DeckerUpdate May 10

Dear family and friends,

Greetings once again from Senegal!

We are thankful for your prayers and your encouragement to us as we transition from field leadership in West Africa.  We have loved living in Africa, and though we're looking forward to home assignment and time with family and friends, we will miss so much about life here!  Once in Minnesota, we will be living in the same Apple Valley house that has been home during each of our two previous home assignments.  Meanwhile, much needs to happen before we leave Dakar in one month, and we'd appreciate your prayers for us as we finish work-related projects, spend time with the people we've grown to love in this country, and sell/give away all our household things that won't fit in our airplane baggage allowance! 

On Saturday, Joey graduated from John Brown University, with a bachelor's degree in Intercultural Studies.  We were so thankful for the live-stream that JBU provided, so that we could watch his graduation over the internet even though we couldn't be there!  We are thankful for God's good work in Joey's life, and for Joey's accomplishments over these past four years.  Please pray for him as he spends some time visiting friends and family, and prepares to enter Naval Officer Candidate school in August. 

Today, Jacob completes his third AP (Advanced Placement) exam.  It's hard to believe he will graduate in less than a month!  He has made the decision to attend Wheaton College, and is very excited about that.  Please pray for him to finish high school well, and say goodbye well to his friends and his life in Africa. Pray also that he will find additional scholarships and/or work-study that will help him finance his education at Wheaton.

As you think of our family, please continue to pray with us as we look to God to provide all that is needed. He has always been faithful to provide, often through so many willing-hearted human partners who have cheerfully given to meet those needs.  We have been so blessed, and we are thankful!

• We are looking for a car that we could use from June 14-mid July (or longer if available.) 
  
• If you know of anyone who has a drum-set that they are not using at the moment, Jacob would love to borrow one for the summer!
  
• monthly financial support needs:  we continue to be short about $800/month.
• $3000 for medical co-payments/deductible costs.
  

Looking further ahead, we're grateful for the way the Lord is directing our next steps.  Dave has been invited to work alongside SIM USA's Finance Manager in Charlotte, NC.  The position is not yet fully defined, but it will give Dave an opportunity to serve the mission and its ministries around the world from our home base.  We expect to take up residence in Charlotte in early 2011, following about seven months of home assignment.

Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf!  We look forward with you to how God will lead us in the days ahead, trusting that He who has begun a good work in us will be faithful to complete it!  (Phil. 1:6.) 

With our hope in Him,
Mary
for the DakarDeckers