I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.

We have had quite a time since our last post, and have a good bit to catch y'all up on. Mandi and I feel a bit like a few of our favorite characters lately. Taking those first few steps away from home - away from what is familiar - and stepping into what is foreign...into an adventure. We may not know where that road will take us in the next few years, but we do know that God will be leading us along the way and be waiting for us when we arrive. Afterall, "It’s dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to."

We've been here in Rivendell for almost five weeks now. Talking with other M's and seeing the vast need for the Gospel around the world makes us more and more excited and confident about our call to go to the ends of the Earth. Our days here are filled with training and Bible study. Everything from oral chronological Bible storying to how to recognize rabies in adults and children. The foaming at the mouth thing is always a dead giveaway ("Yep - you've got rabies."). Speaking of which, Mandi and I received our first round of immunizations today. A huge thanks to the SB's for providing those for us. Also, thanks to everyone who prayed for me while I was sick a few weeks ago. Five days later and ten pounds lighter, I felt much better.

We also have some very exciting news! Due to some complications with visas in Minas Tirith, we have temporarily been reassigned to Bree for the first 3-6 months of our term. We'll still be doing the same job, just in the Lands Beyond region. While this could potentially be seen as a roadblock, we believe that it is an incredible opportunity to serve in a different part of the world. Our timeline now is looking like June/July till Sept/Oct in Bree, back in Rivendell for a week or two, then hopefully to Gondor directly after that. One funny thing about this plan is that we'll go from summer in Rivendell to winter in Bree, to two weeks of fall back in Rivendell, then back to winter in Gondor, then of course spring and finally SUMMER. Not sure if summer in Gondor can really be called "summer" though. At least not to a Georgia boy.

Speaking of summer, our hearts are with the staff of Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters as they head into staff training Monday and then into the summer camp season. Please be encouraged that what you are doing is making an impact on the world that goes far beyond Snowbird property. You are making lasting eternal investments in the Kingdom of our Father. And if somebody asks you to do the gallon challenge or be in a skit, just cowboy up and do it.

Lastly, we would like to send our sincere gratitude to everyone who has written us letters, sent us emails, given us calls and prayed for us. Your encouragement and love truly is invaluable to us. We love y'all, and we'll keep you up to speed as things progress.

Thick as Blood,
Bryan and Mandi