So much has happened...

 Carol's Mom was 94 years old.  Still living by herself in her home in Falmouth but in increasing need for assistance.  Last May, at the demands of a social worker, Mom yielded to have nursing aide and nursing help. We had visited her in August.  But one of the nurses visiting her weekly suggested "don't wait until October!"  We hurried to get some loose ends cared for in VA and headed up to Cape Cod.

 What we found when we got there was that Mom was failing rapidly.  Our planned week away quickly became 3 weeks.  Our first week there we were involved, along with aides and Hospice, in caring for her needs, a blessed and difficult time.  God gave us so much grace to be and do, although our hearts were breaking.

 Father God also graced us with experiences that encouraged us that He had answered my prayer, and Mom would be with Him when she left us. Then suddenly, she was gone ... Oct 2, 2016 at 9 pm.  Fortunately, Richard had sensed from Father God the need to plan & prepare for a service even before we left VA.  The details came together well and family arrived during the week for a Friday burial and Sat memorial service. We took a week to try to put some things in order before leaving.  It was so hard to do, but again, God gave us amazing grace!

There is sooo much more I could say.  The miracles, the serendipity, the strength to go beyond, the grace to give and love ...He supplied more than we needed.  And I am so grateful. The above photo is my Dad, his brother and my Mom on a chilly November day at the beach they loved.  Now they are together with Jesus enjoying His love and beauty forever. Thank you Jesus!

Raising up new laborers

In spite of everything ... we made it to the training time at Forcey Bible Church in MD.  We were blessed to train up a Gideon's band of laborers for the harvest field here. 

 Richard had re tooled the training and even though we only had 2 hours, there was much accomplished.

Richard will be adjusting the training to fit a new vision for training volunteers in this region.

Pictures speak

 Family photos from our trip west. It was a blessing to be with Josh and his family!  Love them all.  Fun to see how the children, now 5 of them, have grown.

reading time

We visited Richard's sister in Denver while at our staff conference.

Carol's Mom on her 90th birthday 4 years ago. Still happy to be in her own home!

Summertime trippin"

 Immediately after our last post we left to visit family in Oklahoma and then on to our National Staff Conference in Denver, CO.  It is always a time of refreshing, renewing friendships and being encouraged.  One of our speakers this year was George Otis from the Sentinel Group; challenging and a blessing of encouragement.
Our NE Region gathered to visit Casa Bonita.  It was a fun experience and good food.  The blessing is always in the company!

view from the hotel 

Casa Bonita company!

Just before we left for our trip to see Carol's Mom, this event occurred!  Slowly but surely the atmosphere is changing over this area and we are seeing it play out in the churches here.  Our staff is being added to, more volunteers are coming forward, churches are working together to reach the unsaved.   This week in our county there are 2 tent revival meeting going on, and being sponsored by several churches each, and of different denominations.  This is God at work for sure. 

Our time visiting Mom was mostly to help her in ways she needed.  We did get one afternoon to enjoy the beauty of God's creation like the above osprey family!

What is happening ...

Alot of information about the International Student Ministry that is ongoing in International Students Inc.  is portrayed in the above chart.

Locally we are gradually breaking ground as we reach out to inform the churches here.  Richard is currently re writing the training class that we do in preparation for classes being hosted in August & September.  Pray with us that we will be able to train up 25 -50 new volunteers in the scheduled classes for a fall outreach.  We will have two new staff in this area to lead them!

Well, it has been busy ...

 After our regional conferences, The Lord brought us into closer fellowship with several new people that we met there.  One couple reaches out to internationals in MD not far from us.  We were blessed to join them at one of their ministry outreaches to international students. 

 Like us, food and fellowship and fun draws the students out.  Then we can develop relationships that provide the foundation for sharing our faith.

 In mid April we traveled north to CT.  We were blessed to meet with friends and supporters, catch up with supporting churches, and see God move to heal a few bodies and souls!  We enjoyed visiting ICF and seeing the faithfulness of God in and through the volunteers that are still running the ministry there. 

We spent some time with Carol's Mom.  It was good to be with her.  God used that time to help Mom get to her cardiologist. We were able, with family help, to get her set up to receive the help she needs to be able to remain in her own home.  I traveled with a camera but there was too much life happening to use it.  It would have been nice to picture the amazing work God did in and through the people we were with. You will have to wait for the playback in heaven!

March Lions

Richard teaching the first class

 Richard is our unofficial photographer at this conference so this is just a few of the highlights of our time.  We were blessed in body and soul with lots of food and God's spirit.  The fellowship was sweet and the prayer times tender and powerful.

 Part of the teaching includes a drama.  There are always talented actors to participate!

Jesus sharing the mantle of authority with Adam & Eve after winning it back.

 We are honoring our volunteers this year.   These are a few of the faithful servants who bless us.

Group photo sans Richard this year. Not safe to jump & run.

At our Sat night banquet we were blessed by a student who is also a professional opera singer!

A Blustery January Day

After a warm lunch nearby we prayer walked NOVA in Sterling.

Although sunny, campus was closed in preparation for the snowzilla due the next day.

 Our young friends braved the biting cold with us to release God's plans and purposes for this campus.

 Afterward, Richard and I stopped at the University of Shenandoah branch in Leesburg to see what we could see.

Not too much to see, but lots to pray ... May YOUR Kingdom come and YOUR Will be done here!

Team Joys

Our first meeting as a local team was a precious time of sharing, planning and prayer.  We did have one former DC area staff skype to be present.  She had been here when the regional conference was last in DC so her advice and experience were very valuable.  It is exciting to be a part of what God is doing here!  Already HE is growing the team and expanding the number of churches involved. 

A short time later we drove to Springfield, VA to meet one of the gals that Carol is coaching.  She is considering coming on as staff in this area.  We were really excited to meet her in person and get to share about the ministry in this area.