Dearest TACTICA 10-19 Partners,

We are wrapping up our time in Michigan quickly this afternoon as we zip closed the last three carry-on pieces and weigh … repack … and re-weigh the check-ins…ah, the joys of furlough traveling J . But all joking aside, this summer has been overwhelmingly full of blessings and joy. We return to the field with a renewed sense of the calling on our lives and a very clear vision for where the Lord is leading our family as well as TACTICA Ministries.

We were able to spend the much desired quality time with both of our fathers, and praise God that He has blessed them both with stable health conditions. The girls made numerous unforgettable memories with both of their grandpas and grandmas, and we cherished every one of those moments all the more.

We have much on our plates in the coming 8 weeks. We desperately need you to be praying for several things. We strongly believe that only through your prayers and God’s provision will the next two to three months see TACTICA Ministries serving the King of kings with excellence, let alone in a fashion that encourages a balanced life, humility and purpose in our service.

• We fly out of Detroit tomorrow morning, August 21^st.

Last year, we were welcomed home by a vehicle that had become the host of 1 -2 centimeter thick fuzzy, gray mold all over the upholstery, seat belts…even the dashboard. After hours of “decontamination” and buckets of Clorox, we were able to get back to work at unpacking and preparing the girls for the 1^st day of school. The humidity and excessive rain of the Costa Rican “winter” is so very harsh, especially if you are not there to run regular “mold-maintenance.” Please pray for our home and vehicle to have remained mold-free and a healthy living environment

It was approximately one year ago that Miranda took a terrible turn with her asthma and we began an eight-month battle with nebulizers and ER visits.

Today, she is doing amazingly well and is in “maintenance mode”…please pray for Miranda Joy and Adrianna to remain stable despite the drastic changes in climate and living conditions that they will be experiencing in the coming weeks.

October 2009 Team TACTICA is preparing and currently raising support for their October 16 – 26^th ministry time in Costa Rica. The team of 13 will provide evangelism and training for the Costa Rican federal investigation’s unit. Additionally, several wives are joining the team as we have a Police Wife’s Conference planned.

Pray for their financial needs, that they may have a solid walk with Christ, disciplined time in God’s Word, and that God would bless us with a unique sense of team unity which communicates the love of Christ to the Costa Ricans.

God has been working in and through TACTICA Ministries this summer, many times in ways that have been surprising and extremely exciting.

Please “Stay Tuned” as we begin sharing in the coming months how the Lord is working and our vision and strategy for the ministry.

Needs for the Team TACTICA October 2009: Please pray for hassle-free (hmmm, don’t laugh at that one J ) acquisition of the countless items and business contacts - each could potentially be a “Four-Day time thief” considering capital city traffic, the occasional un-returned phone calls and simply a lack of contacts… We have less than 8 weeks…but God is the Author of time!  May we honor Him and be faithful to share Him while we endeavor to take care of each of these needs. We rejoice in the Lord and His goodness, grace and mercy in our lives.  Many, many of you have made our mini-furlough a time of spiritual grown, reflection, ministry focusing and refreshment. We praise God for a circle of supporting churches and individuals that continue to be faithful to the Gospel in times when some are tempted to bend and sway from solid, biblical Truth.  Our hearts do overflow with gratitude for allowing us to have you in our lives.   In Christ’s service, Ryan and Gretchen, Adrianna and Miranda Joy P.S.  Attached is a photo of Adrianna and Miranda Joy cheering for a favorite team…