A Change of Plans

Brooke Army Medical Center

Well, I am sure you have all been following our journey the past 3 months, either on Facebook or by email.  I just wanted to update our blog to let you know how things are going and what our plans are.

 

The devotion for Friday, Nov. 14 was this:  A Change of Plans

Ecc 11:5  “Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother's womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. “

Briefly:  On Saturday, Nov. 15, Steven, was shot in Afghanistan...we were flown to Germany to see him there in the hospital…they put us on the plane with him to the states….we have been here at Brooke Army Medical Center at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX…he has had 3 surgeries…our sponsor in England lost their license for sponsorship so our visas were cancelled and we were not permitted to return.

It all sounds like a big nightmare, but in reality, we have seen the Lord’s hands in this at every turn and we have had an amazing peace that He is in control and He knows what He is doing.  In fact, it has been awesome to just stand back and watch to see what the Lord would do.  Steven’s last surgery was a real answer to prayer.  The doctors were able to do exactly what they had hoped, they are very pleased with the outcome, and he is healing well.

Purple Heart and Bronze Star ceremony

In every place, we have been literally surrounded by believers who have prayed with and for us and encouraged us in so many ways.  It is amazing how many believers are here at this base and working in this hospital.  At times, we have almost felt like we have been sent to a Christian retreat center.  The majority of the doctors and nurses who have been assigned to Steven have encouraged us with their prayers and awesome care.  Most of the army people we have dealt with are also believers and just amazing people.  It is mind blowing!  They are continually asking how we are doing and if there is anything at all they can do for us.

These guys prayed for us in the hall at Walter Reed

We are living with Steven in the Liberty barracks which is for soldiers who are recovering from illness or injuries.  It is basically a fairly nice 2 bedroom apartment so we are all together. 

We have applied with a new sponsor in the UK and are waiting for the confirmation from them to apply for new visas.  We are hoping that by the end of March we will be able to return to England and continue the ministry we were doing there. 

What I really want to share with you all (ha..Texan accent coming on)  is just how awesome the Lord’s hand has been in all of this.  We couldn’t have seen any of this at the beginning, but in looking back we are absolutely amazed at how He has worked it all for good.

When we left for Germany, we had no idea that our sponsor would lose their license and therefore our visas would be invalid.  When that happened, the UK government required us to leave the country and return to our country of origin to apply for new visas under new sponsorship.  If the army had not sent us to the states with Steven, we would have had to purchase plane tickets to come back, find a place to live while we looked for a new sponsor and got new visas, and then paid for plane tickets to return to England.  We have had to renew our passports because they will expire within 6 months of the time our new visas will expire…the UK requires them to be valid a minimum of 6 months past the expiration of the visas.  There are fees for the new sponsorship, the new passports, the new visas and the plane tickets to return.  All of that comes to around $3800.  That doesn’t include living expenses here while we waited. 

Since the army sent us here, they have made sure we have not had to pay for anything out of our pocket. In fact, they have been giving us daily living expenses every day since we left England and also paid us travel expenses for the travel days and miles.  Most of the time we eat here for free and we have been given a car with paid insurance. Since we are living in the barracks on the base, we have been able to save up all the money we have needed to pay for the passports, sponsor and visas and still continue to keep up the rent and utilities on our cottage in Ivybridge.

The UK is requiring that we prove that we have had at least $2500 in our bank account every day 90 days before applying for new visas.  This we will be able to do!  When we return to England the army will pay for it!

So, even though this whole situation has been a very difficult one (for Steven especially), the Lord has turned it to good.  Living together has actually been a good thing for us.  We have enjoyed being together and it has made this whole trial more bearable for Steven by not having to be alone in it.

Grandma came to visit

Alamo

We are so very, very thankful that our God is such a loving, gracious and good Father Who sees and knows way beyond our understanding and works in our lives His perfect plans.

We are also very, very thankful for all of you who have prayed and loved and supported us through this time.  We are overwhelmed by the care from all of you to us in so many ways.

We are anxious to get back to our lives in England and continue the ministry there to the people who are so hungry for hope and encouragement….and it is only to be found in the One Who is the Giver of all hope and in the knowledge of His Word.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Steven and for us.  We love you and pray the Lord blesses you all greatly.

Isa 55:8-11  "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

  

New Opportunities

We are back from our trip to the states and finally over the jet-lag and re-entry  :-)  It was a long time to be away. We felt like being away so long had caused us to lose the progress we had made so far in ministry.  But everyone here was excited and anxious to have us back and we have re-established those relationships quickly.  This next year looks like it will be getting much more active for us.  New opportunities are opening up and we are excited to see what it all will look like and what the Lord will do.  The Exeter church has moved into a larger building and it is a real blessing to see it being filled up. 

Exeter Calvary Chapel

Both the churches, Exeter and Wotter, will be starting home groups during the week in several towns and villages.  It is exciting to see how the Lord is expanding the ministry to people who are hungry for the Word of God. Here are a few upcoming events to keep in your prayers:

Oct. 29:  Night of Worship at Calvary Exeter led by Scott Cunningham from CC Costa Mesa

Nov. 1:  Special outreach  event through pottery by Pastor Pat Lazovich from the US

Nov 4: CreationFest UK event "DAY IN THE WORD" at the Royal Cornwall Showground 

Nov. 8:  CreationFest UK  event:  Worship, Bible teaching, Skating demos, kids' program...all day event for all ages.

We had wonderful times visiting with our family and many friends in TN, WA, OR and AZ. 

Home fellowship group inVancouver WA

Visiting grandkids in Oregon

Worship night in Phoenix

Thank you so much for your prayers during our travels. There were a couple of times that we were on the verge of panic....one time Steve left his backpack sitting on a bench at an airport.  He had to find a policeman and go down to the lost and found...where thankfully, it had been taken.  Then he had to come back through security....but I had his boarding pass on the other side.  He did have his passport on him, so he was able to get another pass and come through.  Then in JFK my passport got lost going through the security screening....I did find it in one of the plastic tubs you have to put your stuff in to send it through the xray machine.  I have to say that the lax security at that airport was pretty scary.  The rest of the trip was normal stuff..no delays or problems...pretty incredible for all we did:  3 bus trips (it is a 5 hour ride to London), 9 airplanes, several miles in our van, 8 airports, 1 hotel.  Truly the Lord's hand was upon us.

Bus at Heathrow in London

5 hour bus ride to London

Steve brought back some tools with him so he can be better equipped to help out in any projects that come up with the churches or with individuals who might need some help.  It was interesting packing our bags to stay under the 50 lb. limit..LOL!  He is back studying again and meeting with the men he disciples and he is praying about starting up a morning men's study and prayer group for construction workers in the area.  I am still discipling women and also will be starting up women's study here in the village in November.  We will be meeting in a local pub that is allowing us to use a private room.  I have made up flyers to post around and also have a Facebook page.  We are praying the Lord will bring in the ladies He wants to the study. 

 Here is a link to the Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/ivybridgewomen 

Autumn is definitely here...the weather is off and on sunny and rainy and windy.  Pretty much like the Pacific NW, so it seems very normal to us. It was actually a blessing to come back to cooler weather after all the hot days we had in the US!  

Thank you all again for all your hospitality toward us and for your continued prayer and support.  We pray you feel that you are a part of this ministry in SW England with us for truly you are.

Praise:

~ Safe travels 

~Health remained good

~Many opportunities to visit with family and friends

Prayer:

~Wisdom and discernment in developing relationships

~Continuing discipleship with individuals

~Good health

~Bible studies starting up

~Additional financial support so we can enlarge our ministry area (maybe get a vehicle)

Thank you all, again, so much!  May the Lord continue to bless you greatly and meet every need.

New Year...New Beginnings

Sunrise over Devon

Summary of our first 2 weeks

We arrived in England on Tues., December 17.  Steve was scheduled to lead the worship for the mid-week study in Exeter on the 18th...so we jumped in right away!  The first week we concentrated on getting over jet-lag and sorting out details like exchanging dollars to pounds, getting our phones set up for here, remembering bus routes, and reuniting with friends from the summer.

The ministry school has been pushed back to start in the fall, so we are currently looking for a place to rent in the Plymouth area.  We are temporarily staying in Bittaford, a small village between Exeter and Plymouth, in the home of friends from the Wotter church.

Bittaford, Devon

Gracious friends in Bittaford

The Wotter fellowship started as a Bible study in a home in Plymouth when we were here this summer and has now grown and moved into a church building in Wotter...a very small village up on the moor just outside of Plymouth.  This is the one I talked about in my last post.  The Lord has blessed this little group and new people come almost every week.  They are excited to hear of a Bible-teaching church close to them.

Wotter church

First service

We had a Christmas Carol service in Sunday, Dec. 22 there and 4 new families from surrounding villages came!  One family lives right next door to the church but had not attended it yet. There were about 60 there for the service.

On the Thursday before the service, we went house to house in Wotter and the two closest villages delivering flyers and inviting people to come.  The weather forecast was ominous but the Lord graciously held off the wind, rain and hail until we were finished and back in the cars!  Then it came in full force! On Saturday we went out to cut fresh greens and decorated for the service.  

Friday was a girls' lunch in Plymouth in an old building that was part of the Naval base.  We had a great time of fellowship and sharing..and eating!

Sunday morning, Dec. 22, we rode with friends up to Exeter to the service and then back to get ready for the service in Wotter in the evening.   The person who was supposed to do most of the music got sick so we had to jump in at the last. We found out that they have totally different tunes to almost all of the Christmas songs...so that was a small panic for us!  But the Lord was good and all went well....they just needed someone to get them started on the songs. The service was joyful and people came from all around!  It was such a blessing to worship with these sweet people.  They were all so welcoming to us and gracious.  

Short video of Christmas Carol service in Wotter

Monday the 23rd, it rained and hailed and blew up to 70 mi. an hour...we stayed in all day and rested.  Tuesday we decided to take the bus into Ivybridge, the town down the road from Bittaford. As we waited at the bus stop, the bus went right by us.....on the other side of the road....we were waiting on the wrong side...silly Americans...so we walked to town (2 1/2 miles) and got familiar with the village center and the shops....met some folks who wanted to know why we were there..so we told them.  The standard answer is usually, "Oh....right then!  jolly good!"  and then they change the subject  :-)  

There is a small church across the street from the house here that has an average of 4 people attending.  They had a carol service on Christmas Eve so we walked over and they had a full house...about 30 people.  It was very traditional. We are beginning to see more of the spiritual attitude here...and why the churches are not relating to the people.  Alot of singing about Jesus...several verses..and reading some scriptures...The pastor talked about loving each other and community...missed the boat of the "why" Jesus came.  It really is just tradition with most folks here...I guess it is that way in the states, also.

On Christmas day, we had a really nice meal with friends in Ivybridge who are part of the Exeter church and also the one in Wotter. It was pretty much the same as Christmas in the states...except they don't watch football...LOL!!

Friday, Dec. 27, we took the bus up to Exeter and walked around downtown.  We hadn't done that yet since we returned here and were anxious to re-familiarize ourselves with the city.  It was busy, as usual, with people in every direction.  We stopped in at the McDonald's for lunch and found out that most of the city had the same idea!  I have never seen so many people in a McDonald's all at the same time! Later on, we stopped for tea in the cafe at the cathedral.

Shoppers on High Street

Tea at Cathedral Cafe

McDonald's lunch crowd..stacked to the door!

Saturday we shopped for groceries, visited friends and looked at a couple of cottages for rent.  Sunday we led worship at the Exeter church in the morning and then went to the Wotter church in the evening.

Monday was a resting day and then Tuesday night, Dec. 31, we were treated to a wonderful evening of ballroom dancing and great food until after midnight.  We actually did the waltz!  (sort of...LOL)

New Year's Eve 2013

It has been a very full couple of weeks and now we are looking forward to settling into our own place, finding a routine and seeing what things the Lord is going to direct us to.  Our prayer is to find a place to rent soon where we will have access to the bus routes so we can be available for ministry in Exeter and also in the Plymouth/Wotter area.

We are happy to be back and to see the growth in the people and in both churches.  They are excited about what God is doing in the SW of England and it is so uplifting to be around them.

Again, thank you all for your encouragement, prayers and support.  We do hope you feel that you are very much a part of our ministry here.  You are in our hearts and prayers.

We will try to update our blog more often to keep you informed about what God is doing here.  God bless all of you greatly!

Prayer

1.  Finding a place to rent that is in our budget, near the bus stop and near the city center where we can meet and engage people.

2.  Good health

3.  Divine appointments with people who need to know the love of the Lord in their lives.

4.  Direction and focus for ministry and outreach in Devon.

5.  Wisdom and discernment in counselling and encouraging believers.

Devon county


Isaiah 65:24  "It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear."

'Ordinary' Times

"The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight."  Oswald Chambers

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We have been back in Washington for 2 months now and I must say that this time period seems to be the hardest yet for us.  When we were getting ready to go to England, it was exciting and very busy...so much to do.  While we were there, it was an adventure..everything was a new experience...we had a sense of awe every day, seeing the ways the Lord would direct us in opportunities to share His love, grace and encouragement to others. 

Steve sharing with young man on High Street

Coming back to the states has been like coming back from a really inspiring retreat or conference and realizing you are back to your normal routine again.  At first you are still excited and are sharing with everyone all that you learned and what the Lord did.  Then after awhile, they have heard your stories, and you come back to earth...and find yourself settling back in to "ordinary" life.  It is kind of like a reverse 'culture shock'.

We returned to Washington on a Tuesday night...and Steve went to work on Wednesday morning..and has been working ever since.  God has amazingly blessed him with jobs that seemed to come out of nowhere.  He hasn't been this busy in a few years!  We are so thankful for the work and the income it is providing.

We were glad to be back to our 'family' on Monday nights for meals together and feeding on the Word.  This is always a highlight of our week.  We LOVE these people!

ON THE ROAD

Since we returned, we have had many opportunities to lead worship at several churches and share about the ministry in England.  It has been a privilege to help people here in the states understand the spiritual emptiness over there.

Calvary Chapel Sheridan, OR

Oct. 11-14 we were able to make a trip up to northern Idaho to visit long-time friends Scott and Val Douglas.  Scott was on the worship team with us many years ago in Phoenix and now is pastoring Calvary Chapel Cabinet Mountain, near Sandpoint.  It was a very special and encouraging time for us.

Cabinet Mt. Calvary Chapel

We have also been helping out at a small church in Ridgefield, WA - Bethel Community Church.  They don't have anyone to lead worship for them so different people have been taking turns going up there to help.  It is a blessing to have the opportunities to use the giftings the Lord has given us to serve in some of these smaller, out of the way churches. 

Next on our agenda is a trip to Phoenix, AZ, Oct. 24-28, to visit with our many dear friends there who are always such an encouragement to us.  On Nov. 3 we will be sharing at our home church here, Calvary Chapel Vancouver.

Moving forward

The process in obtaining our visas has been a trial, to say the least.  They really don't give you any help on exactly how to answer all the questions and provide all the right documents....you are pretty much on your own.  Trying to make sense of the pages and pages of instructions on the website is like learning a new language.  But the Lord has graciously helped and we finally have completed the online process and have our appointments to have our 'biometric' photos and fingerprints done.  After that, we have to put together all the right documents and mail them off...and pray!  It feels like this big weight is finally starting to lift!

PRAISE!

1.  The Bible study in Plymouth has grown and has been given a building in a small village, just outside of Plymouth, to use for services on Sundays and Thursday nights!  This is a really awesome thing that the Lord is doing in that part of Devon county.  These blessed people are so excited and praying for the area to be reached for the Lord. We can't wait to get back and be a part of all He is doing there.

Calvary Chapel in Wotter

2.  Part 1 of our visa application process is completed!
3.  Many opportunities to share with people about the need for spiritual help in England.
4.  God has graciously provided for all we have needed at every turn..we are thankful.

Prayer requests:

1.  Finalizing our visa applications and favor with the UK govt. to be accepted.
2.  Wise use of our time and good health.
3.  Steve to have the strength to finish the jobs still ahead.
4.  Raising necessary ongoing financial support.

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Once again we want to say how very thankful we are for all of you...your prayers and support mean so much to us. We do see this as a team effort. We are just the arms and legs....and you all make it possible for the Lord to use these arms and legs to encourage and share His love and grace in a place that so desperately needs it.


1Cor. 12:12-14  For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 
For the body is not one member, but many.