October | 2020 | Spooky and Phantom

Our home doubled in size last weekend when two thirds of its residents departed for their own new home. The 11 Wilhelms took with them more appreciation than we were able to express for paving the way for our landing here in Lander. Our prayers go with them as they settle for the winter into their third temporary home this year before building their "real" home next spring.

As God responded to your prayers of last month, fun and fellowship during our initial retreat with the elders and their wives mixed with deep affirmation and encouragement of the team God has formed here. Building on that foundation, Slick / Rich is excited about the big-picture direction of the church’s ministry in general. Stepping in closer, we see that direction being borne out in intentional mentorship pairs cropping up around the church. We have been also able to connect with a number of couples involved in the year-long Radical Mentorship program, which we mentioned last month.

Thank you for joining us before the throne in support of all of this and ask that you’d continue, that God might work in the hearts and minds of those who are meeting to know and experience Him more deeply. We’d also appreciate if you’d lay the groundwork of prayer for some endeavors on the horizons, like unpacking (our stuff arrived yesterday) and a triathlon the church wants to host next summer.

In the spare moment behind all this, Donna’s study of the Bible continues to inch forward, both online and toward being in print. To learn more, consider joining her mailing list (you can unsubscribe at any time).

Please let us know how we can walk with spiritual journey together by agreeing with you in prayer. Surveying all we have to be thankful for, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving (a little early!).

A whirlwind trip to Yellowstone, including this yellow gorge.

Gwen got to ride a horse for her 6th birthday – one of the things she was looking forward to the most about Wyoming!

Let the settling in begin again! We had asked God for His superintendence over our travels and He answered with characteristic abundance: all our travels went completely smoothly, our twenty bags and boxes arrived intact and with us and even Hachi our dog proved to be a great traveler. If that weren’t enough, four drivers in black suits and white gloves whisked us across Tokyo in style, the airline’s club spoiled us with snacks and showers as we awaited our flight and the US customs agent just waived us through despite the banana we accidentally brought from the plane (oops!). Many humble thanks for God for all of that!

But as we approached Lander, WY, the spitballs* intensified. As Slick (now Rich again) passed through Nebraska in the U-Haul with our stuff from NJ, the trailer carrying the van got a flat. Then our house in SC flooded in the storm that passed through. In the next week that flood, combined with the tenants’ departure inspection brought to light a slew of issues, from minor cleaning to major roof and floor repairs.

On the flip side, Rich has found very fruitful work here at the foot of the Wind River Mountain Range. Conversations about the church and the Lord abound and ministry meetings have gone exceptionally well so far. Though we clearly are under the protection of the Monday morning ladies’ prayer team, we would very much appreciate your continued intersession for us to integrate and lead as God desires.

Specifically, we ask that our Elder’s Retreat help prepare our team for the challenges to come, that we might connect in a meaningful way with each of the men and women who have stepped into the year-long discipleship program called Radical Mentorship and for gobs of grace with each other as we figure out living and schooling here.

But always we wish to bring your wants and desires to the King – how can we pray for you too?

*Little annoyances sent by an enemy that show his displeasure. While not fun, they do confirm that someone doesn’t like our progress, and therefore, that we just might be pleasing the One that matters.