We have tickets!!!! Sept 7 is our departure date. We reached our 80% goal earlier this month! Thank you God and thank you faithful partners!
We are counting down to the day we leave. Our house needs to be rented, vehicles and furniture sold, stuff donated, and bags packed. Busy days at the Parada household! Let us know if you need anything!
Alberto’s Bible classes at YWAM start on Sept 19, so we will have just under two weeks to get settled once we arrive in South Africa. We have two rooms and a fridge waiting for us…not to mention a whole community! It seems surreal that something we have been praying about, talking about, and planning for so long is just around the corner!
“He is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15) The incarnation is Jesus Christ taking on flesh to dwell among us. He is with us, in our joys and struggles. He is our help and our salvation. This is the message of hope that we preach.
Fundraising Update
We have raised 84% of our ongoing expenses. Our next fundraising goal is 90% by August 1! We’ll need about 5 more monthly donors to reach that goal.
Our one-time budget for moving us to South Africa is an impressive 95%.
Parada Kids
All the Parada kids participated in the fabulous Kidsweek last week at Park Street Church!
Ana is currently at a retreat in Pennsylvania. She is with the youth group of the Spanish congregation in Maryland that we visited in April.
Isaac had a great time at Camp Brookwoods. He left for Colombia this morning on the Park Street Church’s youth mission project. He raised nearly all his money from the sale of water outside the church, which he is very happy about!
Margaret also had a great time at camp. She is having as many play dates as she can squeeze in before we leave!
Phoebe continues insulin-free! She is my little companion at home!
Words from Alberto
Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (Jn 4:14) From this we learn that we should long to bring more souls to God’s kingdom, for He is the liberating water.
Cleaning!
Our Barnabas group continues to amaze us with their diligence in helping us each month. Latest projects included replacing the back fence and preparing the walls in the house for next month’s painting.
Prayer Requests
Pray for the Holy Spirit to go ahead of us and prepare the way and prepare us! Please thank God for His faithful provision up to this point, and pray that we would reach our financial goals. Pray for renters for our house and buyers for our vehicles (Honda Odyssey, in case you are interested!). Pray especially for the kids as they start to say goodbye to friends and transition emotionally to a new setting.