October 6 Decker Update

Dear friends,
Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement! We have been so blessed by God's grace, demonstrated to us in many ways during our first several months in the States for this home assignment!

We have just returned from a two-week trip visiting with friends and supporters in Chicago, Columbus, Pittsburgh, New York, and Boston. Many homes were graciously opened to us, and we were treated to delicious meals and pleasant times of conversation. We've been encouraged by visiting several different churches, and hearing of how God is working in many lives. We were blessed by enjoying "seeing the sights" in Chicago, New York City and Boston-- what a great experience! Dave and Jacob got to watch the MN Twins play the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park-- that was so much fun for them! We were invited to use the beautiful Cape Cod home of another friend for a couple of days, and we enjoyed relaxing there amidst the beauty of creation! (Jacob didn't get to relax so much as he needed to keep working on his home-school work!) One of the many highlights of our time was meeting up with Dave's cousin Michele and her husband Wayne, who are on a four month sailing voyage from Bayfield, Wisconsin to Punta Gorda, Florida-- and the timing worked out well for us to meet up in Cape Cod! (For more about their voyage, or our time together, visit their blog.

As we look ahead, much is happening and we'd like to ask for your prayers about several specific things.

Firstly, as many of you know, our son Joey (in Northern Ireland for the semester) has broken his wrist and will be having surgery on Monday. Please continue to pray for him, that the surgery will go well, and that his wrist will heal perfectly. We are so thankful for the family of God, who are caring for him well over there while we are not able to be with us! I'll send an update when we hear from him after his surgery!

On Monday, I'll be leaving for Pennsylvania for two weeks of training in Member Care at Heartstream Resources. I'm very much looking forward to this time, and am hoping to learn much that will help me to facilitate the best support and care we can offer for our missionaries in West Africa. Please pray for my time of learning there, and for Dave and Jacob as they fend for themselves in Minnesota!

Dave will be speaking to several groups at our home church during the time I'm gone, and we'll be sharing together with several more groups when I get back. Please pray that God will use these times to encourage all who take part, that knowledge and vision for mission will be developed and strengthened, and that many will choose to increase their involvement in world missions, either by going overseas themselves, or by standing behind missionaries in prayer and financial support.

Please pray for our support needs as well. As we've mentioned, our monthly support requirement has gone up, and we have some significant one-time needs as well. We are praying for the Lord to bring partners who will help these needs to be filled as soon as possible. If you are interested in knowing more about these needs, please let us know. We'll be glad to answer any questions you may have.

We are thankful to know that we are involved in the work of SIM in West Africa as part of a team, with you as our prayer and financial partners holding us up and making it possible for us to continue in this work to which we've been called. Many blessings to you as you follow the Lord's leading in your care and encouragement to us. We are so thankful for each one of you.

In Christ's love,
Mary
for the Dakar Deckers