Chunky Monkey News

How is everyone out there. We are fine and we thought it was time to let you all know where we are at with the backpacking plans. So lets take a look.

As some of you know the original idea was that we would be opening a hostel in Amsterdam to use as a tool to attract backpackers to come and stay with us and while there we would share the Gospel with them. Well through much prayer and thought and process that plan has changed a little, although the actual backbone of the vision is still the same.

Amsterdam became an out as we were looking at the different visa options open to us and started to realize there really weren't any that fit what we wanted to do. Through searching we found the UK might be a better option. So after different phone calls to friends and internet searches we came to talk with the National Leaders of YWAM Scotland. Through YWAM we hope to have the covering of an orginization to be in Scotland long term to minister to backpackers from our home instead of a hostel. A hostel was looking to be a big bite for a growing family to chew on all at once. So the plan changed a bit to buy a house and instead have backpackers stay in our home for free or donation basis and while there we still share the gospel with them. The specific details of how this will take place is still under planning and prayer.

We are also in the process of trying to set up an account through a christian orginization called ACI to handle our support checks and finances while on the field. Our application is in but, like YWAM, still waiting approval.

Now I know it sounds still a bit up in the air and some of you may think we are making plans with out having approval from these orginizations. Yes we are, but it is only because we are confident that this is where the Lord is leading. I'm not saying that we can see the future, because as we have seen in our year at home some plans that we thought were sure God has changed on us. The thing is that it was only through steps done in faith that one contact was made which then led to another, and then another, which has led us to where we are now. Through it all we learned to really and totally keep the Lord at the center of every prayer and plan. It is His dream to see these "prodigal sons and daughters" be brought back to His Father, and we are just the tool He chose to use. We are honored and humbled, and must therefore keep Him at the heart of the vision.

So if the plans make another change, well as Bilbo use to say.. "the road goes ever on and on...." We are after all one chapter in a much larger story. God Bless you all and we will keep you updated as things progress.