The pace has certainly slowed down during the month of February. We met our goals a week early at the end of January, and among those goals were a few non-support raising items.

• We completed our required readings for AIM.
• Anna finished her final course for Biblical competency requirements.
• We wrapped up our discipleship program.
• Our weekly skype meetings with AIM have dwindled from once a week to once a month.

At our final counseling appointment our counselor asked, “When you look back on everything over the past few months, was it really as hard as you thought it was?” Anna and I looked at each other and in unison emphatically replied, “Yes!” Needless to say, we had a sigh of relief as we took a step back from the hard work we had put in and we now rest in His provision. As we take a “sabbath month” I understand the biblical mandate to take a day of rest more clearly. Not only is it beneficial for our bodies and our minds to rest; it is beneficial for our spirits to reflect on His provision through our work. This is a balance that Anna and have learned about deeply through this process. When God calls us to do something it will require work but we have to remember that the fruits our labor are due to God’s grace and provision.

This past Sunday we had to opportunity to participate in Missions Sunday at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City, MO. Concord is the church I grew up in and one of our ministry partners. After introducing all of the represented mission partners they asked Anna and I to stand down front and the church body gathered around us to pray over us and send us out. I want to bring you to that moment with me. Anna and are holding hands and I bow my head but before I close my eyes something struck me about the familiarity of the green carpet. How many times growing up have I looked down at this carpet or seen these green pews? I closed my eyes as those around us placed hands on us. I hear the familiar voice of Monte Shinkle begin to lay a foundation of prayer. How many times have I heard this voice pray, teach, encourage, sing, admonish, instruct…lead. If there were one man, aside from my father who I have learned more about Godly manliness and a walk of faith from it would be Monte Shinkle. I listen to his voice and the heaviness of the moment pushes me down into this reflection of his discipleship; and then a euphony of whispered prayers from the congregation around us begins to rise up and join him. As I catch glimpses of phrases from the various prayers around me I realize a new understanding of the unity of the body of Christ through congregational prayer. It is bolstering to our faith as the one’s going out to FEEL the support and prayer from the body of Christ back home. He finishes with “Amen” and we lift our heads and open our eyes and are offered handshakes and hugs and blessings as they stay and we go. My family moved several times as I grew up and so when someone asks “Where is home?” I can’t think of one particular house or city, but during this experience I realized that this is my home. Not Jefferson City, but rather Concord is my home.

This month we had the opportunity to visit one of our ministry partners, Plevna Community Bible Church in Plevna, KS. This is a special connection as they supported the former avionics technician for AIM AIR 10 years ago. While it Kansas it was good to spend time with family and friends, eat great food and say goodbyes. It was a bittersweet time. Home school is going better than expected and in addition to this the kids have had even more education about kids. Two more baby goats were born in February. That’s a total of 4 goats born during our time here at Shiloh. We celebrated Gideons birthday early with family since we will already be in North Carolina on his birthday.

What now?

This week our primary focus is to finalize packing both for North Carolina and for our final departure to Kenya. What do we need for the next 4 months and what can stay behind with the luggage we will take to Africa? We don’t know either! What we do know is our final luggage will consist of 5 carry-ons, 5 checked suitcases, 1 travel toolbox and 14 footlockers; each weighing no more than 50 pounds. So we are reducing our existence to 20 pieces of checked luggage and 5 carry-ons. Please pray for us!

This coming Sunday we will have a commissioning service at Shelbina Christian Church in Shelbina, MO and then each lunch and get on the road to begin the trek to North Carolina to begin training at JAARS. After 4 months of training we have 10 days to come back to the Midwest, say final goodbyes, get the rest of our luggage and make our way to Atlanta, GA where we will leave to fly to Nairobi, Kenya. Once there we will have 3 weeks of orientation there, then 3 weeks of language school and then finally begin to adjust to “normal life” in Nairobi. 2020 will most certainly be a year of transition.

What can you do?

 
Connect to God on our behalf and pray:

• Pray for our luggage decisions and our communication through this process.
• Pray that in this stressful week of preparation and transition we maintain our time in prayer and reading
• pray that even though we are busy and that we will communicate well and have grace within the family.
• Pray for our children as we leave Grandma’s and head into many transitions

Spread The word:

• Please share this with anyone who may be interested in following our story.

 Contact us with any questions you may have. We look forward to continuing a dialogue with each of you.
 

 Blessed to bless,
 Daniel & Anna Miller