July:August 2021
Dear Prayer Partners,
Thank you for your continued prayer and financial support of the Lord’s work
among the American Indians.
The busy summer activities are drawing to close now, but we were truly blessed during the months of July and August. Missionary candidate Josh Zacharias to Australia helped Steve with projects around the house and church including painting the church sign with a fresh coat of linseed oil the week of July Forth.
Our annual IBIMI missionary retreat was in Scottsdale, AZ the last weekend of July. Advisory board member, Dr. Tim Zacharias (no relation to Josh) was our guest speaker. All of our Arizona based missionaries were able to attend at least part of the retreat and everyone was encouraged through the teaching ministry of Dr. Z. Please, continue to pray with us that more people would answer the call to Native missions. We are thankful that one new family has made application to IBIMI.
Sherry began what we plan to be her last year of teaching in mid- August. She has the same three students she had last year who are now in K5, first, and third grade. Including the time she spent teaching our own children, Sherry has been teaching over 30 years! A highlight of the past two months was a baptismal service August 22. A family in our church has been raising their children and fostering three others. Mom has lead two of them to Christ while Steve and Sherry each lead another to the Lord. Seeing all four baptized in the horse trough was a thrill for us all!
We are formulating plans for an extended road trip next fall to report to supporting churches, attend our annual IBIMI retreat, and raise additional needed support. However, in order to make the trip we need dependable transportation. We are looking to purchase a Honda Pilot or similar vehicle to pull a Winnebago Micro Mini or similar camper. We estimate the total cost for a reliable used outfit to be in the neighborhood of $30,000 to $40,000. If you would like to contribute to this need please send your gift to the finance office at: 2406 Main St., Keokuk, IA 52632 designated to the DeFord transportation fund.
For God’s Glory,
The Steve De Ford family