Howdy!
It’s that time again where I ramble on for an unnecessary amount of words about all the things God is making possible through you all. From more Total City events, staff retreat, family life, the last Mexico meeting, starting a new class, packing a shipping container, and more this month was full, and we are excited to tell you more about it!
Staff Retreat
This year’s Staff Retreat was absolutely amazing. Thanks to Aidan and the Nicholaides’, there was always something to do, and not a dull moment which was perfect for me. I described this week as a mental rest but definitely not a physical one. Between pickleball, swimming, 9 square, volleyball, fishing, and the gym, it was a very active week. Another cool touch of this year vs last year was Hannah and I weren’t even dating at the last retreat and this year we were married, super cool parallel!
Hannah and I were tasked with planning the movie night which was super fun. Hannah did a lot of the prep and went above and beyond, themed snacks and all. We watched Megamind which everyone seemed to like and gave positive feedback. My personal favorite part of being in charge of this night was ragebaiting the kids everytime they asked what movie we were watching for about a month. It was a lot of fun to tell them we were going to watch either a super old movie or a gross lovey-dovey, sappy one they would hate.
Total City
There were two TC (Total City) events in the month of June that we were able to attend. The first one was a Social in a park on June 6th. They rented an ice cream truck to be able to give out free ice cream, which drew in a lot of interest. I think we had several people sign up to be on the team from that social which was really encouraging. I was also encouraged because both Hannah and I had the opportunity to stop and talk with Pastor Josiah, which was great because with all the commotion and prep work, we hadn’t conversed too much.
The second event we attended this month was our first team night, even though it was the 5th one they have held. We have been so busy this season that we hadn’t been able to attend the previous ones, but being at the team night was an encouragement to see where we are, hear preaching from Josiah, and really understand the mission over the next 70 days until we launch as well as the mission for after launch!
Family Life
With Father’s Day, our nephew graduating, taking Hannah’s aunt and cousins to the airport, and birthdays, we have gotten to see both sides of our family a lot this month. Father’s day, I got to go to the range and go fishing with my dad and spend an evening with my inlaws.
This specific airport trip was fun for me. June 15th we left around 1:30 am, which was perfect because June 14th was the UFC fight night on the whitehouse lawn, which we watched until about 1:15 am. We got back to the ministry between 4 and 5am so I took the morning off to get some sleep. All in all a good trip, and going to pick them back up from the airport was good to get to talk with aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Leadership Class
Hannah and I signed up for one of the classes that CMTS provides for staff which is a leadership class. We met for our first class on June 15th in the evening after work (which also happened to be the same day a container for Belize showed up). The first class is mostly foundational because if you don’t understand the foundation you have nothing to build on. I never did well in school but I am realizing I love being a student when it is something I am engaged in, and clearly this is an engaging topic for me. I am excited to keep learning and growing in knowledge of the Lord!
Belize Shipment
The evening of June 15th the container for Belize arrived and between the next 2 days, we packed as many useful things as we could in that container. A non comprehensive list looks like, clothes, car parts, a Ford Escape, a tractor mower, steam tables, shoes, mattresses, housewares, tires, threaded rod, and much more. I always enjoy getting to pack a container. Typically Aidan and I will be in the container, contouring ourselves to fit more and more stuff anywhere it will fit. I also enjoy the sense of community working together. I saw probably 90% of our staff at the Warehouse between the 2 days we were working on it. It is so cool to be a part of something like this, knowing the clothes your packing is going to be in a kid’s hands in a few months, knowing the cars and materials will be a blessing for years to come, and most of all knowing that this is what the love of God looks like in a physical form.
Mexico Meeting
We had our last meeting before we depart for Monterrey. As we get closer we are growing more and more excited. The group is already getting along very well, funds are going well, all in all its shaping up to be a great trip. We wanna thank anyone who supported this trip specifically through prayer and finances. We ask that you continue to pray against spiritual attacks because we are in the phase where that becomes super prominent.
Some of the things we will get to do include preaching at a hospital, having an event for the kids in one of the local communities, visiting and worshipping at a few different churches, sharing at a men’s rehab, doing some work projects for the rehab, and encouraging the YWAM staff as much as possible. I am excited to see the staff I lived with in Mexico, to keep relationships, but also to make new ones!
Coming Up Next
In July we have a lot of exciting things coming up as well! Right before we leave for Mexico, we have our family vacation for a few days. CMTS will be hosting a Mission Group for a week that week as well. Our Donor Dinner is July 25th, which is for all you who have supported us and the ministry. We would love to see you there and celebrate how God has been working in CMTS! We have a sign up, and it’s free, so if you like good free food, you definitely want to come.
Praises & Prayer Requests
Praises
We are so thankful for the Staff Retreat, time with family, and the finances for Mexico. We want to praise God for the container and all those who will be blessed by it, and for the opportunity for growth!
Requests
Please be praying for:
- the Mexico trip
- the upcoming Equip year
- the Belize container to arrive safely and on time
- continued support
- the Mission Group
- family vacation
- God to highlight to us the things we need to start saying “no” to
- and for the ministry as a whole!
Thank You!
Thank you for reading about our lives. It is a blessing that you even take the time to listen, let alone pray for us and support us financially. You guys are awesome and God is using y’all to bless us so we can bless others, which you get to take part in!
Until Next Time,
Donny & Hannah
If you would like to support Donny & Hannah, you can do so by sending checks with an attached note to CMTS Ministries, or by using this link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/donovanhannahulrich/
