Flemings in the Philippines!

December 13, 2023
Village Green
General, Missions

Dear family and friends,

We hope you are doing well! As we near the end of 2023, we wanted to share about how the school semester has gone, and include a financial update.

Coaching

It feels like we are having more and more fun coaching with each year that passes! Coming out of COVID, many kids hadn’t had many opportunities to be active, so during our first few years of coaching, a big focus was on teaching fundamentals and developing sport-specific skills. However, this season, our athletes have had a few years of experience in the sport and were motivated to improve. It was a lot of fun to challenge them physically while discipling them! We are thankful for the amazing relationships that we have been able to build with our athletes and the doors that God has opened for us to speak into their lives.

At the end of each sports season, our student-athletes have the opportunity to participate in a sporting event as a part of the Asia Christian Schools Conference (ACSC). Each year, 8 schools from 7 different countries in East and Southeast Asia get together to complete. Grady’s volleyball team was able to take home 1st place after a 4th place finish last year, while Britt’s swim team took home 2nd place for the girls and 4th place for the boys, finishing 3rd overall. We are so excited for the progress our athletes are making and for the team cultures that are being built.

Grady’s Teaching

This is Grady’s third year teaching Questions in Church History (gr.10 social studies). He is also teaching Current Affairs (social studies elective), a new course. He has enjoyed teaching a class that is related to his university degrees and has worked to integrate biblical concepts throughout the course, thinking through with his students, what ought to be (creation), what is (fall), what can be (redemption), and what will be with our Father in heaven (restoration).

Britt’s Tagalog Lessons

One way that Britt spent her time before Mia was born was by taking Tagalog lessons. She is hoping that by improving her Tagalog, she will feel more comfortable to speak with locals. We have noticed that using Tagalog (even if it’s just a little bit) is an important way to build connections with Filipinos.

Financial Update

Back in June, we let you all know that we had increased financial need as we transitioned to full-time ministry and were expecting Mia to come into the world. Since then, thanks to the generosity of many of you, we have raised $400/month. Our plan is to continue to raise even more prayerful and financial partners during our 6 months in Canada. With that said, currently, we are still in need of $700/month. We will also need to raise a significant pool of funds for our time in Canada. As we head into this Christmas season and reflect on the gift of eternal life that Christ has given us through Jesus, would you prayerfully consider if our ministry is something you could give a gift to? If you are not a part of our financial team, would you consider praying about joining our monthly team? If you are already a part of our monthly team, would you consider praying about increasing? If neither of these options are a good fit for you in this season, would you consider praying about giving a one-time gift?

Prayer Requests

Thank you so much for your ongoing prayer and support. It really means a lot to us!

Please pray for our family in this season of transition. Pray for continued growth, protection, and unity in our marriage, and for us as we love and parent little Mia. Pray that Grady would finish his semester well, that Britt would care well for Mia, and that we would enjoy sweet quality time as a family during the holiday season.
Please pray for us as we think through some of the logistics of our time in Canada. We hope let you know more details in our next newsletter.
Please pray that God would prepare the hearts of the people and churches whom we will see while we are in Canada. Please reach out and let us know if you would like to get together!