The movers will be at our apartment in no less than 16 days (WOW!). This is cause for prayer for a number of reasons. PRAY that Dulcy and I will be able to organize things in the apartment so that it's as easy a job for the movers as possible. Additionally, Pastor Rushing has stated that the church sent the $2500 check to us here in Korea. And a week ago, he said that it should be here soon, if it wasn't already. So, it's due any day now, but it must get here before May 29th, as we need to come even with the movers on that day. Please PRAY that God's hand of protection will be upon that check, and that it will arrive sooner rather than later.
To add a bit of 'excitement' to our lives, the compressor on our refrigerator's freezer decided to go on strike last Friday night. It wasn't until Monday afternoon, for various reasons, that we were able to get someone to come look at it. It cost us $190 to have it fixed, as the entire compressor was shot. Additionally, it was too late for most of the food we had in there. So, our fridge looks like a bachelor's, now, but at least it works properly. A PRAISE the Lord is needful here, though, because were it not for a unknown $100 gift from the school that Dulcy and I received on Saturday at the annual NICS Banquet for our five years of service, we probably wouldn't have been able to afford the repairs. So, it was a subtle, yet welcome reminder that God is in control.
No additional word from Martinez has been recieved concerning the fate of the house for rent. To specify the situation a bit more, the landlord's family wants to sell the house, but since it's currently a buyer's market, they want to wait, and they can't come to an agreement on whether or not to rent it out in the meantime. While this could be a bit nerve-racking, seeing as how we are so close to our arrival, Pastor Rushing made an entirely good point when he stated that God will simply use this event to either confirm that this is the house He has for us, or that there is another place He has for us. So, while we are tempted to ask the proverbial "why?", we are taking rest in the fact that this didn't surprise God. The car, however, is up and ready to go, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous member of Bethany Baptist. Pastor said the only problem with the car now is the fact the we aren't driving it, yet...:) Another PRAISE, though, is that we have been offered and have accepted a 1991 Mitsubishi Mighty Max from another anonymous church member. I asked Pastor to check into AAA insurance for both the Cadillac and the pick-up together, and the price wasn't much more expensive than for just the Cadillac. So, knowing that having two vehicles is very near a logistical necessity for a family of our size in the area, we are trusting in God's providence and thanking Him for it. Please continue to PRAY for the housing situation, though.
Health insurance is shaping up to be our most significant concern. The common carrier in our area is Kaiser Permenante, and the least expensive HMO plan that they have available is a $30 co-pay/$1500 deductible plan for $579/month, which doesn't include dental. That's big chunk of change considering what our salary will be from the church. They also have HSA plans that are cheaper, but we have been advised by multiple parties that HMOs would be the preferred kind of plan for our family's potential needs. As we have been reminded again and again, though, God is in control. And where He guides, He provides. So, please lift this matter up to the Lord in PRAYER, and ask Him to continue to guide and direct us in the right way for our insurance.
I have only one interview with a school upon on our arrival in California for possible supplemental employment. I say "only" simply because I was hoping to have a few lined-up. One interview is definitely better than none, though, so don't get me wrong. I'm delighted to have the one. Our thought patterns on this front go something like this...supplemental employment as a teacher provides an affordable Christian education for our children, it could possibly solve the health insurance issue, and it's what I've been doing since college, too. But those are simply our thoughts, and His thoughts are so much higher than ours. Pastor Rushing has asked if I would be willing to work a secular (non-teaching) job, should the teacher route not come to fruition. He has some possibilities that could be potential avenues, too. And while I am willing to do whatever I can to help provide for my family, teaching in a Christian school is my first choice, by far. So, I am going to be recontacting the schools from which I have recieved no further communication in the next few days in order to determine whether or not those doors are still open. Please PRAY that I will hear back from them, at least. You can also feel free to pray that what I hear back is positive...:). Ultimately, though, PRAY that God will definitively guide us into His will.
That's about it for now, I think. Thank you all so much for all your prayers and support throughout this transition. As an aside, I fully intend to keep these updates coming even after our arrival in California. The reason I mention this is simply a reminder that we always appreciate your prayers, and they will still play an integral part of our ministry in California, even after our arrival. Prayer is and should always be an indispensible part of the Christian's life.
In His Service,
Sam, Dulcy, Michael, David, and Katherine Healey.
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