CATCHING UP

Yes, yes! Thanksgiving has long since passed! I know I am way behind the times.
That was partly do to technical problems, and partly due to procrastination.
But hopefully, I've moved passed that and this blog will be up and running again.
Both Thanksgiving and Christmas have passed us by.
So let me catch us up a bit:

 This year Johnny and I went to Preston, England for a mission trip together, where our church is helping to plant a new church. It was an eye-opening experience for us.

We are used to planting churches in the Asian culture, so we learned a lot.

Former members of our church here in Longview, Texas, are from that area. They had lived in the States for many years, until the Lord pressed on them to return to their "roots" and plant an evangelical church.

So this is what we did most days while there.... dropped flyers in everyone's mail slots to tell them about a fun event the new church was sponsoring at the nearby park.

 

 

At the park we had all kinds of activities. Here is Johnny at the face-painting table.

Because we were in Preston during the American Thanksgiving season, the Greens with whom we were visiting, made sure we enjoyed a real traditional American Thanksgiving meal, complete with turkey and dressing, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie and more. It was a great time to be reminded of all the God has done for us.

I find when my attitude is mainly one of just being thankful for what I have and what I'm able to do, I don't spend so much time complaining about life or supposed injustices.

Jason and Nicola Green and their four children.

Trip to Java

Jana, Kris, and the boys live on the island of Sumatra.

But Jana and April and Noel grew up on the neighboring island of Java.

While April was in Indonesia, she wanted to visit her "hometown" and show her

husband and daughters where she lived for 16 years.

She also wanted to take them to the family vacation spot, a remote beach "resort".

Johnny accompanied them on this trip, and also

got to visit the folks we had worked with so long ago.

They enjoyed a time of reliving memories together and of worship again
with the villagers  once again.

Our home for 16 years. They got to meet some of the neighbors we knew then.

Johnny, April and family  went out to the village to contact our friend and Christian

leader there. They made a plan to meet with as many of our believers as would be able to

come the following Saturday night.

About 35 folks showed up. Two of our old friends from those years (30 years ago)

came although they are now in their 90's.

The little children of those years are now grown and with families of their own.

They came, bringing their children with them.

What precious saints of the Lord these are!

Then, Johnny, April, Eric and the girls all head to the old family

vacation spot: Pangandaran - that is, THE BEACH.

It was a great trip for them. Meanwhile, I stayed behind to enjoy more

time with the Kelleys in Palembang.

Johnny's big souvenir of the trip was to bring back ear infections!

He continues to suffer infection and hearing loss.

We'd appreiate your prayers.

ESL PICNIC

It was a beautiful day for a picnic, and that's how we ended

our English as a Second Language spring semester.

Calixto Arce, a friend who was born in Mexico and lives in Longview with his family now, spoke to our

ESL students and their families.

He is a successful business man, dedicated Christian leader, a member of Mobberly Baptist Church.

 He gave his testimony and a great challenge

to our students to learn and use English.

We enjoyed good food and fellowship,

and gave out certificates to all the ESL students.

Now we take a break for the summer and

will begin again in September. 

ESL

Tuesday nights finds us at Primera Iglesia, teaching

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE.

We have 3 active classes on various levels.

I get to teach this class.

While we have ESL classes, there is tutoring for children who have trouble doing all their homework in English, as well as childcare for the little ones.

This is our 3rd and best year so far. 

STORYING SEMINAR

       North Pointe Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas

hosted a STORYING SEMINAR for their people. They plan to use this method on mission trips to Guatemala

as well as in their "in reach" and "out reach" programs in the church.

Long time friends of ours from our Indonesian days, Carl and Twila Lee,

arranged for this seminar to happen.

 Mom helped teach .... as well as ....

friend, Daniel Bramlett, pastor at

First Baptist Church in

Hughes Springs.

And of course, Dad did his string tricks!

It was a great seminar with a great group of people.