Wow... it's been awhile since I was here...
Let me bring you all up to date with how things are going at Jaffrey Bible House:
God continues to bless us in many ways, and He's more faithful to us than we ever could be to Him I think. We find ourselves, frankly, in a really weird place. On the one hand we are encouraged daily, strengthened by prayer (ours and yours!) and convinced that God has a marvelous work prepared not only for the store but the churches in the area - and, in fact, for all of the nation. On the other hand we are unable to meet basic financial commitments on every turn. It's hard to believe God would not pay His rent, and harder still to believe we would maintain optimism and hope regardless of our dwindling bank accounts. Our inventory increases slowly but steadily, and we still place special orders on a weekly basis (though sometimes it's only for one customer). The prayer groups that were meeting here on Tuesdays and Fridays have moved on to a location more suited to their needs (it's awesome that they need a bigger place, open more often!). I left my second job in September to be here full-time but if things continue as they are I'll be searching for work in January. That means a paycheck, and maybe some benefits, but also shorter hours at the store and less mental energies committed to it. It's an odd feeling, since we still fully trust that God will provide so that I can stay here full-time and be mobbed with customers. For whatever reason that doesn't seem to be happening.
In slightly other news, we as a family are going through a purge. We have acquired far too many "things" and feel quite burdened to dump ballast in a major way. Many of our entertainment items (games, movies, books) are finding their way to the dumpster or Amazon and lots of the girls' toys will be given out in the coming months. In nearly all ways we resemble a missionary family except that we don't at all feel God's call to go anywhere - we believe our "field" is still Jaffrey. There are many changes coming, but we don't think (at this point anyway) it means a move. We shall see what we shall see I suppose.
So please continue to hold us and the store in prayer for direction, provision and courage to do the things we may not want to do. I can't imagine the store closing, though I couldn't imagine the store lasting more than a few months either - praise God for His sovereignty! What strength we have comes from meditation on His Word - may we, like Job, exclaim: "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!"
