It's been a rather unusual summer for us. Instead of traveling to the US, we've been traveling in the US and hosting guests when we're not traveling. Now we're getting ready to head back to Taiwan for a month next week (8/29--9/27). More about that below.
Here's a brief recap of the summer:
-"emerging adult" kids visit in May from Texas, overlapping as they juggle their schedules
-closed on a house and moved in starting May 31 and continually since (or so it seems!)
-traveled most of June, doing a first "prototype" marriage event in partnership with ELIM in Michigan (went great! 10 couples from missions and ministry with >30 to >50 years married); later participating in a first global care team retreat with our TEAM working group, gathered from around the world.
-came back to a houseful of people waiting for us, enjoyed some visits, did some home repairs, and got back on an airplane to Chicago for...
-REAP, TEAMs annual gathering of staff from around the world, catching approximately 20-25% each year, where we met with people both formally and informally for 5 very full days
-returned to CO after volunteering to be bumped off two airplanes and began a round of medical appts--eye, MD, dentist along with everything else
-hosting more m's in our new home, getting a second visit from Sarah, saying goodbye to Robby again, and hearing about Joey's summer from afar
I mention the MD appts because it was there, in a new doctor's office, that I discovered I am the proud owner of an inguinal hernia which requires immediate repair. Trying to come to terms with this, I asked what this might cost--well, I didn't get an immediate answer, but my guess it could be over $1000 was a bit off. After some research and prayer, we began some international conversations that lead to the decision to go back to Taiwan for some ministry, relationships, AND medical tourism--e.g., hernia surgery.
We're excited about the chance to return to Taiwan and connect and reconnect with people in ministry there. But we would not have expected such a weak reason to send us there. Yet God seems to be opening the way--the $1600 in travel vouchers from being bumped will help, the invitation to come back from TEAM Taiwan is a deep encouragement, and our permanent residence, which we had to renew right before we left in what seemed an imposition at the time, may even result in our medical care there being covered by the national health plan in Taiwan. (If not I am told the cost will still be less than 50% of the $8000 estimate I got for surgery in Colorado Springs?!)
So please remember us in these times. Here are some key requests:
-safety in travels and good connections, not just with flights etc, but with people that matter in ways that show God's love
-ministry from here in Colorado, not just when traveling, via skype, visits here, authentic presence, and global care projects
-needed funding, in these uncertain times we still depend on God and ministry partners for our ministry expenses and living allowance
-wisdom about where to contribute. Later this year we are praying about a trip to Turkey and we are looking for a place and funding where we could schedule another marriage event in the US northeast.
With love in the one who keeps us,
Steve and Laura
PS I know this isn't good email etiquette, but I'm really embarassed it's been since May that I've written an email update. I hope you've had a busy summer also filled with lots of good things and that you've hardly missed the updates. (I wrote this PS first, then I put it at the end :-)
Steve and Laura Spinella
street: 1930 Springcrest Rd, CO Springs 80920
mail: 9685 Otero Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
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