Full support!
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24). We’ve been watching God’s faithfulness as He’s answered our prayer for a great team of prayer and financial supporters. We reached full financial support in February – 18 months after launching full time. God has also completely provided for our Outfit-and-Passage needs.
Departure date:
We have tickets purchased for June 16. We are praying that this date will remain unchanged given the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus blessings:
As soon as we reached full support in February, we prayerfully began reaching out to the existing meetings on our calendar to inform them of our support level. The Lord directed us to begin canceling meetings that were scheduled beyond Sunday, March 22. The Lord knew the timing and allowed us to reach full support and cleared our schedule on the very weeks that this pandemic would occur. This has been a real encouragement to us during these uncertain times, and we hope that it will be to you as well. God is all-knowing and is always in control. Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him (Matthew 6:8).
Family update:
We, perhaps like you, are at home and limiting our interaction outside. We’ve noticed Weston asking to go “bye-bye” almost every day. He’s been very eager to get inside the car and climb up into the car seat for short drives. After traveling every week for just about his whole life, we think he misses the road trips a little.
We’ve all enjoyed this time at home. We’ve begun to pack some of our belongings for our departure and are also getting ready for the arrival of Baby B.
Ashley’s pregnancy has been going well. Everything is progressing normally. She is due next month.
Ecuador trip update:
We left for Manta, Ecuador, on New Year’s Day and spent two weeks there preparing for our permanent arrival. God blessed and gave wisdom as we secured temporary housing, found a language school, learned more of our city, spent valuable time with our coworkers, Sid and Susie Messer, and ministered together with them. We have a much better understanding of our future ministry and life in Ecuador. We are prepared and ready for the transition to our first term.
Prayer Requests:
Healthy and safe delivery for Ashley and Baby B
Coronavirus pandemic: Ecuador has placed all people in a mandatory, indefinite quarantine and are enforcing it through police and military presence. Pray for safety and the continued ministry
The government offices in Ecuador that are handling our paperwork are closed. Pray that these would open in time for our arrival.
Praise the Lord with us for full support, outfit and passage, and for His direction in our schedule!
Upcoming events:
Thursday, April 23: “Baby B” due date
Sunday PM, May 17: Eastside Baptist Church, Greenville, TN
Wednesday, May 27: Twin Valley Bible Chapel, Narvon, PA
Sunday AM, June 14: Commissioning Service, Valleyview Baptist Church, Northampton, PA
Tuesday, June 16: Departure date
Thank you again for your prayers and financial support,
Mark, Ashley, and Weston Ackeret