Dear friends and ministry partners, Krista and I were hoping to get a newsletter out this month, but alas the time has flown by quickly, so instead we are sending out this news and prayer e-mail / web site update. There has been a lot going on so I will just touch on a few newsworthy things of interest. At Work Many missionaries in Indonesia rely on aviation services from YAJASI, a mission organization which provides safe air travel in the string of islands. YAJASI is a primary partner with Wycliffe and therefore we work hand-in-hand to provide technical support. This month I have been consulting with the YAJASI Information Technology (IT) Administrator to design a computer network for a new building they will be constructing this fall. The new building will be an aviation hanger with room to service airplanes on the ground floor with a machine shop, parts area, paint room, and other facilities. The second floor will have business offices for YAJASI's management and meeting rooms, training facilities and pilots offices. The network will support over 50 computers and will have zones for additional guest computers to connect both by wire and wirelessly. Network engineering is my official profession but I don't get the opportunity to do very much of it, so I have really been enjoying this design work. It brings back memories of the network I designed for the Wycliffe US headquarters in Orlando and I am able to put to use again many of the lessons I learned during that installation. The final network design does not need to be complete until construction begins. By starting now though, the building blueprints can incorporate any changes needed to make the network functional, such as planning for conduit to be placed in poured floors and cement block walls. This also helps with cost estimates for the cable, connectors, and network equipment which will need to be purchased. I thank the Lord for the experience He has given me, which I can now use to help design solutions that make missionaries' jobs more efficient through reliable computer systems. May the glory go to God. At Home – Amanda & Nick: As the end of the school year is within sight, Nicholas and Amanda are starting to think about their summer plans. Both of them hope to find jobs this summer. Please be praying for Amanda as she will be taking her Freshman exams over the next two weeks. Nick has another seven weeks before his Junior year of high school wraps up and he has had a number of research papers recently. This summer he is planning to get his pilot's license. One of the pilot trainers at JAARS is holding a course at a reduced cost for a number of teens who have this ambition. In fact Nick will most likely get his pilot's license before he will get his auto driver's license, because our school district just canceled Driver's Ed classes for the summer due to a funding shortage. Thanks for remembering our kids in prayer! Trip to Michigan – Krista and I are making plans to visit Michigan during the second half of May. Amanda will be home from college by then and she and Nick will stay in North Carolina while Krista and I take the trip North. We are still raising the additional $900 of monthly support we need to cover our living expenses, and that is part of the reason for this trip. Our Sunday mornings are already booked with speaking engagements at churches and we are finalizing the Wednesday evenings. You can check our agenda online if you want to attend one of the events where we are speaking. We look forward to seeing our friends, families, prayer and financial supporters in Michigan to visit face-to-face. Please pray that the Lord would use us to educate and inspire others to follow His will, in any way He leads. As always Krista and I are so thankful for your partnership in our ministry. Thank you for your prayers and interest in this work, as we strive to serve the Lord. In spite of our human weaknesses and shortcomings, the Lord allows us the privilege of being a part of the work He is doing around the world! For His Glory, Hank & Krista |