Almost over? Hard to believe...

Our kids are nearing the end of their school year. That means they are all preparing for their big end of the year event "Field Day 2007". Each one of them is excited for their own reasons.

Susan knows she will be racing against the bigger girls this year, now that she is finishing Kindergarten. She will be having some of the races of her little life this time, because she will be running against her big sister. Susan knows she will have a chance and that she will have to be prepared to lose well, too. It must be hard racing against your bigger relative. I never had that experience.

Moriah is excited because she has the chance to repeat her specail times from last year and win some more 1st place ribbons. She will not be racing against her friend Anna Lee Oickle this year as Anna Lee is in Senegal with her family, now. Moriah will get to race agains her other classmates though and she is getting ready.

Elijah has his work cut out for him this year. There have been a few boys who have come off the mission field, with their parents, and they are in Elijah's class. They are stiff competitors as Elijah has experienced already this school year. These classmates of his are pretty good athletes and have been at r near the top in everything sport they have shared with Elijah. Elijah is working hard and has already achieved his 40 mile prize for running (he may be a little ahead in that).

RJ is working hard this year at having another good showing. Last year he was up against some pretty tough and older young guys. One of them has passed into the higher bracket of the competitive ranks, but like RJ his friends from last year have grown and developed. They will all be out to top one another (I remember what it was like as a teenage boy).

Jinni and I are also nearing the end of our classes here at the Missionary Training Center(MTC) in Durham. I can hardly believe it has been two years. The last four weeks are going to be JAMM-PACKED with the reamining classes and activities that come with planning a relocation. We are scheduled to graduate on June 2nd, that is less that 35 days away. Is this really almost over?! Yeh, but not over yet.

Our family has experienced so many blessed times since coming here. We have mostly been filled with the vision of seeing every human being have the chance to hear the MIGHTY Gospel message in their heart language. We have come to hear the Great Commission ring louder than ever, "to the uttermost parts of the earth". We are certain that God would have us be a part of His plan to reach those who have never been reached, more than we have ever before. That sense of purpose is one of the richest blessings we've received.

As the Lord brings us to your minds, please pray for our finish. We desire to complete this leg of the race with Him in focus, Him as our life source and sufficient One. We know this is not the end of the race but just this part of the journey with Him; however it must end for there to be more ahead.

2Co 4:5-7
(5)For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. (6)For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.(7)But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

We thank God for your prayers for us.

in His wondrous care,
Roland (for the family)

"I wanna be a teacher, or a Dobu leader"

One of the joys of parenting is being a part of our children's growing understanding of the Lord and how He directs our lives. While Jinni and I are in classes we try to keep the kids aware of what we are doing. We have been sharing what we are learning from the Dobu tribal simulation we are involved in. We also talk about how we are nearing the end of this phase of God's preparing us for missionary service.

Each of our kids is getting prepared for the last day of our time here in Canada.

RJ is looking forward to a summer in TN with his friends and the coming school year with them. He has not been in school with any of his (TN) friends since we left for New Tribes Bible Institute almost 4 years ago. He is ready to have their company again and face the challenge of the 11th grade with them.

Elijah, while making occasional mention of summer in TN, is focused on the immediate, right now. Not a bad place to be, really. He and RJ are invited to compete in the ACSI chess tournament this coming Thursday. The school has encouraged them to attend and enjoy the depth of competition they'll face. Elijah
has been playing me (Roland) in order to prepare himself. I am honored that he thinks I am that stiff of a competitor, He has beaten me, severly already. Maybe he feels ready. He is also attending a field trip with this class, his second trip, to Medieval Times. He enjoyed it so much he is excited to be going once again. He talks about these events alot.

Moriah talks about her friends, some. She especially looks forward to visiting with our old dog, Midnight. She took it hard when we had to leave him in TN to come to NTM training. We did get to visit with his new owner and Midnight two summers ago. It was hard once more for her to part company with him. I'll bet it will be the hardest for her to breakaway from here, when it is time to finally say good-bye. She and Susan are ready to play the summer away at a swimming pool somewhere. Moriah is working hard to prepare for the coming "olympics" on campus. It is called Field Day. She had quite a time last year and will surely enjoy it this time.

Susan Grace. She is the winner. She has worked out most of her summer plans playing at Gulfwood pool, visiting with Midnight, and spending LOTS of time with her friends Terra and Autumn Ryan. She has made sure we know she would like to have a nice party in TN for her next birthday. She has even told us what she wants to be when she grows up. She was pretty clear with Jinni, just yesterday in fact. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher or a Dobu leader.

As I said it is a joy to be a part of each kid's growing understanding. Susan seems to have focused on Mom's and Dad's experiences and has decided being a teacher or a Dobu leader would be the best God has for her. She is really precious, as are each of the others.

We are drawing near the close of our training time in Canada. We have lots of plans to make and need the Lord's wisdom in each decision. As you remember us in prayer, we would appreciate knowing you are asking with us for these needs. The Shafers are so thankful that the Lord has you lifting us before Him in your times of prayer. We appreciate each of you. It is our privilege to pray for you, each time the Lord brings you to mind.

June 2nd is our graduation date. Pray we will have the strength to stay the course and finish this phase well. Thank you again for your encouragement and support. Looking forward to hearing from you.

serving in Him,
Roland & Jinni Shafer family

p.s. skype us when you can:
we64jesus (Jinni)
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rs4jesus (Roland)