much that is where it has stopped. I haven’t been motivated to get the stuff in the tubs. Maybe I am just afraid of how many tubs we need, and/or the fact that I may need to slim down some more. Getting rid of things can be strangely difficult. Why we have sentimental attachments to silly little things, I don’t know.

This weekend we head to San Diego with the  Heller clan to participate in the Camp Pendleton 10K Mud Run. We have been training for a few months and are up to running 6 miles. After the hard work of running, we will spend a few days having a family vacation. The whole family will be together! (Rare these days)

At a wedding...

At a wedding...

VISA UPDATE

Jon has diligently been working on this. He is in contact with the Houston consulate every two to three days. Honestly, I’ll brag on him and say what a great job he does communicating over the phone. He is much better in this area than I am. We are waiting on some information from them about non-profits.

Thankfully with the help of some missionaries currently living in Angola, we are also  in contact with a local church. The leadership is limited in speaking English, so e-mails are sometimes difficult. We have not committed to coming under their leadership, but we are interested and praying about it. We would appreciate your prayers in this area as well.

We continue to feel the peace of the Lord. He is in control and we are wholly trusting in Him.

Thank YOU.

We are forever grateful for our supporters. We could not do this without you. Your prayers and encouragement push us forward. Thank you.

June 3, 2009
Angola, Portugal
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5 Hour HIV and AIDS training

A Layne Post

The class we attended on Saturday was such a wealth of information. We learned about HIV, exactly how it is attacking the body, the progression, how it is diagnosed, treatments, etc. A pharmacist from Walgreens came in and explained in detail about the medications and some of the side effects. We also learned about alternative treatments and nutrition recommendations, which could potentially be quite helpful for us, if we do not have much access to meds.

All the information we went over was given to us in a binder, so forgetting is not a problem! Hallelujah. =)

The biggest thing I walked away from the class with was HOPE. HIV and AIDS no longer has to be a death sentence. We met some people in class who had been diagnosed with HIV 28 years ago and are still living full, rich lives. It is manageable with proper care.

There is hope for the orphans in Africa. There is hope for Angola. There is hope.

I praise the Lord for leading me to the website, and getting me in touch with the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS.  I look forward to working with them to learn more over the next few weeks.

We’ll keep you updated!

May 18, 2009
Angola
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