The past weeks have been all about preparing to move to a new house. We stripped the kitchen down to just 4 walls and have been slowly putting it together again. That includes running electrical wires, replacing parts of the terrazzo floor, painting and plumbing. It’s a lot of work. I’m also painting the rest of the house. By the way, painters are way underpaid.
The reason for moving is because our current landlord is constantly pushing us to raise the rent. We agreed to rent our current house about 2 months before moving in for $4,800 per year. The day before we moved in the landlord told us that the rent was now $7,200/yr. because there were other people who wanted to rent it and were willing to pay that price. I already had paid to move a 40’ container on the property and we really had no other option for a rental house. We were able to come to terms at $6,000 ($500/ month). The next year they wanted to increase the rent again but I was able to keep it the same. The following year was the same story. Finally, this year they told me they wanted $9,600/yr rent. We pay for a full year of rent in advance, and the increase of $3,600 was hard to swallow. In fact I told them that we were just going to have to move.
As we looked for new houses the Lord led us to this new house. Cathy loves the looks of it and I like the price; $500/ month for the next 4 years! That should mean that there are no rent increases for 4 whole years. I wish I had time to give all the details of how God blessed us with this new house and how obvious it is that he had reserved it for us for just this time. I will say this; one of our conditions for moving in was that we couldn’t do so until Jan 2011 because we had paid rent already for all of 2010. That meant their house would remain empty and unpaid for 4 months. They decided that we could move in at any time during those 4 months rent-free. What a huge blessing! That has given me tons of time to work myself to death…just kidding…to prepare the house and to move in a little at a time.
The reason for moving is because our current landlord is constantly pushing us to raise the rent. We agreed to rent our current house about 2 months before moving in for $4,800 per year. The day before we moved in the landlord told us that the rent was now $7,200/yr. because there were other people who wanted to rent it and were willing to pay that price. I already had paid to move a 40’ container on the property and we really had no other option for a rental house. We were able to come to terms at $6,000 ($500/ month). The next year they wanted to increase the rent again but I was able to keep it the same. The following year was the same story. Finally, this year they told me they wanted $9,600/yr rent. We pay for a full year of rent in advance, and the increase of $3,600 was hard to swallow. In fact I told them that we were just going to have to move.
As we looked for new houses the Lord led us to this new house. Cathy loves the looks of it and I like the price; $500/ month for the next 4 years! That should mean that there are no rent increases for 4 whole years. I wish I had time to give all the details of how God blessed us with this new house and how obvious it is that he had reserved it for us for just this time. I will say this; one of our conditions for moving in was that we couldn’t do so until Jan 2011 because we had paid rent already for all of 2010. That meant their house would remain empty and unpaid for 4 months. They decided that we could move in at any time during those 4 months rent-free. What a huge blessing! That has given me tons of time to work myself to death…just kidding…to prepare the house and to move in a little at a time.
Not all of my time has been spent on the house. We are getting prepared to plant a new church in Feb 2011. I have been using the opportunity to talk with people and invite them to this new church. It is a great witnessing opportunity. Many people are not saved but they are spiritual. That makes it easier to talk with them about the Bible.
Our church in Kingereka is in need of some attention. I would say that the biggest need is outreach. We are always mindful to preach that it is everyone’s responsibility to reach their neighbors with the gospel but very few make the effort to do so. I have a plan for our church to begin reaching out to the community that will begin in the next few weeks. I hope to make outreach a part of our churches life and not just a short-term push. Pray that we get moved into our new house soon so that we can focus much of our attention on our Kingereka church.
Our church in Kingereka is in need of some attention. I would say that the biggest need is outreach. We are always mindful to preach that it is everyone’s responsibility to reach their neighbors with the gospel but very few make the effort to do so. I have a plan for our church to begin reaching out to the community that will begin in the next few weeks. I hope to make outreach a part of our churches life and not just a short-term push. Pray that we get moved into our new house soon so that we can focus much of our attention on our Kingereka church.
Please pray:
For our new church plant in Moshi Feb 2011
For Kingereka church to grow in number and spirit
For the work to be accomplished quickly so we can move into the new house
For no rent increases. Just because we have a 4-year contract doesn’t mean they will abide by it.
For our new church plant in Moshi Feb 2011
For Kingereka church to grow in number and spirit
For the work to be accomplished quickly so we can move into the new house
For no rent increases. Just because we have a 4-year contract doesn’t mean they will abide by it.
No comments:
Post a Comment