Prayer Partner Updates: [Beens Prayer Partners] 6 great iPhotos

Dear Friends, 3 March 2008

URGENT REQUEST: Each year we've had some issues with our landlord as he's threatened to raise our rent and/or sell part of the property we rent, despite our four year contract. Well this year he's finally making good on the threat. He and his wife have said they are breaking contract but want to create a new one with us for higher rent that will increase in intervals every 2 years. We can agree with that, however they want to "retro" the new price to make it effective as of last January despite the fact that we pre-paid 6 months of rent. We've told them we'd accept the new terms but didn't want the new price effective until July when we'd need to pay again. Up to now his wife is not accepting those terms. Please pray that the heart of our landlord's wife would be softened to accept our proposal. Pray for wisdom for us – to know what we should do should she not accept – do we pay the extra money or do we not accept and begin looking for something different. We don't want to move really. We truly believe God let us to this house in 2005 – it was everything we'd been praying for. We've also sunk quite a bit of money into the house and most likely would have to do that with any new place we found, however we're also losing confidence in our landlord and aren't sure we can trust him. Help us pray this situation through – he's said he'll let us know something tomorrow (Tuesday the 4th). We do know if the Lord leads us elsewhere (in Nampula) then he'll provide to meet our needs.

PRAISES:

v The interns have decided they want to stick with and persevere through the curriculum. We're excited about their desire and decision to stretch themselves through this learning time.

v Dan's normal teaching times in Netia, as well as the "True Love Waits" seminar held there this past month went very well!

v Shawn and Sarah Gardner had a wonderful week at the Blessing Ranch in Colorado this past month. They came away feeling very refreshed as well as excited over some plans made for the future (see below).

Please join us in praying for the following:

v Karunia has been having real sleep issues (and night time behavioral issues as well) over the last month or so. The last couple nights have been better so we pray things are about to be completely resolved, but in the meantime please pray for good sleep for her – for trust and obedience and respect. Also please pray for us, particularly Dan who's been the main one dealing with her, as we're both absolutely exhausted – from the issue itself but also from the lack of sleep.

v Daniel and Melissa Maddux with their two children, and Patty Maddux (both of which have interned with us in the past) will be arriving in Mozambique for full-time work this upcoming May. Pray for them as they finish their preparations to depart the States, as they look for vehicles in Maputo and then make the drive north to Nampula. Pray for their adjustment to life here, for wisdom as they seek out their specific place for ministry (they aren't planning on working at the Mustard Seed or with the internship), and for us as we oversee their 6 month mentorship.

v The annual GNFA mission retreat will be held in early April – please pray for the preparations of that taking place this month.

v Shawn and Sarah have new plan for ministry which they feel will allow them to continue the necessary care for Caleb but still maintain their involvement with the ministry here in Nampula. Basically the plan, though by no means set in stone, is that they will live and base in Nelspruit, S. Africa (where we go for medical care) and live there for 2 months, during which time Shawn can study and prepare lessons and such and Caleb can receive his therapy. Then the family will come to Nampula for the period of one month to even more actively engage in ministry and then return to S. Africa. Their current thought is to try this for 9-12 months and re-evaluate at that time. Plans are either that Shawn will arrive in June with the rest of the family coming in July, then heading to Nelspruit in August or else the entire family will arrive in July. Pray for them as they prepare to head back to Africa and for wisdom as they begin to implement this plan. Pray now for their time remaining in the States and for Caleb's recovery.

v Continue to pray for Dan, his teaching times, the internship program, and the development farm projects.

Thanks for your partnership in prayer!

Trusting and serving Him,

Robin and Dan Been