Hello All! So it has been quite a while since we posted an
update and we are truly sorry for that! We are in the process of updating our
blog site and will let you know as soon as that is ready. After that, we plan
to post monthly detailed updates (and photos!) about what all God is doing here
in SoCal.
SO we basically
hit the ground running last January and kind of feel like we haven’t stopped
since! After arriving in Ontario from our cross-country drive we moved into the
Student Housing Apartments of Gateway Seminary. We have a one-bedroom unit (which is probably just about the same size
as our previous Master Bedroom/Bathroom in our home in Charlotte). Needless
to say, we have down-sized significantly.
Soon after we arrived we began searching for jobs, but this became a much
more difficult task than we would have imagined. In fact, neither of us was
able to land a job until we had been here for several months. This created a
lot of financial stress but by God’s grace (and a couple generous gifts from
some of you) we managed to get by. Thankfully, we each finally got part-time positions at the Seminary. Trent got a job in
the IT department in late July and I got a job in the Mailroom in Early August.
Since then, we have been working tirelessly to succeed in Seminary courses, at
work, and in Ministry.
During the first 3 months here, we attended 12 different
area churches with the hope of finding somewhere to serve and get connected.
After all of our searching we were still unclear as to where God was calling
us. But just about that time, we learned of a new church plant that was just
getting started by a few people at Gateway. We started attending the planning
meetings and after a few weeks we felt called to serve at this new church, as
we could be a part of the planting team. We felt that since we had been called
to California to plant churches, that we should get started right away and take
advantage of this unique opportunity to serve along other Missionaries and Planters
who have a wealth of experience and knowledge. After several months of
planning, we launched our first service to the public in early August. We have
since been faithfully volunteering at Rosena Church.
We are so thankful for all that has happened in the past
year and for all the new relationships we have made. We have already made so
many contacts with area church planters, pastors, missionaries and more! We are
especially grateful for the community we have in the Student Housing Apartments
as that has been a great blessing to us both.
At this point I (Alex) am working 3 part-time jobs (Mailroom
Clerk, Classroom Technician, and Café Server/Barista) at the Seminary. Trent is
also working 2 part-time jobs, in addition to attending School full time and
keeping up with the course-work. We are so thankful to have work but we are
still struggling to cover all of the ongoing expenses of Tuition, Books, and Housing.
We have been able to receive some financial aid, but unfortunately it only covers
a portion of regular semester tuition (no J-terms or Summer school). We so
appreciate everyone who has continued to pray for us on this journey of
stepping out in faith, as well as those who have generously donated. We feel we
are at a point where we are doing all that we can, and yet we are still coming
up short, but we know that God is able. Will you please pray that we will be
able to keep Trent in school? He is about to finish his 3rd
semester, which means he is about half way through. Please also pray for the
opportunity of a full-time position for me, and possibly Trent as that would
help our situation tremendously.
If
you feel led to send monetary support, you can do that easily by making a
tax-deductible donation via our Sending Church in Charlotte, Sharon Forest.
Please make checks Payable to:
Sharon Forest Baptist Church
With a note in the Memo: “Trent and Alex Hopper”
And mail to: Attn: Randy Lankford
5160 Shoreview Dr.
Concord, NC 28025
Any amount would be a blessing to us. One-time, or monthly
donations are both appreciated. As always, we covet your prayers as we continue
to follow God’s call on our lives as we seek to spread HIS love here in
Southern California.
We miss you all greatly! We would love to hear from you
either via Facebook or email but especially by snail mail. Here is our address:
Trent and Alex Hopper
1536 E Princeton St.
Apt. 11
Ontario, CA 91764
With love,
Alex (and Trent)
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