- Details
- Written by Eric and Linda Funke Eric and Linda Funke
- Created: November 08 2018 November 08 2018
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.Ephesians 1:16-19a
This month, as we traveled around the US, our kids experienced so many opportunities to use their imaginations at children’s museums, at playgrounds and with costumes. We are regularly inspired by their imaginations and their ability to dream. We also have had the joy of not only telling people what God has been doing in Tanzania, but also imagining with them what the future of these ministries could look like with the right resources. Thank you to all who have welcomed us so warmly, and we look forward to reconnecting with more of you in the months ahead.
Houston, Texas
While we began this month in Dallas catching up with family and friends, on October 5 we drove down to my Aunt Janice’s house in the Houston area. On October 6 we had the joy of meeting the parents of fellow GLO missionaries Amber and Austin Reed and sharing with them in person all that God is doing through their daughter and son. On October 7 we worshiped and shared at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress. The rest of the week we enjoyed time with family and friends, played at the Woodlands Children’s Museum and explored new playgrounds. Linda’s aunt and mother also treated us to a movie date night. On October 13 we checked into a hotel that Zion Lutheran graciously offered to us next to the church. On October 14 we enjoyed sharing at Zion Lutheran Church in Pasadena, and that afternoon we had the honor of speaking at their LWML Fall Rally. We thank God for this week filled with encouragement.
Dallas, Texas, and Spokane, Washington
On October 15 we returned to Dallas. Over the next two rainy weeks we explored many indoor play places and caught up with friends. We were thankful to meet with a preschool teacher at Messiah Lambs who gave us new ideas for homeschooling our kids. We also took the opportunity to have family pictures taken with Linda’s family. On October 18 we enjoyed worshiping with and sharing at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Plano. That evening we worshiped and shared at Umoja Church, a wonderful Swahili-speaking congregation. On October 23 Eric’s parents flew in for Michael’s birthday weekend. We loved showing them around the Dallas Arboretum. Linda’s sister was also able to get free tickets to the Dallas Zoo’s “Halloweekend.” Our kids, dressed as a fairy princess and astronaut, loved seeing all the animals at the zoo. On October 28 we reconnected with many friends as we shared at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, and then returned home for Michael’s fifth birthday party. The next day we used some of our frequent flyer miles to fly to Spokane, Washington, to visit Linda’s grandparents, aunts and uncles. Each memory made with family is so precious to us.
US Citizenship Update
This month we finally received Linda’s Texas background check and our US homestudy. Therefore on October 26 we were able to send the I-600A, the first round of paperwork towards our kids’ US citizenship, to USCIS. Please pray that it will be processed quickly and that we can have the FBI fingerprints done while we on furlough. We have received $9,500 of the $18,000 needed to complete this process. If you would like to help us keep this process moving forward, you can make a secure online donation at globallutheranoutreach.com/blog/funkekidscitizenshipproject/. Please make sure to write your donation next to “Funke Kids Citizenship Project” so it goes to the right place. Or you can write a check to “Global Lutheran Outreach” and put “Funke Kids Citizenship Project” in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to Global Lutheran Outreach at 6709 Ficus Drive, Miramar, FL 33023.
Meanwhile, Back in Tanzania...
Our school just held a graduation ceremony, and our students are all preparing for their national exams. Please pray for these students as they take their exams in the coming month.
The three deaconesses that we sent to the Community Health Evangelism internship in Kenya have returned and are putting their experiences to work in the local community. In fact, another church in Mwanza has requested that they come and offer a CHE training there!
We are so thankful for our Tanzanian colleagues who continue to serve, and we look forward to being reunited with them in January.
In September of 2012, Eric Funke, grandson of Bill and Lola Funke, and his wife, Linda, followed God’s call to Tanzania. Eric is teaching math and science at a secondary school while Linda works for the Department of Planning and Development. They work in the East of Lake Victoria Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania. Follow their mission work at www.afunketimeintanzania.blogspot.com, where you can also find photos and videos and make donations.