MAKING PROGRESS

CHRIST IS RISEN -- HE IS RISEN INDEED!


We are very aware of God's work on our behalf as people have responded in the last month to the need for financial support in our ministry. Our opening event of the missions conference at our church was an evening with a singles class from our church with a chance to meet new people and connect in a new way with many we have a history with. Then we were able to share with several groups on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The ministry of Proclaim was new to many of these folks, so it was a good opportunity. Kathie enjoyed interacting with the 1st grade girls Pioneer club later that week.  Their reaction was enthusiastic to the idea of using the arts to share the gospel.

Part of the church's strategy in this year's missions emphasis included an innovative way of challenging the body to begin or increase missions giving.  The dramatic response has benefited many missionaries serving around the world in both special gifts and monthly support.  We have personally had an increase of $360 per month in the past month -- a gain of over 5% toward our support goal, as well as some significant special gifts. It is interesting that some of these monthly commitments and special donations were not specifically prompted through the missions emphasis, having come from sources other than our church here.  Especially encouraging is the return of some individuals who were part of our support team years ago. 


We are thankful for the progress we've seen and continue to trust for the rest of the needed funds.  


Proclaim as a ministry is also facing the most challenging year yet in funding. As we look forward to our Gala on April 24 celebrating the 10th year of Proclaim! International, we are sobered by the great need that we are experiencing as a ministry. In 2009, with God's provision, we did not have to cancel any planned ministry projects because of lack of funds.  We pray that will be the case again this year. Please pray with us that the Gala fund raising event will result in a miraculous supply of needed resources to fulfill our commitments throughout the world.


Click here to see details of the Gala
  

RECOMMITING

During times such as these recent months, when we are facing ministry support shortages and seeing very little net progress, we experience a couple things. First, we have an increased awareness of and amazement at how God provides miraculously and unexpectedly, way beyond any visible means. At the same time, we go through the process of re-examining our goals, our motivation, our purpose and our call. As we have done this once again, we have yet again been renewed in our conviction of the relevance of this ministry and our passion to continue investing ourselves in building and growing the kingdom. And we are strengthened in our confidence in God's timing and provision.


We have an opportunity this last weekend of February, Friday evening through Sunday evening, to participate in the annual missions conference at our local church, Christian Family Chapel in Jacksonville. Please pray for our involvement as we will be able to share our ministry in several contexts during this event. Pastor Doug powerfully set the stage with an overview of God's Mission as it is revealed from Genesis to Revelation.  Our prayer is that we will communicate effectively and build on that with a challenge of personal involvement. 

      

NEW YEARS PROVERBS

How have those New Year's resolutions been working for you in past years.  How about a couple New Year's Proverbs instead:

PROVERBS 30:4-5 (NIV)

Who has gone up to heaven and come down?

Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?

Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is his name, and the name of his son?

Tell me if you know.

Every word of God is flawless;

He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

PROVERBS 2:1-8 (NIV)

My son, if you accept my words
And store up my commands within you

Turning you ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,

And if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding

And if you look for it as for silver
And search for it as for hidden treasure

Then you will understand the fear of the Lord
And find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom,
And from his mouth come knowledge and understanding,

He holds victory in store for the upright,
He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

For he guards the course of the just
And protects the way of his faithful ones.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Link to our New Years letter


We trust you had a better Christmas than our kitties who were really not into the donning of gay apparel . . .

HOME AGAIN

Our November trip was long (we covered over 4000 miles) but so worthwhile with all the significant connections we made with special people who have roots in our past but are still a big part of our life and ministry. What a rich and overwhelming blessing to get a megadose of encouragement to sustain us for some time to come.

We ended the time with a special treat -- being home in Winona Lake for Thanksgiving for the first time in many years.

If you haven't kept up with our blog as we added segments along the way, the post with photos below highlights stops in each area, ending with most recent.

Now we're back in Jacksonville, busy with December activities. Along with a mid-week men's Bible study that Jim leads at our church, he is part of the team leading worship for Sunday services this month and at the Christmas Eve service. In the Proclaim! office this is the busiest communications month with all the year-end letters.

We are also in the stage of considering the various invitations Proclaim! has received and firming up definite dates and plans for the 2010 evangelism tours. We need to put together this giant puzzle so we have concrete information for the musicians and support personnel that God is calling to be part of these ministries. Please pray for God's scheduling to be revealed -- we know that apart from God's wisdom we will miserably fail in this challenge.

ON THE ROAD - NOVEMBER

THE WHOLE TRIP - MOST RECENT AT TOP

Thanksgiving with family in Winona Lake

Can't wait for dinner!

Brooke's gourmet apple pie

Zhenya serves -- gotta have ice cream with apple pie

Avery's after dinner tea party

Mini techno wizard Nate

Ginger, Jeremy and Lilli

Lilli with Great Grands

Avery and Gracie read

Jami visits Aunt Robin at work

NOV 16-22: CHICAGOLAND AND WISCONSIN

Our dear friends Ed and Earlene hosted us for several days that we had scheduled in the Chicago area. We have stayed connected since Ed, Earlene and Jim all taught at Norfolk Christian School in the 70s.

Ventured out on a blustery Chicago day and had a good time with Taylor, a friend from Jacksonville in his first year as a transfer student at Wheaton. Also took some time to look around the Billy Graham Center which has changed a lot since we first saw it in the 80s!

Our paths have crossed many times with Walt and Jane as we all worked together at the Belgian Bible Institute in the 80s, and during part of our time in France our family attended the Black Forest church in Germany where Walt was pastor. We spent the final weekend with them in St. Charles and were able to go to the church that Walt has pastored since their return to the states.

This wasn't planned ahead, but we found out Bax and Kathy, also teachers with Jim at Norfolk Christian School, were on our route between Chicago and Wisconsin. They were able to make time for us as were were passing through -- what a blessing to catch up on how God has led and used them in the past 25-plus years since our time together in Norfolk.

Since the last time we saw Randi she has married Art, and we had a wonderful visit with them over a meal. It has been almost 10 years since Randi was with us in Proclaim! in France, heading up the media department.

We were able to make a quick stop for lunch and a Saturday afternoon visit with Tom and Susan, church music ministers and long time friends who have always been such an encouragement to us.

Bob and Bonnie Jean -- BJ was also a member of the 1984 Sax quartet in Belgium. So much fun to get back together after all these years and to meet Bob.

We all got in on a jazz concert at the music conservatory where she works

And a side trip for us to the Harley Davidson museum . . .

NOV 12-15: MICHIGAN

Reunion with 2 members of our 1984 Eurocorps team to the Belgian Bible Institute and their families.

Jim played in Jim’s first Sax Quartet

(members were Jim, Jim, Jim and Eddie!)

Sue was a member of the workteam at the school and encourager of the sax group.

Norma and Jerry in Detroit treated us to a fascinating visit to Greenfield Village.

The off season gave the advantage of extra attention from the tour guides.

We enjoyed a sweet time with Kathie's Aunt Jeane and fellowship at the church where our cousin is pastor.

NOV 5-11: In Winona Lake we had precious time with parents and other family and reconnected with many long time friends at Jim's 35th Grace College class reunion.

It was a blessing to get to meet again with our faithful EUROPARTNERS who have prayed for us since we first went to Belgium in 1982!

A highlight for Kathie was lunch with 3 friends from jr. hi -- some of us hadn't seen each other in 45 years!

Judy, Kathie, Becky, Mom Miriam, Hannah -- 3 hour lunch!

NOV 3-4:

On to Indiana and a fabulous dinner with cousin Joan and Dan for Kathie's birthday.

A car breakdown just south of Indy gave us an extra day there and a chance to see most of the kids and grands (4 under 1 year!)

We were grateful for this surprise opportunity since we never have enough time to really catch up with them.

NOV 2: Enjoyed the hospitality of long time friends Ken and Becky in Nashville area. Our first visit since the early 90s. Jami will stay with them on her way to Indiana for Thanksgiving.

Beautiful drive with clear skies and fall color through Georgia and Tennessee

NOVEMBER TRIP

This is the 3rd time we have attempted this trip and it looks like at last it's really going to happen. We look forward to renewing relationships face to face with many faithful friends and prayer and financial support partners in the next month.

Starting out with one week in Winona Lake, IN, we'll be able to get in on Grace College Homecoming for Jim's 35th class reunion. For two weeks we will travel around Michigan, Wisconsin and the Chicago area, ending up back in Winona for Thanksgiving week. The schedule has come together beautifully -- thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray that we will be available and sensitive to opportunities God give us to minister and serve.