Gratefulness
Dear friends,
I am embarrassed at how long it has been since we have sent out an update. Part of that is positive: ministry continues to tick along busily throughout this Fall semester, and it’s been difficult to find time to sit down and put one out. Part of it is the fact that we seem to have settled into a regular ministry routine with definite rhythms corresponding largely to the University schedule. While this rhythm is good from a ministry standpoint, sometimes it can be challenging to figure out what to write to you as it can sound so repetitive from previous updates! We attend many of the same conferences, teach many of the same classes, and engage with people in similar ways year to year.
Nevertheless, we are very grateful for all of you who pray for us and support us in so many ways. Over the past few months, Becky and I have been journaling things that we are grateful for. Although November is the season to be Thankful, we are trying to make deliberate gratefulness a part of our regular spiritual disciplines. Here are a few things we have been grateful for in the past few weeks:
- We are grateful for daily ministry opportunities to share opportunities for serving the Lord around the world
We are grateful for the opportunities we have had to share about Ethnos360 at several mission conferences this Fall (Baylor University, University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, Houston Christian University, and GMHC Medical Missions conference in Louisville, KY)- Looking for a Missionary Doctor at GMHC (helped by one of our former nurses from PNG)
- I am grateful for three young men that I have been able to disciple this semester, and three Texans who are starting our Ethnos360 Bible school certificate program this Spring.
- I am grateful for a team that is helping put together another local Perspectives class in the Spring. And I am grateful for the first 25 students who have already registered! (We are hoping eventually to have between 100-150)
- Becky is grateful for recent opportunities to share Christ’s love with people here in our neighborhood.
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Davis Jude Burleson
We are grateful for this season of grandparenting. We are grateful for a new grandson (Davis Jude Burleson – see below) and two(!) more grandchildren on the way in the Spring!
And I said earlier, though we do not tell you often enough, we are so grateful to each of you for the part you play in our ministry through your prayers and giving.
Family Update
Andrew and Katie blessed us with our first Grandson last month! Davis is our fourth grandchild, but the first boy. He’s a real sweet and chill baby and is very loved by his two older sisters. In other big news, Katie and Coby are expecting their first child in April. They live in San Antonio where Coby is in his second year of PT school. Finally, Ben and DakotaKate are also expecting their second in May which will make Lucy a big sister! Such blessings, all of them! We had everyone together recently (not an easy task), so we snapped a quick picture (this was before Davis was born). Bonus points if you aren’t related and can name everyone in the picture (including grandchildren and great-grandmas!)
Other Ministry Happenings
I have continued to find new opportunities with Perspectives. Recently, I agreed to help the Texas Perspectives team in the Central Area of Texas. This involves helping mentor coordinators of classes in other cities in the area (right now in Austin and Waco) and also looking to launch classes in cities where we don’t currently have them running. Last week, I met with a group of people interested in launching a class in Temple/Belton. It was exciting to see what the Lord was already doing in their lives and ministries. I told Becky that I felt like I was simply knocking down the first “domino” in what the Lord had already set up. Being engaged in Perspectives around the state has opened the door for me to be able to teach classes in several cities and also share about the work of Ethnos360 as part of that time.
Prayer and Praise
Your prayers are much appreciated. Please pray and praise with us for:
- The students that we have been able to challenge to consider the Nations, and for those who are taking next steps along this journey
- Our local Perspectives class, that the Lord would draw more students to hear and be challenged to consider the Nations
- For the three young men that Neil is discipling
- For the contacts we have made this Fall at various conferences, that the Lord would raise up laborers for the worldwide Harvest
- For little Davis to stay healthy and grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man (Luke 2:52)
- For the two new little ones on the way, for healthy pregnancies and deliveries for their mamas.
Thank you again for standing with us and being part of our Team.
Gratefully in Christ,
Neil and Becky
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