God’s plan is best. Every time I think I know what’s next, God seems to remind me that it’s not according to my plans and timetable, but His. March was certainly evidence of this fact. As I have mentioned in previous prayer letters, Jamie was expecting our baby on March 25. I had taken some time to be home around that time along with the meetings in March. About 2 months ago, when talking with our doctor, I decided that it would be best to try and reschedule a couple of meetings should Jamie deliver early. In hindsight, I am so glad I did. Early on March 13 Jamie went into labor. We got to the hospital and Clayton was born about an hour and a half later. Praise the Lord everything went well. Clayton Alan was 5 lbs 14 oz and 18.5”. Jamie and Clayton are doing well. Thank you for your prayer and concern for our family the past few weeks. (Link to picture at the bottom of this page)
As a result of Clayton coming earlier than expected and our rescheduling, I was a little concerned with our meetings and travels. The Lord worked it out and met our needs far and above what we thought possible in the couple of meetings I was in. It’s humbling to have His care so evident and sufficient in our lives. I had the opportunity to be on a radio program and was able to preach several times in spite of my rearranged schedule.
Another joy was getting to go soul winning at our home church during the days I was off the road. A few months ago I led Dennis to the Lord. I have been praying for his wife and two sons to be saved as well. My brother and mom had gone by a few weeks ago and met the wife, and unfortunately, they were met with a cold response from the wife. Pray that the Lord would work in her heart concerning salvation and that Dennis would be faithful to follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.
Deputation has taught us so many lessons. Trusting the Lord seems to be primary and reoccurring. I often tell Jamie how I hope that whatever lessons the Lord is trying to teach us during this time I am passing. In a year and a half of deputation we are at 65% of our support coming in. People often say that once you hit 50 or 60% it becomes easier. We are trusting the Lord that He will supply our support. Our sincere desire and goal is to finish up deputation by this Christmas and get to the field sometime at the start of 2020. We have been working hard to see this come to pass. I will be leaving for Texas here in a week for about 5 weeks to be in many meetings and conferences. I am praying that the Lord would give us churches that are like minded and would partner with us.
I have never been more excited about what the Lord is doing in our lives. I am excited about the potential of what this year holds. Sometimes deputation can feel like a never ending process but it’s truly awesome to see how the Lord has provided and brought churches along the way to get us where He wants us to be in His time. We’ve been working on saving for our set up needs and it’s exciting to begin our planning of what we’ll need for when we first arrive in Brazil. We’re excited about the future, confident in our Father, and thankful for each of you.
Love in Christ,
Keith, Jamie, Lainey, and Clayton Putnam
View a printable version of this letter…
In case you wanted to see the little guy…
