Team 4:5

Tyson, one of our participants for our summer missions trip, is a college student who was originally signed up for the Thailand team. The trip was scheduled to depart on June 19, 2024, and since there were no conflicts with his school schedule, we went ahead and purchased his tickets. However, a few days later, Tyson informed us that his school had rescheduled their finals to the same date as our departure. This almost impossible situation turned into a faith building event. After praying and seeking guidance, we decided to speak with the school's head staff.  Thankfully the administration agreed to let Tyson take his exams ahead of time, enabling him to join the summer team. Praise God that even as we prepare to go God is already making a way and teaching us new lessons in faith. We have participants coming from all over. There will be an American team in collaboration with Royal Servants, a couple American ladies, and Filipinos from 4 different areas around the Philippines. From our church here in Davao City, we have 7 participants. Support raising has been difficult here. This is a new concept for most and resources are hard to come by. Thankfully, through fundraising efforts like bake sales and books sales, they have managed to raise more than half of the needed amount. We have really seen the churches (multiple sending areas) rise up and get excited to send these young people out. It has been extremely busy and stressful, and it’s not going to ease up anytime soon. Julie has been incredibly busy, taking on roles such as travel agent, administrator, supply manager, finance specialist, bake sale coordinator, church liaison, and communicator, all while being a mother and wife. We would be lost without her expertise; her presence has been such a blessing. Josiah is joining Julie on the team heading to Thailand. His previous team experience has been a huge help. Luke is going with Gilmer on a backpacking team. This will be interesting as Luke broke his wrist a couple of weeks ago and is currently in a cast, which will be removed in a couple weeks, Lord willing before the backpacking trip. It was heartbreaking for him to miss all the end-of-school-year activities. Jake and Nhaya are continuing to adjust well to married life but have both been very busy with their full-time jobs. Caleb is facing numerous challenges but is pressing on and trying to find his niche. Thank God for technology that allows us to communicate in real time with our far-away kids. Please Follow our Team 4:5 Facebook page for Updates throughout the summer. We were so blessed to have Julie's sister and family visit this spring. What a wonderful time to show them our world and life here. Such a fun and special time! Come visit us in the Philippines and we will take you surfing too!  Prayer Requests   -The project amount to cover the set-up costs for the summer teams has not been reached yet. We especially would like you to pray for the amount needed to build a multipurpose building in the remote mountain tribal community where Gilmer's team is going. They just recently were able to set-up their first ever fresh water well and toilet. We are praying this will help with the health of the whole community but we would like to do more and pray this need can be met. -Our members need your prayers as they prepare and raise the last of their support. For most this is even the first time on an airplane, they will have so many stories to share when they return home. Pray for their hearts to be open, for strength and travel mercies, for their families as they entrust them to us, and for the people they will minister to and share with this summer.  -Pray for our family as we will be in 3 different parts of the world soon. Please pray for us as we finish all the preparations and leave our home for more than a month. (thankfully we found a person willing to watch out house and pets) Would you like to give a one time gift to TEAM 4:5 online? Last but certainly not least, Luke wanted to be baptized while family was here. We are so blessed to see all our children growing in their faith. We are so proud of Luke for choosing to follow Christ with his life.  In Christ, The Paden Family (Gilmer, Julie, Josiah and Luke)