Two Weeks to go!
It is hard to believe, but in two weeks we need to be packed up and moved out of our house! Please pray that we will be focused, productive and not overwhelmed as we finish up all the details for our move.
Our Schedule:
- July 30 - Move out of our house
- Aug 1 - Leave for North Carolina for a month of training
- Labor Day week - Spend time with family
- September 11 - Our last Sunday at our home church and then we fly to Tanzania in the afternoon
- September to January 2012 - 3 months of Swahili language school and a month of orientation (in Tanzania)
- February - Move to Musoma, Tanzania
Packing for Tanzania
As we pack up the house, we have to decide what to store (in a local rental unit), what to take to Tanzania with us, and what to get rid off. Most of our luggage will be in the above totes (probably 13 plus some suitcases). It is too difficult and expensive to ship large items or large boxes to Tanzania. So, we will take everything with us on the plane. We will then purchase furniture, appliances, and anything else we need once we get there. While there are some items available in the town we will be living, most will come from large cities such as Dar es Salaam or Nairobi.
We have arranged to purchase a vehicle from another missionary that is leaving Tanzania. It is a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser. It is in great shape (I rode in it when I was there in December). As a part of our training in August, we will have a class on owning a 4 wheel drive. They will teach us how to get "unstuck" and maintain our 4 wheel drive truck. Chris and I are both looking forward to that class! It will be fun and very helpful!
Financial Update
We have enough financial commitments to meet our monthly financial need. We only need $7,000 to meet our launching expense needs. We are amazed at how God has provided and very thankful for everyone who has helped. Remember no gift is too small!
If you would like to give towards our launching expenses, please send your check to Wycliffe (address below) and include a note saying : "For Keith & Christine Bitikofer's overseas launching expense fund 270913-71".
If you would like to give towards our general financial needs, you can donate with a credit card or direct from your checking account. Please click the link below:
http://www.wycliffe.org/Partnership.aspx?mid=D4BB23
http://www.wycliffe.org/Partnership.aspx?mid=D4BB23
http://www.wycliffe.org/Partnership.aspx?mid=D4BB23
You can also send checks, payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators, to: Wycliffe Bible Translators, P O Box 628200, Orlando FL 32862. Please don't write our names on the checks. Include a note that the gift is for "the ministry of Keith Bitikofer missionary family".
Thanks for being a part of our team and for all your encouragement, prayer and financial partnerships! We are constantly amazed by it and appreciate it so much!
Keith, Christine, Luke and Nikki
