Hi everyone,
There has been a lot going on in the last few months. Thank you for your patience with our lack of communication. It has been hard for us to stay on top of things. Shortly after we arrived in New Zealand we were asked to join one of the DTS outreach teams in Vanuatu. There was a team of 11 students, with one brand new leader. So we planned to join the outreach team for 3 weeks to bring guidance and pastoral support to the staff member and students.

I (Amy) spent quite a lot of time leading up to our trip planning for the medical side of the outreach. Prier to Silas and I helping the team they had to scale back the medical side of the outreach, but since I have a little experience in this area I was able to partner up with one of the students who is a nurse and help prepare the team medically. It was a bit stressful as all the plans were pretty last minute, but I’m very thankful that God saw us through. We spent an amazing few weeks in Vanuatu ministering to the locals medically, spiritually, and practically. We ran clinics, walked the streets sharing Jesus, cleaned schools, ran youth events, and encouraged long term missionaries in Vanuatu.

Just before we were supposed to fly back to New Zealand from Vanuatu, the strongest cyclone of the century raged in New Zealand. To this day, some cities are cut off from the rest of the country through the devastation by Cyclone Gabrielle. When we landed in New Zealand and took the bus to Tauranga I could still see some flooding. However, we have been so fortunate that our city has escaped without any long term damage.

At the same time, a new DTS started at our base, with 35 students from 8 nations, including some Germans. Getting to know a new DTS is a little tough when I (Silas) don’t have the opportunity to spend time with the students over the weekend. And why didn’t I have time? Because Amy and I finally found an apartment about 10 minute drive from the base. So we moved into our new rental apartment a week after arriving in New Zealand. For the first time since we were married we have our own home and are independent of Marine Reach. For the first time we were allowed to buy our own bed, a pan, dishes, towels and much more.

But we also feel the pressure of buying everything ourselves, and we need God’s help and yours to do it. Because we’re entirely funded by donations, we need people like you to support us. Many thanks to everyone who is already supporting us so diligently. If you would like to know more about how you can help us and buy us a duvet, chairs or a pot, for example, please write me : ) or check out our Support Us page.

Just a few days after we moved, I was asked if I could take on more responsibility at Marine Reach. Our base director Dan has started his well-deserved sabbatical and I have taken on some of his duties. And to add to it, I had food poisoning last week. Somehow we managed to accept all this with humor. Nevertheless, we need your prayers, because without God’s help it will be difficult for us to get used to all the changes.

The biggest news of all! Drum role please! Amy and I are very excited to share that we are expecting our first child in November 2023! We are so thankful for this new blessing, but it has certainly brought some challenges. Amy has been very sick and exhausted most days. She has also been battling quite a few things in her overall health for the past year and now the doctor thinks she has IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Amy wakes up everyday with stomach pains and now nausea. So it has been a difficult time for her physically. Pray for Amy,
To have the wisdom to be able to say “yes” and above all “no” at the right moment. As she navigates having very limited energy.

As always, we value your support and feedback. Please reach out with any questions you have for us and let us know how you are doing too!

God Bless,
Amy & Silas