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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

News!

Geesh...it's been almost 2 months since I've posted on our blog! This summer has been packed with so many blessings. We've traveled a lot after having been at the farm for the almost 3 years, and we have some great news to share. Keep reading!

We are writing to tell you about a new blessing in our lives. God has asked our family of three to leave the Bluegrass for a season. After loads of prayer and discernment about His will for our lives we are going to serve in Taiwan at The Home of God’s Love* for one year, possibly two. In the past three years at the farm here in KY we’ve raised a flock of 75 laying hens and were currently selling 4 dozen eggs daily. We have had success with our small herd of meat and dairy goats, too. We became members of Buena Vista Baptist church and have been blessed with some of the sweetest relationships with believers of all ages. It seems foolish, perhaps, to give up these things in order to go across the world when we are comfortable and thriving. We don’t always understand the Lord’s direction, but we know that to ignore and disobey His call is not an option for us.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Looking toward our time overseas, we will help the full time missionaries who have been faithfully serving the Lord for 30+ years in Taiwan. They have asked us to apply for international drivers licenses so that we can help drive the school age children, we’ll help feed the infants night and/or day, aid with adoption paperwork and support, minister to the children who permanently live in the orphanage and much more. The Home is in the planning stages of building a new structure to adequately meet their growing needs. We both worked hard to build our small home here at the farm and Charley’s skills will be put to use in many ways regarding the new structure. We’ll play, love and laugh with the children at the Home, with the adoptive families who will come and go frequently, and we’ll be blessed to learn a new language as we serve alongside Taiwanese employees. Our family will live in a small apartment within walking distance of the Home and we are blessed to have 1 day off each week. We are also going to begin our time in the country with a 6 week Chinese (Mandarin) language course.

But, we aren’t kidding ourselves that it will be easy. We are intimidated by this undertaking that the Lord has asked of us. We have never lived overseas for more than one month during our 2 short term missions trips to Kosovo…one year seems like a big deal to us! We’re asking for your support in prayer and love.

I was enthralled with the Royal wedding and all that led up to that special ceremony. But, most of all, I was touched by the sermon given. “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire,” was one of the Bishop’s quotes. We are proud parents, farmers, committed Christians and we love children – perhaps most of all, orphans. God has put “a fire” in our hearts for little children and, in particular, for the Home of God’s Love. To ignore that yearning would be to ignore “who God meant for us to be.”

“Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and
wherever you send us we will go.”

Joshua 1:16


So, will you pray for us as He leads us down this path? We are humbled and intimidated by the process of raising funds. We’ll need prayer for adjustment as we acclimate into a new society. And, of course, our first priority is John’s adjustment. He will be at home, not preschool, in Taiwan. And, he’ll be with us as we meet the daily needs of the Home. God’s timing is always perfect, and we are thankful that John is young enough that we don’t have to take him out of school and say goodbye to friends and teachers.

We’ll be on Facebook (Charley Neal, Jackie Neal), please don't hesitate to "friend" us!

Your regular support or a one-time gift will help us serve at The Home of God’s Love*. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

P.S.
Here’s what the bottom line looks like: $2,000/month for living expenses.
Airfare for 3 = $5,000. If 200 people gave just $10/month we would almost be fully funded!

Email me at jackie.neal1@gmail.com if you would like to know more!

Here's the info for tax-deductible gifts:

GO International
PO Box 123
Wilmore, KY 40390
Phone) 859.858.3171
Fax) 859.858.4324

At Go International click on the Donate link. It will lead to a separate page. Click Give Now. Under Ways to Support Go, our names are listed under “Staff Ministry Support Accounts.”

Prayer: Sorry, no pics this time. My computer is dead. We are operating from a borrowed one thanks to Charley's dad.

1 comment:

danielle :) said...

SO SO proud of your unwavering faith and trust in our AMAZING God! Praying for your family DAILY as God works on your hearts and puts everything in place for this journey. I KNOW we will see you in Taiwan, in the Lord's time, when we pick up our baby boy. We are so blessed to know you'll be there to help at that time! I'm excited to finally meet you in person as we remember taking care of sweet John the first time around. Praying we'll be able to support you in more than just prayer & love! Congratulations you guys! SO excited for this adventure for you!