The beautiful benediction from Biblical book of James 1:20-21 is the prayer from God’s own Word that perfectly fits our situation on Okinawa now. It is a prayer we request you might repeat back to our Heavenly Father on our behalf. “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” This is truly a time for re-equipping for the ministry to which we are called here on Okinawa. It is not only the physical needs that must be supplied, but spiritual equipment for service. Hours in the village office waiting for our alien registration, a signature stamp certificate, and proof of residence seemed a waste of time until we remembered to pray for the office workers helping us. These documents are needed to buy a car that David purchased a week ago, and we are practicing patience as we wait on all the paperwork and servicing required before we can bring the vehicle home. In the meantime our Lord has been revealing how he meets all our needs through the community of the faithful here on the campus of Okinawa Christian School International (OCSI). Many fellow missionary teachers have been lending us their cars so we can get around and do all the administrative details and regular shopping we must do. A school office worker helped with our home computer set-up so we can begin to communicate again by e-mail. When Joanna (who is 7-years-old) got sick with a low-grade fever and cough that has lasted five days, another teacher had information about a local doctor whom we were able to visit. As expected, Leslie had to “hit the ground running” to begin her new position at the school, but she has found good support and real team spirit in fellow administrators and among the school office staff. They are backing each other up in enforcing a strict discipline code, and a high spiritual standard at the school. David began re-connecting with leaders of the Okinawa Baptist Convention (OBC) at a memorial service commemorating the one year anniversary of the death of Edward Bollinger, a former long-term missionary to Okinawa. He also has visited a couple of churches, and at the bi-weekly morning, prayer breakfast for OBC pastors, he was delighted to see the conference room full of familiar and new ministers! What a wonderful reunion that was! David is encouraged that he was invited to sit in on the next General Affairs committee meeting, and to help out on Sept. 6, 2007 in dialogue between an English-speaking pastor and Japanese pastor whose churches share the same building. David was also asked to be the kindergarten chaplain for the school. Despite her present illness that has caused a couple of days absence, Joanna has been enjoying her second grade class of 28 students, and is making friends with three children in the apartment next door. Her teacher is enthusiastic, and as a former cheerleading coach has lots of energy. A teacher’s aide for the class also is helping to make sure all of the children get their fair share of attention. From America we have received communications from our sons, Shinya (20) and Takeshi (19). Shinya got to play an entire soccer game with the Alderson Broaddus team recently, and has sought professional help for the knee injury he sustained earlier this summer. Please pray for his healing, and for readjustment to college life after the summer. Shinya’s younger brother Takeshi has gotten settled into his top floor of twin towers dorm room at Marshall University. David helped him move in right after TK’s return from a short visit to Okinawa on August 20th. As most university students would say after their first week of classes, TK relayed to us, “I’m broke…” Oh the joys of learning to live on a budget! And, Oh the cost of textbooks! We are grateful that he has the full meal plan, his books, some new friends, a roof over his head, and a firm foundation of 14 floors under his feet! Please pray for TK’s new campus lifestyle and its adjustments. Now, as you pray that God will “equip us with everything good for doing his will”, would you add specifically that David might be refreshed in language ability, and that Leslie might find the way to reestablish relationships within the Okinawa Baptist Convention as she fulfills her responsibilities at the school. We are not coming with a “blank page” to the work here in Okinawa, but we are seeking a smooth transition from our former work with its set of expectations to our new roles. The next part of the prayer is certainly shared with you as we also pray, “….and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” We constantly remember the sacrifices you have made to send us here and to pray for us, and we want you to know how grateful we are for that care, which is an extension of our Heavenly Father’s love. It is in this same love that we send this news and these personal requests to you. In Him, David and Leslie Turley