Birmingham Mission Cohort I'm pleased to announce that I have begun working with a new MTW ministry in Birmingham, Alabama. The Birmingham Mission Cohort (B-MC, pronounced "B-Mac") is the result of seven others in Birmingham (missionaries, pastors, etc.) who have been dreaming and meeting since September to develop a mentored mission-training program for young professionals. The plan, as I understand it, is for a ten-week program to run February 22 - May 6. Twelve young professionals will meet twice each week for missions training, as well as meeting regularly with an experienced missionary/mentor. The group will also be exposed to several international ministries in Birmingham (with internationals living there). We are praying for at least three of the twelve participants to eventually serve as foreign missionaries. I've been invited to join the committee and to head up the international missions component, as well as perhaps do some teaching, and mentor one (or more) of the young men. I'll be meeting regularly with the committee via Zoom, but will need to move temporarily to Birmingham, likely in January, to be more fully involved in the program and with whatever international ministry I may be able to serve. Although the B-MC committee desires to see this ministry become a regular event, this is an interim ministry for me as I wait for God to open the doors to Australia. And as there are many similarities to the equipping ministry in Australia, the B-MC should also prove beneficial in preparing me for the work in Sydney.   Please feel free to share this information with any young professionals you may know in the Birmingham area! Missionary House Update It's been two months since I moved into my new old house in Jackson, MS. It certainly has kept me productive! Here's an overview of what has been accomplished in the basement apartment: Gutted the bathroom & kitchen areas. Removed ceiling from the combined living-dining-kitchen area. Built a laundry room. Built wall cabinetry for the bedroom. Hired a plumber and electrician for their expertise. Built a bed platform, with nightstands and headboard. That doesn't look like a very long list to me! But it, and many other details, have kept me very busy. With my temporary move to Birmingham in January, the need to finish the basement and to secure a renter is amplified. My desire is to give priority to missionaries, so spread the word if you can! Follow FB Group Forward to a Friend Prayer Points   Praise God for providing such an appropriate ministry opportunity for me while waiting for God to open world borders! Pray for the preparation work of the B-MC. Pray for twelve teachable young professionals to apply for the program. Pray for an appropriate international ministry for me to join while in Birmingham. Pray that the B-MC will help prepare at least three participants for long-term missionary service. Pray that the B-MC will help prepare me for long-term ministry in Australia. Pray that I will be able to get my basement apartment fully renovated by the end of the year, and then get renters for both the basement and main floor before I leave for Birmingham in January. Pray for appropriate temporary housing in Birmingham. Pray for missionaries around the world, including my own teammates in Sydney, who are stranded (some in their home countries, and others unable to return to their home countries), and are struggling to be faithful missionaries of the gospel during such difficult circumstances. Praise God that my household effects arrived in Jackson from Osaka yesterday! It's wonderful to have furniture, books, and kitchen supplies again!   Thank you for your faithful prayers and/or financial partnership in the work of the gospel during such unusual and difficult times.