Wednesday, November 21, 2012

A Great Opportunity

We're in His Service
Faith Sharing at WIHS



We were very blessed to be able to take a small part in the Faith Sharing days at WIHS Middletown, CT.  We have been listeners "forever", so we were delighted to be invited to attend and share about the ministry opportunities in CT to reach international students!  With 10,000 students in colleges all over the state we have alot of chances to share the love of Christ with other nations!  Thank you Robin and Paul for being the catalsyt for this sharing time!

Saturday, November 10, 2012

In Memory

 Since my Mom's concerned call for help in mid October, Richard and I have been involved deeply in caring for my parents on Cape Cod.  My Dad became increasingly infirm and was hopitalized for only 6 days before leaving us here on earth for his new home in heaven.  We miss him dearly and are trying to help my Mom, his spouse of 66 years, adjust to the abrupt changes in her life.  Our daughter Abby did a wonderful tribute on her writing site www.theravenslanding.com.  Our son Daniel's words of encouragement follow.(with his permission, thank you Dan).

Alan’s last few days of consciousness were the worst. His memory had been steadily declining, but now, on top of aching knees and a stiffening back, he was experiencing waves of dizziness and vertigo. And weakness! He had never felt so tired! It was difficult to stand, difficult to walk, difficult to stay awake. It was disorienting. And even as his daughter and son-in-law had last visited, he could barely interact with them. All Alan could remember were unpleasant snatches of interruptions of his peace, and dark memories of a needles and prodding strangers… perhaps a doctor’s office visit.


But then, suddenly everything had spiraled down. He was comfortable at home, but he sensed something was wrong. Vague recollections of falling, the coldness of the linoleum floor, feeling alone, weak, and pained. Finally hands grabbing him, and pulling him. He was afraid, and unsure where he was. More needles and jabbing. The only comfort was his wife’s voice, and that of his second daughter.

Then, one morning the dizziness exploded in his mind, and a storm of light and color, mixed with pain… and all fell quiet.

That was where he sat now. Just quiet. Alone. No where. Difficult to say, really, what was around him, or even if it was very dark, or not at all. There was no food, or water. But neither was there hunger, or thirst. He wasn’t afraid, per se, just waiting. He didn’t know for what, but he waited. In the semi dark—maybe fully dark—of an unconscious world, Alan sat.

He waited a long time. He felt an emptiness, which could have been hunger, somewhere. He felt tired. But he waited, unseeing. Somehow he felt the end was near. Death; not a person, but a thing, a place… was drawing near.

Suddenly there was a light. Alan didn’t notice when it had first appeared. It seemed far away at first. It wasn’t piercing. Just warm. Far away, but moving closer, slowly. It was walking towards him. It was a long walk. The light, whoever it was, was walking towards him at an easy pace over a great distance. To Alan, it seemed the light and the person were one. He stared curiously at it, expecting a source of light behind the figure, or in the figure’s hand, blinding his vision or obscuring the outline of the figure, but neither happened. Without a silhouette, and without a weird glow or aura, the figure approached. It was a man.

Before he arrived the man called, “Alan.”

The voice was kind. It had an authority that took Alan back to his army days, and both his training and his journey overseas. But it had a love, a compassion, that owned a thousands mountains, and comforted a thousand hearts. It owned a thousand deer and songbirds of the forest, and cared for each one. It reminded him of his mother’s voice when he was a child, and his father’s voice, but in a way that couldn’t really come from memory.

He wanted to respond to the voice—it stirred him somehow, with a familiarity—but ‘sir’ wasn’t right. He couldn’t say ‘dad.’ He wanted to use father; but how could a man he had never met be called father? Awkwardly he piped out an archaic term, “Here, lord.”

The man smiled His eyes were kind. His face Alan couldn’t place, although it also seemed familiar in a way. The features were both caring and difficult to describe. “I have been calling to you.”

“Oh really?” Alan asked. “I don’t think I recognize you.”

“Don’t you?” said the man.

He sat down across from Alan, and leaned forward. The two men sat with their foreheads nearly touching. Warmth from the man’s presences radiated gently on Alan’s face and arms. He felt it through his clothes, and it touched his skin. It kept going, through his entire body until it warmed his back and the back of his clothes. Suddenly Alan was aware that he had been both cold and hungry. But now something felt as though it filled his stomach—a golden warmth, like fresh bread and melted butter. His dry throat felt cooled and moist as though wet by mountain spring water from a crystal glass. Alan couldn’t place this man, but his presence was unlike any other human’s presence. He felt both loved, and filled. Every fear he had ever had felt comforted, and every anxiety about life, death, and the universe seemed subservient to this humble man. Whoever he was…

To answer the unasked question ,the man put his hand on Alan’s neck, and pulled him closer until their foreheads almost touched. He explained, “I am…”

After that, words had no meaning. Alan could neither hear nor understand them. He didn’t even know if they were being spoken. But it was all explained. He knew this man. He had heard of him, seen his work. He had even been with Alan through all his life. Alan had even looked for him at times, in books, in articles, and beyond the stars, in theoretical physics, and hypothetical writings. But he had been there. Waiting. From the beginning, the man showed him how he had been there, and when he had been closer, and the times Alan had even pushed him away. Alan was embarrassed he had ever refused the presence of the Kind Man, but even then he felt know fear of this man. Just love.

After a time—whether it was long or short Alan didn’t know—they broke their communion. Tears ran down Alan’s cheeks, and he had dropped his face into the man’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Lord.”

“Now you know me,” said the man kindly. “After all your searching. I’ve come to take you home.”

“Where is that?” asked Alan, a little surprised.

The man laughed. “Where do you think?”

He stood, and offered Alan his hand, pulling him to his feet. For the first time since he could remember Alan’s knees felt steady and clean of pain and stiffness.

“Do you hear that river?” The man asked.

Alan could. He realized it was the River he had sensed drawing closer before—the place that crept closer, the longer he waited.

“Come. We’re going to cross it.”

“How?” asked Alan.

“Do you see that city?”

Alan squinted through the semi-dark. He heard the river. It was wide and silent and somehow ominous. But he could see no… wait! There was something: far away, on the other side there was something. Another light. This was bigger though, and the more he looked at it, the more he could imagine he could see the beginning of shapes, like towers or tall buildings.

“I see… something…”

“That’s where we’re going. Walk with me. I’ll take you across…”

Monday, October 1, 2012

We welcome you!

As new students arrive at the universities each year there are many ways to welcome them to the USA.A local family and church has blessed ICF UConn for many years by hosting a welcome picnic on the lake.
The new students get an opportunity to experience warm CT hospitality, delicious food and delightful fun!
We get to meet them and learn their felt needs and offer friendship and belonging.

We are so thankful for the wonderful volunteers who demonstrate the love of Jesus in this way .  We all had a great time, again!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

New Friends


We are back from a 12 day adventure.  God was at work in many lives and we rejoice that we were able to make disciples as we traveled.  The days leading up to our trip were filled with crazy challenges from sick automobile to fun with visiting ISI staff and 50 yr in Ministry celebration with the Ferrero's.  Not to mention that it was very, very hot. 
 
In Annandale we were blessed to have 2 teaching sessions:  Fri night advanced, Sat 9-1 basic.  We had lots of new people.  They responded so well to Richard's new interactive training that he was genuinely blessed.  One of the really neat things that happened was during the time he teaches people how to give their testimony.


  One fellow spoke up to say, he had never given his testimony before because he accepted Jesus so young he didn't believe he had anything worth sharing.  Richard encourage him that OF COURSE he had stuff worth sharing, to pray and see what Jesus would say.  When it came time to actually share (usually only a few get to do this) this man shared.  You could hear a pin drop as people listened with their ears and hearts!  It was a beautiful testimony, full of Jesus love and the man came away greatly encouraged!  We all were blessed! 


In Glassboro we enjoyed meeting so many new people.  They had a large group for training on Saturday morning, plus we fellowshipped with the Missions committee on Fri night and anyone interested from the training time joined us Saturday night.  One of the special gifts was being reunited with a former student, Amos Mugwero and his family.  He is a professor at the university that this church is reaching out to.  It was a joy to see him and the family again, and a joy to connect the church with such a precious Christ-like family.  They will be working together to reach the i/s there.  The couple that hosted us was excited about "all we learned this weekend"  !

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Between Times

It is hard to make day to day life sound exciting.  The chores of a regular work day are necessary, regular, build faithfulness & perseverence, but are rarely exciting.  Morning quiet times are the foundation of our days here, and allways a precious time spent with a loved one.  The telephone (er, cell phone) and computer are the tools of the trade here.  A co-worker/friend from Japan is looking for a referal for a student coming to Vermont; a retiring missionary is looking for a connection to students in Pennsylvania; a new volunteer wants to know what/how to share in his church; are examples of some of the daily work that comes into our office.  We write notes, newsletters, prayer letters, and blog.  We talk to pastors, volunteers, students and sometimes professors and college administrators.  We have a team of awesome co-laborers in the staff of ISI, who give admin support, prayer and encouragement.  The payoff is when we hear the testimonies of the student who comes to the USA, makes a friend with a lover of Jesus and meets Jesus Himself!  We are so blessed to be a part of God's plan to reach the world through international students.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

This is why we do what we do!


From a student who recently returned home after graduation:

The time has come to pen down my appreciation and gratitude for the kindness, support and love that was shown to me throughout the past four years!
  Upon setting off to the US four years back it was not in the slightest corner of my imagination that I would ever find friends / family who would genuinely care to truly make me feel like home in this land so far away from home. However for some previous luck of mine, from the start of my journey to the present moment I was blessed with amazingly kind and sincere people that made me who I am today; and it is thanks to all of you that I can take pride for having gotten through college without a huge commotion.
All of you took me into your lives without any hesitation at all. I made up my own little world, found myself a home (homes) away from HOME. These little gestures seemed so minor but they truly made me feel special and important that life has truly been GOOD and my days in the US will be treasured evermore and every lesson and experience will be cherished while the failures and mishaps will be added to my personal learning curve for future reference.

 From a student that attended an ISI Conference:
Thank you so much that I had an unforgettable weekend with you. Not only that I had a good time with you, but also I learned more about Jesus during the past weekend. I am very grateful to you, the organizers of the conf, the host family and all the international students and staffs. I feel that this experience has changed my view of life for the better and I am now more eager to learn more about Jesus and the Bible.

These are the jewels in the crown of our Lord!  Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Man makes his plan, but God directs his steps.


This spring we were about to embark on a trip to VA to encourage the ministries there, deliver some intl'l Bibles, do some support raising and visit Abby and Nick.  God had other plans. Richard had noticed a dramatic change for the worse in his ability to walk around the block, we have good hills here.  Testing and subsequent meetings with a cardiologist confirmed that he needed some attention. So instead of traveling, Richard checked into St. Francis Hospital. It was an interesting 2 days but we felt that God has kept us safe in His hand as circumstances swirled around us.  The initial outcome of the angiogram was uncertainty.  The Dr.'s consulted and decided that they could, after all, put stents in 2 arteries (blockages of 95% and 87%) and avoid by-pass surgery.  This was a great relief. They did the stents successfully the next day. So far recovery seems to be going well. This abrupt change in plans required undoing a schedule and walking in uncertainty, except for we know who is walking with us and He is FAITHFUL!


 One of the interesting stories is that a couple from our church was in the same area of the hospital for a different procedure at the same time.  It was a blessing for all 4 of us to have the mutual encouragement of "family" as we all had to deal with unexpected difficulties and changes in plans (ours, not God's).  Also, Richard had the opportunity to share several times with the "technician"  who provided the muscle power transportation to and from the OR. The extra day gave extra opportunities.  It was interesting too because this fellow was sure he recognized Richard.  Interesting.  ***So please keep Luis in prayer.***


Time is blurring for me.  We are making adjustments, Richard is healing well and gradually adding to his physical activity.  We definitely have work to do on stress and diet issues.  The Dr's have limited our travel abilities which has already helped with some of the stress issues.  However, we had hoped to be in CO for our staff conference the end of June.  Since we cannot travel by air, and tickets had been purchased in April for this purpose, we have some prayer needs

 *We are praising God for all that He has done in and through us during this adventure!***  Please pray for the healing to continue and for the adjustments we have to make as Richard recuperates. 

Monday, April 23, 2012

April Showers bring May Flowers

There is  a song we sing that says " to everything that YOU are doing that we cannot see, we say AMEN!"  In the time before a trip Richard puts in many hours connecting with people by email and phone.  He is looking and listening to find where God is working and what is ready for harvesting or bringing to light.  It is a time of perseverence, focus and listening.
In the meantime we are blessed with feedback from the "new plantings."
"I am greatly enjoying my relationship with my international student. ... I think everyone else is enjoying theirs, too.  What a blessing this has been to CMF." ( AM)

"I have been challenged recently by a few things.  The first is to make prayer more of a priority and necessity, and to encourage others to pray for international students. " (HH)

"We really appreciate you keeping us in your prayers." (AS)


Friday, March 23, 2012

Northeast Regional Conference in Valley Forge, PA

Like the Revolutionary Army, we gathered from all over the northeast region to meet in Valley Forge, PA. Unlike George Washington's army we had delightful weather, plenty of food and we all had shoes.

Our small army worshipped and prayed together. We learned about M28 and Mail Chimp. We prayerwalked the colleges in Philadelphia.





We were encouraged with messages from ISI President Doug Shaw and our Regional Field Director Natasha Hope.



Fritz Kling, author of The Meeting of the Waters, was our keynote speaker. He brought into focus 7 trends that are impacting today's global church, many of which we are experiencing in our various ministries.






























Student testimonies are always a highlight as we gather together.






Our youngest attendee!















Thursday, March 1, 2012

Finding Treasures Along the Way: CT to OK to TX

Every journey starts with a plan, an agenda; meeting times,places and travel arrangements. Then there are the treasures that God puts along the way for us to discover.
A travel companion (window seat) returning to HongKong & leaving her 15 yr old son in a private school was an opportunity to share & encourage on the way in hopes of keeeping in touch & being friends.



An engine light coming on & a car rental switch becomes a blessing for better gas mileage.

A campus lunch becomes a reunion for Connectiwegiens.


Time with friends and family leads to meeting key people interested in extending ministry to international students in new schools.










It is good to remember that the jewels and treasures are often people put in our path.

















Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Happy New Year!

We thoroughly enjoyed student night at ICF as the Chinese students shared about their culture and their New Year traditions. Many also shared yummy & REAL chinese food! Like our national Thanksgiving holiday, all hearts turn toward home for the New Year celebration and people go to extraordinary lengths to get home. The 2 week long festival allows you to catch up with family and childhood friends.


For the students here, even though there are student celebrations, you could see how they all missed being with family. Even so, they were willing to share the various family traditions, some quite funny! And we learned that red is a very important color, symbol of strength and courage and victory!



The evening was capped off with a celebration of a special birthday and yummy dessert!












Monday, January 30, 2012

Seasons of Life



As the holidays wrapped around into a new year life happened. On January 7 our sister in law Colleen Cossette went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly. Joy mixed with sorrow as her son, after working to immigrate for 17 years, was finally approved 10 days later. Richard was blessed to officiate the Memorial Service for the family. Our prayers continue for Richard's brother Bob as he recuperates from a broken rib, pneumonia, and the loss of his dear wife.

Monday, January 9, 2012

NorthEast Reg'l Directors Meeting

Every year our Regional Field Director, Natasha Hope, gathers the men & women who are key leaders in our region for a short retreat.

This year we used the book The Enemies of Excellency by G. Salciccioli as a jumping off place for discussion and prayer. We each prepared an assigned chapter in advance to share. Powerful and thought provoking, the book was a catalyst as our sharing times advanced in practicality and depth.




We also got an inside look into M28; a new style of student outreach that ISI is developing using a model from D.Watson & P.Watson, and adapting it to reach international students.

We are excited about the potential this has for expanding outreach locally and internationally as students take what they learn back to their native lands.


What a blessing to have this time together, away! Thank you, Natasha!







Saturday, January 7, 2012

Joyous Christmas and Blessed New Year!

We were so blessed to have these wonderful family members home for the holidays! Thank you for coming! It really does make the season bright to be surrounded by family!