We have made it! We landed in Kuwait on April 1 (no kidding :) and are staying in a 2-bedroom guest room in one of the Pastor's villas. The family that lives here have 3 girls, ages 12, 10, and 8. Kezziah has made best friends with the 10 year old Hillary, while Karis is inseparable from Amanda, the 8 year old.
Callum is enjoying the weather and his "cheesy bread", an arab tradition of putting a mozzarella-like cheese on a base similar to a pizza dough. They make them and fold them into a triangle, and they are his favorite treat.
Todd & Louise have visited their new apartment and are working with some of the families that are leaving soon to arrange for some furniture items while waiting for our shipment from Oman to arrive.
We have had several requests from various youth in Oman for them to stay with us so they can visit and we are looking forward to Rohita's arrival this fall. She will intern for the church for both myself and Kyle, the youth pastor.
God has blessed us in so many ways already and we are amazed at His faithfulness to us in bringing us back to this region so quickly.
Thanks again for all the encouragement, the prayers, and the financial support. We are so blessed by each of you and know that God is continuing to change lives through your prayers and support.
Blessings,
The Clarks
Update from Sunny Kuwait!!!
Farewell Open House
You are all invited to our "Farewell" Open House, on Feb. 24, 2pm-4pm, at the Tekonsha First Baptist Church. Louise will be traveling with the kids on Feb. 25 to Scotland to celebrate her Dad's 60th birthday. Todd will be staying for a few more weeks to continue some fundraising and plans to join Louise on the flight to Kuwait in April.
Please click here for a map to the First Baptist Church in Tekonsha. We look forward to saying our goodbyes to friends and family. We will not be returning each summer as we were able to do while in Oman, and want to be able to visit with you before we leave.
PS, you are always welcome to visit us in Kuwait!!!
A NEW JOB
It is with rejoicing in our hearts that we share about a new job offer with the Lighthouse Church in Kuwait. We will serve the church in leading their 18-30 year old young adult ministry as well as serving Kyle, the Youth Pastor as the ministry has need. As we did in Oman, we will also be building a community-wide youth ministry for congregations without a youth worker. For the small groups that do have a volunteer, we will be able to come alongside and mentor them through the process. We are very excited to return to the Gulf and Praise God for his faithfulness in the process.
Click here for an overview of our Ministry in Kuwait
Click here for a form for direct giving to CTEN
Ministry in the Arabian Gulf
Louise and I have recently finished 2 years in Oman with YFC and the Protestant Church of Oman, where we worked as a youth pastor in the Church. The youth represented over 30 countries and created a diverse, multi-cultural environment. This was an amazing place to work and the friendships we have begun with the youth will continue to bless us as well as giving us the continuing opportunity to disciple them.
We now face several changes, due to different issues. We will be relocating within the Arabian Gulf, looking at opportunities in Al Ain, Dubai and Kuwait. At the moment, the position in Kuwait looks to be the path God is leading us along.
We also have changed sending agency. Youth for Christ in the USA is no longer in a strong position to partner with us in the Arabian Gulf. We have found a different agency, Commission to Every Nation (CTEN), who will partner with us to send us back to the region. One of our shared core values with CTEN is that we must partner with a local church. We are excited about this new partnership and want to continue to thank you for your support and prayers during this season of transition. It has been difficult for us as a family, especially being separated from the youth that we loved, having been part of their discipleship process.
With your prayers and continued faithfulness in encouragement and support, we will be back on the field very soon and continue to impact the international youth in the Arabian Gulf.
Blessings,
Todd & Louise Clark
