Hello, we hope everyone is doing well! In this update, we wanted to take an opportunity to share a bit about how God has blessed us during the Covid pandemic.  We have seen God work in powerful ways in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
     It is easy to view this strange time of the pandemic only in negative terms, disruptions in our ministry, the financial struggles of the poor increased, more people struggling emotionally and spiritually, many people sick and some dying, fear controlling the lives of many. But to forget that God has been present and working during this time would be a grave error.  As we reflect back on this time, we can see God at work and blessing us through it all.
      The forced slowing of our normal routine  and more intentionality studying God's word together along with time for deeper conversation has allowed everyone on our team to grow closer to God and also deepened our relationships within the team.  Through some health challenges of some of our team members we were blessed to see over and over the power of corporate prayer and God's sovereignty.  
     We have been blessed to see our community members carry on much of the agriculture work on their own while we have not been able to travel.  Many of the seeds we planted about internal resources and community responsibility have begun to sprout during these last few months, which has been a great encouragement to all of us.
     On a more personal note, many of you were aware that our son experienced a serious health crisis in June.  That whole experience was one miracle after another: his survival, Lisa being able to travel to be with him in the middle of the pandemic, the support and assistance we received both prayerfully and financially, and finally, Lisa being allowed back into Brazil after problems with her documents almost led to deportation.  
     As we reflect back on these last few months, we are amazed and overwhelmingly grateful for all God has done within and for us, our team, and the people we serve.  We also move forward with assurance that whatever our ministry and world may look like moving forward that God will be
     Speaking of moving forward, we are happy to report that we will be able to resume ministry activities in the near future.   Our team has been able to get together for some much needed fellowship and to begin talking about our next steps and it has been great to see each other.  We are excited to visit our communities again, but at this time we don't know for sure what ministry post-Covid will look like.  What we do know is that God already has a plan and we just need to be obedient in taking that next step.
     Of course, none of what we do would be possible without your partnership. We again want to thank all of those who currently partner with us. If you feel God is calling you to begin partnering with our ministry or to increase your current partnership, contributions can be made through CTEN, either online at www.cten.org/dalewhittom or by mail or phone at CTEN, PO Box 291307, Kerrville, TX 78029-1307, 800-872-5404.
  
Praises and Prayer Requests

This update has been full of praises so we won't list them here again.
   
Prayer Requests

• Wisdom and discernment for our team as we make decisions about how best to resume ministry.
• Continued good health for us as we begin to begin ministry activities.
• That God will continue to provide financial support for us to continue to serve Him here in Brazil.

In Him,
Dale & Lisa Whittom
 

Dear Friends,

How quickly the days have gone by.  We arrived in the States January 1, 2020 and had a good time with family and friends.  After Ron’s medical treatments we tried to return to Ukraine, but the country, like other countries, had closed their borders to travelers.  For more than three months we had all flights canceled.  Now we have tickets to fly to Ukraine on July 8.

Ron taught a live online class from Texas to students in Ukraine.  Our Bible college had other online and in person classes as well.  During Ron’s class Nancy played a few Russian songs that they knew.  It was fun.  The college is going well.  It is amazing how many classes we had before the virus slowed us down, but we are still not far behind and we have two new profs preparing courses right now.  In the fall Ron is scheduled to teach in Ukraine, Armenia, and possibly two other countries where we have extension classes.

Prayer items:

• Our planned return to Ukraine on July 8.
  
• July 4 we will be celebrating our anniversary as well as Independence Day.  Pray for our country, as Satan tries to weaken the USA to slow worldwide missions efforts.
  
• Our shortened Summer Evangelistic English Club.  We may not be  allowed to have gatherings.
  
• Our health and safety, as there is still some Covid19, and a little more crime in Ukraine now.
  
• New online courses for our students.
  
• Bible College: We had to change some plans, but hope to start our first classes in Estonia and Georgia in the fall.  Also, a church in another city in SW Ukraine requests we start classes for them.
  

Thank you so much for helping us win Ukrainians for Christ.
We count you among our dear friends.  Pray for Peace in Ukraine.

Ron and Nancy Minton

Harper Christian Church was pleased to sponsor a homeschooling forum for Harper County.  The focus was on those interested or new to homeschooling.  We had a panel of four homeschool veterans who shared their journey and talked aboutthe joys and the realities that come with teaching their children at home.  The evening finished out with a Q & A session and lots of curriculum for interested parents to view. 
Twenty people attended and more wanted to attend but were unable.  With all the interest in homeschooling in Anthony, Harper, and Attica, Kansas, we hope to put this event on again in the future.