A Blessing in Disguise
If there is going to be a global pandemic, and mandatory stay at home orders, then what better time to have a new baby! As most of the world has been on some degree of lockdown these past several months, one positive aspect of being quarantined at home has been the extra time with Olive. It has been an incredible blessing to be able to enjoy every moment of these first few months of her life. It definitely was not what we had planned, and working from home comes with it challenges, but it has come as a true blessing in disguise.
Trying to get a good passport photo of Olive. She was not too happy about it.
Pressing On
Restrictions here in Washington State are beginning to slowly lift. This means we are able to press on toward our goal of moving to Asia Pacific. We are going to AP to assist tribal church planting, through aviation, among unreached people groups. As the state slowly opens, we have begun to reschedule many of our canceled meetings from a few months back.
We are thankful that the U.S has resumed “limited” processing of new passports. Getting a good passport picture of a new born is not as easy as it may seem. Olive’s application has been submitted but we have been told to expect significant delays for it to be processed.
Are We Still Moving in July?
The short answer is: we have been delayed. There are many factors that went into the leadership making this decision, Olive’s passport, availability of visas, international flight restrictions, and current restrictions in country, to name a few.
The leadership team in Asia Pacific has postponed our arrival, with the three other new missionary families, until October. They are optimistic about this arrival date and we are making every effort on our side to make this possible. They believe an October arrival will also be more conducive to our initial goal of learning the language and culture to a high proficiency level. This is a crucial step in order to have an effective and long term ministry.
Our current plan is to stay in Spokane until the second week of September to continue connecting with area churches and individuals. We will then travel to Dallas where we will finish our state-side time before leaving for Asia Pacific.
Family Time
In June, we traveled to Ohio to see family and to attend Nicole’s brothers wedding. It was such a blessing to celebrate with them and for Olive to meet her extended family before our departure.
Prayer and Praise.
- Passport for Olive. Pray that Olive’s passport is issued in time for an October departure. Her application has been submitted but we have been told to expect significant delays with the limited operations of passport services.
- Visas & Flights. It is uncertain when the Asia Pacific region will resume normal visa processing for new applicants and lift border restrictions. Please pray God would make a way for us to be able to safely move to our new home in October. Commercial flights are currently limited to Asia Pacific as it is under a level 4“Do Not Travel” Advisory.
- Support. We are trusting the Lord for the last 11% of our monthly support as all of our partnership appointments were cancelled the last few months and we are now seeking to reschedule those meetings.
- The Blessing of Time. We are praising God that we have a little more time to spend with family and that we were able to have Olive during this pandemic time. Its been wonderful to have extra time for Nicole to recover from postpartum complications and to have time to adjust to being a family of three. Thank you all for praying for healing for both Nicole and for Olive. Olive’s oral surgery for mouth restrictions was a big success. Everyone is doing great now and we got to see the Lord act as healer in incredible ways.We are trusting the Lord’s timing and direction, knowing He will open and close doors as He desires. Thank you for prayers!PLEASE DO NOT POST THIS INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION. THANKS.
The Goal is in Sight!
We are on the home stretch, only 10 percent to reach the goal set for us. We are praying for a few more monthly partners to help us launch fully supported. We are only able to go because of faithful partners like you!
Are you interested in joining our team to be a part of tribal church planting? Send us an e-mail or find us on the Ethnos360 website: https://ethnos360.org/missionaries/evan-and- nicole-garrett
We Would Love to Hear from you.
evan_garrett@ntm.org 214-418-6448
nicole_garrett@ntm.org 330-931-8433