Ministry Update

We continue to see God working all around us in the lives of many people. Cliff had another opportunity to teach on the YWAM base this month. The school in which he taught was one of the smallest yet, with only eleven students. Cliff had been asked to teach in the twelfth week of the lecture phase and his topic had not been determined. After praying for direction, Cliff felt strongly that he was not to prepare a specific topic for the week, but to trust the Spirit to direct the time with the students. With 20 hours of teaching expected, Cliff knew God had something special in store for the week. The only direction that he felt was to give the students plenty opportunity to ask whatever questions they wanted to ask. Within just a short time with the students it was evident that God was working. The week was one of the most blessed times Cliff has ever had with a YWAM group. The Lord directed so wonderfully and the students were very encouraged. At the end of the week several of the students said the best thing about the week was that their was such a freedom to ask anything they wanted to ask and there was plenty of time to discuss and find the wisdom of the Lord. Many of the students shared how after eleven weeks of lectures it was so refreshing to just spend time together discussing things that were important to them. This was a very rewarding time of ministry. We continue to learn that hearing the Lord and obeying Him is the only way to live, even when it may not always make sense to us. He is increasing our faith and we continue to grow to love and trust Him more and more.

We would like to share an exciting ministry opportunity the Lord has brought to us. While we would like to share all the details, we are unable to do so both for Cliff's safety as well as those to whom he will minister. Cliff has been invited to minister in a middle eastern Muslim country in August. After much prayer, counsel, and seeking the Lord's direction, we know that this is a door of opportunity that Cliff is to walk through at this time. The country that Cliff will be visiting allows religious freedom and the church is growing significantly at this time. Cliff will be speaking to church leaders in a three day seminar. We believe strongly that this will be a significant trip and that there will be much more ministry in this country in the future. Please pray with us regarding this opportunity. This trip is a financial step of faith for us as well. We will need to raise between $3,000-$4,000 to help cover all the related ministry expenses for this trip. Most of this money will be for the feeding of 200-300 leaders during the three day seminar. This is very customary in order to get leaders from rural areas to attend the meetings. We have already had one individual give the money to pay for all the travel expenses to get Cliff there and back. Please pray with us and ask the Lord to provide everything needed for this trip as well as His divine guidance throughout the trip. The dates of Cliff's trip are August 8-16. We will keep you updated as we look forward to all the Lord has in store for this time.

Car Fund Update

Several of you have responded generously to our request for donations toward the purchase of a new vehicle for our family. We are very grateful for your support. At this time, however, we are still in need of a significant amount of money to make a purchase. If you have given toward this need, we want you to know that we will continue to save the money you have given for this purpose. We will trust that over time God will supply more funds so we can make this much-needed purchase. Thanks again for your support in this most practical area of our lives.

Family Update

The family is breathing a sigh of relief this weekend as we have just finished a busy, and sometimes stressful second term of school. Camille had her first set of comprehensive exams in every subject. Camille wasn't the only one who was feeling the pressure! The grading system is completely different here. She did fine, and since her teachers are positive about her progress, then we are as well. When Stephanie went to both girls' teachers after we got their grades for the term, all of the teachers were very kind and positive in their comments. We're very thankful for the Lord giving the girls favor and helping them in their studies.

Stephanie's responsibilities as choir teacher have expanded to include two new choirs she started at the school. She faced a difficult decision to quit teaching her afternoon private piano students. But, as soon as she decided to not teach after school next term the Lord gave her peace and confirmed that she had made the right choice. It was a neat opportunity to get to know the children better and hopefully make a difference in their lives for the Lord. It is so important to us to be in the center of the Lord's will; and it is easy to become busy and committed to things that are not what God is telling us to do anymore. We trust that the positive seeds that were planted will bear fruit in the future. She will still be teaching the seven music classes from Grade 1-7 and the two choirs.

One of the main reasons Stephanie will not be teaching in the afternoons anymore has to do with our family needs at this time. We are currently in a big transition as a family which revolves around the children and their specific needs in this season of life. Two of our children have special learning challenges which require unique therapy. Going through the process of discovering these challenges has been a difficult time for us. We are seeking the Lord's wisdom in finding the best professionals to work with the children and for the provision we will need for their treatment. Please pray for us in regards to these things.

We are blessed to have Cliff's mother, Miriam Todd (Mimi), visiting us for the month of July. It is so good for the children to have special time with their grandmother. After Miriam leaves, Katie Lockhart from Fort Worth will be coming to live with us for a year. Katie is a special part of what God is doing in this season in our lives, specifically in regards to our children. In our next update we will give you more details about how the Lord has led Katie to come.

Thank you all for your continued love and support.

Cliff, Stephanie, Camille, Natalie and Wesley

Family Pictures
We thought we would give you recent pictures of the family this month so you could catch up on what we all look like lately.

Group hug

Natalie & Wesley welcome Mimi at the airport.