Divine Voyagers

Prayer points:
– Pray for our upcoming fundraiser on March 22. This is our big kickstart event to raise partners and support.
– Give thanks for the end of studies for Tom.
– Give thanks for the opportunity to learn French this side of the field.

You can go to this link and when it asks you who you would like to give to, put in Tom and Patty Guthrie.

Tom:
Now that we now where we are going, it feels like we are almost in a holding pattern. Each month, we get a report as to where we are up to in our support raising, we keep having conversations with people about our future plans, we keep finding new partnerships to invest in. And yet, this holding pattern isn’t the whole situation.

As we prepare to Basque country, Patty and I have been and are continuing to invest in our future. As of January 31, I officially graduated from a Master of Theological Studies. Studying while working fulltime was not the best of choices, but hey, it’s all done now. Last year, Patty completed her Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (TESOL) Certificate. When she went casual at the end of last year, she got to put this into practice at a school in Bankstown. I think that it’s safe to say, at least academically, we are pretty well set.

7 weeks ago, we started learning French! Yes, this is only 2 hours a week on a Thursday night, but it is really fun. We have had a few opportunities to explain why we are learning. Our classmates are a mix of “oh, that’s cool” to “that’s going to be a huge change” about us moving for missionary work. Tiffany, our teacher, seems to not really understand other than the fact that we are moving. Please be praying for more opportunities to share about what it will actually look like for us and why we see the need to go to Basque country.

And then there is church. Once again, we are homegroup leaders for the year. We are really excited by this as our group has grown! While we are no longer gathering at our place (shout out to the Millers for hosting), the group immediately feels close and connected. As we lead, please be praying we do so with wisdom and love. Patty has continued to lead at youth, just now on Sunday arvos instead of Friday nights. Already, I have been regaled with many stories of the youth’s passion and desire to know Jesus more. I have continued to be part of the worship team for 5pm church. This is always one of the highlights of my week. All in all, we love Narwee Baptist and it feels like home. I’m already beginning to realise how much I will miss it when we move to France.

I have mixed feelings about this wait. I feel caught between my commitments in the here and now, as good and joyful as they are, and where my heart longs to be. This in-between state of being a missionary but not yet being on the field. Another ‘now but not yet’ situation. Despite the longing to be on the field, this time is extremely precious. It’s our time to partner people and spend time with those we love. If you would like to be one of our partners, either in prayer or financially, please send through a message and we will make time to see you. We would also love to have you along to our fundraiser on March 22!

One bible verse keeps coming to mind as I think of where we are now and where we are going:

“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.” – Zephaniah 3:9

“Oui, je purifierai la bouche des peuples. Alors ils pourront tous me prier, moi, le Seigneur, et ils me serviront d’un même cœur.” – Sophonie 3:9 (French)

“Alabainan orduan bihurturen diotet populuei ezpainetaco garbitasuna, Jaunaren icenean dei eguin deçaten oroc, eta gogo batez cerbitza.” – Sophoniasen Profecia 3 (Basque)