Update....and a "Radiant" Opportunity!

Mike/Dad here.  Wanted to give you an update on how things are coming together.

Financially, things have slowed down.  We'll have some firmer numbers tomorrow, and Melissa/Mom will update here as soon as we have those.  It looks like Emily has about $1,200 left to go, putting her at  63% of her total $3,300 goal.  We're hopeful that her final costs may come down a little bit, making that percentage even healthier.  We're confident that God has brought her this far, has provided every step of the way and that He will continue to do so.  Thanks so much to those who have already given, and to those who have been praying.  Please- don't stop now!

We've had another exciting opportunity present itself, and we would love to enlist your prayer support.  Melissa & I are both graduates of Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania.  Since graduating (me-1991, MommaSa- 1994), we've stayed connected to the school, attending Teen Leadership Conference, Men's Conference and Ladies LYFE, as well as campus concerts and main stage drama productions.  We've had the privilege of getting in on the ground floor of new initiatives, like Junior High Boot Camp. We love BBC's vision and innovation, and are excited when they strategize and try new things.

This coming Wednesday through Sunday (April 10th through 14th), Emily will be participating in a new BBC event called Radiate.  It's a hands-on missions trip training program for high school students that will provide a mix of practical workshops and in-the-field ministry opportunities.  She'll be one of about 30 young people participating in the program.  Thursday and Friday morning will have small-group training workshops on a variety of relevant topics.  The remainder of the time will be spent assisting local church plants in three different types of communities.  On Thursday afternoon, they'll be in the small town of Tunkhannok.  On Friday afternoon, they'll be in Wilkes-Barre.  On Saturday, they'll spend the whole day in New York City.  We're so excited for this great opportunity for Emily, and believe that it will help equip her with new skills and new confidence that will help her function to her best on her Alaska trip this summer.
Specific prayer requests:
(1) She's going by herself, and doesn't seem remotely daunted by that!  We're praying that God would allow her to find good friendships among the event leaders, youth workers, college helpers and fellow teens who will be part of the program.  She's not the only solo attender, so we're praying that God would allow good connections for her in the dorms, in sessions and during on-site service.
(2) That the sessions will engage her, and help her to gain confidence in new skill areas.
(3) That the opportunities for ministry in the field will give her exciting opportunities to see God at work as she chooses to be bold, compassionate and obedient.
(4) That we would do okay in her absence here on the home front.  We're always keenly aware of how much each of our "big kids" helps out in so many ways when one of them is away from home!

Thanks so much for your prayers!                                             -Michael "Daddio" Brink