Proposal Defense Report

Hi All, Thank you for praying for Dan's proposal defense yesterday. We are grateful that Dan passed his defense with minor revisions, and also some substantive changes required in the theoretical section. The defense meeting was intense and exhausting, yet helpful. Some very good guidance was provided to help the dissertation take more shape and clarify some fuzzy issues. Of particular importance for our ministry is that it became obvious to Dan and his entire committee that there is no way he can finish in June. The new projected date for graduation is December. This impacts us in a ripple-effect way. It will be more difficult for Dan to get a teaching job beginning next Fall without his degree, should God continue to lead us in that direction (we're still praying about that!). Some schools will hire faculty as ABD (All But Dissertation), but not all will. If he doesn't find a teaching job, we'll need to discern from the Spirit what to do regarding the balance between the need to focus on finishing the dissertation and the need to earn living expenses. If possible, we'd prefer to live on support until finishing the dissertation so Dan can focus on "gettin' 'er done." But this may not be feasible financially. The good news is that God is in control and has a wonderful plan. We just need help discerning that plan and being obedient thereto. Hence, please continue praying for us. Many Blessings, Dan and Nancy

Proposal Defense Scheduled!

We are thrilled to report that Dan's proposal defense has been scheduled for next Thursday. We have been waiting to receive feedback from all three of his dissertation committee members. We finally heard back from the third one yesterday, and he, like the other two, agrees that Dan is ready to defend his proposal. Please pray that Dan will pass his proposal defense with only minor revisions. This will allow him to make those revisions quickly and then be released to begin research. Courses are over for the semester, but Dan has one more paper to finish for a group project in his Healing class. He will do this early next week, and then on Wednesday and Thursday morning he will make final preparations for his defense meeting on Thursday afternoon.
In the meantime, we had a fun evening last night at a Christmas party with other students, faculty, and staff. We discovered some interesting things through a game that was played. One man from India has never eaten pizza or worn a pair of jeans. Never! Another young woman, a very good friend of ours, has never chewed gum. Never! One daughter of a missionary couple, who is probably 8 or 9 years old, has already spent Christmas in four different countries in her life. And finally, one fellow from Kenya speaks eight languages. Learning these "fun facts" about one another, in addition to good food and Christmas carols, made it a very fun night. Today, a little work at the library, and then we may hang some Christmas lights outside, if it's not too cold. Thanks for your prayers! Dan and Nancy

Yet More Venezuelan Baptisms!

Wow, is God ever good. We have reported in the past on baptisms in Venezuela, and we just received an email this week that 11 more persons were baptized into the family of Christ through the ministry of the Ondas de Paz UMC in Venezuela. Pastors Alexander and Amarilis are friends and Seminary students, and it is a joy to see them blossom in their ministry. Thank you for your continued prayers as we play a small role in training these kinds of leaders. Your partnership in the gospel makes an enormous and eternal difference. Much Love, Dan and Nancy

Busy and Thankful Week

Monday - Wednesday of this week Dan is working on a group project related to Healing from Perfectionism. Thursday and Friday he will be writing a paper on three questions related to healing: healing's relationship to God's Kingdom, the role of faith in healing, and why some people are not healed. Nancy is sewing some Christmas gifts this week, plus doing some research. We are thankful for a great visit with John and Tara over Thanksgiving, and for a good phone conversation with Chris. We are very blessed with our family.