Torn hearts

Well, one thing that no one can prepare you for is the attachment that you have when a team comes down to serve with you. I guess you end up giving a little bit of yourself away each time and it hurts when they have to leave. When their bus passed by the entrance of the campground upon their leaving Jordan and I waved as they drove off to the airport. When they were out of sight Jordan walked back to a picnic table on the white house patio, placed his arm on the table and his head down on his arm and bawled. I tried to explain to him that there will be many more people that we have to say good-bye too over the next couple of months.

This is the hardest thing about being a missionary! To everyone who came down from Palm Beach, we love you and we truly do miss you!

Prayers Answered!

The teams arrived safely at the airport...Always an answer to prayer! Team A made their way on to the other places that they are ministering to before they meet up with Team B, which has been staying at the camp, in Los Chilies. When they combine at Los Chilies they are a team of 38; I think I should have clarified that better in my last post. Team B is comprised of 23 Palm Beach University students. They are a great bunch and we have thoroughly enjoyed the past couple of days with them. To the Mom's & Dad's of those kids who might be reading this; as I told them all last night, "Ya' done good"! They left this morning for Los Chilies. Team B returns to us on Sunday night with a day of sightseeing scheduled for Monday and then an all-day clinic at the campground scheduled for Tuesday. They leave for the airport on Wednesday at 1 p.m. There is a young lady on this team who went to Campbell University and their Director is from Henderson, N.C. We've had a fun time talking to them about "home" in N.C. I tried to keep off the subject of food; like Bojangles! What I wouldn't give for a biscuit and a chicken leg! :)

God answered another huge prayer on behalf of David & Katherine and Ken on Tuesday. The team was held up in customs over medication and after explaining why so much medication was coming into the country the woman said, "it's all well and good what you are trying to do, but today you won't be taking the medications through" and she walked back into the office, and left David & Katherine and Ken at the counter. The three of them began to pray over the medicine and for the people who needed it. The woman came back a few minutes later, looked at them and said, "I never saw you here, now go"! They turned, motioned to the team to get the bags and passed through customs with the medicine! I cannot wait for them to get back. I believe that God has big things planned for this outreach and for this specific team! I believe that they will be meeting physical, but also spiritual needs these next two days. I also know that Satan is against what they are trying to do. Please continue to pray for both teams!

I'd never make it as a super hero, Nathan (hanging head). Today, I unplugged the phone and took a nap! (Well, for that matter, so did Kyle & Jordan)!

Los Chilies

Ken, Katherine & David are at the airport this afternoon. They are picking up the short-term missions team, 38 members strong coming in today. Please continue to keep this team in your prayers over this next week. They will be leaving the camp on Thursday morning after breakfast for a 7 to 8 hour vehicle ride to Los Chilies. Los Chilies is located at the northern border of Costa Rica and Nicaragua. There, they will be ministering through three days of medical clinics. They say it can be 110 degrees there and the conditions are deplorable as the people group is mostly Nicaraguan refugees. Ken and Heather will be making this trip together and they will return on Sunday evening. I will stay at home down the road from the camp with the boys since while this group is gone we will have a Costa Rican church renting the campground for the day on Saturday. We have had the campground rented out the last three weekends for Saturday rentals and when this team leaves next week, we will have a group of 70 renting the campground for the weekend! We have spent this past weekend also preparing for this large group by actually having to disassemble bunk beds and then set them up in other cabins, doing laundry (towels, washcloths, etc.) We are all kind of a bit tired, but we are really enjoying working together!

Please pray for safety for the team as they travel, for the boys and I as we stay home and manage the campground, and especially for the people that they will be ministering too. Pray now as the team prepares to bring medicine and the gospel to those who are hurting physically and spiritually.

To Hickory Grove: We miss you, more than words can express!

Picture

I thought you might enjoying seeing this picture! This was the little "visitor" to our laundry room during our second week here. Wow...that "zoom" button on our digital camera is an ingenious little feature since I was taking this from my neighbor's yard! I'm just kiddin'! You have to keep your sense of humor down here or else you will be miserable. Today, I have been looking through 82 emails. We finally got the telephone company to report to the house above the camp and restore the phone service and the internet line! I have not been able to check email for three days now! It's just part of that "learning to be flexible" thing! We are doing well, though Heather has been sick the last two days, throwing up all night the first night, but thankfully feeling better today, but continues to have stomach pain that is concerning us. She may have gotten some bad water, though we don't drink from the tap, and we may have to treat her for a parasite if the stomach pains continue over the next couple of days. I know she would appreciate you remembering her in prayer as she is a little bit uncomfortable. Thank you Chris for posting comments on here and Nathan. It's really nice to have something to read from home and from Nicaragua!

While the cat's away...

the mice will play! The interim missionaries, Bruce & Katie Kneigge have taken our children to see the ocean and should be home this afternoon. Ken and I were invited to go along also, but felt that we had too much to do here at the camp. We have a very busy month coming up in May with nationals renting the campground and also a medical short-term team. We have some cleaning that we would like to do and some organizing! They were nice enough to leave us the keys to their home so that we could use their internet line and also make phone calls home. Yesterday, we held a dinner after church in honor of the Kneigge's and the Lessley's (the Lessley's are retired and have been here for five-months overseeing and working on construction projects at the camp) and we presented them with handmade plaques by a Costa Rican artisian as a memorial to their service here. Pastor Jose knew how to get them and where.

We held another staff meeting over the weekend with David & Kathryn, our better halves, and they are missionary candidates now with Global trying to raise their support to be part of our team here at El Jardin Sagrado. They are bilingual and they handle all of the reservations for the camp. Kathryn helped us get around San Jose and get our driver's licenses last week! David & Kathryn will be moving down from San Jose to Orosi and will be living up the road from us. Kathryn is determined to teach me Spanish and called this morning rambling on and on in Spanish. I shocked her when I responded back en espanol! Right now, they come down on the weekends and I always cook Saturday dinner for them at our house. Kathryn always feels bad that they didn't bring anything, but I tell her, "you are our Tico family" and it blesses me particularly to be able to cook a big meal for them. I tell her it feels more like home when they are here and can eat a meal with us like a big family! They have a four-month-old daughter, Aliyana and Heather enjoys giving Kathryn a break and taking care of her. She's a cutie!

Heather & Kyle are enjoying their Youth Group here in Costa Rica. There are a couple of kids who speak English and so our phone, just like in the States, is now being taken over by Heather. That's a wonderful thing! We are happy that she and Kyle are making new friends!

Saturday night a bilingual group of 8 meets at the church. Lately, with some of the groups that are making reservations there has been a conflict with this group meeting in the church building. We found out from the Lessley's who have been helping this group, at least with the English side of things, that this is a very important class to have. Two of the attendees are Youth Group members because to continue their education they have to pass an English exam. The leader of the group is a Tico who is bilingual. Rather than have them not be able to meet, we offered to allow them to meet in front of our house as we have a large patio that is enclosed. We are sitting in on the class trying to pick up some Spanish, but we also help the leader, should he have questions regarding English meaning. More importantly, we are trying to build relationships and hope that this may allow us to share Jesus with someone from this group as not everyone who comes attends the church. Please continue to pray for this group and this ministry.

Dios te Bendiga!

Patience is a virtue...so is flexibility!

Alrighty then! God is still molding the Dundon Family...that's a good thing! We are slowly, and I do mean slowly, getting things done. Today, we made the heroing track up to San Jose to get our driver's license. I commented to Ken that I felt like I was in a James Bond movie with motorcycles driving in between vehicles and playing "chicken" in oncoming traffic. We now have our driver's licenses, not that I plan on using mine a whole lot, God willing! We have a phone line in our house for in-country calls only. So no one feels bad, we have spoken to Danielle once the last three weeks that we have been here! We have the internet ordered for the house, but that could take three months and we still have no P.O. Box to receive mail. This is really only frustrating us because we feel totally cut off from family and friends. While we are not homesick and do not miss our house in N.C. we miss communication! Well, my time is now up in the Internet Cafe. Ken is here to pick me up after getting gas and weed whacker line for Cokie, the camp's maintenance employee and he also wears the hat of "iguana remover, frog remover and some unidentified lizard remover" from the Dundon laundry room the past two days! We are being stretched and we are having a good time laughing at ourselves!!! :)

Hola

Thank you to all of you who prayed for our family! First, we did arrive in Costa Rica safely and we did get our luggage! For those who had not heard, we arrived with all 10 of our bags missing! They were delivered to the camp by Delta Airlines for us since we are about an hour from the airport on Tuesday late afternoon. We are working on setting up our home. Ken and I had to switch our bedroom around to another bedroom in the house. We just could not get any sleep with the neighborhood dogs and neighbors chickens crowing all night. Seems they are confused. I always thought roosters were quiet at nighttime...not here! We are learning to be more flexible! No cold water to wash dishes is hard for me since the "dishes weren't clean until your hands were red" where I come from! I have devised a routine of drawing hot water from the shower to wash my dishes and this makes me very happy and content in my cleaning! Kyle does not like the peanut butter here and much to our surprise we cannot find Grape jelly or jam! I was shopping yesterday and have yet to figure out if we can buy spaghetti sauce as we know it in the States. I see a lot of tomato products, but none that look like spaghetti sauce. The kids are doing fine, swimming everyday and playing soccer at the camp. I have not seen any "killer" bugs here yet, just simple ants and small spiders. So, seems like it will be okay for you skeptical visitors to come down! Well, since we have no phone line yet, I am typing this from the internet cafe in the town of Orosi. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, family, church family, supporters, friends. We miss you, but we want you to know that we are blessed to be here. It truly is a beautiful country filled with precious people. That's all for now!

Two ties uniquely bound

"Sever the ties, except the ties that bind me to your service and to your heart" and "Blest be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love...." How amazing that this poem that I spoke about yesterday with a challenge and this favorite hymn are uniquely bound directly to Him, to His love and what He has done for us. Our family is just an ordinary family. There really is not anything that makes us different or allows us to stand out from anyone else. God has allowed a way for us all to serve Him in the capacity that we are endeavoring to serve Him as missionaries. It often requires us in an act of obedience to step out of our comfort zones and totally depend on Him. I wish that we could say that we don't struggle with that, but we do because of who we are in the flesh. For me, I have to die to myself daily, sometimes hourly! They say that out of 75% of people who call themselves Christians, only 9% have a world view. I am thankful that Jesus gave it all at the cross. He didn't just give 9%. What's your world view and where is He beckoning you to share about Him? Across the hallway in your office or two cubicles down? On the 2nd and 3rd grade wing when your classroom is on the 5th grade wing? Only you know. But He knows too! I promise you, the God that saved you will be the God that equips you for the task that He has asked you in His Name to do!

"Blest be the tie that binds" our hearts to this church and to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Packing, eating and letting go!

It's been a very busy week of dinner get togethers with church family, friends and celebrating Danielle's 18th birthday, packing, and unpacking, and uh, packing (too much weight in our bags!) Today, I cried though, out of sadness. A family friend thankfully took our dog, Cassie Layne, and it was hard. I know that she is in a good home and will be loved on like we had loved on her and even then some! She's an ole' black lab, 11 years old. She was My Girl and I will miss her! Funny how we humans get attached to our pets! Well, I have to say, I feel like I am just about ready for my Costa Rican diet. I've enjoyed way too much good food the last couple of weeks! I am looking forward to shedding some pounds.

Happy Easter

May we never forget!

Some good-bye fun!!!

Last night we were invited to Elizabeth & Robert's house for dinner. Shortly after we got there Jessica & Jason arrived too. It was a lot of fun to get to know the "J" Family a little bit better. Altogether there were 10 kids, at least 5 of which were on the couch with Heather or in her lap. She had a great time! I have never eaten better hot dogs and cheeseburgers. We sold our grill in a garage sale in November, way before Thanksgiving. It was amazing to me how good something cooked on the grill tastes when you have not had one for four months. A simple pleasure taken for granted. I suspect that in the coming weeks and months there will be many other things that we realize we have taken for granted when we no longer have them available to us. So, to Elizabeth & Robert and to Jessica & Jason...thanks for the tears... from laughing so hard! We were blessed, but "ya'll ain't right"!

Opposites!

Tomorrow is the last day of school before spring break starts, but for Heather, Kyle and Jordan it is their last day of school in the U.S. I was talking with Heather last night and she expressed concern that she would get to say good-bye to all of her friends. I guess, for some, tomorrow is an early dismissal seeing as though it is prom night. So, today and tomorrow, she will be trying to make sure she gets to speak with all of her friends. Kyle and Jordan on the other hand, well, they just keep breaking into their brotherly rendition of, "Schools Out For the Summer" - not quite I remind them...just until we get settled in Costa Rica!

Hanging in there!

Thank you to those who have thought about us today and called or sent an email! It really blessed our day as Ken and I worked on getting loose ends tied up just to know that you were thinking about us and praying for us!

The Struggle...saying good-bye

We got a phone call at the beginning of this week inviting us to a dinner party in our honor hosted by two of our neighbors and one of our supporters. The dinner is tonight. Last night we got a reminder phone call. Could it be that they have mental telepathy and knew our thoughts over the last couple of days? It would almost seem easier not to show up than to have to endure the pain of having to say good-bye. I shared that with our Pastor on Wednesday night as he discussed our final Sunday here; I wish there was a way out of attending that last service. It is gut wrenching! But then of course, God stepped in and the very next day as I was roaming around on Missionary-Blogs I came across this missionary prayer by David Livingstone on a blog (ugh...I forgot to write down whose blog I read it on): "Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any ties, but the tie that binds me to your service and to your heart". Enough said!

Happy Birthday Ali...

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...I met Ali. It was her first day in the Christian school I had been attending for two years. We ended up sitting next to each other in homeroom. She looked overwhelmed that first day. I said, "hi" to her. She mustered up a half-smile and said "hi" back. I thought she was really shy (little did I know). The rest is a long history of high school together, proms, guys, then marriage and kids. And does she have kids! 10!!! I just saw her a few weeks ago when we traveled up North. Ken & I had dinner with her and her husband, Steve. We laughed, all four of us, like old times when we used to live closer. Distance has not changed our friendship, though. We still fought over paying the bill! Somehow in our families moving around we have always found each other through family members. I called her this morning to sing Happy Birthday to her, but she wouldn't have it! Probably because she knows I would sing off-key! So Ali, since I know you read this blog faithfully every single day, "Happy Birthday" and a reminder, from Proverbs 18:24, "Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers". I love you and I thank God for our 28 years of friendship! Thank you for making my life rich! You are...the best!!!

21 days and...

...and I dunno. Seems like we've waited so long to go and now the days are passing really, really fast! Things are getting checked off "the list", but it seems like new things mysteriously appear in the middle of the night because when I wake up the list still looks long! This week Danielle is on spring break from her college classes and the poor kid has no idea all that I have planned to get accomplished with her. She will be "drug" (said in my best Southern drawl) all over the county helping to get things set up for her independence. Three more weeks. It hardly seems possible...

30 days and...prayer requests

Jordan has the flu. Ugh! People are curious as to how you prepare for leaving the country. Well, since we've been traveling, we are behind. Things that we will be doing this week include, but are not limited to, filing our taxes, composing an up-to-date newsletter for our supporters, looking for more luggage (we can take 2 bags per person) which amounts to 10 suitcases. I think we have 4. Heather has an eye exam this week and we will at least try to get her contact prescription filled for this whole next year, plus get a spare pair of glasses. Set up a bank account for Danielle since we are still financially responsible for her. Update addresses, name changes on our support list to send back in to Global and send out a letter through them. So yes, there is much to do. Please keep us in your prayers! We really don't need to get sick. Pray that we can get things checked off our list every day! Our house is still on the market, but we trust God in all of that. Just pray that we will remain in His perfect peace!!!

Four Friends and a very small church....

How the Lord met our support needs recently...

Four friends who meet for coffee and hot chocolate in Syracuse, NY (our hometown) who have a connection with my twin sister; a year and a half ago while visiting my sister invited me to their meeting place. A McDonald's not far from my sister's home. We sat for about 45 minutes and while I was drinking hot chocolate I shared about Costa Rica and answered their questions. Recently, they all decided to pool their money together and signed up for monthly support.

Then there's the small church in N.C. They barely have enough money to pay their Pastor on a regular basis. If you stood on the outside of their church you might think from a distance that they didn't have much to offer. No BIG programs! Not a lot of bells and whistles! If you had the opportunity to go inside like we have had so many times, you would observe a church that prays, and prays hard, for their church body, and for their community. It is a church that serves the community around it, and has passion for introducing people to Jesus Christ. They have stepped out in faith to support us.

Less and less money is given in support of missionaries every day and there are many who can never raise enough funds to get to the field.

To all of you, four friends, a small church, family, friends, our supporting churches: Thank you! We are overwhelmed with your generosity! We are so blessed, so grateful and so encouraged!

The REAL update...

After contacting our immediate family and our Pastor; we are leaving for Costa Rica on March 31st. We do have 100% of our support. That alone is a modern day miracle! As you can imagine, there is much to say and to do. We will be working on a newsletter to send out and as I collect my thoughts a little better over the next couple of days, I will post more on here. The most important thing right now that needs to be said is, "To God be the Glory".

They're back!

We got home safely this afternoon from our travels up North. Thank you for your prayers while we were on the highways and for all of you who checked our blog while we were gone. ::shocked:: People actually read this!! Sorry I didn't post while we were gone. We were really busy and I promise to post more in the coming days. Right now, I have a bunch of emails to look over! Please check back!

On winning the Super Bowl...

::snicker::

Our Pastor said last night he was eating "humble pie" and he had gotten some "phone calls". I refrained from calling him to rub in his loss. (See, us loud mouthed Northerners can on occasion exercise restraint). I chose to take the "high road", though I must say, I had "amusing thoughts" of placing a sign in his front lawn proclaiming him to be a "Giants Fan". I thought that would be a hoot to have him wake up, drive out of his driveway on the way to his office and see that banner in his front yard! Ghastly, I know (hanging head low)!

"One more sleep"...and Ken will be home! (That's how Jordan keeps track, by the number of times he has to sleep before someone arrives home or until an exciting event happens). We arrived home from church last night to have an interesting email from Ken half composed in English and in Spanish. My immediate thought was, "alright, he has an interpreter sitting next to him because there's no way". Needless to say, I have no clue what half of it said, so I hope it wasn't too important. Today, he is driving around getting things lined up for our transplant to Costa Rica (post office box, grocery card for the camp, meeting the landlord) and I am not sure what else.

Yesterday, I had to leave the house and the company came in with the realtor to shoot our 360 degree house tour. It's not on-line yet, but that should be interesting to view. No new showings this week or last week, either. That's okay though, since I really had not been feeling that good. I have that lingering cough and sinus stuff that everyone seems to be carrying around. We are praying about dropping the price into the next bracket. We trust that God has a plan in all of this for us and we are content to wait and see how it all unfolds! It also gives me more time to enjoy the fresh paint :)

Well, let the Nascar season begin!

On winning the lost...

I've been sitting on my hands the last couple of weeks at church when I've really wanted to break out in applause as we continue to hear preaching on winning the lost, eternal C.P.R., method changing, but keeping the message the same. But here, I can let my fingers fly! One thing that bothers me about the Great Commission verse i.e. Matthew 28:18-20 is that people most times refer to this as THE reference point in the Bible for winning the lost, yet throughout the Old and New Testaments there are many verses which speak on this subject, too many to list here. Since I've heard some people refer to the Old Testament as just that, old, it is worth pointing out that in all four Gospels Jesus specifically commands us on this topic in the verses mentioned above from Matthew, but also, Mark 16:15, "And then he told them, You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere". Luke 24:47, "and that this message of salvation should be taken from Jerusalem to all the nations: There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me". John 20:21 "He spoke to them again and said, As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you". Jesus was repetitive. When I was doing a study of Evangelism Explosion I had someone once tell me that evangelism was "not their job. That was the Pastor's" and they cited Ephesians 4:11 "Some of us have been given special ability as apostles; to others he has given the gift of being able to preach well; some have special ability in winning people to Christ, helping them to trust him as their Savior; still others have a gift for caring for God's people as a shephard does this sheep, leading and teaching them in the ways of God". Easy enough to fall back on, but I haven't found a verse yet that says evangelism is solely the Pastor's job or the missionaries or the deacons, you get the point. God came "to seek and to save that which was lost". His sole purpose in coming to earth, dying on the cross, and rising again. I believe He is able to give us all that we lack, whether it is confidence, boldness if we step out in obedience, and in faith, and share with those around us as His spirit leads us just as strongly as I believe that I am saved. Evangelism's basis is not on a gift. It is a command.

The changes begin...

"Ding Dong the green truck's gone". Danielle was never to fond of it always telling her Dad it looked like a booger. But Ken would always say, "it could be worse, Danielle. I could be driving around with a big bug on the roof" and we would always start laughing! Seems weird not to see it in the driveway after seven years. It has been turned over to another colleague at Stock while we wait to be able to leave. And so, the changes begin.

"May we show your house"? - PANIC!

I was sitting at my computer yesterday morning, typing medical reports in my own little world when the phone rang. It was Centralized Showing Service requesting to show the house. My response...dead silence. I guess it hadn't really sunk in that someone might want to see the house so soon since it was just officially on the market Friday night! I kind of stuttered my way through the short conversation and accepting the appointment time. I was afterall, still in my P.J.'s! One of the luxuries of working at home that I hadn't even considered should probably get an overhaul. With some vacuuming and wipe down of the bathroom sinks, an obvious change of clothing on my part, we (myself and the kids since they are off from school) were out the door in an hour! And about that working from home clothing overhaul...there's always tomorrow since it's 11:08 a.m. and I am still working in my P.J's! Ugh!

Travel, work, reading

We had a sloth weekend! In other words, we just hung around the house, lying on the couch, sitting in recliners and relaxing. It felt so good! Ken is leaving for Costa Rica in a few days to help with a short-term team down at the camp for two weeks. They will be finishing up the camp kitchen renovation project that was started by another team who just left Costa Rica. When he returns we will be home for a week and then travel up North for training and then to say good-bye to family. The house is officially on the market now. We are both still working our full-time jobs and I have been reading three books. I can't remember my Social Security # or the dates of birth of my four children unless I say them in order, but I can master processing three books at one time...go figure! "Cross-Cultural Conflict" by Duane Elmer is an intense book; one that you read a few chapters and have to put it down and process it for a couple of hours. It's about building relationships for effective ministry. It was recommended by another missionary friend in Teguc, Honduras working with CAM. When I cannot process much more of this book at one time and need a break, I've been reading "On Being a Missionary" by Thomas Hale. Thomas Hale is a missionary physician who has served in Nepal since 1970. This book uses the insights of over one hundred missionary writers in dealing with the problems, struggles and failures that missionaries often face. It's an eye opening book with serious implications and hiliarous ones too! And the last book is "Let the Nations Be Glad, The Supremacy of God in Missions" by John Piper. It's a deep book! Another one you can only absorb so much of at one time and then you just have to put it down! Here's a quote from the book that has really caused a headache for me this week (really stopped me in my tracks and made me think), "Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't". (Passing the bottle of Tylenol).

For Sale!

We've put down the paintbrushes, put away the toolbox and picked up the phone and called the realtor! This weekend we will be taking a much needed rest!

Words...

Sometimes it's hard to the find the words to say. Blessed would be a good one, but I never want to use that word flippantly on this blog. When I say it, I mean it in a BIG way. Blessed...it is then, but it was even so much more than that! Filled, encouraged, thankful are just a few. Thank you for ministering to us this weekend at Hickory Grove Greg, Kelly and Gordon. You all blessed us in ways words cannot even express!

And....a new kitchen floor!

We put down a brand spanking new kitchen floor yesterday afternoon and evening. I missed another Kodak moment (ugh!) of everyone sitting on the old kitchen floor eating dinner since our kitchen table was outside on the patio. Come to think of it, the stove was out there too...hahahahaha! We had the refrigerator in the livingroom, of all places, on plywood! Well, today we will put back the molding around the base of the cabinets. Yesterday, we also secured a real estate lawyer that we will use since our other lawyer has left his practice since we bought this house. I see light at the end of tunnel!!!

Still.....painting

I have really dreaded having to paint the kitchen, but thankfully tonight I am almost done. It has been a long day of tedious taping around kitchen cabinets and countertops to start the painting. There does not seem to be a full wall anywhere in this kitchen, so it seems to be taking so much longer than any other room with the added excessive taping in the broken up lay-out of windows, cabinets, etc. The other day I found out that my brother, Dick, who is a missionary Pastor is coming home from Scotland for a short visit. This is great news since we were talking on the phone wondering how and if our furloughs would ever coincide with each other's. He will be at home in Syracuse, NY just a few days before we need to travel there in February and then on to Global's offices in Buffalo and St. Catherine's for some last minute meetings. I think it has been two years now since I have seen him and so I am really thankful and excited, but that is so understated, that God has uniquely orchestrated his return and our travel to collide and I will get to see him and his wife, Sue. This family visit will be difficult as it will be our last before departing for Costa Rica. So, it is to visit, but also to say good-bye to my parents, two sisters, three brothers, Ken's sister and his brother too. We have someone interested in looking at our house when we have it ready and before we sign a contract with a realtor to list it. If you could add that to your prayer list for us that would be wonderful! Thank you so much!

Scary scaffolding

I shoulda' took a picture! We got the stairway leading up to the second floor of our home painted last night without injury. Ken did that is, and Heather and I stood guard over the "make-shift scaffolding". (There is no way we were gettin' up there)! The only way to do it was to stand up the ladder and run boards from the stair steps to the ladder step. Then Ken placed a piece of plywood over those and he painted fast, really, really fast first cutting in the trim and then with the roller; Heather holding and watching the ladder to make sure it was not moving and me at the top of the stairwell...praying and helping him reload the brush and roller! I believe there will probably be more "make-shift" contraptions to make ahead in Costa Rica as we begin to work there. The downstairs hallway is done and the upstairs hallway. Today, we shampooed all of the carpeting in the house and began to put furniture back in it's place. Ken also replaced a door yesterday and cut his fingers up a bit. The pantry in the kitchen got a new coat of paint. We really NEED to finish our house by this weekend so that we can list it! It will require us to continue in a pattern of working our jobs and working at night until late trying to get things done. Please continue to pray for us as this is really getting exhausting, but things are truly shaping up around here. Okay, off to have a simple supper...hot dogs!

Busy in preparations

I've decided that the one thing I have always really enjoyed doing, I may now actually hate! We've been painting the last two days. Perhaps it is because I am doing it under "pressure". Yesterday, we began and finished the boy's bedroom. On Wednesday we began and finished the livingroom. This afternoon and evening I hope to finish the hallway and bathroom upstairs, tape up the hallway and kitchen downstairs and hopefully (fingers crossed until they are white) be done with all the painting tomorrow! I love the color, "Moroccan Moonlight", neutral, but very warm and inviting. Our house was still in the standard "builder's white" color. I wish we had done this for ourselves a couple of years ago. (scream!). Ah well, :) We're alive here. Just busy!

An answered prayer.

In our December newsletter that went out about a week and a half ago or so, I had mentioned a prayer request for our passports (Ken & I have ours, but we applied for Heather, Kyle and Jordan's). We were just asking for prayer that they would be processed in a timely fashion and that we would receive the kids original birth certificates back without a problem since if there was one, two of the kids birth certificates are out of New York State! On Christmas Eve we received their passports in the mail and their birth certificates were enclosed. We did not pay extra to have the "expedited" service, but we received them exactly three weeks from when we applied for them! We were told they would return in six weeks, about the middle of January, which would have been absolutely fine, we just hoped that we wouldn't have any long, extended delays in processing. Thank you to all of you who did pray for that need! We greatly appreciate it and we are so thankful to have the passports earlier than expected!

The day after...

We had a simple Christmas, but we always do. We celebrate our children's birthdays in a big way. We even bring out a special "Birthday Flag" which is hung late at night the night before their birthday after they have gone to bed. On Christmas, it is not their birthday, and we celebrate with only a few presents and spend the day reflecting on Jesus' birth. We spoke with family on the telephone; my brother, a missionary Pastor in Scotland, my parents in New York State, Ken's sister in New York State and his sister in Georgia. We went to his parents home for a quiet Christmas dinner and took pictures in the afternoon outside with them since this will be our last Christmas together for a while and then of our four kids together, since we do not know when Danielle will be with us in Costa Rica at Christmas. We came home at a reasonable hour and relaxed. Today, we were up bright and early helping the kids make decisions in their bedrooms about clothes, keepsakes, etc. We have accomplished a lot today!

The Phone Call!

We got a phone call on Thursday, 12/20 and the voice on the other line said, "get your house sold we'd like you there on February 1st". The exact numbers have not been crunched, but we believe that we are at about 95% of our monthly support now since people have been communicating to us that they have sent in pledge cards. Global believes, and we do too, that the rest will come. Please continue to pray for our family as we prepare to go. I will do my best to keep this better updated on exact dates and travel as the time gets closer.

He is faithful!

Rain

Taking a break from sorting, to sit here at my desk and "hear" the rain as it taps the window pane. It seems like it has been so very long since we have had a good rain like the one we are experiencing now. I have not posted recently because I didn't want to bore you to death! Not a lot has changed since the last post. Oh! By the way, to the five or six people who regularly read this blog and to the two that actually ever post comments, "your checks are in the mail". Well, back to going through some things, throwing things, but I had to pause for just a few short minutes and enjoy the sound of the rain, and to thank God for allowing us to have some!
Edited to say: I am not throwing things...I am throwing things out, though. Just thought I might clarify that :)

$400, that's all folks

$400 of pledged monthly support is all we have left to raise. That breaks down to 13 people committing to $30 a month or 8 people committing to $50 a month. We continue to step out in faith trusting that God is going to provide for our needs by getting our house ready to be placed on the market. Two days ago we were at 88%. Today, we are at 90%. An amazing God!

Garage Sale! Preparing to Go.

Hmph...I'm tired. Today was our big garage sale. What didn't get sold we hauled off to Good Will and the dump. We brought nothing back into the house. It was a bittersweet day. Things were sold that we have had since we were married 22 years ago, though seeing someone else buy things and knowing they will probably be put to good use makes it easier. A reminder of how much we have here in the States and how much we "hold" on too sometimes without even meaning too. We still have stuff to go through, mainly clothes, and the dishes we kept to be able to eat and cook with until we can go, but rooms are begining to echo around here. We won't have another garage sale. What is left will be donated to With Love, From Jesus which holds a special place in our hearts. Well, a few more steps closer to being ready to paint and put the house on the market.

Beginning preparations

I seem to be having trouble logging on to our blog from our computer. This post is being done on our lap top. Our livingroom is piled high with empty boxes in one corner, two boxes in another corner packed. There are side jobs that Ken had committed to weeks ago and those doors, windows, etc. are now coming in and he is working on Saturdays to finish those jobs for people. We have other commitments that should be wrapped up soon, R.O.C.K. Rally and Marching Band season will soon begin winding down. It's been busy and we just haven't found a lot of free time to get to the house. We spoke with the person that we will probably list our house with and talked about how the housing market is "really" going. You see and hear things on the local news. He said that in Johnston County housing was going at 110% this past summer, but it's still at about 90% right now and keeping him very busy. We trust that the Lord already has a plan for our home! It seems that Global Outreach has found a home for us to rent in Costa Rica when we get there so that is really nice and makes our transition so much easier. We couldn't be more thankful for that! I haven't had time to get a newsletter done, but I hope to get to that this weekend. If you would, just continue to keep our family in your prayers as we begin to go through things in our home and prepare it to be placed on the market. We feel a little overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. We continue to take it one day at a time and pray that God would allow us to use any available free time wisely!

Costa Rica...in the home stretch!

We have 75% of commited monthly support and another 12% in pending status (waiting for the verbally comitted support to reach Global Outreach offices so that it can added in). That's a total of 87%. I want to make it perfectly clear that God has moved in a miraculous way on our behalf! None of the support that has been commited to our family comes through something that Ken or I have done. Yes, we are the ones who physically stood up and did presentations, made phone calls, sent letters, met with individuals, prayed (but I know we had lots of others praying along with us); God is the One who moved people's hearts toward committing to Missions and the ministry at El Jardin! The last year and a half has at times been hard because we are hard-headed (moreso me than Ken). There are so many people that God, in His love and grace, sent to encourage us and kept us from giving up! He even sent some to help us "get a grip" and "refocus", like Bob & Robin. Then there were times when we did just rest and wait and He showered us with tremendous blessing. I wouldn't exchange the things that I have learned for an easier path! I realize that I have so much more to be taught and that this time has been a time of preparation for things that I will continue to learn through serving on the field. What does the 87% mean? It's time to apply for the kids passports. We need to begin preparing the house to go up for sale. We are coming to a time of "lasts", last Thanksgiving/Christmas with family for four years and the anticipation of "firsts", like all the new things you experience living in a different country and culture. We cannot yet board a plane because there are still funds that need to come in before we can go and while we trust God for those needs, we would be making a terrible mistake to not take this opportunity and allow you to see what God has already done! Please join us in thanking Him for the recent provisions that He has made for our family and continue to keep us in your prayers as we endeavor to be obedient to His plans for us! To God be the Glory!

Support Raising, waiting and praying to get to Costa Rica!

We've been busy. That's not even accurate, really. Feels like we've been crazy! We got our last support letter typed and sent to the Mission. You should be receiving that now asking for your help in getting us to Costa Rica by January '08, our deadline. It's almost time for another newsletter to go out. We have received word that we have received additional support, but we do not know exactly what percentage we are at as Global just finished a big conference and everyone's desk is piled high with requests at the office. We should have a better picture next week and be able to report that here to you. In the meantime, thank you to all of you who have been praying for us during this time. We cannot even express to you how much it means to us knowing that you are specifically bringing our family before the Throne. Thank you to our Support Team for your love, prayers and especially the encouragement. It's hard to imagine where we would be without you in our lives. You all mean so much to us! May the Lord continue to move in a way that will bring Him the glory!

"God of Wonders"

Ever find yourself in a state of wonder over God? I find myself like that a lot. The other night it was the stars suspended in the sky. They are there every clear night, bright and just hanging in space. How does He keep them there? What about service? That He even asks me to do anything, now that's just crazy! The fact that He would even entrust us by His prompting to do something for Him, are you kidding me? He doesn't need us! Yet, He allows us to join Him in carrying out His purposes! That blows my mind! I'm thankful that I can't even attempt to figure Him out. If I could, I wouldn't need to depend on Him! I so desperately NEEED GOD. Daily, lately hourly! I'm thankful He's always available, never busy on a cell phone, in a meeting and I'm never put on hold. I fall so short of His glory. Yet, He continues to "hang in there" with me. He's so patient. He absolutely amazes me!

A weekend at home/monthly support report

This will be the first weekend in four weeks that we have all been home together! We attended the family wedding in Atlanta, then we went to Camp Dixie the next weekend, Ken was in Florida for "Big Splash" last weekend. We have been busy!

I love these verses in Habakkuk 2 where Habakkuk wanted answers. "How long, O Lord?" he asks. God took His time. Then He tells Habakkuk, "The vision is yet for an appointed time,". "Wait for it; because it will surely come".

God continues to move us forward and we have now received 46% of our committed monthly support. We have received a deadline to be in Costa Rica by January '08. At least we will have an answer.

Felix

Please keep our missionary friends, the Sims family and all those serving along with them in Teguc, Honduras under WGO with the ranch in your prayers. Also, please remember the MamaTara Miskito Orphanage in Puerto Lempira, Honduras, directly on the east coast which can only be reached by boat or airplane. This is a very remote part of the country, cut off from the rest of Honduras by rain forest. The children there have a special place in our hearts and we are also praying for them too and all of those associated with that ministry. May the Lord hold you close!

BEWARE: Long post ahead!!!!

Last weekend we traveled to Atlanta to attend a family wedding. Congratulations Phil & Celena Halladay! We got home safely, but a little bit later than we planned on Sunday evening and on Monday we embarked on CHAOS in our household. For the first time ever, our four kids are attending four different schools. I was very amused at Ken having taken the day off from work and when all four kids were finally at school he let out a deep breath and uttered these words, "I don't know how you do this every day"! I laughed.

Wednesday night was the wrap-up of a really great Bible study at church. A lot of the ending was about living with passion for Christ and the teacher mentioned how she feels like a lot of Christians have lost their passion. She also talked about Jesus' last command to us to "Go"! She shared (and I am paraphrasing because I cannot remember her exact words, but I am just sharing with you what I took from her teaching) how we have been commanded to "Go" across the street, down the sidewalk of our neighborhoods, across the aisle in our office to the next cubicle. She even mentioned that we are commanded to "Go" to....Costa Rica!

We are "commanded" was the emphasis. It made me think of our black lab, Cassie. She's getting stubborn in her old age. Used to be when you "commanded" her to do something she did it. Now, she's 10, a little more feeble, a whole lot less energy and not as passionate about getting up and going outside to chase a hand-thrown tennis ball. She's a little hard of hearing or could it be "selective hearing"? It seems like in the last six months to get her to do what you want you have to scream at her. She's a little slow on the issue of obedience and kind of likes to take her time "evaluating" what we ask her to do before making her final decision.

I have recently stumbled across the writings of George Verwer, the World Missions Advocate. He writes, "In our Christian walk, we are often not so disciplined and careful. In our effort to stay free from guilt, or in our effort to stay "free and live by grace", we often over-emphasize God's sovereignty, emphasizing that no matter what happens, 'God is in control'. He goes on to write, "A Christian in a moment of anger kills someone. What does he tell the court or judge, 'God is in control'? No, he is forced to be realistic and he may in fact spend life in prison". He also writes about the state of mission field, "25% of the world's population still has not even heard or read the Gospels 2,000 years after Jesus gave the command. Who's fault is it? God's? No! It is a mistake to think that the next big move is God's. His big moves have already taken place, the Cross, the empty tomb and Pentecost".

Do I believe that us leaving for Costa Rica is all in God's timing? Absolutely! But, I also believe that the command that was given 2,000 years ago has not been fulfilled because of our lack of faith and Biblical commitment (obedience). We have been asked by Global Outreach to be in Costa Rica by January. If God has commanded you to support us, don't be like our dog, Cassie, and "evaluate" whether you want to obey. I know that if He asks you, then He will provide for you!

I Samuel 15:22 "Samuel replied, "Has the Lord as much pleasure in your burnt offerings and sacrifices as in your obedience? Obedience is far better than sacrifices. He is much more interested in your listening to him than in your offering the fat of rams to him".

Please, keep us in your prayers!

Our Prayer!

"This season of waiting is always an essential qualification for successful service. God would have His children realize the utter inadequacy of all human means to accomplish His gigantic purposes, that thus the praise and glory might be afterwards ascribed exclusively to Him".
-Hugh D. Brown-

Busy, busy!

Taking a breather for a few minutes and thought I would write an update. I just finished our newsletter, so you should be receiving those by snail mail or email in the next couple of days. We have another presentation this Saturday afternoon that we are preparing for. I need to write a letter to go out through the mission as well so they can get those sent off. We find ourselves in a constant balancing act; trying to prepare for the mission field, but not being ready financially to go, and allowing our four kids to live their lives here in the States, but not knowing when we might leave and working our full-time jobs. It can be difficult at times. Sometimes it is heart wrenching, especially for Heather whose band has been invited to the 2008 Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. She is on the color guard. Preparations for that are already beginning and you can imagine the excitement over being invited to participate in something that big. Only 5 high school bands will be performing and 300 tried to get a spot. We just take it all one day at a time. Last week was orientation for Danielle and she has now been attending her one and only high school class for a week (she will graduate in December). Today, she added in her college courses to her schedule and should finish up with Cosmetology School in July. She was a little "stressed" last night beginning the paperwork for her English IV project. It's been hard for me to embrace the fact that she is a Senior! Where does the time go? Heather just finished two full weeks of band/color guard camp. She didn't get her ability to walk backwards and to the side simultaneously from me I tell 'ya! Today was her freshman orientation and she continues with two band practices a week. Tomorrow, Kyle has a physical and then try-outs for middle school football. 4 kids, 4 different schools this year. I haven't quite figured out the carpool/bus schedule. My little mind just isn't there yet! God remains our strength and our peace even in our daily activities!

Isaiah 26:3 "He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Trust in the Lord God always, for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength".

An "ordinary" Sunday...NOT!

Yesterday morning was crazy in our house. Men's breakfast, invitation to meet a missionary at another church, financial presentation at our church...we were going in different directions and I felt frustrated. (I like my Sunday morning leading up to Sunday School and the worship service to be calm as I prepare and anticipate receiving something from the Lord). We had also received word on Friday that we were still $400 short in shipping the ambulance off to Costa Rica and that was weighing on my heart. We arrived at the other church early enough to get to meet the missionary, Jan, and talk for a few minutes before the service started. Things became "wild", not Jan, but GOD. We had so much in common, that we all knew, this was a Divinely-appointed meeting! Jan is a short-term missionary to Costa Rica working in an orphanage about a half hour from El Jardin, the camp. Her and her husband operate a retreat center/camp not to far from our town. Weird...we had never even heard that there was a retreat center in this area. The service began with worship music and their choir, and then Damascus Road, a singing group. I received through the worship music that preparation I had lacked before leaving my home. We were introduced to the congregation as missionaries before the offering and the Pastor told them that we needed to leave to attend our church. Before we left we were given cash by Jan and the church promised a check to match her gift. The total was $400. It reminded me of this verse, "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue; but in deed and truth". I John 3:18

Our calling to missions

Galatians 1:2, "I was not called to be a missionary by any group or agency. My call is from Jesus Christ himself, and from God the Father who raised him from the dead".

While we have been licensed to serve under Global Outreach Mission, God continues to remind us that our calling is directly from Him! These past few weeks He has kept us very busy with contacts and presentations. In fact, we have had three presentations to do this week alone! Last Monday, we received word from a friend that a local church was considering supporting us and we needed to send some budget information to them right away. When we offered to set up a time to come to the church and do a presentation we were told it wouldn't be necessary. "Wouldn't be necessary"? I kept thinking to myself, "Someone, please pinch me, it's not supposed to be this easy"! Yesterday, we received confirmation from that church that they had made a commitment to Global Outreach Mission on our behalf for monthly support! For six months now we have been sitting at the 33% mark of our pledged monthly support. Today, we moved up to 37%! God continues to move us forward in His timing and in His way!

Presentation Report

We have a small-group presentation to do tomorrow evening beginning at 7 p.m. So, if you wouldn't mind lifting us up today and tomorrow as we prepare and then during the presentation. Last night, Ken was supposed to be meeting with a Pastor at a local church that will be supporting us, but the Pastor had to cancel our meeting because he had two other meetings come up, one before his Wednesday night prayer service, and one immediately after. Phew...my brother's a Pastor and it can be rough sometimes with scheduling, so we fully understand. This meeting will definitely be rescheduled though. This Sunday morning the leader of our sending team in our church will be doing an update presentation on our ministry and I know she would definitely love to be supported in prayer! We had a meeting last night after our church service with the Pastor of the church across the road. We have met with him before and will be scheduling a presentation in his church in the next coming weeks. They also invited us to their church on Sunday morning for their service which starts an hour before ours because another missionary from Costa Rica is coming in to talk with their congregation since they will be sending a small group to Costa Rica in March to work at an orphanage with her. This is a bit of a planning meeting for them and to show them pictures and explain what they will be doing when they go. Their Pastor is a neat guy and was really excited about the ambulance parked across the road at our church during our VBS. Well, as you can see, busy days in front of us! Thank you in advance for your prayer support!

Do you still make cards?

Someone just asked me the other day if I was still making homemade cards. Yes, I do. Since I have been teaching rubber stamping classes at Michael's in the White Oak Plaza for the past year, I fnd that I am usually creating under "pressure" for a display in the store. I thought I would share this one that I made today when I had a few spare minutes and just sat down for the "fun of it". This card is made by rubber stamping the boot (which is a Michael's rubber stamp) on card stock and then coloring it in with colored pencils and blending it with odorless mineral spirits. I doodled around the boot to make it look like barbed wire as I thought it might kind of fit in with the "cowboy" theme. I don't know who I will send this to, or shall I say, I wasn't making this one with anyone particular in mind. When I do have time to make a card here and there for fun I like to set them aside and send them to people in the church. I'd have to say that our Sunday School teacher is always elated to get one which is fun! Well, off to the church directory to find me a cowboy to send this too! I thought I'd just share with you what I did in my "therapy" session today! Hope you're having a blessed day!

Happy Birthday La Iglesia de la Alegria del Senor!

The new evangelical church at the camp is one-month old and had 70 people in attendance on Sunday! They met here like they have the past three weeks on the camp grounds, but this week was special. They had a new roof over their heads. This picture is SO exciting! Shhh...I stole it off Nathan & Amber's blog :) If you have seen our pictures or our presentation from our trip to Costa Rica in Feb. '06, this is the building that was built during our two weeks there. The completed roof is an answer to so many people's prayers! This is a multi-purpose building filling the new role of church, but will be the new dininghall too. I have a passion to see children and youth being ministered to in this building through VBS and camp programs, some hearing the gospel message for the first time. It's a place where a youth group can meet and hold weekly Bible studies and have fellowship. I also have a passion to see children and youth minister as an outward expression of their love to our Savior, through worship in song and drama. A person has already come to this building and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. It's just a structure, really. But the Spirit of the Lord has been evident there! So much to thank God for! We can hardly contain ourselves!

God's timing

Yesterday was "the beach or bust" and...it was a bust! We watched the weather report on Friday night and "blow over" light rain was predicted for over Wilmington on Saturday. We got up early. I had been bragging to Ken and the kids about a fun country restaurant I had found on one of my excursions with a friend to do some scrapbooking at a scrapbook store in Wilmington. We found the restaurant and had breakfast there. About halfway through my bacon-n-cheese omelet I heard thunder and it grew dark outside. We left there and got gas in the car and Ken just happened to ask a man at the gas station about the weather forecast for the day. Sure enough, "it will pass over in fifteen minutes", the man said. We decided to do a little school shopping at a nearby plaza where Rugged Warehouse and Ross' were. Hmmm...trying on clothing in a totally dark store is interesting! Needless to say the storm never blew over. We did get to the beach during a 15-minute lull in the storm, though it picked back up again. We had a fun day even though it wasn't quite what we had planned.

It kind of reminded me of a testimony Ken gave at a church service on Thursday evening. We had gotten a phone call from a local church that they were interested in supporting us in some way. We never expected that! In the fundraising process, you always have a standing list in your mind of people you should be following up with, talking too, etc. He continues to move in His timing and in His way! We were reminded this week of this verse from Proverbs 16:1, "We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands".

Two important meetings this week: Friday evening we have a small-group presentation and on Sunday morning. Thank you for your thoughts, and your continued prayers!

Waiting and the bumpy road

It's been a little rough the beginning of this week. Sunday's presentation by Alan & Dana Sims, at least looking at their ministry pictures was hard for Ken & I. We sat and watched with tears streaming down our faces in a congregation of people we had never met before! Uncomfortable, to say the least. We've been to Honduras five times and looking at their pictures brought back memories from a country that will always be close to our hearts. Part of the crying was pure joy at being able to hear and see all that God is doing in their ministry. It was amazing and exciting! A very small part was sadness at still sitting here in the States. We feel homesick to go back to Costa Rica. We've been encouraged and reminded that all of this is in the "plan". We wouldn't choose to change any of this bumpy road! We've grown, we've cried, we've prayed, we've fought, we've surrendered! God loves Ken & Sherri Dundon with an unconditional, unfailing love! And so we continue to wait probably more patiently than we ever have before, not because of anything we have done, but because of all that He has! To Him be the glory!!!

Worship chorus, ministry budget dilemma

What a dilemma to be in and I PRAISE GOD for it! I had given a copy of our budget to the head of our sending team for a presentation she is working on. Not having had time to make a copy I gave her the original and was supposed to get it back yesterday, but had an invitation to attend a missionary presentation, so I wouldn't be seeing her at our home church. Today, I got a phone call that a local church is doing their church budget and needs a copy of our budget by tomorrow evening since they would like to consider supporting us and their budget committee is meeting tomorrow evening regarding this. Thank God for this dilemma and the fact that Global Outreach is emailing another to us this afternoon.

"...Love, so amazing, so divine. Demands my soul, my life, my all. " - Oh, the wonderful cross, Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman.

Thought provoking for me, to say the least.

"Git-R-Done" Ministry Presentation - God style

A phone call, a calendar check and our next presentation is August 18 at 2:00 p.m. That easy. Somebody pinch me! Praise God!!! (Okay, time for the "Skippy Yippy" dance)! :)

Ministry Training-Presentations

Finally...cooler temperatures and less humidty. A northern transplant can only take so many 90+ degree days, you know! I was awakened this morning by the sounds of construction at 6 a.m. I guess that's the price you pay for growth as a new subdivision (200 homes) is going in behind our tiny neighborhood . I am working on some numbers for one of our supporters. She is actually the head of our sending team and she is finishing up a presentation that she will be doing to bring our church up-to-date on our ministry. Tomorrow morning we will attend the presentation of the Sims Family (Alan & Dana) from Honduras as they report back to one of their supporting churches in our area. This will be a training session for Ken & I. While we have done our own presentations, we have not had the opportunity to hear too many other missionaries presentations in the past couple of years and in particular, a presentation where you do a "report back". I am sure there will be something we can glean from their experience. It is always encouraging to hear what God is doing in other countries and through other people. After the service we've been invited to a barbeque to get a chance to visit with Alan & Dana and their six children. We're looking forward to that as well!

"Support" in more ways than one!

Today, someone who works with Ken let him know that they sent in our prayer card to Global Outreach and would be supporting us monthly. I received an email today from a friend who was sharing her thoughts on some of my previous posts. Her words were really encouraging and as usual, she has a gift for throwing in a little humor along the way! Monday night Ken did a side job after work. He came home with a check from the homeowner's made out to Global Outreach. While this was a one-time donation and not for monthly support, I have to say, that it was me when we worked out the final budget numbers who thought there was no way we would ever be able to raise the funds for our outgoing expenses. To date, we have raised more than half of the total amount needed. It is amazing to me how God continues to send us tidbits of encouragement and how He knows exactly what we need and when we need it! Tonight we were also able to finalize the date for our next small-group presentation. We'll be doing one in two weeks on Friday, August 3rd, in the home of one of our supporters for their family and friends. God is good!

#1

We had a relaxed, abbreviated one-on-one presentation last night. Ah, practice makes perfect, they say, though we are hardly aiming for exact perfection here. In the process, that one person became a supporter! "Skippy Yippy", I shout! That's Danielle's saying when she is squealing with excitement over something grand! You know, Jesus would have went to the cross for one person. We did a presentation for one person last night and we'd go to Costa Rica for the opportunity to share with just one person too!

Ministry Ramblings

Lately, there has been much talk about supporting "Ken & Sherri Dundon, the missionaries". Today, I find myself struggling with my own identity. I'm not any different than most people, really. People, just like me, have "callings" to do things either in the business world or through other ministries altogether. I feel like sometimes people have elevated me to something that I can't possibly live up too. I am human and I am still "in process" with regard to my Christian walk. I make mistakes. I say things I shouldn't, hurt people I don't intend to, don't spend enough time with God when I am sometimes busy. It irks me to death that the one person I am trying to be obedient to and serve is often the person who gets my attention at the end of the day when I have the least to offer, though this is happening less and less. I think that's why it is so important to me that people take us out of the equation with fundraising. Our ministry is not about us! It's about what God is doing in us and through us. Giving to missions isn't even really giving to us! The bigger picture is that you are being asked to be obedient to becoming partners with us in God's work in Costa Rica. The ministry there is His, not ours! In essence, we are fundraising for God! Tonight, we have another presentation. I don't know how many people are coming. I do know this! Today, as I make the last preparations my heart is calling out to God, screaming really, "Father, strip me down! Allow me, by your grace and your mercy to bring you honor and glory in all that I say. Just as your Son came with no reputation, allow those who attend to see that we are nothing without YOU". He does not need any of us, but He allows us to join Him for His purposes.

3 John 1:5&8 "Dear friend, you are doing a good work for God in taking care of the traveling teachers and missionaries who are passing through. So we ourselves should take care of them in order that we may become partners with them in the Lord's work".

Presentation

We are in the midst of preparing for a presentation. It will be this Sunday evening at 7 p.m. in the home of one of our supporters from our church. They have extended an invitation to a network of their family and friends to come into their home and hear more about our ministy. Please keep this in your prayers for us. Okay, back to preparing...Adios!

Maybe I am not a "weirdie"?

I've been doing some reading! I hope to finish up the last chapter of Neal Pirolo's book, "Serving as Senders" in the next two days. Then, I've decided that I will read it again. It had so much in it, I just want to make sure I didn't miss anything the first time around (which I'm sure I probably did). It's a book about missionaries and covers the topics of how to care for them as they prepare to go, while they are on the field and when they return home. We have a "team" of supporters in our church reading this along with us. We have some extra copies, so if you attend our church and this book might interest you, just let us know. I've learned that I'm not totally insane! (maybe a little, just not totally). I'm glad to know some of the things we've been feeling over the last year and a half are "normal". I also found a devotional book that I have been trying to put my hands on for a year now! Amber actually enticed me with it on our long drive up to Buffalo, NY last year in June for Global's Missions Conference. It's "Voices of the Faithful", devotionals written by missionaries as they are serving from the field. Beth Moore also has some writings in it, chapter openers. It's a really good devotional book! Hard to find, but well worth the wait. So, I've been reading along in that too. We have another presentation coming up and so we continue to prepare for that. We're continuing to look for monthly supporters to be able to go to Costa Rica! Send me an email if you are interested. "And how shall they (go) preach except they are sent"? Romans 10:15

Homesick Missionary!

Well, in her words, "given the chance to come home today, I'd be on my way"...Danielle. She's quite the "home-body" and she misses her cat, Beau. She misses her bed and her "baby brother", Jordan. To put things in perspective, she called this afternoon, and when I answered the phone I heard, "Can I please speak to Jordan"? No, "hi Mom", no "how are you", JUST "can I speak to Jordan"? Humph! It's okay. Today, is actually their last day of work. Tomorrow is white water rafting (that should be fun to hear about since none of us have ever done this before). Friday is another free-day (insert eyeball roll). Okay, I need to put this in here for any of you reading this - in Costa Rica we don't do mission trips like this! We attempt to get as much work out of you as possible! Bwahahahaha! Alright, we do some sightseeing! Heather sounded good too! Keep 'em in your prayers, please.

Missions at Home

Danielle called home at lunch today and she and Heather got to Tennesee safely with the rest of the youth group for which we are most thankful! They were on their "lunch break" and had built a shed. After lunch they planned on returning to the construction site to paint the shed. They seemed in good spirits. This is Heather's first missions trip and she was really talkative about "missions" and building things, and a sense of feeling like she was helping someone else in some way. I miss my girls!

Phone calls, Preparations and Projects - Costa Rica

We have brought the ambulance to our home and now the fun begins! We've been on the phone with Global Outreach and emailing back and forth information to Dr. Wilson on the make, model, VIN, etc. so that beginning preparations can be made to get it to Costa Rica and for him to receive it. We are still waiting on the Title and need to gather the donated medical supplies and get them packed in the ambulance. I think we will miss the ambulance when it is time to ship it out! In some way it allows us to feel "connected" to the ministries and our team down in Costa Rica while we wait here to be able to go. For the record, don't think we haven't thought about just packing ourselves! ::evil grin:: We have an upcoming presentation to do to a small-group and so we begin the preparations for that. Then there's the list of "projects" around the house, big and small, that need to be tended too. God is continuing to open doors for us to share about our ministry and so we need to begin some preparations on the homefront to go to Costa Rica! It would be suicidal for us to leave everything to do until the last minute. Besides, if we get started on some of them now, we will get to enjoy them before we leave! For example, the ditch that lines our property. It is filled with standing water and we dug it out two years ago by hand with shovels. Excellent preparation for the mission field, I might add, as it took for ever! You could say, "It was done on Tico time". Parts of the ditch are always wet, it always has to be weed whacked and it is a long ditch and unsightly. Next weekend we will have a Bob-Cat and stone delivered to begin cleaning out the ditch. Last summer we bought outdoor paint to paint the handrails, spokes of our porches and also around our vinyl replacement windows. Like every other "busy" family we never got to lift a paintbrush, but I will begin that next weekend. When the trim around the windows is done being painted Ken will wrap the windows in vinyl. We've also been doing some much needed cleaning of closets in bedrooms and I now have a "mound" of "Mom, these don't fit" clothes on my livingroom floor folded neatly in front of the loveseat. I need to go through these and pack them in boxes to cart off to Good Will tomorrow (clothes didn't sell well at our fall garage sale even though they had been washed and we only had items in excellent condition for sale). But before any of this work begins, this weekend Greg Laurie is in Raleigh and tonight he kicks off "The Harvest Crusade". We'll attend the the pre-crusade concerts; tonight Andre Crouch and The David Crowder Band! Tomorrow night, Toby Mac (you read it here first folks, Ken LOVES him some Toby) and Sunday Third Day. We'll be there as a family and we'll be praying Greg through as he brings the message of Jesus Christ to our city! Our prayer is that many will come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior this weekend!

The blessing of an ambulance

It's been a long week and in my excitement over how much money was raised, I totally forgot to post a picture of the ambulance! By the way, this is the first thing on this blog that I have figured out all by myself! How to post a picture, that is. Where there's a will, there's a two-hour period of frustration and a way! But, I thought it was that important for ya'll to see what God did this week through our church family!

Ministering to Costa Rica

The final amount of money raised this week was $2,729.74! "God ALWAYS pays for what He orders" is what my friend, Jeff Burns reminded me of in an email today! We are grateful to all who participated in donating funds/supplies for the ambulance. This ambulance will go a very long way in meeting the physical/spiritual needs of the people of Costa Rica. Thank you so much!

Overwhelmed!

I can't share with you yet the total amounts of what the kids brought in with a little help from some "friends" for the ambulance because that will all be revealed tomorrow night and the kids don't know yet. I can tell you that it is amazing! I can't tell you who brought in more money (the boys or the girls) because I wasn't told, but what I was told is that it is very close! Tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. I have an interview at the church with the newspaper regarding the shipment of the ambulance to Costa Rica. The article along with a picture of the ambulance in front of the church should be in the Benson News in Review next week! It has been a really exciting week. Stay tuned for an update tomorrow evening!

Ministry and it's blessings!

I don't even hardly know where to begin. I'll start at the top. We needed to raise $600.00 for the shipping costs of the ambulance to Costa Rica. Last night, after three nights of VBS, the kids (along with some "kids at heart") have raised over $800.00. We have surpassed our goal! Dr. Wilson and Global Outreach Mission on the other hand, have to raise $2,500.00 for Dr. Wilson to be able to "receive" the ambulance at port in Costa Rica for taxes and customs, etc. Anything that is brought in now will help to off-set the amount of money they need to raise! On the first night of VBS someone donated a motorized wheelchair to be packed in the ambulance! Last night a paramedic in the church confirmed that he got a hold of his medical supply company and donations of gauze, bandages, etc. are on their way to be put in the cupboards of the ambulance. We prayed over prayer bears, hand stuffed by children for another child in Costa Rica with a small slip of paper tucked in it's pocket. I read one of the slips last night, "To my friend, from your friend, Anna. Jesus Loves You". Simple words from a child, but a life-saving message! I was able to share with the kids last night about Dr. Wilson and show them some slides of his ministry. I was reminded again of how much we have here in the U.S. The ability to call 9-1-1 and have an ambulance respond to your emergency with trained workers. The ease with which an ambulance can rush us off to a local hospital in an emergency and we can receive treatment whether we have medical insurance or not. I was overcome by emotion, but so were some other adults. We are so blessed here in the United States! I am blessed to be "allowed" to have a part in this project. Blessed with so much more than I deserve!

Ministry Weaving!

I am sorry about the lack of posts as of late. I did fall victim to the stomach bug over the Memorial Day weekend along with every other member of our family. We had it bad here for about four days! We are all better now, but then I was unable to sign on to our blog this past week as I guess they were having some technical difficulties. Actually, we also had a banner across the top of our blog for "objectionable material" (insert eyeball roll here and me rolling on the floor laughing). I guess they have now worked out their quirks! Beware: This will probably be a long post!

It is amazing to us how God often times "weaves" ministries together for His purposes! We have had the opportunity the last couple of weeks to get to know a little more about Jeff Burns and his ministry, The "JAMES" project. Yesterday, Ken finally got the opportunity to meet Jeff in person (much to my disappointment that I had to stay home) when he drove outside of Ashville to pick up the refurbished ambulance. The James Project stands for JESUS Ambulance & Medical Equipment Service. This ministry was founded by Jeff and Faith Fellowship Church of Newdale, NC. The "JAMES" project mission is to provide EMS and rescue equipment and training to communities mainly, not limited to third world countries and developing nations. Currently, there are ambulances in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and 34 other places because of this ministry. They have been working on five ambulances simultaneously for Global Outreach-Team Costa Rica, Nicaragua, India, Thailand & The Congo. If you would like to read more about Jeff and his ministry, please go to his web site at www.thejamesproject.info. Thank you Jeff Burns and Faith Fellowship Church for helping Dr. Wilson and Global Outreach Mission continue to help meet the medical needs of the people of Costa Rica! We appreciate you partnering with us!

Well, the ambulance is now over at our home church, Hickory Grove, and our Vacation Bible School Program begins this evening. Hickory Grove is partnering with Global Outreach Mission through it's Vacation Bible School offering to raise the necessary funds to ship the ambulance to Costa Rica! We also have some paramedics and EMT's in our church looking into finding donations for medical supplies, i.e. gauze, medical tape, bandages and the like to fill the cupboards of the ambulance. The children will be sewing Prayer Bears, one for themselves and one for a child at the Camp in Costa Rica that will be packed on the ambulance to get to Nathan & Amber for distribution. The Youth, not to be outdone by the children, will be making fleece throws, to be packed in the ambulance for Youth who come to the Camp. For Ken & I and our family it is very humbling to see a church body, children, youth and adults alike, get excited about something that is so near and dear to our hearts! Most importantly, it is exciting to be a part of a church body who is concerned about the "nations". Please keep this project in your prayers!

Well, some of you have been asking in person or sending emails regarding our monthly support. I called Global's office in Buffalo on Thursday to find out how things are progressing. Right now, the office has not received any new supporters, but it is important to note that the last presentations that we did were just over the Mother's Day weekend in May. It may take some more time for people to respond. So we currently remain at 33% pledged of our monthly support. We want you to know that in the last two weeks there has been a "movement" so to speak, of some of our regular supporters to put together some small-group presentations for us in their homes inviting their friends and family. This is an answer to prayer! On a side note, we need to raise $25,000.00 in outgoing expenses (airline tickets, health insurance, rent in Costa Rica, household goods, etc.) Our report did show that we have already raised half of that amount and it is sitting in our account. Praise the Lord! In my devotional time, God has reminded me that sometimes we are asked to go through tests of our faith. Our prayer in all of this is that we will remain faithful. Faithful to trust, faithful to patience.

With traveling up north and then coming home and getting sickl, I totally missed getting our May newsletter completed. So, our newsletter will be a May-June combo and I hope to complete that this week. Look for that in your email box or snail mailbox soon!

Thank you to all of those who check in our blog even when we have no new posts. There are many who return every couple of days to see if there is an update. Thank you for praying for our family, for our calling and for those who support us financially we thank you in joining with us, partnering and becoming part of our team in serving the country of Costa Rica!

God bless, Sherri

Down TIme!

Sorry for the recent lapse in posts. We've been busy since we got back from our trip up North getting right back into school, work, EOG's and the beginning of end of school year kind of stuff. I'd have to say we've also just been feeling kind of drained physically lately. I've tried to sit down a couple of times over the past week and "do a post", and to write our May newsletter, but I've felt like my brain is fried. We even stayed home from our church camp gathering this long holiday weekend to get some rest. Most of all, we've been frustrated with the feeling like our family has been "scattered" over this past month. We all decided to stay home and "regroup". Now, half of us have the stomach bug. Ken and Kyle started throwing up at 3 a.m. this morning. Jordan was sick Thursday night into Saturday. There were some highlights to the weekend though, the silver lining. Ken got the kids a 5-man tent and they all slept outside on Saturday night after a family bon fire complete with smores and a game of hide-n-seek in the dark. I tell ya, Heather is hard to find. I finally got scared after looking for her a half an hour and told her she needed to come out. Who da' thought to look for her hiding standing up in the center of a Leland cyprus tree? Sunday we went to church and Ken's parents came over for steaks on the grill. The rest of Sunday was spent playing Parchessi (I won), fishing and the kids slept outside Sunday night. That's kind of a wrap up of the holiday weekend.

Many of you have asked how we felt our presentations went over the last two weeks. Our prayer is that we have brought honor and glory to God! It isn't about us, but about Him, and what He has done in our lives. We are most grateful for every time that we get to share! It will be weeks before we know if any more support has come in from these presentations. We continue to operate in "prayer mode". And the amazing thing is that we always seem to come away feeling like we've received more than we've given. The encouragement the last couple of weeks has been needed and so appreciated! Again and again, we thank you for partnering with us in our endeavor to get to Costa Rica. May God continue to bless you in return for blessing us!

God has no time for pity parties!

For a moment this morning I thought about Renee and how she would always call all of her family members and sing a special birthday song that we "expected" to hear every year. At her funeral we found out that almost every one that she knew was getting the same phone call every year on their birthdays too! It was said "if Renee met you once and she found out your birth date, you were guaranteed a song". Some family members have this song recorded on their cell phones and someone even recorded it off their cell phone into a Build-A-Bear for Renee's granddaughter on her first birthday in April. It is that priceless! Well, today is my birthday (Sherri). I didn't expect to hear anyone call and sing Happy Birthday to me today. I was wrong! Three people have already called today with three different renditions of the birthday song. A style all their own! Two, are priceless recordings on my answering machine. My God cared about a simple song. He knew it would bless me in a BIG way!

Ministry Blessings!

We arrived home safely last night at 10 p.m. Thank you to all of those who prayed for us during our whirlwind trip to Syracuse! I felt that we were "prepared" for the three presentations that we did, but we never seem to be prepared for the blessing that we receive in return. It's like that A LOT in missions work! We were surrounded Friday night in our small-group presentation by people that had "brought us up" in our home church, Youth leaders, Worship leaders, friends and family. It was heart warming to see them teary-eyed as we shared about our "passion" to serve God in Costa Rica. There were 15 in attendance. On Saturday we spent the day with Ken's younger sister and her family. We received a "surprise" visit from Ken's niece and her beautiful children. She is Renee's daughter (Renee is Ken's sister who just passed away in March) and it meant so much to us that she would travel an hour and a half to come see us with her small children. She is a real trooper and a blessing to us! On Sunday morning we went to my sister's church. We did a small-group presentation to 20+ people there during the Sunday School hour while Danielle did a simultaneous presentation to about 8 Youth. We then did a very short, about 15 minute presentation in the Worship Service. We were blessed by the warmth with which we were received at Scipio Center Community Church. We immediately felt like we were part of "their family". I know for sure that they share a kindred spirit for missions in their church and for reaching the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I hope we can visit this church again. We left there excited, feeling as though the Lord was at work amongst them! Kind of like a feeling that you want to "stick around" because you feel like you're going to miss something exciting happen! On the way home yesterday we got to see Ken's older brother meeting up with him for lunch. That was a lot of fun! Well, today it's back to work, laundry, school, but also more preparation. This Sunday evening we have another small group presentation to do at 7 p.m. While we are tired from traveling, we are still excited! Excited to be able to share what the Lord is already doing in Costa Rica and how others might be involved in the ministry there. Keep us in your prayers! God bless you all!

I've been tagged!

Okay, I'm sitting here a little bleery-eyed this morning. I just woke up and checked my email because that's how my medical records come to me to transcribe. Low and behold, an email from my good buddy Nathan Babcock, name ring a bell with you? He's part of our missions team in Costa Rica. I had other emails, but his and Amber's always take priority! He has blog tagged me! So, here's the rules:

Each player starts with eight random facts or habits about him or herself.
People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
At the beginning of your blog, mention the person who tagged you. At the end of your post, choose eight people to tag, listing their names.
Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here's the eight gorey details!

1. I (Sherri) won Most Valuable Player my senior year of high school in soccer setting a school record as goalie for most shut-outs.
2. Our family's favorite card game is "Hearts" and one of our daughters, who is very competitive, wants to make sure Nathan knows how to play. Why...I asked? And I quote, "I want to clean his clock in Costa Rica". The name of this child shall remain a secret!
3. I can't stand, I mean, CANNOT STAND, to have my pillow fluffed. I'm neurotic about it and Ken does it just to irritate me sometimes! LOL!
4. I do not bite my fingernails, but I am obsessive-compulsive about cutting them. Okay, I type medical records for a living. I can type faster when my nails are short.
5. We all love Mexican food, but Jordan, who is 6, along with Ken, can eat it very spicy.
6. In my free time, which I don't have a whole lot of, but here and there I enjoy making homemade cards. Rubber stamps are my weapon!
7. Ken & I both graduated from Christian high schools, who are rivals! We never attend Homecoming because those two schools play against each other on that day (soccer). I mean, how do you explain that to your children? Mom on one side of the field, Dad on the other? Dirty looks, you know, the whole rivalry thing! It's ugly!
8. We've lived in N.C. for ten years this month, but have never really left our hometown sports team and adopted Duke or Carolina (much to Nathan's dismay) as our own. Long live the Syracuse Orangemen!

Okay, I know no one else who has a blog. So I now have no one to pass this tag game on too.

"Pumped" for ministry presentations!

We are SO PUMPED!! We get really excited when we have the opportunity to share about the ministries of El Jardin and how we believe God is calling us to serve in Costa Rica. In fact, minimal caffeine will be needed to keep us going this week! Friday night we will be at our home church in Syracuse, New York combining my brother's small-group with my sister's small-group and doing a presentation there. On Saturday, we will spend some time with Ken's sister and brother. Sunday, we will attend my brother-in-law's church and do a small-group presentation there in the morning during the Sunday School hour. Danielle will be doing a separate presentation from us to the Youth since she went to Costa Rica herself last summer. We will then do about a 15-minute presentation during the worship service. We will begin traveling home on Monday morning. I told our Youth Group last night at their meeting, "Here's your opportunity! If you have ever wanted us out of this church this would be a good time to pray us out"!! We all laughed. Seriously though, we can't emphasize how much we need YOUR PRAYERS during this week as we prepare, as we travel, as we speak! And don't forget to pray for Heather and Kyle as they stay home in N.C. with Grandma & Grandpa (course, Grandma & Grandpa might be the ones who really need the prayer, just kiddin'). In all that we say and do may God our Father receive honor and glory! We KNOW you've got our backs! Thank-you!

Presentation Update/Prayer Request

Our Saturday night presentation was cancelled for the second time with a closed door for rescheduling, and while we are disappointed we still believe that God is in control! I can't say that we fully understand what His plans are for us and there are days we sure wish we knew, but we do have peace! Peace that He knows what His purpose is for our family in all of this and peace that He knows what is best for El Jardin! We will travel up North in about a week and a half to do a church presentation (Sherri's first Mother's Day with her Mom in ten years! She's very excited) and a small group presentation, and then we have two more small group presentations to do down here in North Carolina, one in May, one in June. We don't know what we will do from there as we will be at the end of our contact list. So, just continue to keep us in your prayers as we wait and know that we put our trust in Him! We believe that He knows exactly who He would like to be involved in this ministry with us! Our only desire is to be obedient to His will for us! "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose". Rom. 8:28. Thanks for praying!

Worry looks around. Sorry looks back. Faith looks up!

Presentations!

We've got some presentations coming up and could really use everyone's prayers as we prepare! The first is 4/28. We have four coming up in May and then one in June (I'll post those dates when they get a little closer). That's six in total and we are most T*H*A*N*K*F*U*L!!!

Revive Me, Oh Lord!

"Someone had once asked the British evangelist Gipsy Smith how to start a revival. "He replied, If you want to start a revival, go home and get a piece of chalk. Go inside your closet and draw a circle on the floor. Kneel down in the middle of the circle and ask God to start a revival inside the chalk mark".

April Ministry Newsletter

We just completed the April Newsletter, so those of you who receive it my snail mail should be receving it this week. If you are not subscribed to our newsletter updates and would like to be, subscribe in the box to the right of these posts and we will be sure and it get to you!

The newsletter has our updated prayer requests, usually some personal thoughts on how God is working in our lives and news from the field of Costa Rica. It is always exciting to write about how God is at work down at the camp since Nathan & Amber have started ministering there. We really want to be down there working alongside them. Until then, we wait and we trust!

May God's blessings surround you!

Easter Services and it's tie-in to ministry

Easter Sunday service was, I don't know how to even describe it. It was just awesome! The music was top-notch! The message was exciting! Ironically, if anyone sat by me they probably thought, what in the world?!? But, just the word "death" or "funeral" gets me a little teary-eyed these days. However, when you add the word "Hope" in there I get really emotional and I almost had to leave the service yesterday. Phew...people next to me probably thought the flood was coming Again! A lot of thoughts crossed my mind during the service, like, How many will perish because they never heard? How do people in these times make it through their day and not know there is a Hope for this day, for tomorrow and for their future? It boggles my mind, really. It saddens me and wrenches at my heart. But at the same time it makes me want to shout in celebration! Our service ended in a round of applause to God, the Father who did send His Son, who rose again, so that we may have Hope of His coming again! I hope you were blessed too in the reminder that one day He will return!

Ministry Update - Prayer Requests

"Issues"! I apologize for not posting sooner this week, but I suppose that Blogger has been having some issues since I haven't been able to get into our account.

Ministry Update: Sadly, we did not pick up any new supporters in February or March. Our March small-group presentation had to be postponed until April 28th. We still have three presentations to do up North, but are thinking about doing that when we have to go up for Global's Missions Conference in June. With all the traveling that we recently did for Renee's illness/funeral we find ourselves somewhat depleted physically to feel like we can turn around and go right up there again at this time. Time to write a new support letter to go out through Global, but I have to be honest, I don't quite know what else to say in these letters. So...please keep us in your prayers as we continue to wait and seek for answers and direction. God bless!