Jamin has achieved one of his major goals coming to Compass.  This week, he made a flight into Charlotte-Douglass International that put him over the 300 PIC hours (pilot in command) required by New Tribes Mission!  This goal seemed so far-off when we came here a year-and-a-half ago, and now it's hard to believe we're here already.  Praise God for his abundant provision and wonderful goodness to us.  We are constantly in awe that He would chose us to further His kingdom, but after all, He chooses each one of His children in a special way.

Last week we were rewarded with a refreshing summer get-away with Jamin's family.  His parents, grandparents (on his dad's side), and both his sisters with their husbands were able to come.  We drove up to Lake Nantahala in the mountains of western North Carolina where we basked in the coolness of higher elevation.  In addition to all the fun times on and in the lake, we also had wonderful fellowship with all the other couples who are also missions-minded.  Jamin's grandparents worked in Italy for over 25 years and still (though in their 80s) make yearly trips back to speak and counsel the believers.  They founded the Italian Bible Institute that just celebrated its 50th anniversary (see the article in Missions magazine about the school).  Jamin's parents spent about 16 years in the DR Congo and are starting a new local assembly here in the US together with several other families.  Jamin's sister Janna and her husband Nate have just joined the mission's group Pioneers and are praying about where specifically the Lord would have them to serve.  They are burdened for Muslims and have narrowed the field down to Chad and one other location in North Africa.  His other sister Joy, and her husband Jeremy, have just returned from a six-week vision trip to Chad where they hope to one day work with nomadic people groups.  Even after seeing the hardships of everyday living there first-hand, their zeal is not diminished.  And so, all three Peck children hope to be on the mission field within the next three years, if the Lord allows.  It was such a blessing to spend this time together as a family as we know time grows short to when our teary goodbyes will have to last 4 years between furloughs.

After such a delightfully cool and relaxing week, it has been hard to return to the heat and daily chores of Shelby.  Jamin is often working in contorted positions inside airplanes on the ground (sort of like working under the dash of a hot car with no ventilation).  We are certainly looking forward to some cooler weather in the fall.  It makes us wonder what sort of climate awaits us on the mission field.  It will probably be tropical, but could perhaps be higher elevation, which would be less muggy.  We know that God gives grace in the moment, and that is what we pray for each day.  We are amazed by His provision.