This was a difficult week on many fronts for us. There have been many challenges for us and many of those around us: family, friends, co-workers, etc. I have been told that often when one undertakes a spiritual challenge like a prayer emphasis on a campus or trying to spark a spiritual movement in a little reached group, there will be difficulties and challenges. But God placed the passage where Jesus calmed the storm after being sacked out in the back of the boat to remind us that He is in control of all of that and we can be safe even in the midst of storms. I was also challenged by John 15 about the importance of abiding in Christ.

. Chinese class is going well with Wilson.

. It looks like we will be able to visit Charis’ orphanage while in China.

. John was accepted on the Academic Decathlon team and Tim started Boy Scouts last week.

. For those of you who have been praying for Micah Ahern, it was looking bleak last week but this week was very interesting. The test results have been inconclusive which is not at all what was expected. They have decided to monitor him for the time being. You can keep on what is going on at their new blog, ht http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/micahahern/journal http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/micahahern.

. Roy was able to meet with Vritant who is a good friend that he has been able to get to know since the Houston trip. We watched the World Cricket cup championship and hung out at his lab.

. Huge need here. Pray for one of our colleagues as he faces a very significant health challenge. More details to come. Still it was difficult for our team and several of us will need to step up to help take up the slack to help him to focus on healing. Pray for him and his family. Pray also for our team to come around the situation and really be the family that it is.

. There was another earthquake in the area around where my family is. All are well but pray for continued safety and provision for their needs. Pray also that things will clear up by the summer so that we can go and visit them and hopefully minister to them. Pray also for wisdom on if we should go (we a sensing a calling to do so right now as part of our Asia trip and we already have tickets) and pray for how we should go and where in Japan.

. Pray for continued preparation for the Asia trip. HUGE amount of work.