Our work...in the meantime

When we first found out that we were staying here longer than we'd first expected I must admit that we were a little bummed. Our hearts are already in Africa. But very quickly the Lord was gracious to show us some of the many reasons He has for our delay.

First, we have much more time to pack and get organized. I'm able to slow down a little and not be so worried. We have been collecting boxes from Wal-Mart or from gracious friends who are saving them for us. As we get boxes we are filling them. I alread have 5 boxes sitting in the warehouse at ABC waiting to go on the container (which doesn't leave until April!). So I feel I'm doing pretty well. How blessed are we that the container is being packed and loaded about 5 miles from our house. As I pack a box I just take it on over. That is a true blessing!

We also have time with our precious college students this school year. Many of them are just now finding out about our big news. We did not go public with our calling until Memorial Day weekend when we announced it to the church. The college students were gone by then and are just now returning. So we get to have a wonderful year teaching and mentoring them as well as answering all of their questions. I feel like we'll have more of our students over at ABC in the future. Already we have sent Melissa Morgan who is now in charge of the Pharmacy at the ABC Clinic. We are SOOO proud of her! She's going to be amazing!

Also, we get time to say our goodbyes and have our "lasts". We'll be here for our last Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter for a few years. Our family will have time to prepare their hearts. That is such a blessing from the Lord. We know that a lot of people don't exactly understand why we're doing this "insane" thing. Hopefully with a little time the Spirit will be able to help them see. A lot of times we're not called to "understand". We are simply called to "go" and that's what we're doing. Jonah had NO idea why in the world the Lord was calling him to Ninevah. He didn't fully understand it and therefore he decided he wasn't going to do it. Well, we all know how that turned out. Thankfully, the Lord has not called us to anywhere like Ninevah, but we are still going to go out of obedience to Him. We consider it a blessing beyond words or explanation. We are thrilled and honored to be obedient.

One of the amazing results of us staying a little longer is that Jeremy has now started online seminary classes at Southwestern. We've known for many years that the Lord would call Him into seminary and missions. WE just had no idea that He'd call us to both at the same time. He's a little concerned about what he's gotten himself into...haha...but I"m so proud of him and I know he's going to do great!

Lastly, we have more time to raise up our precious financial and prayer support. Many people have been beyond amazing in how they've chosen to support us. We can see many of the sacrifices that our partners have made to be able to follow the Lord's proding on their hearts to partner with us. We are blessed and honored beyond measure to have such faithful supporters. We are now at around 30% for our monthly gifts. The Lord is so very faithful! That's my favorite name for Him right now. Every time I turn around I see His faithfulness and am simply amazed at Him.

If you have anywhere that you'd like for us to speak please send us an email at Kysersinmalawi@gmail.com We'd be honored to speak to any Sunday School class, church pastor, group of friends, or just individuals. It doesn't have to be in the Clinton area. We are more than willing to travel. We know we have friends all over the Southeast and we'd love to get to see some of you. We are here this year to help tell the Lord's people about His work in Malawi, Africa. There are some amazing things going on over there and He is truly at work. We'd love to share with whomever would like to hear.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about this ministry. We'd love to speak with you. We are excited about what He's doing in our lives and can't wait to see what He's going to do next. He is so faithful!

God bless!

Jill

Meeting more ABC Family

This past Thursday night we were able to go out to eat with another family that we'll be living with in Malawi. The McDonalds have been a part of our journey from the very beginning (whether they know it or not). As soon as we began feeling the call to ABC I befriended two wonderful ladies on Facebook and immediately started bombarding them with questions. One of these ladies was Leanne McDonald (Amy Stauffacher was the other). They have been so very patient with all of my crazy and silly questions. I'm so blessed to be able to bounce ideas off of these sweet ladies. What a joy it was to learn that the McDonalds were coming home on furlough for a year beginning this summer AND that they live less than an hour away! It's such a small world.

On Thursday night we met at Cock-of-the-Walk with Jan and Thad Harper and Josh and Rebecca Harper. The 3 McDonald girls and the 3 Kyser kids hit it off! By the end of the night they were outside feeding the ducks, putting on skits, and Molly Grace even came home with us to spend a couple of days! My kids are so excited to actually know some of the friends who'll we be serving with on the other side of the world! And Jeremy and I are excited as well. This is such an amazing family and we can't wait to meet the other families we're getting to know through the internet!

A Timeline!

Jeremy and I were able to meet with Paul Chinchen this past Sunday evening. Paul is the President of African Bible Colleges and was in town for a meeting. We are blessed to be so close to the stateside offices (literally 4 miles from our house). We've been able to meet so many of the people we'll be serving with in Malawi. Our meeting with Paul helped to answer many questions about what we'll be doing, what we can expect, and when we should try to be there. We questioned him for over 2 hours (I'm sure he was exhausted) but learned so much in the process. During this meeting we concluded that we'll shoot for leaving the States next Summer. This will give us time to fully prepare for the huge move and be able to secure our financial funding and prayer support before we leave.

Between now and then I'll continue homeschooling my beautiful children (grades 3, 1, and preschool this year!) which is such a blessing! We'll also be speaking to churches, SS classes, Bible studies, or anyone that will listen! haha! So if you have an idea of where we can speak please let us know. The Lord is so very faithful and He's already filling up our calendar. Praise God.

We'll also be able to send all of our things on the April container leaving from here. What a blessing that we don't have to send our household good all the way across the country to get them onto this container. I'm sure the Lord placed the stateside offices in Clinton just for us! haha!

So for now, we continue doing what we're doing...but on a less hectic pace. While it's bittersweet (we'd be there tomorrow if we could) we know that the Lord's timing is always perfect. Next on the to-do list: get house ready to sell. Ugh! That's just not fun! I'll update more later. God bless.

Jill

P.S. If you'd like to be added to our prayer list please email us at kysersinmalawi@gmail.com