Departure plans contingent on support

Hi. As many of you know we are planning to leave for Mali in June. We really need to rejoin Hilary at the end of her school year, and we are eager to get back to work in Mali again.

We've been quoted a good price on air tickets. They're about $1800 round trip per person. Other agencies quoted as high as $2200 per person.

We've been told by WorldVenture, though that we need to make strides towards being at 100% support before leaving. We are so grateful for the many of you who've partnered with us this far, and so many of you have increased support in the last 4-5 years. All of that is an answer to prayer, and we thank you. So if you are already committed in this way, don't feel like your arm is being twisted for more. We are partnering already. Please pray that God would continue to bring support in so that we could leave.

If you follow our blog, and pray for us, and are not yet a partner, would you consider partnering with us financially? You do not have to commit to partner for eternity. 1 year or a two year commitment would be great. A $25 per month commitment does make a difference. Would you consider prayerfully if God would have you join us in this way? If you would like to donate easily online click this link to our missionary page, and then click make a commitment, or give a gift.

http://www.worldventure.com/Missionaries/Missionary-Directory/Missionary/Seward_Tom_Lisa.html

We have a shortfall of $1400 per month to raise. These funds are more than salary, they are work funds, shelter funds, overseas medical insurance, retirement funds, etc...

Our support percentage changed a bit not because we've lost supporters, but because added expense of a 2nd child going to boarding school. Ben will be joining Hilary this fall at Dakar Academy for his 8th grade year. He is so looking forward to it.

We do not want to make our blog a constant appeal for support, but maybe this kind of frank information will be helpful to some who are unaware of the issue in detail.

Thanks for stopping by,

and for praying for us...

Please continue to pray that the support needed would come in.

Tom & Lisa Seward

Travelling to Minot, ND

One thing about missionary life is that we travel a lot, especially when we're in the USA, and have churches to see and share with. Our kids don't always like travelling to new places to speak. However, the benefit of this travelling is that we have friends everywhere. So this time we left Lansing, Michgan for Minot, North Dakota. (It is a fairly long way.)


Anyway, here are a few pics of friends we got to see on the way, and some fun we were able to have on the trip as well. God has given us beautiful weather, and clear roads. We arrived in Minot about an hour ago. :D

Melissa & Caleb in Wisconsin.

The Everett Family in Fargo, ND.

(Greg is a long time friend of Tom, grew up in the same church since 2nd grade.) He has been a youth pastor, and a pastor, and now is heading up the YFC chapter in the Fargo area. We wish Godspeed to him and his family as they start to dive in to this new ministry.

So today on the way to Minot we made a discovery! North Dakota has snow! You may have already known that. But we found this big drift on the side of the road, and felt compelled to stop the car, and climb it.

I decided it was warm and took my shirt off. Not to surprise you, but our african brothers and sisters will read the blog, and will LOL forte! at my pic. Of course, I'm never cold in Africa, (you probably would not be either at 44 degrees celsius.) But they think I can never get cold. So I guess I'm perpetuating a myth with this picture.

Anyway, when you get the chance to stop along the road, renew friendships, and then share the good news of Jesus Christ and how he has worked in your life... this whole travelling thing is a privelege, not a chore.

We look forward to coming near you someday soon!

Thanks for stopping by

Tom & Lisa