Wednesday, June 30, 2010

SPARE ROD SPOILS CAR

On each of our last two big road trips in our well used old vehicle we have been detained for a major car repair before ever making it to our first destination. In an effort to avoid that headache and wear and tear on our own fragile car, we decided to rent a car for our trip to Indiana. We set out yesterday and it was smooth sailing through Florida and Georgia.

Then north of Atlanta Jim came up behind a pick up truck pulling a trailer in the passing lane. Noticing that the open trailer loaded with tools and equipment was swaying a bit from side to side he mentioned that it was going dangerously fast and moved to the next lane. Just at that moment an object flew off the trailer directly into our path. We braced ourselves as it loudly hit the front underside of our car. The car kept going and we didn't sense any damage, but headed for the next exit just to check and be sure everything was ok. When we were able to inspect the car we discovered a 2 foot long solid lead spike sticking straight out of our bumper. 






Fortunately there was no damage to the engine, so Jim pulled it out and we called our insurance agent to report it and get advice on how to procede. The claim is subject to our deductible and any additional charges by the rental company that aren't covered by our normal policy. We were able to get the license number from the truck but found out later that doesn't actually do any good unless the police are involved.


Our initial response as we were going through this process was a temptation to be impatient with yet another inconvenience and delay and expense, in spite of our attempt to take wise precautions. But as we continued back on our journey it occured to us how much worse this could have been. For example, a higher hit going through the windshield -- thank you God for your protection and reminding us that everything is in your hands. It also renews our thankfulness for the prayers for protection that are being made on our behalf. Thank you prayer warriors!


We continued on to Chattanooga and had a wonderful meal and evening with long time friends Wayne and Jewel Smith and Carole Adams who happens to live right around the corner. Now on to Indiana . . .

Sunday, June 20, 2010

TRANSITIONS

Moving around is nothing new in Proclaim -- our ministry is based on coming and going as most of us travel regularly to other countries. But this seems to be a time of several changes in longer term location as well. Our US office in Jacksonville is feeling the effects of these changes.                                                  

Todd and Terri Smalley who have been back in Jacksonville for over a year are able to return to Germany the end of June to give leadership to our team in Kandern. We will miss them and Todd's computer expertise which has benefited all of us immensely.                                                                  
And Marty and Debbie Shilling, who have carried a lot of the responsibility in the office the last couple years, are following God's leading to return to Black Forest Academy in Germany to serve there as dorm parents.  So, these positive moves present a challenge.                                                  
Now we are in the process of redistributing office responsibilities to cover the needs. Jim is one of those who will be taking on some of the areas as he balances coming in to the office 2 or 3 times a week with continuing support raising activities, music, tour preparation and local discipleship/teaching.  Please pray for all of us as we adjust to new roles and processes. It's always exciting to see how God supplies the resources to meet the needs.                                                                                                
One of the positive changes that is giving momentum to many of our transitions is the movement of the US dollar to a stronger position. The recent and relatively sudden increase in the value of the dollar results in a substantial net decrease in the monthly support need of our Europe based missionaries, allowing them to raise their support more quickly or keep their ongoing support strong.  Those of us based in the US are positively affected too as our dollars go farther on the evangelism tours in which we participate and the administrative aspect of the overseas ministries that the US office helps fund.
   
We continue to have new monthly and special donors and are progressing toward our support goals. In spite of still being well short of our monthly support need, our deficit as of the end of last month is only $4750 -- less than half what it was at the highest point just a few months ago. Thank you to those who have joined our support team and to you who have given faithfully for many years.
             
We are looking forward to a quick trip to Indiana June 30-July 8 for a family event. One of the benefits of our US base is that it is possible to be with family for some of those significant times and at the same time see friends there and along the way.
                                                              
Jami will not be able to come this time as she has just recently been promoted to a full time position in seafood at her store -- an answer to prayer during the 2 years that she has been faithfully working the part time positions that were available. She and we are very thankful for God's provision. 
Thank you for your prayers during this busy summer of transitions.