Sudan Pastor Flight

Blast from the Past... (R to L): Katie, Gwen, Kate, Margy & Kimberly

Above is a picture of my team who went on mission to England and N. Africa last November.  A precious group of God-fearing ladies whose hearts beat for the nations.  One in particular, Kate, is a part of an international ministry called TFS Worldwide (visit their website at: www.tfsworldwide.org).  They have an upcoming program that supports training for Sudanese pastors.  We are providing financially for this incredible opportunity and would like to invite you to cover them in prayer and contribute as the Lord may lead.   Thank you for your prayers and continual support.

http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc267/tfshepherd/?action=view&current=PastorFlight-TFSW.flv

Please take a moment to watch the above video to learn more about ways you can pray and support Sudanese pastors as they seek to effectively share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

C-Point Reunion Pictures

Group Shot from Friday Evening (Front 1st R to L): Kenny, Opie, Angela, Eddie, Tony, Jeremy, Lisa and Harmony. 

Opie and Jeremy duel on Guitar Hero.

Guy time on the deck: Tony, Kenny, Opie and Eddie.

It was great, though too short, to reunite with fellow '98 Crosspoint Teammates.  We shared laughs, caught up on life, and praised our Gracious God for the opportunity to serve Him through the years.  

Birthday Weekend

http://www.lifeway.com/fuge/cp/index.asp

A quick post before we hit to road again... Tomorrow, which happens to be my birthday :), we will be joining some friends for Tony's 10 year Crosspoint staff reunion in Birmingham, AL. Several are gathering from various states for some food, folks and fun. I had the pleasure of serving on a Crosspoint team back in 1997. It was an incredible summer of spiritual growth and physical exhaustion. Afterwards, I had to work some real jobs that provided health insurance for a few years (ha ha) and then had the privilege of serving several summers with Centrifuge camps.

Tony worked several summers for Crosspoint and then for Centrifuge (which we continue to be involved with today). In fact, it was the summer of 2002 at Centrifuge camp hosted at Union University in Jackson, TN that the Lord brought Tony and I together. :)

It is neat to reflect on what the Lord has done, where He has brought us, and what He is continuing to do! He is faithful and true; trustworthy and just; mighty to save! He is the Name above all names; worthy to be praised!

"This God - His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord proves true. He is a shield for all who seek refuge from Him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?" Psalm 18:30-31

Prayer Request

We, like many, have had our house on the market for some time now. Today we officially lowered the price again. Someone called to schedule a viewing tomorrow (Thursday). Please join us in praying that this house will sell soon. Thanks.

Home For a Few Days...

There is no place like home... a place of familiarity and rest. Though we have thoroughly enjoyed our various places of travel over the past few months, nothing compares to your own bed, your own bathroom, etc... We have only a few days here in New Orleans and hit the ground running with things needing to be done. Tony has been working diligently on his book, while I have been working on music, bills, and household chores.

For anyone who is looking for a fabulously captivating book to read (or miniseries to watch), my recommendation is "John Adams" by David McCollough. It is several hundred pages long and well worth it. Just thought I'd share... :)

Vacation Comes to an End

We ended our week at the beach going out for pizza in St. George Island at a local dive called "BJs".  (Ignore the signage behind us :)

The boys... all of us worn out...

Lisa (Tony's sis) and Ryan...

Tony's parents... today (Friday) is their 38th wedding anniversary.  Happy Anniversary to a wonderful couple!

We hit the road in the morning back to Hattiesburg and then on to New Orleans.  We are so grateful for this time we've had to spend with family.  Thanks to our Gracious God for the gift of family!  Blessings to you all!

Beach Interview

Tony's beach interview with Beniam about his time in Florida.

Another Day in Paradise

All smiles following a delicious Indian dinner made by Ryan & Lisa.  Tony and I spent most of the day inside studying, reading and taking a break from sun exposure. We did enjoy a little while in the pool playing volleyball.  The kids were active in everything from swimming in the ocean, playing in the pool, and hitting a few rounds of tennis (home-run style).  We are ever grateful for this time of rest with family.

Vacation

We are blessed to be able to join with family this week at St. George Island, Florida (near Appalachicola).  I hope to take more pictures tomorrow to post but here are a couple with Ryan & Lisa's (Tony's sis) kids playing with grandparents.  The house we have rented is wonderful for all of us.  We have enjoyed delicious meals, great fellowship, a little baseball, a game of tennis, a bit of volleyball, the beach and the pool (not to mention, Homerun Derby).  Blessings to each of you.  

Adam and Lauren playing 'Uno' with grandparents.

Beniam and Derara playing catch with Grandpa.

Adoption Update

We've traded the jeep in for a minivan!

The Lord has blessed us with the above van as we continue to wait on His timing for our family. Our updated paperwork is on the way to Ukraine by way of our adoption agency in Birmingham!  At this point, we are waiting again.  Please pray that our facilitator in Ukraine will be able to submit our dossier to the governing officials there as soon as possible. We appreciate you and your prayers.  Have a blessed weekend!

Call to Prayer

www.caringbridge.org/visit/jasonweathers

Dear Family, Friends, Brothers and Sisters in Christ - This is a plea to join us before the Throne of Our Almighty God in intercession for Jason Weathers and his family.  Please see the above link for more information.  

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? 

The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted, but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."  

Isaiah 40:28-31

Heading Home...

In the Green Room before our last night of Centri-Fuge Worship...

We've had a wonderful couple weeks of camp here in Glorieta, but look forward to returning home Saturday evening.  We would deeply appreciate your prayers for the following:

* For churches traveling home Saturday after Closing Celebration

* For the 'Fuge staff as they continue to minister here throughout the summer

* For students who have made spiritual commitments this week

* For a generation of students devoted to the Lord and His Renown

* For our travel back to New Orleans and Hattiesburg

Thank you and blessings to you all...

More 4th of July Mega Relay...

Tony in the Middle...

Molly & Kimberly...

4th of July Mega Relay

Mega Relay, for those who aren't familiar, is organized chaos.  :) 

Allyson - 'Fuge Recreation Director - sporting her Lady Liberty pose.

Gathering for celebration and prayer after the relay races....

Amanda & Brandi together were "Fire Works"...

Travis (from Addison Road)  sporting his Independence Day spirit...

Hanging with 'Fuge Staff

After we visited the apartment complex, we visited a PCY (Painting and Construction) team in Santa Fe. This group was helping build a fence with Habitat for Humanity.

Eric (pictured at right) leads a group of students and adults each week to minister in this capacity.  Please take a moment to pray for him, his teams that will continue to serve throughout the summer here, for God's glory to be made known through their labors.

Thursday evening we enjoyed fun and fellowship with the 'Fuge staff.  We bought a pinata and stuffed it with goodies.  We shared a lot of laughs together.  

M-Fuge Site Visit

Following the AM Show on Thursday, I jumped in the car with some 'Fuge staff to go and visit a couple mission sites in Santa Fe. Our first stop was staffer Dina's at an apartment complex. Some M-Fuge students were playing games, making crafts and painting faces with the precious children in community.  We had a blast!

The great game of UNO!

I had to get my face painted as well... a butterfly.  :)

Another great game - Candyland!

Please take a moment to pray for this community.  Pray that the Lord would continue to use Dina and the various M-Fuge participants that come throughout the summer to minister here. May they come to know the Hope of the World - Jesus Christ!

Adoption Update...

There still isn't much to report.  However, we did receive word that our updated paperwork has been received and is currently awaiting notarization.  I should be able to pick it up Monday and put in the mail to the state immediately afterwards.  Please pray that this paperwork, once notarized and apostilled, will make it to Ukraine smoothly and that our facilitator there will be able to submit our dossier to the government shortly thereafter.  Thanks so much for your prayers!

A Glimpse of Wednesday

Remember when gas prices were this much? We passed a closed down station in Santa Fe this afternoon and reminisced...

We had lunch at Harry's Roadhouse in Santa Fe with LifeWay Coordinator, Jason Ellerbrook, his family and our friends in Addison Road.

Leslie, Rebekah and Kimberly after another delicious New Mexican meal...

Hanging with some staff after worship...

Hanging with more staff after worship in the infamous "Chuckwagon" (artery clogging cafe)...

Deeper Still Conference

http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/deeperstill/

Though I was not able to take part in the Deeper Still conference held this past weekend in Atlanta, I have been moved by testimonies of many who were able to participate.  Check out the blog updates posted on the link above by a precious Sister in the Faith, Michelle Hicks. Praise the LORD for the work He is doing!  A challenge has been put forth to commit to pray every Thursday at 12:00 PM for a spiritual awakening in our country.  Will you take part in this? Oh, that we would ascertain the seriousness of the times we live in and stand for Truth in this world of relativism!

"If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." (John 8:31b-32)

"Sanctify them in the Truth; Your Word is Truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." (John 17:17-18) 

May we abide in His Word and walk in His Ways for the glory of His Name - Jesus, the One and Only!