four days left

We're packing like mad now. We've been cleaning our little apartment and finding way too much mouse poop. It's a bit unnerving, really. We've also been listening to the newest Harry Potter book on tape during all of our cross-country driving and really enjoying it. There's a scene where Harry drinks a luck potion that causes everything he does to go well and that's pretty much how we feel these days. We are constantly amazed at how God has blessed this endevor in every little detail. I wish I had time to write about everything that has just "worked out" with this trip -- getting hooked up with the camp, finding very cheap tickets, even getting free contact lenses. It's better than a potion, though, walking with the living Lord Jesus. We are so thankful.

So by this time we weren't that surprised when we had a message on our machine last week about someone wanting to rent the apartment while we're gone (we also weren't that surprised that it came at the very last minute :). It seems like it's going to work out great for both parties and it's a big weight off our shoulders. So thanks to those of you who prayed about this. Our Father really cares about us, eh?

The past week has been a really wonderful time of goodbye's. Saturday night some friends threw us a party and we were really amazed at the number of people that care about us. It was a lot of good food, an overwhelming amount of conversation, and topped of with a beautiful and encouraging time of prayer. We have such great friends.

Four days from now we'll be getting on a plane in Chicago. Oh yes.
-mark

how to give money

We've had several people ask how they can support us financially, so we thought it worthwhile make that information publicly available. The best way is to send a check to:

Muncie Alliance Church
5601 West Jackson St.
Muncie, IN 47304

Make the check out to the church and don't put our names anywhere on the check (for tax purposes). Just put a Post-It note on or with the check indicating that it's for us. The church will see that it gets into our bank account (all of it) and it will be a tax write-off. If we raise more than we need, we will put it towards other missions efforts.

We are very grateful to those who have contributed in this way. It means a lot to us. May God bless you all.
Mark & Ange

The countdown begins

Well, we're back in Muncie. We had a great time with our families. It was everything that it should be -- including difficult to leave. But here we are, "setting our faces like flint" for what's before us. We spent most of this morning pre-packing: choosing what clothes to take and cramming the rest in boxes for storage. We're now down to NINE DAYS before we get on he plane. It seems totally surreal that we will be on the other side of an ocean in two weeks. Please pray that this time would be meaningful and purposeful. Pray that God would be preparing us for what's ahead and that we could enjoy each other and those around us in these last stressful days. May He bless you.
-mark