Thousands of Miles

When last we left you, we were at BIMI, Baptist International Missions Inc. in Chattanooga, TN. We've been so busy, I haven't even had time to write about that experience first!

I will summarize it all by saying our first day there was like trial by fire. They ran us through the gauntlet. We started the day with a doctrines quiz. Following the quiz we had a class or two on different policies and procedures. That afternoon was our screening exam. We all waited patiently in a room for hours until it was our turn to go into a little room with two directors and a pastor. We were asked all sorts of questions, but 15 minutes later we were done and approved from them.

Then came the real test...or so we thought. That night, dinner, we went before the board of directors. It was about 24 pastors from all over the country. They made it sound like this was the most difficult part of the entire night. At the very least, it was certainly the most intimidating. However, Amy and I were only asked where specifically in Australia we are going and what degrees we were currently pursuing. That was it. After that, we were fully accepted as BIMI missionaries. The rest of the week was classes 8-5, learning how to be a missionary and how to keep track of our finances mostly.

We traveled back home to Pennsylvania for a week, stopping by the New River Gorge in West Virginia on the way back. We made an interesting contact while there, a pastor noted how Amy and I dressed and left a note on our car windshield. Lo and behold, it was a pastor I was planning on calling later that week anyway. Is it great how God works?

Back in PA, we spent a few days of work mixed with R&R. Every morning I called pastors and set up a few meetings while the rest of the day we spent relaxing. We needed it. Just a few days later, we were off again, and this time back to Pensacola. In total, we traveled about 3,800 miles on our first "vacation" of the summer. We traveled through places like Paris, Lima, Sydney (Sidney), London, and few other places (all conveniently located in Ohio and Tennessee).

Amy and I had (have) a two week class, in Pensacola, on the book of James. We are both in class together so it makes for nice studying times together. We are enjoying the class, though Amy isn't too excited about the 10 page paper. We have four more days left of class and then we immediately leave for our third and final trip to Australia before returning full-time.

Thursday is our final exam and last day of class. Class officially ends at 1 PM, though we may get out earlier being the last day. Our flight leaves Pensacola at 3:45 PM. We wasted no time and want to maximum our time in Australia. We can't wait, and eagerly await that departure date.

Just a few days away!