Partner Profile: Joe and Laura Rule

Joe and Laura are extraordinary people. Let me explain. From the first time we met them we've known that they are caring, encouraging, and welcoming people. I guess you could say, we just clicked. They are a young couple, we are too. Lindsey and Laura grew up in the same church.

While meeting them, they shared about their involvement in many different areas of ministry even as a newly married couple. They've helped to build homes as volunteers for Habitat for Humanity on weekends when not at work. They serve at their church helping to lead the missions efforts locally and globally.

They welcomed us into their Sunday School class to share about our ministry. We enjoyed getting to know everyone there, learning how they are already involved in missions, and sharing even more ways they could get involved.

While meeting with them the first time, Joe zeroed in on one of the biggest struggles missionaries face in preparing to leave for the mission field...how to provide for yourself while raising support to leave for the field. Most missionaries face the dilemma: do I continue to work full-time which will provide for my family and delay our departure by reducing the amount of time to focus on support raising or do I work part-time or resign altogether which reduces the amount of money to live on but also potentially reduces the time required to raise support by enabling you to focus on it full-time. Thanks Joe and Laura for helping us in our pre-field journey so that we can continue stay focused full-time on support raising/partnership development and get to the field sooner.

People like Joe and Laura humble us. We don't deserve their support and encouragement. But it is evident that Christ worked in their hearts to have a passion for what Christ is doing in and through Lindsey and I. Joe and Laura's commitment to us through their friendship, prayers, support, willingness to help us connect to their church, and leadership in many other areas encourages us and motivates us to continue serving faithfully as God uses us both in the United States and abroad once we arrive in Uruguay.

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The Missionary Life: Serving the Senders

Missionaries only do their work/ministry in other countries right? Well, not so much. But wait, their ministry only starts once they leave the country, right? Well, not really.

These are common ideas. I used to believe them. I thought missionaries only went to other countries. Some do. Some just go to another region of the U.S. But even those who leave to serve in other countries don't serve in only that foreign country.

Confused yet? I hope not. Part of our ministry is in the U.S. You got it, part of our job description is located in the United States. What is that exactly? Good question.

We feel called to serve the senders. Family, friends, churches, small groups, and foundations SEND us. They SERVE us. So much focus is on them that there is even a good book title Serving as Senders. But, wait, we enjoy serving the senders too (not just the other way around).

As we wait on God to work in the hearts of our senders to commit all our monthly financial pledges, we serve our senders. Part of the privilege of serving as a missionary is getting to invest our time, abilities, and more in our senders. Let's flesh that out.

On Wednesday night we were invited to attend a friend's church in my hometown. We not only attended but contributed to the teaching. We prayed with people. We encouraged others. We look for

ward to returning and serving the people there again.

If you have had a role in our development, praying for us, financially supporting us, mentoring us, connecting us to an opportunity, or some other aspect of our lives, THANK YOU. We are humbled by the commitment shown by our senders. We covet your prayers. God has used and continues to use you to encourage us to persevere as we raise support. THANKS.

We look forward to serving you. We look forward to updating you on what God is doing around the world. We look forward to listening to your struggles, to praying for you, to celebrating your birthdays, anniversaries, births, weddings, graduations and more. We also hurt when you hurt and grieve when you grieve the loss of a loved one.

So many times our senders have served us. Thanks. We hope you not only know of but can experience and feel our passion for serving you. Thanks for allowing us to be your hands and feet in what God is doing around the world.

What about Parents of Missionaries (POMs)? They deal with loss, grief, and ambiguity when their kids leave home for another country. We'd appreciate others serving our parents while we are gone. Learn how here.

Not just our parents, though. All senders should be prayed for, loved, encouraged, and ministered to. Thanks for letting us serve you, the senders.

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Help Us Get to 70% Monthly by May

For those who have been following our support levels, we are excited to say that our moving costs for Uruguay have been reached! Our MONTHLY support is around 60% currently. We are getting closer to 100%!!!

We were informed this week that if our MONTHLY support reaches 70% in May, we will be able to register for the Center for Intercultural Training (CIT). CIT is a precursor to our final departure to the mission field. Why more training, you ask? CAM has all its missionaries go through CIT, in order to have some in-depth and focused training on culture shock, serving as a couple in missions, and adjusting to your new culture/city/language.

With this new goal, we would like you to help us get to 70% of our monthly support so that we can attend CIT very soon. Check out our Monthly Financial Partner page to learn more.

Contact us to learn more.

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6100 miles (and counting!)

During the months of November and December we put about 6,100 miles on the good 'ole 1997 Ford Explorer Sport. Where have we been? Who have we seen? Check out photos of each state by clicking on their links! Enjoy!

Alabama

Georgia

North Carolina

Tennessee

Illinois

Pennsylvania

Virginia/Washington DC

Until we reach our monthly support goals, we will continue to travel as we share our ministry with others. Thanks for your prayers!

Read our Year End Letter for 2008!

Read our Year End Letter for 2008!

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Spain in March + Israel in May

Spain Team: March 13-25 (Total Need Left $3100)

Lindsey and I are leading a team from CAM International to Spain in March. This team is composed of Mexican believers, CAM Missionaries from Mexico, and some Americans that are also committed to learning about Spain, serving there for 2 weeks, and getting some great plans made regarding future church planting efforts in Spain that Lindsey and I would like to be a part of.

With the following conversion rate: 1 Euro = $1.48 US, our financial need for this trip has gone up. Our total need now for Spain is $3100.

Please consider making a contribution by sending checks to:

CAM International
8625 La Prada Drive
Dallas, TX 75228
PLEASE PUT IN THE MEMO LINE: Account #060288

Israel Team: May 12-June 3 (Total Remaining Need: $3990)

As the capstone of our seminary studies and an opportunity to further prepare for ministry, Lindsey and I are going to Israel with Dallas Theological Seminary. We hope to come away closer to our Lord, with a better understanding of Biblical lands, and also more prepared to describe the Bible to those we serve in ministry now and in the future.

Currently our financial need is: $1495 (Brad) + $2495 (Lindsey). Many of you have already given and we simply ask that those that are able and feel called would consider this opportunity to join us in ministry. Our total need for Israel is: $3990 which is less than the total because we've already paid some and also received a scholarship that brought the price down.

Would you consider helping us with the cost of this time in Israel? Your donation is not tax-deductible but know that we promise to be good stewards of our time there by studying, taking pictures, growing closer to Christ, and also planning ways that we can take what we learn and apply it to ministry. You can send a check directly to:

Brad and Lindsey Bridges
3909 Swiss Ave. #228
Dallas, TX 75204

Thanks for your support and know that even if you are not able to give financially, we'd ask that you keep us in your prayers as we seek the Lord's provision!

Brad and Lindsey