Sunday, March 1, 2009

TIDEWATER TRAVEL

Even though we were anticipating with excitement our 12-day trip to Norfolk/Virginia Beach/Chesapeake, it far exceeded our expectations. We had a sense that it was going to be a significant time because of all the things that went wrong as we were preparing to leave and even while we were en route. We were right!

Cunninghams, dear friends from Jacksonville who now live in Chesapeake, lavishly shared their home and themselves for the entire time providing every necessity and comfort we could hope for.

We had three main goals for this time: to connect with faithful supporter
s who have prayed and given financially for the past 25+ years, to thank our sending church, Tabernacle Church of Norfolk, for the specific ways they prepared us as a young couple for ministry and have helped sustain us, and to convey what God has been doing through the ministry of Proclaim.

God enabled us to do all that and much more. He truly put together his agenda through the opportunities that opened up. We had 14 meals or meetings with long-time friends and supporters, including 5 pastors (2 of those are Jim's former students from Norfolk Christian Schools). We also met with the Tab Church missions executive committee, 2 Sunday school classes, and 2 home fellowships, and spoke with several people who are interested in coming with Proclaim! on tours.

On our last Sunday Jim was able to play with the Tab Church praise team in the morning services.








And a very exciting prospect is the possibility of Proclaim!'s cooperation in evangelism projects with other missionaries out of Tabernacle Church. There are four different contexts that have the possibility of developing as the Lord leads. One of those is already beginning to materialize. It is rewarding to see all the possible links between Proclaim! and our original sending base.


We ended the trip with a special treat - stopping to visit Kathie's sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Bob, in Asheville, NC. We enjoyed fellowship with them, the breathtaking beauty of that area, and a tour of the main local attraction -- the Biltmore estate.



















Kathie & little sis



Thank you for your prayers for this strategic time. We look forward to what God is going to do through all that was set in motion.

Now on to the next major event: March 15-31 Jim will be part of the team returning for the 3rd time to the capital city of a North African country. Through performances in some high profile venues they will have the opportunity to plant seeds of the gospel and then invite people to privately sponsored concerts where the message can be openly shared. Please pray for preparation for this along with busy schedules the next two weeks. Jim would especially appreciate prayer for his musical preparation, both for this tour and for recording sessions with the local wind ensemble he plays in.

CLICK HERE to link to North Africa tour details on the Proclaim! website





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