any times in recent weeks, we have asked ourselves: “Is it all worth it?!!!” The complications of visas, exams, new tax requirements, insurance, etc, have not made our transition to this time of education easy. Yet we believe that God is definitely calling us to it, which keeps us going when the obstacles start to intimidate. Several of you have written and expressed your support for this change. It has really encouraged us to know how much you are behind this decision to take time away from the Balkans for further training, a decision which at times seems like quite a leap of faith!

 

Erik’s focus these days is preparing for the GRE. This is an exam Erik needs to take and pass just to be eligible to study for the Masters program in Organizational Development. He has his nose firmly implanted in his books trying to prepare. Several months of preparation are usually encouraged prior to taking this test but Erik only has this month and so is burning the candle at both ends. Two thirds of the exam have to do with language skills, essay writing and critical reasoning. The other third deals with mathematics, - uuhhh!!!. I must admit when I look at those pages of equations and numbers, it all swims together in front of my eyes. My own high school math classes must have happened in another life and I think Erik feels the same. The date for his exam is set for Monday 22 September at noon. If you think of it, I know he would appreciate prayer for clarity of thought and that he will be able to remember everything he’s learned.

 

As for myself, I am discovering the challenges of being an “alien” in the USA. (I am not entirely sure why the terms “foreign national” or “visitor” wouldn’t do, but anyway “alien” it is). If we are to be in the States for this time of study I need to become a “permanent resident alien”. After having battled with and been baffled by the paperwork for a few weeks now, I have concluded that it doesn’t matter where you live, bureaucracy is bureaucracy! The complexity and sheer volume of paperwork is unbelievable. However, I should have the final documents ready to go today. Then, before we can leave the States to return to Kosovo at the end of this month, I need to be granted “advance parole” (hmm, another interesting choice of words). This document will permit me to leave the country during the process of application for permanent residency. Please pray with us that it will arrive in time for us to book our tickets and leave by the end of September.

 

Now, you may be wondering where exactly we will be living while Erik does his Masters program. Although Regent University is located in Virginia, we do not need to be on campus. Like many universities today, Regent offers a number of their programs via the Internet. The course work is exactly the same but classes are broadcast over the Internet, communication with professors and other students is done via chat and newsgroups, and there is greater directed study. It is the type of learning style that suits Erik well. Because the entire program is online, we can live anywhere, as long as there are not too many ministry projects to distract Erik from his studies!

 

In August, we drove out West to check out Colorado, Wyoming and Montana as possible locations. It was a long trip, but the beauty of the region, the majestic peaks and the wide-open spaces awed us. We loved everywhere we visited, but in the end, it was clear that Colorado would be the right place for us. We were offered the ground floor of a new house being built just outside the Rocky Mountain National Park, which is about an hour an a half from Denver. The proprietor, who is

Rocky Mountain National Park

the cousin of a close friend, had been praying that God would send missionaries on leave to rent it. We are so thankful for this great place to live and look forward to moving there in January.

 

During our remaining 3 weeks in MN, we will be involved in a variety of things from finishing off our work projects here at our HQ, to leading MBTI team building sessions, speaking at meetings, study, exams, etc. I know many of you who receive this letter pray for us. I can’t tell you how much that means to us and what a difference we know it makes in our lives. Here are some specific areas where we are trusting God to provide:

 

• Erik’s GRE exam and acceptance into the Masters program
• Suitable job for me in Colorado, one that will enable me to be involved in the community and earn enough to pay all the extra bills coming in
• Our time in Kosovo from October-November, that we would be able to transfer responsibilities, finish projects, say goodbyes and “leave well”.
• Our time in the UK from mid-November-December. Most of this time will be with my church in Bristol. We look forward to being involved and reconnecting with this wonderful church family God has given us.
• Health issues: Erik’s leg is still not healed. He would love to be able to walk properly and be able to stand for more than a few minutes at a time. As for my growing thyroid, I have an appointment to have it examined again in the UK. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors in what is needed, whether to leave my thyroid as is or do surgery.

 

That’s all for now folks. We’ll be in touch later with more developments.

 

Jo & Erik