February 2012 Update

Dear prayer partners and friends,

It is very humbling to be the benefactor of God answering so many prayers from all over the country and around the world.    We have seen our support go from 35% at the end of September to 49% as of February 1st.  Sarah and I are very thankful for this, the largest 4 month increase since we began deputation.  God deserves the acknowledgement and praise and thanks for this accomplishment.  Praise the Lord for this increase in our support.

Proverbs 3:5 & 6 tells us to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.  God has once again illustrated these two verses in a major way.  

This past Sunday night we had the privilege of presenting our ministry to Germany at Calvary Baptist in Forest City, IA.  Once again we met several people with a personal connection to Germany through either family relations or military service.  So many of them know the pressing need for the Gospel in this country. Pray that God would raise up more missionaries to Germany.

We spent a few hours afterward celebrating the 2nd birthday of the daughter of fellow missionary appointee friends. Then we spent Monday and Tuesday volunteering at IRBC in Clear Lake, IA with a construction project a friend of ours is working on.  

This Saturday, Feb 4, Faith Baptist Church in Cambridge is hosting their Annual Sportsman's Adventure day of seminars, demonstrations, and food. Many unchurched men and families will be there. Pray that the Gospel will penetrate hearts.

Then Monday, Feb 6, we will speak at First Baptist in Guthrie Center for their after school club meeting.  There will be around 20 elementary age children.  Pray for open hearts to receive the Gospel.

The missions committee at our sending church would still like to see us reach the 60% goal making us eligible to attend Launch seminar.  The next one is in September. (Of course, by September we would like to be as close to 100% as possible.)  So please continue praying for that remaining 11% to come in quickly.

The additional 11% needed to reach 60% equals $661/month.  If you or your church are looking at expanding missions giving, please consider supporting us.

This link is to an interactive pdf form that you can fill out and submit online directly to Baptist Mid-Missions.  Our project number is 702037.http://bmm.org/NR/rdonlyres/ACAEB3EF-EC1D-4DE7-96CD-602C269F8895/0/IDISform.pdf

Thank you for your continued prayers,

Jim and Sarah Engle
Baptist Mid-Missions
Appointees to Germany

January 2012 Update

Dear prayer partners,

   We just made it back to Iowa to miss the first real snow storm of the year.  We were out in Michigan this past week visiting family and friends and attending services at our home church, Evangel Baptist in Taylor.  It was nice to see everybody.  Some, of which, we haven't seen in several years.  Apparently the snow storm is unloading from western iowa eastward.  We just got a dusting of snow, but the blustery wind and fridged temperatures are a serious reminder that it really is winter here in the Midwest.  Stay safe and warm, and keep two hands on the wheel.

   This past Wednesday we had the privilege of speaking to the Joy Club and youth group at Calvary Baptist in Union, IA.  It sure was fun to teach the children about Germany and listen to them sing "Die B-I-B-E-L" in German.  It was also great to talk to the youth group about being God's ambassador wherever they are.  Please pray that God would work in the hearts of these teens.  I know some of them are not believers yet.

   Since our last email we have received word of one of supporting churches increasing our support plus two more new individuals becoming supporters.  That brings our monthly support percentage up to 43% of what we need to go to Germany.  Praise the Lord for this increase in support.

   Please pray that the Lord would continue to bring new supporters and increase our percentage to 60% by the end of January.  There are churches and families in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, Washington, Florida, Nebraska, Colorado, and New Jersey that have been exposed to us and the ministry in Germany.  God could chose to direct any of them to begin supporting us this month.

   One of co-workers in Germany had successful surgery removing a benign tumor pressing on his optic nerve.  Please pray for Burdette's speedy recovery.  

Thank you for praying,

Jim, Sarah, Josefine and Cornelia Engle
Baptist Mid Mission
Appointees to Germany

P.S.  If any of you are interested in becoming regular monthly supporters or simply want to contribute a gift toward our support I've provided a link to the interactive Declaration of Intention for Support form.  Just click on it, fill it out, then hit "submit" on the form.  Our project # is 702037.

http://bmm.org/NR/rdonlyres/ACAEB3EF-EC1D-4DE7-96CD-602C269F8895/0/IDISform.pdf

November 2011 Update

Hello friends,

We want to welcome to our support team and praise the Lord for First Baptist Church in Waverly, IA.  We had a great time back in September meeting with this church and their missions committee, and we look forward to the relationship we will build with them over the years.  We have also gained two individual supporters since our last update.  Together that brings our new support numbers up to 39%, oops, we miscalculated, 38%.

For those that are interested in our total numbers we have 11 supporting churches and 5 supporting families.  The average church support is $195/month and the average family support is $31/month.  At those averages we need 18 more churches and 2 more families to reach 100% of full support (which is $5863/month).

We know of one more church in Iowa voting this next week about supporting our ministry.  Please pray for wisdom and direction for this church in their voting.

We are still praying that we would be at 60% by the beginning of January so we could attend Launch seminar.  We know that the Lord is capable of bringing in the needed support to make this a reality.  So please pray for His will in meeting this goal.  

We spent the month of October ministering in eight churches in central Florida.  Yes, the weather was beautiful, being in the low 80's most of the time we were there.  However, because of a few days of rain before our arrival, the mosquitos decided to welcome us, as well. That wasn't much of a problem for Jim, Sarah or Cornelia. But, for some reason, the mosquitos really found Josefine to be a hearty meal. Now that we're home, when Josefine goes to bed she says, with excitement, "No more mosquito bites! No more bandaids on my legs!"  Also, while we were there, she gained an acute awareness of the fact that Jesus' death on the cross was for her sins. She may not understand completely, but our hearts are thrilled when we hear her say, "Look, Mama! A Cross! Jesus died on it for my sins. And for your sins and Papa's sins and NaNa's (Cornelia's) sins, too!" 

Josefine's excitement about Jesus' death on the cross for our sins reminds us to be excited to share share such good news, as well! It IS something to be excited about and we're eager to see that message reach German hearts and see the excitement spread in Germany. Please pray for us as we seek God's wisdom in the steps He wants us to take and reaching that goal of 60% by the beginning of January.

Jim & Sarah Engle

God is Providing!

Exciting news! We're thrilled to welcome First Baptist Church of Waverly, as they join us in getting the Good News to Germany! :D With this, our support level is now up to 38%! Praise the Lord! 


We are so excited to watch God provide as only HE can and even more excited to see the loving and prayerful people that He is choosing to be a part of His plan for Germany!

Continue to pray for our co-workers, also on their way to Germany - Mark and Leslie Boyd and Crystal Buegel. Also, for Tim and Shelli Brudtkuhl (the couple we are planning on joining in Berlin) as they also look forward to God's direction following this furlough.

Again, we are truly grateful to God and to those serving Him by participating in missions by praying, giving and going!

Sarah - for the Engles

**as you may notice, the first paragraph is repeated in our Nov. 2011 Update post - I guess that means a) Jim posted one, and I posted another and b) we're just doubly excited about it!

Welcome Bible Baptist Church, Rantoul, IL

Dear prayer partners and supporters,

We are praising the Lord for His leading Bible Baptist Church in Rantoul, IL to add us to their missions family. We are excited about our new relationship and partnership in furthering the reach of the Gospel. We trust that many rewards and blessings will be added to their account through the ministry done through us.
With their added support, our new percentage is 35%. Please continue praying that God will raise the remaining support so that we can attend Launch Seminar in January (we must be at 60% in order to attend) and so that we can depart for Germany next summer.

Praising Him while we serve Him,
Jim.

--
Hebrews 10:23

September 2011

Hello praying partners,

It is a beautiful sunny 75 degree day as I write this update. I am home in Mingo, IA spending the day with my two daughters while Sarah is at the Ladies Retreat up at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp in Clear Lake, IA. She went with the ladies of Faith Baptist Church in Cambridge, IA (the church we attend here in Iowa). Please pray for this time of refreshment and encouragement.
Last update I talked about changing plans for both us and some friends. I would like to thank you for praying for our friends, the Clines, after the loss of their son. Please continue to pray for the Clines.
Also, I mentioned some car troubles we were having. Those troubles and the growing space needs of a growing family prompted us to start praying that the Lord would provide a minivan that would take us through the end of deputation. Two weeks later the Lord provided that van. Praise the Lord for His provision.
I also mentioned that finances were very tight. We know finances have been very tight for many people for quite a while now, and that many churches are struggling to meet their budget. Our own sending church has been struggling, being in southeast Michigan, and has had to cut a lot out of their budget. Please pray that God would provide the finances necessary to do His work all over this country.
Another missionary to Germany with BMM in his update this week mentioned that there is only two missionary couples and one single lady in Germany right now with BMM. There are three on deputation and three on furlough in the states. Pray for the ministry in Germany. Pray also that God would raise up more people to serve in Germany.
A church we presented at two weeks ago is voting this coming Sunday about supporting our ministry. Please pray that God would direct their decision according to His will.

Here is our upcoming itinerary:

Sept 18: Hagerman Baptist, Waterloo, IA
Sept 19-21: Minnesota state conference, Faribault, MN
Sept 25: First Baptist, Waverly, IA
Sept 28: Evangel Baptist, Taylor, MI
Oct 2: First Regular Baptist, Kansas City, MO
Oct 9: Shepherd Road Baptist, Mulberry,FL
Oct 12: Starkey Road Baptist, Largo, FL
Oct 19: Maranatha Baptist, Sebring, FL
Oct 21-23: Evangel Baptist, Brandenton, FL Nov 6: Grace Baptist, Labelle, FL
Dec 4: Mt. Ayr Regular Baptist, Mount Ayr, IA
Dec 14: Calvary Baptist, Union, IA

Thank you for your continued prayer,
Jim, Sarah, Josefine and Cornelia

July 2011

Hello praying partners,

I am writing this update from Iowa City, IA after an exciting week of Vacation Bible School with Faith Baptist Church. Sunday night is the closing program, so we get one more opportunity to reach out to these children and an opportunity to talk with their parents. We had the privilege of working in the primary department all week as well as a daily missionary time at the end of the day. There was a high of 57 primary children and only 4 were regular attenders at the church. Every day there were several that received counseling about salvation, and I had the privilege to pray with 4 different children as they received Christ as their Savior. What a joy and blessing that was! And then to watch these new children of God start to grow as the week progressed was another blessing. We originally were not going to be able to stay for the closing program because we already had another church scheduled for this Sunday, over 5 hours away. But as it worked out those plans were changed, which made it possible for us to remain in town in order to participate in the closing program.

It seems as though the last several weeks have been filled with other examples of changing plans. Some minor. And some major. Some ours. And some others.

First, on July 2, dear close friends of ours woke up to find that one of their 3 month old twin boys had died in his sleep. What a heart ache as the plans they had for him disappeared. We spent as much time and energy as we could over that next week reaching out to them. We participated in the funeral and attended the viewing and burial and gathered with the family as much as possible. Through it all, the Lord has given them the grace to praise Him. Please pray for our friends, the Clines.

Second, on the day of the burial we found out that plans have changed for a fellow missionary family to Germany and they not be returning to the field. Please pray that more missionaries would come to Germany.

Third, the next week we had planned to drive to Cleveland for the BMM annual conference as the kick off to returning to the road after having Cornelia. Our departure was delayed because Sarah got an abscess on her right tonsil, which required her to receive strong antibiotics, and the doctors said we should not leave the area because follow up visits may be required. He said if things didn't clear up by Wednesday of that week then further testing would be required. So we changed our plans. Praise the Lord that Sarah is better.

Fourth, this week our car added two more significant problems to its growing list. So my evening plans of getting some rest after VBS had to change for a couple of days in order to work on the car. It already had transmission issues which will eventually require an overhaul. This week the ABS and traction control started acting up. Plus, the car overheated several times. I was able to spend an evening with some men from the church, one of them being a mechanic, and flush the cooling system. That took care of the overheating issue. When I return home I will need to have the other issues looked at. Please pray for wisdom to fix these issues safely.

Fifth, finances have become tighter than originally planned and we have had to change plans several times because of that. We are praying about ways to help lessen the financial strain. Please pray that our finances would normalize.

Through all these changed plans we are reminded of the words of Jeremiah 29:11 "I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare[and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Thank you for your prayers,
Jim, Sarah, Josefine and Cornelia