Pressing On

These past few months have been a surreal adventure, as we're sure they've been for you. When the stay-at-home orders first hit in March, we struggled to adapt. Life as we knew it had changed. The kids were no longer going to the classroom, but rather homeschooling in our living room. We could no longer meet face-to-face with people for our support raising. But through it all, God has provided. And He has taught us new lessons in perseverance. Paul's letter to the Philippians is one of my (Jeff's) favorite books of the Bible, and Paul's words about "pressing on" toward the goal definitely apply to our lives today. Today, despite the turmoil in the world around us, God is still at work. Jesus is still the reason we are on this journey toward Japan. People still need to hear about Him. With momentum building for our support raising, we press on.

“ Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Update: Motivated by watching big brother Mason ride his bike around our neighborhood, Kaili was determined to learn for herself. She asked for her training wheels to come off, and after a few days of practice, off she went on her own 2 wheels! Mason and Kaili finished the school year at home with a homeschool celebration! Mason finished 1st grade and is on to 2nd, and Kaili finished preschool and is on to pre-K! We're very proud of both of them--and all the hard work Malia put into teaching!

Praise: We've gotten our feet under us again as we move forward with partnership development in a COVID world. We are meeting regularly with folks (virtually!) and have several new supporters. Praise God for His many blessings!

Prayer: Our monthly support is now at 58%. Our goal is to reach 70% by the end of summer, with an eye toward the end of the year to finish raising support. Please pray for us as we press on toward the goal! Please also pray for our decision whether to have the kids go to school in-person in the fall or stay home with online learning.

We would love to hear from you, whether it be to share your prayer requests or to schedule a Zoom meeting so we can catch up and share more details of our plans with you. Please know that we think of you and pray for you often.

Thanks and blessings,

The Walkers

Jeff, Malia, Mason & Kaili