Fresh New Year!
Happy New Year friends and family! We hope you’ve had a renewing and memory-filled holiday season. Now that it’s 2025, it’s time for us to share an update with you and we're really excited about it!
We first want to share some scripture that’s been encouraging to us during this season. It comes from Proverbs chapter 3: “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Okay NOW Where. To. Start. I’m just going to jump right in.
Up first, Jeremy began school back in September for a certificate in Christian Theology and Biblical Studies at Southeastern Baptist. He's taking courses and tests online in between work and family life, and is really enjoying it so far!
Secondly, we've made some promising progress forward! During this process, the biggest struggle has been being able to acquire a visa for our family to be able to do any kind of long term ministry work in Ireland. It seemed we had exhausted all options but the Lord has provided one last option to look at. We came into contact, through ACTION's mobilization team, with an organization called Edengate and learned all about the faith-based travel company. We learned they also organize pastoral retreats and hospitality services for mission teams... something we’re only somewhat familiar with ;)
Through the organization, we’ve come in contact with some really awesome people. They have a deep passion for revitalization amongst the churches of Ireland and Northern Ireland, connecting with the pastors of these churches and bringing them into community with one another. The community aspect runs deep within this ministry. You can check out Edengate, the travel company, here.
SO, because of this wonderful new connection God put right in front of us, we get to go back in just a few short weeks!! The two of us will be traveling back from January 29 until February 5. We’re going to be trying to check off lots of big question marks on the intimidating to-do list. It’s very promising that Jeremy will be able to acquire an IT job within his field via Edengate, which is HUUUUGE. Because that means we would be able to attain a visa!! This trip will help solidify if Jeremy is a good fit for them (we feel pretty good about it) and if it’s a match, they will be able to build a visa for our family. Once this is established, we’ll know how long it will take for the visa to be approved and how long the visa is able to be distributed for.
We’ll also be checking out the different ministries available, up close and in depth. There’s a peaked interest in the hospitality and pastoral retreat avenue, as well as jumping in and being apart of the local churches. We’re praying wherever the Lord wants us, He makes it abundantly clear during this trip. We don’t want to move off his path.
To say the least, this trip can really have us hit the ground running when we return.. After four years of this journey, we’re praying it finally does but only if it’s in God’s timing.
SO HEY! Can you be praying for us in these specific ways?
protection and health during travel (January 29-February 5)
job approval for Jeremy
visa’s created for our family
specific ministry roles revealed
We would love if you came alongside us in prayer - it’s so powerful and always needed. Our community has been so supportive over these few years and it does not go unnoticed and is definitely not taken for granted. We appreciate you all greatly.
If you would like to be apart of what we’re doing in a financial way, you can click here to give. It’s such an honor and blessing to invite you to further His kingdom in this way.
Well, that’s all we have for now! I know it was a lot but we made it, guys. We hope to have an update for you guys soon. Until then - the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you. We love you.
— The Kastles
A photo of us on Christmas Morning!