April Update
Dear Friends,
First, some recent pictures of the family:
Left: Bethany - just about finished her freshman year of high school. Ready to start next year in Arizona in a new school.
Right: Melody and her cousin Heather at a family party. Mel is just about done her first semester at Moody Bible Institute. Middle below: Mel with some of the girls from her floor during a recent "road trip".
Left: Adam during our day trip to Portsmouth, NH. The next one on the right is of all the friends we went with.
Below: Robin with her friends Andrea (left) and Joanne (right) at a "ladies tea" hosted by our home church.
It is time that we write and update all of you on what has been taking place in our lives these past few months. We have had the privilege of seeing many of you lately…a blessing for us!
Our kids are all busy with school, work and various things. They keep us thinking and heading in different directions constantly. It was easier to keep track of them when they were all little!
Robin and I have been traveling quite a bit these past few months. We have visited supporters and churches in Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Ohio and have had many opportunities to share about our last five years working with AMG and what is ahead working with Mission ONE. We also just recently took another trip to Arizona so we could look at housing options, spend time with the Mission ONE staff, and attend board meetings there. Throughout our travels, we have experienced your loving hospitality and care. Thank you for encouraging us!
Over the next several weeks, we will complete our transition to working with Mission ONE. Robin, Bethany and I will be spending two weeks in Guatemala in May to say our goodbyes to friends and co-workers, clean out our home, and pack and ship some of our things to Arizona. We are planning to move to Arizona in June. During our recent trip there, Robin and I rented an apartment so we now have a place to temporarily call “home” when we arrive. We are seriously considering driving to Arizona from New Hampshire the second half of June.
Several people have asked about what my specific role will be at Mission ONE. Here is a brief explanation:
It was decided these past few days that my title will be Vice President of Operations. My position will be administrative in nature and I will have the responsibility to oversee all administrative areas including finance, human resources, day to day operations, supervision of Mission ONE staff associates, planning, donor relations, partner communication, and my personal favorite "miscellaneous duties as assigned".
The need for this position has developed over several years. For the past several years, Mike Floyd has worked for Mission ONE in some of these areas but God has called he and his family to serve overseas in Thailand with one of Mission ONE's partners. Mike leaves with the support and blessing of Mission ONE's leadership and we continue to have a growing relationship with he and his family.
To be honest, the organization is simply too large not to have someone in this position. The current leaders are stretched (and stressed at times) beyond limitations and are in need of administrative support. Having spent the past 25 years doing work of this nature, coupled with local church leadership and experience as well as foreign field experience these past 5 years, we all feel that the Lord is directing my family and I to partner with Mission ONE in this capacity. We see Him providing leaders and staff members with gifts and abilities that are very complimentary and as we spend time together (such as these past 8 days during a visit to Arizona) we see confirmation of this over and over again.
Our upcoming calendar:
April 29th through May 3rd – Saratoga Chapel, New York
May 10th through 24th – Guatemala
June – Move to Arizona
Prayer Requests:
§ Melody will finish her first semester at Moody Bible Institute on May 14th. Please pray for her as she completes her work and takes finals.
§ Bethany is finishing her freshman year as a homeschooler and will transition into a public high school in Arizona. Please pray for a smooth transition and for her adjustment to a new school system.
§ Adam continues working at Sears and is contemplating some changes. Please pray for wisdom and guidance for him.
§ Please continue to pray that our condominium in Guatemala will sell soon and for our time in Guatemala in May. We will have a lot to accomplish in just a few weeks.
§ Please pray for our upcoming move to Arizona. We are leaning toward driving the second half of June. Please pray for our time of planning, packing and safe travel.
§ Please continue to pray for the ministry of AMG in Guatemala. Our home church is sending a team there the last week of May. Please pray for a fruitful time of ministry for them and for God’s protection as they travel and work at AMG Guatemala.
§ Please pray for Mission ONE’s ministry and for the Lord’s provision for Mission ONE’s 17 overseas partners. Many of them live in difficult and harsh conditions and experience persecution and oppression.
§ Please pray in particular for the Katin believers, a group of Christians in Laos who have been cast out of their village for believing in Christ. They have no homes or resources and are living in termporary shelters as they have not been allowed to return to their village. Please pray that God would provide for their needs.
Thank you for your prayers, your support, and for your friendship.
May God bless you and keep you,
Love from all the Hastings
