Great Services this week

Well, I had almost forgotten what a joy it is to share with people the passion we have for student ministry in Austria. After a few weeks off to rejoice over and recover from the birth of our son, we headed out this week for services on the Washington coast and in the Chehalis area. We were blessed by these growing congregations and being able to share our vision. I felt buoyed up by the encouragement and prayers. It was also Ethan's first missions service on the 14th. He did great and only made noise to encourage those praying. We were quite the proud parents showing him off to everyone.

Back on the Trail

We are getting ready this week to head back out on the itineration trail. We have had a few weeks of planned down time in order to adjust to life with a baby and now we are getting ready to head out this weekend for Grayland, WA. We are ready to make a final push to find the pledges we need in order to return to Austria as quickly as possible. We have a deadline of the end of February to have all of our funds raised and commitments made so that we can return to serving in Austria.

Summer update

Well, this summer has been incredibly busy and our blog has suffered for it. But wait a minute and listen to all the reasons why and you might be more forgiving.

Michelle and I have been anxiously expecting the arrival of our first child. It has been quite the roller coaster with many medical complications. Michelle was on bed rest from about the middle of June and Alan was cooking, cleaning (okay, not real cleaning-this was surface only), taking care of Michelle and trying to work on this whole itineration job -- contacting churches, trying to find new pledges and raise our support so that once the baby came we could head back to Austria.

That is my excuse up until the 12th of August at which point my reasons became even more compelling. Ethan Zayne Cornelius Ambrose was born that day at 8:46 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs 13 oz and 20 inches in length. We have been pretty busy taking care of him ever since. I didn't think anyone could be so happy to be so tired. We have been waiting for this little miracle to arrive for over 10 years, and can't really express all the joy he has brought.

Now I am back at work, trying to catch up on my communications, send out a newsletter to get everyone in the loop and find more partners who have a burden for reaching the students of Austria with the message of Hope that we have in Christ. More updates coming soon! (I hope, it is currently 11:30 pm and I am about to feed Ethan.)

July 8 update

Well, the past month has been very busy, with all sorts of fun activities. I know I haven't written anything in a month on this page, so here is an update. June 8 and 9 we were in East Wenatchee, WA at a church service and also hanging out with some great leaders at the Northwest Ministry Network STL golf tournament. It was a great service and a great time seeing so many Pastors and leaders who are raising funds so missionaries like me can have a vehicle and equipment to be where we need to be and do the ministry God has given us to do.

That same week Michelle and I celebrated our 13th Anniversary. It was a great time to rejoice in all that God has done in our lives.

The following weeks I started traveling alone to services, as Michelle was on modified bed rest preparing for the birth of our son. I was on Whidbey Island, in Chehalis and Moses Lake. I was encouraged by each church as I shared about partnering to reach Austria. I am so thankful to feel a part of God's family as we together go forward in mission.

This last week I shared in Sedro Woolley about ministry to students in Austria. It was a great service with really top quality worship. It has been a great 4 weeks and I look forward to what God has for us the rest of the Summer.

Visiting Centralia

I was able to travel to Centralia on Sunday to share with a church about our ministry in Austria and our plans for returning.  It is always great to share with people what God has placed as a calling on your heart.  The sermon afterwards was great as well.  Unfortunately, Michelle has been placed on a form of modified bed rest so she couldn't come with me.  Each week when we get a chance to share about Austria, God impresses my heart even more with the urgency of the task.  We look forward to returning to Austria in November, but know that is in God's hands and requires teamwork.  For us to reach our November goal will require  a team effort of individuals and churches praying and giving so that we can return.