Big news...

We mailing this out tomorrow... but you heard it here first.

February 12th, 2006


Family and Friends,

Hello from the Porters! Recently, we sent you all out an update letting you know of our plans to move to Botswana to follow the Lord's calling to work along side His church there. Since then, we've received some rather unexpected, joyous news! We've discovered that Erine is going to have a baby in October! We are so excited for this new surprise, but it has changed the way that this calling the Lord has given is going to play out. After talking with doctors and the leadership God has put over us, they have all advised that we postpone our initial departure date of this summer. It's been a really difficult decision to make as our hearts are still focused and ready to be in Old Naledi -but after much prayer and council we fell that it really is what God desires for us.

So, where does that leave us? We still feel God's calling to live and work along side the folks in Old Naledi as we continue to develop this church partnership. God has still laid it heavy on our hearts to be a part of what He is doing in this way. He's has just changed His timing. So for now we're going to be a part by raising awareness locally as well as gathering His saints to be intentional with their prayers regarding the AIDS pandemic in Africa. We will also be using this time to prepare and equip for the future when we do go. Then in a year or so, when God makes His timing clear we will pack up our two beautiful children and settle in Old Naledi, Botswana.

We're sending you this letter for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, so you can share in the joyous news of the new member of our family! Secondly, we've asked you for your support because we value it so much. We need your prayers now as much as ever as these unexpected changes bring great joy as well as a degree confusion and hardship of what to do in the here and now. It's been a good lesson that God desires our obedience, even when we don't understand what He's asking us to do. His plans are better than ours, even when we can't comprehend them. We'll still be sending out updates about what is going on in this process. Some of you have also been praying about supporting us financially. We will be using this time to continue to gather up our support (which will be slightly more now), but we are going to be a little less focused on that for the time being as we don’t have a very clear time frame anymore. So, we still welcome any support that God would lead you to give, but know that many of you will want to wait until there are more firm details and more solidified plans. We'll be calling all of you that have already provided financial support over the next few days so that you better let us can let us know what you'd like us to do with it.

Wow. That's a lot to pack into a letter. You can imagine the roller coaster of emotions the last few weeks have been for us. We are so grateful to all of you for your prayers and support in this whole process. Without such a great base of support, we'd be lost. God has truly blessed us.

Under His Grace,
Kevin, Erine, Eli, and Baby


PS - Please don't hesitate to e-mail me with any questions or just to say hello at kevinpporter@gmail.com