Dear friends and family,
Thanks to you, I have reached 100% of the support I need to go to Mexico for a year! Thank you so very much! Even further good news is that I have a prospective departure date: October 20th.
Last week, Zacatecas Friends had a congregational meeting to discuss and discern when they would be ready to receive me as an intern. This morning, at the time of writing, they notified EFM of the decision they reached (the above date). Further, they are looking into two potential housing options for me: either a student apartment at the preparatory school where Pastor Omar and his family work; or an acquaintance’s casita for an affordable rent. Whichever option presents itself as the more convenient in the coming weeks, I am very happy that I will be seeing the Ramirez family again very, very soon. And also that I don’t have to live in the cupboard under the stairs, which is as much a possibility for missionaries as it is for wizards.
In other news, I took a short trip to Seattle this month to visit family I hadn’t seen in several years, including my paternal grandparents and several distant cousins. I felt like I should visit them before leaving the country for a year. One day, my cousin Blake drove up from George Fox University (where he is a senior) to visit me and our grandparents. As our grandma prepared dinner, we sat in the living room while our grandpa regaled us with tales of his childhood (and present) mischief, stories from his time as a Marine, and his adventures in carpentry and halibut fishing.
Our grandpa, like his dad and older brothers, took pride in working with his hands all his life. Many years ago, however, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which has slowly sapped his strength each day to the present. He maintains a daily routine of walking and stretches to conserve his remaining physicality as long as possible. After gleefully recounting to us the accounts of a grumpy, old Norwegian man, Grandpa addressed us with a rare tenderness as he reflected on the course of his life.
“Sometimes life deals you a bad hand. Both of you know that, because you’ve both lost someone very early: Erik, your mom; and Blake, your brother. There really isn’t anything else to do but to play what you have the best you can, because you aren’t getting any more cards. I would not have chosen the hand dealt to me right now. But I have to ask Jesus for strength every day just to go on a walk around the block, and he is faithful to provide it. I want you guys to know that there isn’t anyone or anything else that could keep me going each day except him.”
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
Faithfully yours,
Erik
English (United States) 
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