Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  We are so thankful for each and every one of you!  We have been so blessed through your interest in our family and in what the Lord is doing in Portugal.

We, like most families, absolutely love this time of year!  The girls enjoyed going out and cutting our own tree, and the excitement continues to build as we will be joining family in Connecticut for Christmas and New Years.  The anticipation in our house is also growing as we get closer to our move overseas.

While in Connecticut we will have the privilege of spending some time with dear supporters at North Haven Bible Church. They have been an awesome encouragement to us, and we look forward to seeing them.  At the end of January, Lord-willing, we will travel back north to New York and visit Caryne's father's church in Wevertown, as well as present our ministry to a church in Syracuse.  Please keep us in your prayers as we travel up and down the east coast.

Things are progressing well towards our planned departure in May 2012.  Please be in prayer as we wait on one final piece of paperwork before we can officially apply for work visas.  Once that happens, it is just a matter of praying and trusting that the visas will be approved and delivered in a timely manner.  All in God's timing!

We continue to ask the Lord to provide between $8-$10,000 for start-up costs once we arrive in Portugal.  This amount will be for things like apartment deposit, furniture, appliances, etc.  Will you prayerfully consider a one-time gift towards this need?  If you would like to give monthly, we are currently at 60% of our goal of $2,000 a month.  The information you need is below.

Thank you again for your support and prayer.  It is really a tremendous joy as we praise the Lord for bringing all of you alongside us in our love for Portugal.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

If you would like to receive our newsletter, please email your address to lawrence33180@yahoo.com. 

If you would like to support us monthly or with a one-time gift: 

Please write check out to BILD International, include "Darling Family" in the memo line, and send to:
BILD International
2400 Oakwood Rd
Ames, IA 50014-8417

*Please indicate with a note if gift is either monthly or one-time 

We're Ready!

We are so excited for what lies ahead!  After much prayer and discussion, we believe the Lord will get us to Portugal by May 2012!  There are many things to be tied up between now and then, and we are thankful that the Lord has all these details in His hands. 

Specific Prayer Request in Anticipation of May 2012

There are a number of specific things that you can be in prayer for. 

v     We are asking the Lord to provide startup funds for these things: visas, plane tickets, an apartment deposit, furniture, appliances etc. 

v     That the paperwork we are sending off to obtain visas would be correct and that the visas will arrive in a timely manner.

v     We are praying that the rest of our monthly support would come before we leave. 

v     Praise the Lord our car has already sold!  We will not be taking many belongings with us, so pray that we can sell the large items that are currently in our home. 

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Update on Pastor Figueira

You can also be in prayer for Pastor Antonio Figueira.  He is a man being mightily used of God to reach Portuguese-speaking people in many parts of the world.  Pastor Figueira recently returned from Mozambique, where he continues to equip pastors there with tools to train up new leaders within their local congregations.  These leaders in turn are used of God to further the Gospel by the expansion of churches.  He was also an instructor at the recent BILD Summit in Ames, Iowa.  His church in Porto continues to be a shining light, and we look forward to joining them next May.  We pray continually that the Lord will sustain him spiritually, mentally and physically.  

Our Family

Anadia, Cora, and Isabel are becoming more and more beautiful every day!  Anadia and Cora continue in ballet on Mondays, and the other days are filled with many opportunities to learn and grow.  Caryne and I are well, truly enjoying our wonderful blessings at home.  Earlier this month I had the opportunity to visit my grandparents in Canada.  I had not seen them in many years, and the Lord gave us a very special time together. 

Going Forward

We again thank you for your continued prayer; it has become so evident in our lives in each step we take.  We are asking the Lord to provide between $8,000-$10,000 for our startup costs.  Would you consider a one-time gift toward this need?  If you would like to support us monthly we are currently at 60% of our goal of $2000 a month.  The information you need is below. 

We have felt the Lord lighting in us a passion to step out in faith!  We rest in the knowledge that He takes care of our every need.  We are so privileged to have you along on this journey!

If you would like to receive our newsletter, please email your address to lawrence33180@yahoo.com. 

If you would like to support us monthly or with a one-time gift: 

Please write check out to BILD International, include "Darling Family" in the memo line, and send to:
BILD International
2400 Oakwood Rd
Ames, IA 50014-8417

*Please indicate with a note if gift is either monthly or one-time 

Portugal is getting Closer!

We are truly enjoying the beauties of autumn.  The girls love apple picking and the trips to the pumpkin patch.  Then of course there's the joy of looking forward to getting together with family for the holidays!

We would like to humbly thank you all for both your love and prayer.  Over these past number of months we have been overwhelmed with the support you have shown us as we seek to follow God's will for our lives.

Things continue to move forward!  Our goal to leave last month of course has passed, so we are asking the Lord to give us clarity on selecting a new target date.  Our current support level, combined with teaching English in Portugal, brings us very close to what we need to live overseas.  We ask for prayer as we juggle the anxiousness to go versus making an informed, prayerful decision.

Here are our upcoming plans: On the 21st of this month we will be giving a ministry presentation to several families at our local church.  On November the 2nd I will be traveling to Canada to visit my grandparents, and Lord-willing share with other family members at that time.  We will be spending Christmas in Connecticut with my parents, with the added blessing of spending time with the wonderful supporters of North Haven Bible Church.  We are also praying about the possibility of me going to Portugal in January 2012 to meet with several TEFL schools, with the goal of securing the necessary employment.   

Our desire and prayer is that the Lord will use us as a tool to share Christ with the Portuguese people.  Will you prayerfully consider financially supporting our family as we move closer to this goal?  Thank you so much for your love and support!

If you would like to receive our newsletter, please email your address to lawrence33180@yahoo.com. 

If you would like to support us monthly or with a one-time gift: 

Please write check out to BILD International, include "Darling Family" in the memo line, and send to:
BILD International
2400 Oakwood Rd
Ames, IA 50014-8417

*Please indicate with a note if gift is either monthly or one-time

Here Comes the Fall!

Psalm 27:14 - Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

I love the fall season!  The cooler air, the changing leaves, and the wonderful traditions are all reasons fall is my favorite time of the year.  Fall for me, however, also brings with it a sense of anticipation.  When is the next step going to come?  When will I be able to move from the job I'm not all that fond of?  The verse above reminds me that the Lord's timing is always perfect.  At times that is hard for me to swallow, but He certainly does not have to prove himself!  So, I need to wait.  Wait and not take for granted the amazing blessings I have in my life.

We are currently over 50% of our monthly support goal.  Our prayer now is that the Lord will clearly show us new opportunities for us to present our love and passion for Portugal.  Please let us know if there might be a possibility of us sharing at your home church!  We are ready and willing to come and share!

Please be in prayer as Pastor Figueira is in Mozambique for the next couple of weeks.  He is there to continue his work of teaching pastors how to raise up new leaders within their respective churches.  Pray that his time there is fruitful, safe, and God-honoring.

I am excited as youth soccer at our church that I am privileged to lead begins September 17.  I thank the Lord for the opportunity, and would appreciate your prayers that the program would bring praise to Him.

Thank you so much for your love and prayer!  We are so blessed to have you alongside us!

If you would like to receive our newsletter, please email your address to lawrence33180@yahoo.com. 

If you would like to support us monthly or with a one-time gift: 

Please write check out to BILD International, include "Darling Family" in the memo line, and send to:
BILD International
2400 Oakwood Rd
Ames, IA 50014-8417

*Please indicate with a note if gift is either monthly or one-time

The Lord is Good!

Pastor Figueira and his wife Ana

I am always amazed at the blessings that God allows us to enjoy during our lifetimes!  I just returned from Ames, Iowa, where I had the privilege of spending time with Pastor Figueira and his family as we celebrated his son Levi's wedding.  I was so blessed with the opportunity to reconnect with each of the Figueira's, and to meet and get to know some great people.  What a joy it was to be a part such an occasion!  God is going to do amazing things through Levi and his new bride, Shanna.

My time in New York was an event I will never forget.  My father and I participated in a golf tournament in Syracuse named after my late grandfather and a close friend of his.  The tournament was founded through North Syracuse Baptist Church as a way to share Christ through the memory of two great men.  I was privileged to speak about the impact my grandfather had in my life, and was also able to share about our passion for Portugal.  My father had the joy of sharing the Gospel to the men there.  As an added bonus, we won the tournament!   

I am back with my family, and I have missed them greatly!  The girls are doing well, growing too fast!  Anadia and Cora just finished up ballet camp, and we are very proud parents.  Isabel is healthy and is a beautiful addition to our family.

                         

One of the last things Pastor Figueira said to me before I headed back to Virginia, was that he is praying that we will come to Portugal soon.  There is a desperate need for laborers in that country!  Will you join us in our passion for Portugal?

If you would like to receive our newsletter, please email your address to lawrence33180@yahoo.com.

If you would like to support us monthly or with a one-time gift:

Please write check out to BILD International, include "Darling Family" in the memo line, and send to:
BILD International
2400 Oakwood Rd
Ames, IA 50014-8417

*Please indicate with a note if gift is either monthly or one-time

Trip to the Northeast

We are back from our trip to the northeast.  The Lord continues to bless as we had a great time sharing our passion for Portugal in Connecticut and New York.  We spoke on Wednesday night, June 29, at my father's church in North Haven, CT.  We were so overwhelmed with the response from the awesome people at North Haven Bible Church.  The Lord has His hand on that congregation, and it is a privilege to have them alongside us in this ministry.

On July 3 we had the joy of speaking at Caryne's father's church in Wevertown, NY.  A great number of extended family was able to join us, and we praise the Lord as Isabel was dedicated to Him at the service.  In addition, two children of my brother-in-law, Yavneah and Azariah, were also dedicated.  My parents, sister, and Nana were with us that day, what a blessing!  We thank the Lord for the love and support of Caryne's wonderful home church!

On Monday, July 4, we were again blessed as the Word of Life Family Campground dedicated their softball field to my Nana Darling.  The Lord led my grandparents to begin the campground many years ago, and the field is a reminder of what He has done through them.

Please be in prayer for some upcoming trips.  I am heading to New York, July 15 and 16, to share our plans for Portugal to members of a church in Syracuse.  I will then be traveling to Iowa, July 28, to attend the wedding of Pastor Figueira's son Levi.  Please pray for traveling mercies, and that these opportunities will be fruitful.

Praise the Lord we are currently at around 50% of our monthly support goal.  What fun it is to watch the Lord reveal His perfect will!  Thank you so much for your prayer, love, and support!

If you would like to support us monthly or with a one-time gift:

Please write check out to BILD International, include "Darling Family" in the memo line, and send to:
BILD International
2400 Oakwood Rd
Ames, IA 50014-8417

*Please indicate with a note if gift is either monthly or one-time

We were blessed with the opportunity to meet up with Pastor Figueira this past week while he was here in the States.  Pastor spent a few days in the Madison, VA area with the Parrish family, great friends who have been in ministry in Portugal for many years.  We enjoyed the time in fellowship at the Parrish house, and finished the day at a local church where Pastor Figueira was able to share what the Lord is doing in Portugal and Mozambique.

Cora and Anadia with our childrens ministry leader

Last night Cora and Anadia participated in their Awana closing ceremonies.  We are so proud of them both and we continue to pray that they will develop a deep love for the Lord. 

We have an eventful few months coming up! June 27-July 5 we are traveling to Connecticut and New York.  We will be sharing our passion for Portugal with a number of churches and pastors.  On July 28 I will be traveling to Iowa for the wedding of Levi Figueira, Pastor Figueira's son.  In August, Lord willing, we will be heading to Pennsylvania to share our plans for Portugal at my brother-in-law's church.

Please pray for traveling mercies, and that our time with these churches and pastors will be fruitful.  We are excited as the Lord continues to lay out His plan.

Thank you for your love and prayer!

If you would like to support us monthly or with a one-time gift:

Please write check out to BILD International, include "Darling Family" in the memo line, and send to:
BILD International
2400 Oakwood Rd
Ames, IA 50014-8417

*Please indicate with a note if gift is either monthly or one-time