Derick and Jill's update!

Last week, Jill and I announced our intent to move later this month for international mission work. Since that time we have been very busy finishing up some last minute things here and enjoying the good ‘ol US of A. Our top priority as a family before we depart the country is to spend time daily in the Word of God and to be praying for both our preparation and for our time on the field. We ask each of our prayer and financial partners to please be in prayer with us for the hearts of the people who we will be able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with, for wisdom and discernment in our work, and for the safety of my family. We’ve been traveling quite a bit lately, so we’ve already been packing and repacking a lot. Just this past weekend, we covered some ground when we had a speaking engagement in Nashville, TN on Saturday and attended my cousin’s wedding in Oklahoma City the next day. Before the wedding, Israel was even able to meet his great grandparents on the Dillard side for the first time and spend some quality time with them. We’ve purposed to spend as much time with friends and family as we can in the final days and weeks before departing for the field. In addition to traveling and spending time with family, we’ve been tirelessly working our way through a growing checklist of tasks that include but is not limited to: packing, coordinating logistics, making copies of passports and other important documents, transitioning insurance plans, preparing for language school, buying clothes for Israel, doctors appointments, sending out family prayer cards, and our orientation with our mission organization 2 weeks ago. For security purposes, at this time, we’re not publicly discussing specific times and places of international service. However, we are glad we were able to celebrate the independence of this great nation 239 years ago once more before we depart! As we soon serve God elsewhere we will continue to pray every day for America.

We hope you’re 4th of July was wonderful!