February began with our family battling COVID-19. While it wasn’t fun and we were definitely sick, our symptoms were relatively mild, for which we are grateful. My mom who lives with us also tested postive. We praise the Lord that she didn’t have a severe case. Normally, I would be in Uruguay for Valentine’s Day, and I was scheduled to be again this year. Due to the country being closed to visitors, I had to cancel my trip. We have rescheduled our annual Workers’ Conference for Tuesday, March 23, via Zoom. Due to the time difference, I will start the meeting at 7 a.m. EST. Pedro Donze, our camp director is helping organize virtual interviews with each missionary.
Even though I was still sick, I was able to participate in two different Zoom conferences with the FBFI. I am part of the Communications Committee which oversees Frontline Magazine and the Proclaim and Defend website. I also participated in the Executive Board Meeting. We were challenged in the sessions on prayer, revival, Biblical responses to pandemics and political pressures, a Christian response to governmental authority, and striving for peace within your congregation.
I was able to make a quick trip to Raleigh, NC, to meet with a couple of men from the Shepherd’s Church and Shepherds Theological Seminary who are assisting us with the virtual Gooid News 360 Conference that I am helping Billy Judson (missionary to India) organize. I was also able to connect with Joe Hensen, a good friend who is pastoring the Trinity Bible Church in Durham, NC. Last year, Joe preached an excellent series on Missions. Check it out. I praise the Lord for several other coffee and lunch meetings with pastors and other mission leaders.
On a personal note, Joanna is now in Salt Lake City with our new grandson. Thou I miss her immensely, I have been able to focus on a lot of planning that I am doing for India, Uruguay, and Mexico (see the Update below). I took our Goldendoodle, Ollie, to BJU so Chris Carmichael could give her an ultrasound. Yay! She is expecting what looks like seven or eight puppies.
Last Tuesday was a day of rest at BJU, so Hannah and I drove up to the Wilds. We hiked to the Shoals, the 1st Falls, the 2nd Falls overlook, and then the 4th Falls. She is editing some of the pictures that I hope to share on Facebook soon. It was great to have supper at an area Mexican restaurant with our daughter Abby and her husband Caleb Prigge. Caleb Green, Hannah’s special friend also joined us. Yes, I know… too many Calebs. My son Caleb says that he is the real Caleb. I then was able to record two different videos for the Good News 360 Conference in front of the beautiful fireplace in the Fremont Inn.
It was good to connect with a couple of our missionary families who are on furlough. The Coles (France) were at Cleveland Park Bible Church in Spartanburg. We visited the church and also reconnected with our old missionary friends Jeff and Linda Brown (Germany). The Kanes were at Hampton Park Baptist Church for their missions conference.
I have put together a brief newsletter that you may read below or download a pdf copy here.
