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Prayer Letter
June 2007
Dear Prayer Partners,
By the time you receive this letter, our family will be back in the
Philippines. We want to say thank you to everyone of you who we have
been able to see while on furlough. Your hospitality and generosity
have been overwhelming; we have been thankful to rekindle old
friendships and make new ones as we have seen many new churches and
individuals partner with us. We've enjoyed getting to spend time
with family members all across the country. Our family goes back
home to the Philippines recharged, rejuvenated and ready for
whatever God has in store for us in the Philippines.
Home. After being
missionaries for 8 years now, the concept of home and how we define
it is constantly changing. I made the comment to my mother last
November that our family just doesn't feel like we belong in America
any more. Yes, our passports all say United States of America and in
some ways we are more comfortable here in an American cultural
setting; but, it's just not really home anymore. Although our home
is in the Philippines, we value - and really need - our ties and
relationships here in the States to stay strong. I am continually
amazed at how much my kids teach me about life and help me see
things with a fresh perspective. We have traveled so much this year
and have been in so many churches that honestly it kind of seems
like a blur as we look back over the last year. My 6 year old son,
Luke, was thinking about a church we were with last year that did
Christmas in November for us and the other missionary families in
their missions conference. They were especially generous to our
children. Luke was talking about the cool toys he got that week and
how much he enjoyed playing with them. It was the reaction you would
expect from a 6 year old. He paused for a few seconds, though, and
said something a lot more profound. Luke looked up at me and said,
"Daddy, you know that church that gave us that stuff? I hope they
don't forget about us." We are so thankful for all
the wonderful things churches have done for us; it has made furlough
very enjoyable. But, can I echo the words of Luke and make the same
request of all of you: "Please don't forget about the Gotchers",
your missionaries to the Philippines, as we return to the field and
the work God has called us to. We know we don't go back to the
Philippines alone - we have all of you supporting and praying for
us. We ask you to please remember to pray for us in the following
areas:
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New Opportunities in Public High Schools in
the city of Marikina in cooperation with the Rotary Club
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The Legacy Project - pray for a good piece of
property for our new building and the funds to purchase it; we
still need to raise $120,000 for the land.
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Readjustment for our family to life in the
Philippines.
In Christ,
The Gotchers
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