Trey & Mary Watts Newsletter (Winter 2026)

Greetings Friends & Family!

Happy 2026! 

When most people think about our ministry, summer usually comes to mind—and for good reason. It’s when things here in the states are most visible and active, but summer ministry doesn’t happen by accident. The months leading up to it are full of prayer, planning, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work that lays the foundation for what God will do during the summer. For this newsletter, I wanted to share a glimpse of what ministry looks like for our family during the rest of the year and how it all connects together. 

So what has this season actually looked like? While things may appear quieter from the outside, these past months have been full. Here are a few highlights from this fall and the upcoming spring. Of course, this doesn’t include what’s happening at the TMI bases all around the world. There are Boot Camps running, Sunday schools meeting, BMW schools happening, and Rescue & Matron Units serving their local communities. What happens at the headquarters in Florida serves to support those ministries. I just want to give you a glimpse into what our lives look like outside of serving in the office at headquarters throughout the year. 

June, July, & early August: SUMMER TEAMS!

Mid August & September: Back to School plus Deputation 

During this time, we travel to supporting churches and small groups to share partnership updates and stories from the summer—how the Lord worked, moved, and answered prayers for our family and ministry. We also try to set aside a few intentional days to be together as a family, resting and reconnecting after our separate teams, and spending designated time with the Lord as we come out of such a full season of ministry. And, as crazy as it may seem, this is also a season of prayer—praying for the team members from the summer we’ve just completed and for those who will serve on our next team. By this point, we usually already have our next summer assignment; it could always change, but we at least have a sense of where we’re headed, Lord willing.

October–February: Back Home & Building Community

This is usually when we settle back into a routine at home, plugging in with our local church and serving alongside them. This past October, we were so thankful to attend the wedding of two former Sojourner students from our first year here—they were some of our first friends after we moved here! This season is also a chance to invest in the people around us, whether that’s Sojourner students, staff kids, younger couples, or others in our community. Team member applications also start to pick up during these months, so we begin seeing the names and faces of those we’re praying for next summer. This is also when Sadie and Clara are prayerfully considering where the Lord would have them serve and signing up for their next place of ministry. Once they sign up, they start the process of sending out prayer cards and support letters. 

January 2026 - A Special Ministry Opportunity

As I write this update, Trey, Sadie, and Clara are serving alongside seven others in Panama, hosting another “Buckets of Living Water” event with a dear missionary friend of ours. We praise the Lord for Panama and the role it has played in our story of full-time ministry—this is where God changed the trajectory of our lives. During this trip, they are taking buckets and filters to provide clean drinking water as a way to share the Gospel with a native people group there.

March & April - Gearing Up

This is when time starts to fly. We gear up for the TMI Spring Break teams (and there are still spots available if you have a teenager who’s interested!). Last year, we co-led the Florida team. Our home denomination also sends a group of volunteers for a week, which is always such a treat for us! The Big Top Tent goes up, along with all the other obstacles, and we’re usually both teaching classes during Team Leader Seminar in March. This is also when we start seriously planning and gathering supplies—both for ourselves and each of our kids for summer teams.

May - Kick it into High Gear!

May kicks off with the Mud Run, which benefits overseas mercy ministries. School (hopefully!) wraps up by the end of the month, and we begin buying supplies for the summer. Our “Boot Camp boxes”—the totes and supplies we use year after year—come out of storage, and our extra living room looks like a total explosion of stuff. Think six people packing for 40+ days. Yep…it can get a little crazy. ????

June - It’s GO Time Again!

June begins with Sojourner graduation, another Team Leader Seminar, and then…BOOT CAMP! 

None of this year’s rhythms—quiet or full—would be possible without you. Your prayers, encouragement, and faithful partnership are woven into every season of ministry we’ve shared here. As we look ahead to this summer, that partnership continues as our family prepares to serve in several different places, each reflecting the unique ways the Lord is leading us in this next season.

Summer 2026

Lord willing, here’s where the Watts family will be serving this summer:

Sadie - Paraguay

Clara - Madagascar

Trey, Mary, JC, and Ellie - Zambia

We covet your prayers as we prepare for what the Lord has for each of us, and we are deeply grateful for your continued partnership in this ministry. If you’d like to know more about our summer teams, please feel free to email or call us. And for those who have asked about supporting the kids’ summer costs, you’re welcome to give online or mail a check using the attached coupon—just note their name in the box.

If you would like more information about their teams or a prayer card for the Watts kids, please let us know. We believe our prayer partners are a vital part of our summer ministry. 

Thank you for loving our family, praying faithfully, and walking with us as we follow the Lord.

With love and thanks,

Trey and Mary

"I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers..." Philemon 1:4