Decker Update: September 12

Dear family and friends,
Hello from Minnesota! We are enjoying the early fall-like temperatures, and the sunshine, and so many things about being in Minnesota in the fall. One thing we're enjoying is the return to "routine"-- in that we have started up our homeschool again for this semester. However, after a week or two of routine, it's all going to change again... this seems to be the pattern for our lives these days.

To back up a bit, it was great having Danny and Joey with us for most of the summer. We spent special times with family and friends, time at the cabin, and time just hanging out at home. When our three boys get together they always make us laugh. Danny returned to Miami on August 21, and he has since that time moved into his dorm, and has started classes at Barry University. He's enjoying the switch to full-time student, though there are challenges involved for him as well. Now that he's not working full time, keeping his car in working order becomes more difficult! You could pray for him to manage well with his time and energy, as well as his finances. We think he's doing a great job, and we're thankful for God's work in shaping him into an amazing young man.

Joey left on September 3 for his semester in Northern Ireland. He is really enjoying it. Sounds like they are living in a great situation, near the ocean, and being taught Irish literature and culture by some interesting Irish professors.. He doesn't have great access to the internet so we have not been able to receive pictures so far, and are still hoping they are able to work something out for that. He sounds happy, and we're glad for him to be able to learn in such an interesting location.

On September 4, Jacob and I began his homeschool program again. He's doing classes similar to what he'll be doing in Dakar Academy, with the hope that he will enter easily for second semester with his classes there. He is a great student, and interested in everything, so it's fun to work with him. He and Dave are working in our church child-care program once per week, so that ladies with young children can be freed to attend Bible studies.

What's ahead? We are leaving on Saturday for a two week road trip. We will be visiting friends and supporters in cities like Chicago, Columbus, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston, Detroit... We are looking forward to catching up with some people we haven't seen for many years, as well as friends from Dakar! Please pray for safety in our travels, and for good times of fellowship with those with whom we spend our time. We are eager to see places we haven't seen before. We are happy to have the chance to share some of what we see God doing in West Africa through the ministries of SIM-- and to let people know how they could be involved as well.

Please pray for all that we are anticipating in the months ahead. After this road trip, Dave and Jacob will be home for awhile, and I will go out to Pennsylvania for a two week training course in Member Care. I'm looking forward to that time, as there is much to develop that will help us to encourage our missionaries to care for themselves and their families in ways that will help them (as well as their ministries) to be fruitful as they share Christ's love with the needy world of West Africa.

Our support requirement is going to be higher than it has been, and we ask you to pray with us as we wait on God to reveal those He has planned to partner with us. We have tickets to return to Senegal on January 7, but as always, we won't be able to go unless our support is pledged. So, pray with us as we wait to see what God has in store for us.

We are thankful for your prayers, and your encouragement.

In Him,
Mary for the Dakar Deckers