QUICK UPDATE

Each day I get a little further behind in keeping this blog up-to-date.  The days have been full and the internet connection has been spotty. 

Here's the most up-to-date portion of this blog post: Today we leave for a week in Iowa.  Our plan is to make it to Cedar Falls tonight and have an easy finish to the trip to Le Mars on Saturday morning.  We are anxious to see friends in Le Mars (where we'll be speaking on Sunday morning at the Presbyterian UCC) and also our friends in Grundy Center (where we get to share Sunday, July 6th). If you are close by, we'd love to see you!

Here are a few pictures from recent days as we've been on the road. For now, I am just including the places where we have formally shared about Haiti.  There has been so much fun and blessing and "relationshipping" in between, that those times deserved a separate post!  (Maybe tonight's hotel will have internet!)

Our first Sunday, June 8th, we got to speak at our home church in Columbus, Indiana: CCC. How great to be back.  Notice we're not quite adjusted to air conditioning at this point!

That evening we got to share with the younger grades youth group.  They were full of questions!

The following Wednesday night, we had the chance to share with the Senior High youth.  What a great group of young adults and a fun evening!

Speaking of great young adults, that evening I got to formally meet Cameron, who put on a "Hoops for Haiti" event earlier in the school year and sent several hundred dollars to us to benefit "our" orphanage, The Potter's House.

Then we headed East.  June 15th we had the pleasure of sharing at Lebanon Christian Church in Artemas, Pennsylvania.  A very warm and welcoming congregation, for sure!

Inside Lebanon Christian.

I didn't manage to get a picture of our midweek sharing at Needmore Bible Church (What a great name, huh?), but I did get a picture of our friends who hosted us midweek - Troy and Dina.  We all LOVE the Laytons! 

The following Sunday, June 22nd, we were in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, at The Refuge.  Another great congregation and dear friends!  The church building, situated between a 7-11 and a pawn shop, is much bigger on the inside than you would expect.

The worship team at The Refuge.

Our Sunday evening was spent with the fine folks of Snyder's Bible Church in Hedgesville, West Virginia.  I'm telling you, some of these small country churches are the most lively and mission-minded you will find anywhere in this country!

This past Monday we drove up to Erie to see friends, stayed a couple of nights and then drove back to Indiana on Wednesday.  Yesterday was spent visiting with family, catching up on sleep and laundry and getting some shopping done. Our evening was spent with a small group from our church - people who are especially near and dear to Melissa's heart.  This group was the one that nurtured her young faith so many years ago when she was a new Christian. 

I want to make sure I thank Tim Bell, who works with OMS and went above and beyond in setting up our appointments with the Pennsylvania and West Virginia churches. We also thank the Lord for all He is doing to work in the hearts of individuals and congregations to further the Kingdom in Haiti.  We are so blessed and so grateful. 

Like I said, there's been so much packed into the in-between times that they deserve a separate post.  I look forward to sharing with you about Hannah R. and her family, our day in Gettysburg, the pastors we met, meals with friends and family, and our time at the Sweatman farm.  But for now, I need to load suitcases into the van!