On the road - again

We hit the road again tomorrow(Sunday). We'll go see one of Anna's friends and her baby. They are from the very first village we went to with Grace in 2002. From there we will head north to one of our areas. We will spend time at the orphanage we went to at Christmas.
Big travel coming up. Anna is going to school and we all head over to drop her off. We will be around a couple of weeks and then return. Kenan will start 9th grade when we return. Hope to see lots of you while we are there, if not, we have 6 months starting next fall to catch up with you.

June Recap

So Far This Summer
We have been in the midst of a very full summer. Teams from Mississippi, Tennessee and Nebraska have kept us both busy and blessed. The team from Nebraska wanted to not only see how they could help, but also wanted to look at possibilities of coming out. Right now, a family of 5 is going through the process of coming long-term. The team from Cleveland, TN had us as one of several stops. They visited the school where Trish teaches and worked with some of the students there. As for Mississippi, we seemed to have encountered a ‘ Mississippi Storm’ of volunteers. It started with four leaders that came out on a vision trip last fall. Then at Christmas, a group of 8 college students came and worked at the school and helped an orphanage celebrate Christmas. One of the fall leaders came back with a team – including his family. We revisited the area we saw in the fall. Many relationships that had begun were strengthened and renewed. One was with a college student who spent time with us, as well as other college students we had met on our first visit there in 2005. An English teacher was there and was given toothbrushes for the students as well as teaching materials – which included a selection of Bible stories. To help her, we also gave her a bilingual Bible to study. We answered some of her questions before we left. There are some believers in the area, so she has had some contact. Some of the team went to a prominent home in the area and shared as well. Trish and Anna took a group into one of our favorite areas. They checked on the club there and gave them an opportunity to say good-bye to Anna. Our most recent trip was truly an adventure. With some of our intrepid Mississippi trekkers, our family took the long road to one of the most remote areas our people inhabit. A three day journey found us on the border of T-country. One of the newest and largest temple and monastery compounds overlooks the main city. Most of the people are farmers, and most of the visitors are there to learn about the local religion. As we visited the temple, our guide asked us if we worshipped “B”, the main icon of their faith. We responded with a no, and did share some of what we believed. After praying and singing our way through this area of darkness, we found ourselves outside. While Anna and I took some video, the monk asked Trish if we could pray for his stomach, which was not doing well. She prayed in the language. As Anna and I joined them, she shared his request with us. So I also prayed for him. The Father gave us an amazing opportunity to do for him what the idols and false gods surrounding him could not. Meanwhile, the guys – even though sickness hit them hard – were able to find numerous villages as well as people of peace. Trish has also hosted a training for several of the ladies that work and travel with us along with younger believers. It was a very positive weekend.





Coming Up
We have one more big trip planned this summer. We are going north to revisit an area as well as the orphanage we saw at Christmas. There will be more opportunities for sharing as well as training before the summer is out. Our teammates, the Congos, will continue to travel throughout the summer, and we will have trekkers here until the end of July. One of the biggest opportunities is for the believer that will travel out with these guys. It will be a great chance for him to really be challenged and grow.

About Us
Mike – I have finished most of my language requirements and will take care of the remaining at the end of August. The next step is my fall classes. I might continue with one more semester of the national language or I might begin a major “T” dialect. I will continue in my specialized language with my tutor.
Trish – She continues to excel in her language. She is continuing her book study times. She is also getting into her T dialect work with a young believer. She also uses the time to disciple this young lady.
Anna – Our graduate! She will begin this fall at North Greenville in South Carolina. We will take her to begin her classes as a family and then return back here. She did a great job her senior year and continues to amaze with her language skills as well as her ability to build relationships.
Kenan – He starts 9th grade this fall. His collection of flashlights grows daily, as does he. He constantly checks to see how much he has gained on me – and it’s getting close.

Prayers
GeLai – Our new monk friend
Jomo – A new person of Peace in this newest area
Lhamo – Our T friend who has been staying with us. She travels back home Friday
Jordan, Nathan and Jacob – Our friends at the University who have continued to seek out relationships with us
Zhan Yu – A female student at the same school who is seeking answers and a purpose. She will visit C’du soon
Joseph – He will be traveling with our teams this summer
Our transition – As Anna starts school and we adjust to life without her. Especially for Kenan
Language – Always need more!

Thank you so much for your continued remembrance of us!

Psalm 2
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
"Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us."
He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying,
"As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill."
I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Let’s start asking!