According to Wiktionary (a link off of Wikipedia), “stuck” is defined as: trapped and unable to move; unable to progress. There couldn’t be a better word to describe the Nielsen family right now! Our silence over the last several months is driven (no pun intended!) by our inability to move. We know of many people who are “stuck” right now–maybe it’s a less than ideal job (or no job at all); a stale marriage or relationship; a stagnant walk with the Lord; being unable to pay all the monthly bills that come in; or figuring out what the future holds. We have friends who have been waiting over a year to adopt a precious little boy. After four court dates and several botched legalities, the judge has closed their case indefinitely. What a helpless feeling it is to be stuck! The people of our nation must feel similar as we struggle with the plight of our economy. The amazing thing is that NONE of this takes our Heavenly Father by surprise! He knows the state of each of our lives and as Jeremiah 29:11-13 gently reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Since the new year began, our days have been filled with school, homework, sicknesses, traveling to churches , sicknesses, CBC, AWANA, sicknesses, getting ready to sell our house, more homework, and did we mention sicknesses?! Our family did NOT weather the winter well physically but with 60 fingers traveling to many different classrooms in school and at church (not to forget the workplace!), we have a greater appreciation for spring!

We have not forgotten your faithfulness through these winter months. We couldn’t be more thankful for a group of people who have chosen to be a part of our lives. Thanks for hanging in there with us!

As we spin our wheels in this endeavor of raising support so that we can return to Kenya, we come to you for a big push! It seems that we have been stuck at 40% of our monthly support forever. We never dreamed that part of God’s plans for us would be raising support for 22+ months–and yet we trust Him completely!

Africa Inland Mission has set a departure date of August 5, 2009 for our family to return to Rift Valley Academy to love and educate missionary kids as dorm parents and teachers. Who will roll up their pant legs, sink their feet into the mud of this life, and help push us with all their might toward full support and an August 5th departure? Who will PRAY with us that the mire keeping us from moving forward will miraculously be lifted so that we can cruise into the lives of those who we desire to serve?

–George Mueller

Pushing forward,
Travis, Patti
Kylea, Joshua, Tia, Levi