We are home from a whirlwind of travel and services. We began by traveling to my parent's home in Kentucky to shave off two hours of our 11 hour trip to Arkansas on the following day. The following month found us in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, back to Kansas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and then home!!! Bryon and I were just as happy as Samuel to drink in the sight of our wonderful home Jesus gave us!
God gave GREAT help as we traveled and defeated the devil as he tried to hinder services. We praise God for every open door of hospitality. Even churches that could not get us in for a service opened their places so that we could have a place to stay free of charge. We cannot say thank you enough to all the wonderful meals, clean beds, and lovely fellowship that we encountered on our way.
It was a delight on our first Sunday out to encounter Rev. & Mrs. Winfield Poe. What an honor to speak to them and then later visit with them in their home. It was through Rev. Poe that we received more services at the spur of the moment. God was good to fill in our calendar with churches that kindly opened their doors. As we were leaving Arkansas we stopped in at the Poe's home and he graciously prayed over Samuel that he would grow to serve God all the days of his life. That's our GREATEST desire for Samuel. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." III John 1:4
One home that graciously welcomed us was Rev. & Mrs. Lonnie Witt's home. It was such a lovely and entertaining time. We came to quickly love and admire these workers for Jesus. Having great friends in Lyle and Michelle Witt who are laboring at God's Bible School, it was wonderful to get to know his parents. Samuel wanted to stay at their house the WHOLE TIME! :)
During our stay I was invited over to the Witt's daughter-in-law's home. I wondered how an afternoon with a complete stranger would go....I should have had NO FEARS! As Samuel zoomed around with her boys, we yacked for 4 hours without taking much time for air! ;) It was a delightful afternoon with homemade goodies and a new friendship born with Dorothy Witt.
In Kansas we made friends with Laura Masters and praised God with her at the transformation the Lord had wrought in her life. She was a completely delivered person from the bondage of drink, drugs, and sin. When we began to speak on the GREAT CHANGE God had wrought in the lives of those we have worked with, she began to cry and praise God until I stopped speaking and just rejoiced with her. Bryon and I were happily remembering the moment while in the car later. OH, that HIS GREAT FORGIVENESS in each of our lives would bring forth such praise to HIM!! Let us not be quiet when HE has done so much for us! It was so good to get to know Laura and her father.
A few days rest between services found us at Rev. Dave & Barbie Kaufman's home in Louisiana. We so enjoyed their hospitality and rejoice in seeing God increasing their Sunday School and Youth outreach in their community. We received a grand tour of the buildings that have gone up to house the influx of young people. What an encouragement to see God's Kingdom going forward. Here is Dave demonstrating an homemade big bad wolf for children's services, and Samuel demonstrating his strength with one of their "stones" used for creative Bible stories!
Guess we were enjoying our visit a little too long with the Kaufmans. Samuel had been playing happily with the Kaufman's pets, but I guess he decided it was bedtime for both of them. What a surprise to find him sleeping happily with the dog. I think he was disappointed when we made him get out to go to his own bed! :)
While staying with the Switzers in Florida we were invited over for a delicious supper at the Nables. We so thoroughly enjoyed our meal and fellowship with them. It's so wonderful to realize that God has HIS people everywhere.
While at the Switzers' home they encouraged us to take an afternoon off and go out on a date. JUST BRYON AND ME!! So they entertained Samuel while Bryon and I slipped off to celebrate my birthday a little late. :)
Samuel has often spoke of wanting a violin. This kind brother and family heard us speak in one church in Florida on a Sunday night, then appeared at another church on WED. night and presented Samuel with this beautiful violin! Samuel is thrilled!
We really enjoyed our service and fellowship at Camp Freedom in St. Petersburg, FL. Rev. Talley and the staff welcomed us warmly. What a meal those ladies cooked up afterward and served to us in the dining hall. It was our first time to visit there, but we hope to get to go back and enjoy the beauty of their campgrounds!
Our final service for this tour was held in Georgia. Rev. & Mrs. Ward welcomed us so kindly into their home. They spent extra time making Samuel feel loved. Their church was full of missionaries and missionary minded young people. What an encouragement to see young hearts burning with the desire to take the Gospel to people who have not heard. One young couple said that they were impressed to go to areas that nobody else really wants to go. May God bless them!!
Well you might wonder why I entitled this blog '117 Days and Counting Down'? Because all these trips speaking about God's work in Peru, pleas for prayer support, and making lasting friendships are leading up to one thing in 117 days. Each day I see the calendar click down a day brings the realization that the day of return to Peru is nearing. We are so dependent upon your prayers as we near July 9, 2015. Many, many things need to be done before that day and we need God's strength to accomplish these things in between traveling for services. As we come to your mind and heart, count down with us! God has GREAT things HE wants to accomplish in PERU!!
