“Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many” (2 Cor 1:9-11).
Dear Friends,
We are now in Salina, Kansas, and we’d like to give you an update, including about Averil’s health. In case you’d like to text or call, our new phone numbers are:
Averil - +1 785 376 5305
Jeff - +1 785 787 4636
On March 31, I (Jeff) flew from Dunedin to Anchorage, Alaska. Averil and the kids were supposed to follow from Christchurch two days later, but little David (5 yo) didn’t get his US travel document in time. So we had to rebook all six of their flights for April 4. David got his travel document the next day, and Averil and the kids arrived safe and sound to Alaska on April 4. It was so good to be reunited. Averil did a fantastic job of leading the kids and managing all our luggage.
During April in Alaska, we stayed with our good friends, Andrew and Rachel Weaver, and their four children. Andrew owns and manages an aircraft maintenance business and is a bush pilot and hunting guide, and Rachel is an electrician, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) leader, and busy mom. The Weavers attend Wasilla Bible Church, and we joined them there while in Alaska. We are so thankful for the Weaver’s hospitality. Averil and the kids did lots of cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing just before the big spring thaw. Some of us got to fly in Andrew’s plane, too!
I introduced the D group idea to Andrew, and it looks like he is going to help start a men’s D group through his church, which is awesome. Personally, I really need a D group during this time of transition in our lives, so please pray I can be part of one when we get to Little Rock, Arkansas (see below).
While in Alaska, I served at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) as part of my annual Air Force reserve requirement. The legal team at JBER was great to work with. JBER was the first base I served at as a young Air Force captain (2007-2010), and this is also where Averil and I began our married life. It was great to be back. Here’s a picture of one of our F-22s, and no, I am not flying it! Sophia shadowed me for a day at work to see what life as an Air Force JAG is like. She got to hear a presentation by our Wing commander about great power competition between the U.S. and its allies and China and its allies, which she found interesting.
We just finished Averil’s four days of treatment at the Riordan Clinic in Wichita, Kansas. The Riordan staff were great, and we feel this is just what Averil needs for her cancer recovery. Averil has been learning a lot from the Riordan doctors and nurses about various therapies that will help her immune system in order to deal with and remove the cancer. Averil is very encouraged. She is ready to hit the ground running with healthy eating, Vitamin C, mistletoe, and an infrared sauna when we get to Little Rock. There are lots of organic foods available, which is a big help.
If you would like to contribute to Averil’s breast cancer recovery fund, please click here. We have received an awesome response so far, and we thank you all! We are more than 1/3 the way to our goal for Averil. The USD $140,000 amount we are seeking will cover Averil’s health expenses for the next two years.
The kids are adjusting fairly well to life in the U.S. It helps to have friends and family nearby during the transition. They do miss their friends and youth group in Dunedin. Please pray they will find a new group of friends in Little Rock and Denver this summer. Also pray we will land in a place where they can establish roots and enjoy great friendships, and where we can homeschool them effectively.
Amazingly, Sophia continues to publish her Grow Magazine! Here is her latest edition. She appreciates notes of encouragement, so I invite you to email her directly at kiwisophia09@gmail.com. Let her know if you’d like to be added to her mailing list.
Looking ahead, here are our plans for the rest of the summer:
May 3-5 Salina, Kansas
May 6-August 1 Little Rock, Arkansas (Little Rock Air Force Base)
August 2-September 20 Denver, Colorado (Buckley Space Force Base)
By the end of September, we are hoping to have found a ministry position where we can resume serving Jesus full-time. This continues to be our calling and mission. Currently we are considering opportunities in Tennessee, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma, but we are also open to any ideas you may have. We want God to lead us!
Praise Points
For the love and hospitality of the body of Christ during our big move
For the Riordan Clinic and its encouragement to Averil
For all the great healthy, organic food available in the U.S.
For my Air Force work, which has been a blessing financially
For Averil’s breast cancer recovery fund and the continued giving that is happening
For our kids, who continue to love the Lord and remain flexible through everything
Prayer Requests
That God would miraculously heal Averil, to his glory
That Averil’s immune system would work incredibly well in removing all the tumours
That Averil would continue to have great faith, hope, joy, and peace by the Holy Spirit
That Averil would be able to reach and hold steady at her optimal weight
That Averil would get great access to healthcare in Little Rock and Denver
That God would help Jeff to do well in his Air Force tours in Little Rock and Denver
That our family would be part of great churches in Little Rock and Denver
That God will place us in a ministry position that is a great fit for us and for the ministry
Thank you to Celeste Lloyd of Dunedin for the awesome family photos she took for us before we left Dunedin.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Messiah Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph 3:20-21).
Blessings in Christ,
Jeff, Averil, Sophia, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David
Firm Foundation New Zealand
2532 Colonial Lane
Salina, KS 67401
USA
+1 785 787 4636
firmfoundationnz@gmail.com