John and Anna Weeks YOUR link to tribal missions Greetings from Autumny Missouri,
…Settling In…
We trust this finds each of you enjoying God’s goodness this fall season. We have been enjoying the house God has provided for us and watching the leaves change colors all around us. Anna and I have begun to feel settled in here as we piddle about doing home projects, but we could still use prayer for our children’s various adjustments. As expected, Kurt, our youngest has had the easiest adjustment as he enjoys his 5th grade class, football for the first time (pretty steep learning curve for him☺), and riding the bus. Paula, 9th grade, has made lots of friends as she participates in three youth groups, continues to enjoy art, and she hates riding the bus. Grace, 10th grade, has had a harder time making friends, and she abhors (is there a harsher word?) riding the bus to school. Grace is excited, though, as she and Katie just purchased their first vehicle! Actually, Katie and Grace had saved their money from their pie business in Indonesia as well as the money from selling their motorbike and we only supplemented what they saved in order to purchase the vehicle. Katie has her drivers permit now and will take the driving test soon and Grace will take her permit test soon…yikes! Katie is just taking two classes to finish up her senior year and she’s working part time at a restaurant. Both Katie and Grace really miss Indonesia and their friends and life there. Please pray that they would adjust better to the States and make more good friends. Please pray also for motivation and direction for Katie as she decides what direction to take upon graduation.
…Upcoming Medical…
Please pray also for wisdom as we attempt to deal with various medical issues that need addressed, now that we are back where we trust medical care! We all have various needs in this area ranging from general check-ups (Anna hasn’t had one in about 9yrs), back pain assessment, knee problems, bladder problems, to stomach issues, depression treatment, dental concerns, etc…. Praise the Lord that my eyes seem to have stabilized. It all becomes quite overwhelming deciding which and whose to deal with first, how to proceed with various procedures, etc… We most definitely need guidance from the Great Physician!!!
…a Brief, Long Journey…
Please pray for our visa situation. Rather than all returning to renew our visas this month, we’ve decided that I would return alone, get my coveted five-year visa and the rest of the family will lose their visas, rather than pay for one year of visas for the year we’re gone, as well as the added expense of travel for all of us. With my five-year visa, it will be easy for them to get their one-year visas again under my visa. Please pray as I travel for Indonesia leaving here October 22nd, my birthday☹ Pray especially for Anna as she will be doing all the driving/taxiing back on the home front as well as my responsibilities as well. Pray for Paula and Grace as I’ve been helping them daily with science and math; please pray that they would be able to keep up with those subjects. I would appreciate prayer for safe travels and also the added expense of this trip along with the 5-year visa which is five times as expensive as a one-year visa. I actually didn’t have a choice in the matter as you can only hold one-year visas five years in a row, then you are forced to get the 5-year, which in the long run is more advantageous.
…We’d Love to Visit Many of You This Next Spring or Summer…
We apologize as we didn’t get a chance to visit most of you this past summer. We came home mid-way through the summer and took this time to find a house and get settled before school started mid-August. The Lord went before in everything and even while we doubted that we could get everything accomplished, He proved Himself faithful. We would like to visit many of you this next May, June or July to catch you up on what the Lord is doing in Indonesia.
Praises:
➢ For our cozy home the Lord provided.
➢ For all of you who faithfully and generously support us in our ministry, even in the midst of these difficult economic times-THANKS! We can’t do this without YOU!
➢ For the church where we’ve been meeting just 2 miles away!
➢ Being able to be close to Anna’s family. Her folks are just 3 ½ hours away in St. Louis and her brother Tony is just 1 ½ hours away in Columbia! We’ve also enjoyed visiting with my nephew Josh, his wife Bethany and new baby Nicole.
➢ For the vehicle the girls were able to purchase, a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (got a good deal ‘cause it was crunched on the front quarter panel.) This will hopefully alleviate some of our taxiing kids around! Pray for safety as the girls continue to learn to drive with permits; Katie will do her driving test this next week.
➢ For being close to the MTC, Missionary Training Center, to keep in touch with fellow missionaries, current methods being taught, and fellowship. If you remember, that’s where I taught for 8 years before heading to Indonesia. I may plug in there again as we assess our family needs this next year.
Prayer Requests:
➢ For Katie and Grace to make more friends and for their overall adjustment. For them not to be bitter about having to leave their life in Indonesia.
➢ For all the kids to continue to do well in school, even while I’m away in Indonesia for two weeks.
➢ For the added expenses of my five-year visa and the trip to obtain it. For continued consistent financial support as our support level has dropped off upon arriving home for home assignment along with the economic crisis.
➢ That I would be able to find part-time employment after I get back from Indonesia. We are finding this necessary as we have the added expenses of a home, all the set-up costs, and higher living expenses here.
➢ For a profitable home assignment and quality time with our children to help in their adjustments.
➢ For the new families studying language in Indonesia and for the town team that is assisting them in this endeavor.
Thank you again for all of you who stand and kneel behind us in prayer and giving!
In this together,
John, Anna Marie, Katie, Grace, Paula and Kurt Weeks
188 Ginny Dr.
Linn Creek, MO 65052
Home telephone: (573) 873-2150
