Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2013

We wish to thank you for all your prayers for this past year.  We continue to raise our support for full-time missionary work, and while that is going slowly, John and Jean are fairly immersed with the ministries at the HCJB Global Technology Center and at McCoy Memorial Baptist Church. John continues to work with FiServ part-time. Jean has begun a few hours a week at the Technology Center, working in the same cubicle as John, sorting files on the intranet. We love seeing how the Lord is using the Technology Center all over the world. We also love serving at McCoy.  Also, we’ve been able to see John’s parents more often as, on occasion, John’s dad also volunteers at HCJB here.

Elizabeth and Peter have jumped into the world of home ownership. They found a very nice condo that has all the feeling of a home rather than an apartment.  They have been able to enjoy decorating it and making it fit their style. Also, they are able to host us on occasion, when we pass through, and it is fun to get together.  They continue to attend and serve at Lansing Bible Church.

This past summer found Johnny at Au Sable Institute where JR pursued some biology classes not available at Judson University.  He is doing well and will be finishing up and graduating May 2014, and we are praying for God's leading in the decisions he will need to make soon.  He was able to join our family on a work trip to Bemidji, MN where we all were part of a team from McCoy.  We were able to help Camp Oak Hills in numerous ways.

David finished up his freshman year at Huntington and worked in the deli at Kroger this summer.  He is enjoying his studies there and feels that Computer Science is the right area of studies for him.  He, too, was able to join the Bemidji work team and found reward in the physical work we did there. Following the work trip, our family also was able to see the sights in SD before coming back. He also had his annual check at Children’s and is doing well.

Anina began her sophomore year this past fall, with a full load. She continues with her job at the Elkhart Library, tumbling, and a homeschool co-op for choir, drawing, and hand-chimes.  New pursuits include the local robotics club, Raptor Robotics, Team 2803, and the Student Leadership Team of our youth group. She, too, joined the Bemidji work team. Following the family vacation in SD, she was a counselor-in-training at Checkpoint Bible Camp.

We pray that you will, this time of year, reflect on the birth of our Lord and Savior and know the power of His resurrection.  He is the one and only true God and is the only thing that can provide salvation and everlasting peace.  Many blessings to you and your family.

Love,

John, Jean, JR, David, Anina                                                                                                                                  

 

The DR is a Resort by Comparison

It's been less than two weeks since we've returned from Balan, Haiti (near Cap-Haitien). It is a world away, in more than the literal sense.  Anina and I had the blessing of being sort of last minute members of a team from HCJB Global to serve with the disaster relief from the earthquake in 2010 that affected Port-au-Prince. We flew into the Dominican Republic, and drove over the border into Haiti.  The difference, at least where we went across, is like night and day.

But what were we doing near Cap-Haitien?  There is a Kids Alive Village there, in Balan, that is taking care of orphans from the earthquake.  The Kids Alive concept is good: bring kids who have no parents under the upbringing of Christian houseparents, living in a house type home, versus a dorm type home.

The team consisted of 11 members, nine of which are HCJB.  There were six men, who built an additional school room, put up playground equipment, built laundry area shelters for the two houses that are finished already in the village, moving and compacting gravel for easier walking in the KA village. There are six other house families, with orphans, awaiting their homes in the village. The need was so great to house orphans, that these families are living in rented homes in the community.

The five women held health clinics, which were basically good health checks.  Working with KA missionaries, Brent and Letitia Jefkins, as translators, as well as with Haitian staff, the women were able to provide basic eye screening, pulse, blood pressure, and overall head to to checks for about 130 students, and some staff. In addition, there was a baking day and Bible study, something Letitia already does with the eight house moms.

Jean and Anina loved working with the children, but the highlight, for Jean, was a community health class for parents.  It was during that class time, that Jean was able to share the gospel with 40+ unbelieving community parents, whose children participate in the school program there. Each time Jean does a trip, she prays for an opportunity to personally present the gospel, and God answered once again. Please continue to pray for these parents living in Haiti and that their hearts will be ready to hear the good news as there is opportunity for them to hear. 

Three Down, One to Go!

Mad recap of spring and transition to a new summer schedule:

After visiting, applying, and being accepted into Anderson, Huntington, and Taylor University, David has decided to attend Huntington University in the fall to pursue studies in Computer Science.  Glad that decision is made and we are at peace about it.  His graduation and open house were both on May 19th, and we enjoyed the full day celebrating with him. 

Thank you to everyone who came out and sent cards to celebrate with him.  God is gracious and upon the heels of graduating on May 19th, he began work today as a picker/packer/shipper for Coast Distribution, here in Elkhart.  It is warehouse type job for an RV company. So glad the RV business has picked up and praise God for summer employment!

Speaking of summer employment, Johnny is comfortably settled in his job at Kroger, which has been giving him overtime hours, as the president of the company is visiting the store some time this week.  Yikes!  I hope they're ready.  The store was in mass confusion the last week as it has been undergoing total reorganization.

Anina also graduated from eighth grade on May 19th, and we have settled on her course for the fall, her first year in high school.  She is an excellent student and gets done with her work very promptly (perhaps occasionally, too promptly). She has been always a cheerful helper and we appreciate her help with all that entails hosting interns and volunteers at our house.

Beginning today, we will have our summer intern through the middle of August. Hosting is usually a great time---just like having another kid at home, really.  So pray for our vehicle-challenged home---there are 4 people who need to get around to fulltime (or more) jobs and not enough vehicles to do so.  :) 

Elizabeth and Peter are doing well. Both are working hard and serving the Lord at Lansing Bible Church.  We see them more than we thought we would, despite the long drives.  It is rewarding to see your adult child doing well, being responsible, and serving the Lord.  It makes a parent feel full-hearted, indeed.

We are doing well.  John is busy.  [Jean will be chauffering... :)]