This is a post for those of you who have a heart for what God is doing but aren’t exactly sure how to be practically involved in addition to giving financially or praying for general requests that we send out (both of which are infinitely important!). We are ever grateful for all of you, and we truly consider you as our partners in this ministry.  Our heart’s desire is for you to feel ownership along with us, not because of who we are, but because you share God’s heart with us to reach Muslims with the Gospel that has power to change lives of people, families, and cultures in Chad. So, we want to give you some useful suggestions of how you can be a good “sender” and in another blog post we’ll share with you some specific ways to pray on a more regular basis. Many of you are already doing some of these things and we have been blessed by your thoughtfulness and encouragement.

So first, here are some practical ways you can be a good sender. Do you have other suggestions? Please let us know or just surprise us!

  • Don’t forget about us! Put reminders on your calendar or phone to pray for our family and for God’s work in the hearts of those we are working with.
  • Send emails, Facebook messages, or handwritten letters to keep in touch and remind us of your prayers.
  • Adopt a person who we are ministering to. Commit to interceding regularly for just one person who we mention in our updates. You can email us and ask for updates or how to pray more specifically for that person. We’ve had prayer partners do this in the past and it is not only an encouragement to us in the ministry, but truly makes a difference in the hearts and lives of the lost!
  • Set up Skype times with us – we love seeing familiar faces and it makes us feel not so far away!
  • Send a Christmas card, family photos, birth announcements, etc. We may be farther away, but mail is always, always appreciated!
  • Have your children color pictures for our boys or write letters to them. Or commit to having a pen pal relationship with them!
  • Think of ways to encourage our family members in America (especially our parents who miss their grandchildren) and let them know of your prayers. Send them a card, take time to talk to them about any struggles they may be having related to us living far away.
  • When we come home on furlough in America, be willing to donate items or help us get set up for our time at home. Ask what we need and how you can help make the transition easier for our family and our boys. Talk to our boys, set up play dates with your children, show them you are interested in them, and that you pray for them. Ask them about their friends and their life overseas.
  • Come visit us and get your hands dirty and your feet dusty sharing the gospel and serving our family and our community. We love visitors, especially if you’ll bring Goldfish for Isaac and Judah!