Just wanted to write a quick note... I JUST received word from the Candidate Director that I have been appointed with Africa Inland Mission!!! In short, that means that they have approved me to be a missionary through their organization based on my interviews, psychological evaluation, etc. Now the next step will be working with them on receiving an actual assignment in Africa. Also, I can now to begin my support raising (with AIM I will be raising 100% of my support for the field). My time line is still to leave for Africa in 2009, and I hope to have more specific details on the where and what by the end of this month. So please continue to pray with me for God to specifically guide my steps as I intentionally seek out His purposes. I look forward to sending you a more specific update in the coming weeks.

Thanks as always for your caring interest and support!

I arrived in Pearl River, NY this morning for the start of Candidate Week with Africa Inland Mission. So far I am the only "candidate" here as the rest will arrive after lunch. The next five days will be very exciting as this is my big opportunity to learn more about AIM, their mission, what it will be like to serve in Africa for two years--and all the while they will be learning more about me as I meet with them regarding my psychological assessments, and share with them my heart for the nations. I have been looking forward to this week since my first interview in April. I am very anxious to receive more information about what country I may actually be assigned to, when I will be leaving the U.S., and what the ministry focus will be during those two years. One major goal of AIM is church planting in regions currently unreached by the gospel. Some teams will be focusing on education, some on medical missions, and so on. Pray with me as God opens my eyes and heart to the opportunities and that I will be led by His wisdom each step of the way. (Africa Inland Mission: http://timo-aim.com)

I cannot forget and be thankful for the continued love and grace that God has bestowed upon me to this point in my journey. I look back on the past few years with joy and peace in reflecting on all that God has taught me through each challenge and adventure. I appreciate the maturity that I have gained through serving Him, especially as He has sharpened me by revealing my weaknesses--allowing me to grow even more.

Thank you each for your prayers and support. I enjoy sharing my journey with you, and even if you only have time to glance over my updates, it means a lot that you stay interested in what God is doing in my life. I am blessed to be back in Maryville and able to share stories with many of you face to face. If you can, send ME an update of how things are going with you, and certainly let me know if there is anything I can be praying about for you and your family. I look forward to sharing in greater details my plans for Africa after the conclusion of my time here in New York. So stay tuned! :)

I want to close with a prayer request for my dear brothers in Christ down in New Orleans. Many of you will recall my stories about Bethel Colony South, the drug rehabilitation ministry across the street from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Many of those men became dear friends of mine during my time in the Crescent City. Those men know firsthand what it is to struggle against the darkest temptations of this world. And praise be to God for using men like Mel Jones to stand up and fight for the souls of those very men, to introduce them to the truth, love, and redemption that comes only through Jesus Christ. Several have successfully been rehabilitated both physically and spiritually through the program at Bethel. Some, sadly, end up back on the streets or even dead (as happened to a good friend of mine who was murdered after falling back into a life of crime). My prayer request is one of comfort and healing. A strong leader at Bethel, Arthur, passed away in his sleep at the end of October. Arthur was young and very fit. Apparently he had a heart condition he was unaware of. Pastor Mel called me personally to tell me the news. I pray also that the testimony of Arthur's life will remain powerful to each of the men at Bethel and that they will realize the urgency of Christ's call to each of them, as none of us are guaranteed our next breath. And to let you know just how special these men are, and how special they are to me... my last Sunday morning in New Orleans was split between two churches. The first service was with the Bethel men. At 8am they have their own service together in the gym of a nearby church. The 60 or so of them gather together in intense worship. It is phenomenal to witness the singing and shouts of praise from men who truly know what it is to be redeemed--and who can't thank God enough for that love and forgiveness! I was sitting near the back and before the offering Pastor Mel called out to me to ask when I would be leaving for Africa. I told him my plans to go to East TN to spend time with family and raise support and head on to Africa next year. He said, "Men, this offering this morning is for Hannah's ministry in Africa. Now we make $15 a week, so 10% of that is $1.50. You give what you can and the Lord will multiply that gift." Humbled, I sat in my chair, stunned that such an offering would ever be put towards my ministry. Most of these men have lost everything, their homes, their families, their sense of pride, and there I sat... listening to the sound of change being rattled in pockets and placed in the offering plate. The total amounted to $340. It may have well been one million dollars because that gift, like the widow's mite, meant more to me than any I have ever received. (Within the next 48 hours, through that gift and jewelry sales, I had raised the $700 required for Candidate Week. And here I sit, ready to absorb all I can about my next adventure! God is good. All the time. Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. His grace is sufficient for me.)

You can watch Pastor Mel's incredible testimony here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVxEuLgkzzE