Almost There

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107

The Attaway family is indeed thanking the Lord for his faithfulness and feel his love in amazing ways.  We serve an awesome God.

We are now in the preparation stage for leaving for Thailand.  We are at a Compass program at Mission Training International in Palmer Lake, Cororado.  We are in classes from 8:30 until 4:00 weekdays with homework assignments each evening.  It has been a while since Todd and I were in school so this is challenging our brains a bit!  Each day we cover language acquisition skills.  The English language has 44 sounds.  We are having to learn sounds we have never heard or spoken.  That involves listening and practicing with mirrors, making sure we use our lips, tongues, teeth and voice box to make the new sounds.  It is intense!  We also are practicing our learner and comprehension skills in different language groups.  Todd is in the Vietnamese group, Pam in Mandarin and Noah in French.  Hannah Grace is in her own children's program where she is learning much of the same material, but on her level.  She has made close friends with the 6 other children in her group who will be Missionary Kids in Malaysia, Kenya, Niger.  Noah is the only teen in the program, but he has been able to attend adult sessions and has made fast friends with many of the single, young missionaries.  Most of them have come to us and expressed how much he has meant to them.  God always works things out!   He is also attending the virtual school each day, so it has been difficult for him; but he keeps a good attitude.  Noah is anxious to get to the field!

View from Training Center

HG Involved in Group Activity

 The program is put together well and makes sure there is space for worship, small groups, reflection time and 1:1 counseling.  Probably the biggest blessing for us has been the community.  We are with 36 other people, some families, some couples and others single, who are planning to serve the Lord all over the world.  Most are planning on leaving for the field by January, so we are all in the same boat-cleaning out and giving away, taking pets to another home, selling or renting homes, fundraising, leaving jobs....trusting the Lord in mighty ways.  During our community lead worship on Friday we sang Mighty to Save.  As our voices blended together we could not help but be overwhelmed to be in the company of so many who have been called and answered yes to serving in another area of the world. Many here are going to serve the least reached in places such as Jordan, Sudan and Asia.  We believe the Lord has placed us here for encouragement and to get prepared for what lies ahead.  Please keep us in your prayers over the next 3 weeks, that we can gain all of the information needed to be equipped to serve in Thailand.

We wanted to share the latest on our budget status.  A little over a month ago we were at 84% of our budget.  Today we are currently at 96%.  God has been so good to allow our paths to cross so many wonderful people who are a part of growing God's Kingdom.  I know there will be blessing for each of you as we all move and love the Thai people with Christ's love.

We would like to give a praise report for Noah passing his driving test.  Just in time to move to Thailand!  Seriously, this is great for Noah and we are proud of him.  Please pray for our family as we continue training and preparing for leaving for service in mid November.  Our home church Aldersgate United Methodist will have a sending service on October 27 at the 8:45 and 11:00 services.  We would
love to have many of you there with us.  Please continue to pray for Sidney and Ashley and our extended family as well during this time.  They are all doing well, but the reality of being separated is very difficult.  Thank you to so many of you who have stepped up and will continue to love them along with us.  Please message us if you would like their address and contact information. Our email is attawaysix@gmail.com.

Again we thank you for your continued support to us.  May God bless you richly as we journey together. We will be updating the blog more frequently so become a follower if you want to stay with us!

Blessings!