August Newsletter

Sometimes it seems very trivial to say "Thank You" each month. Please know that we do not take you for granted and really do mean what we say! We know you are making sacrifices so that you can continue to support us. Thank you! Six years ago this month God called us into the mission field of the world full-time. What an amazing adventure it has been partnering with you and with God and with so many others around the world. As long as God continues to say "Yes" we will continue in this direction. Your prayers, finances, and friendships have all help to make this possible. This is another long newsletter. We like to keep them short so it is easier to digest but we know you also want to know what is going on and we want you to have a full picture for your prayer time. Thanks for understanding.

General Information (written by Rick): Life! Yes it is good and it keeps moving. Having Jesus in the middle of what you are doing is just phenomenal.

This is the first year that we have not been present for the conference in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. It was difficult not being with our friends there. We miss them. They had a great conference and I will include Tom Padley's report below.

Our time has been focused on caring for pastors and church plants. James and Tiffanie Ferguson, after several years of trying were pregnant for a couple of months before there was a miscarriage. Pray for them as they work through the grief. Another couple, Shane and Amy, in the same church had also been trying to get pregnant and, praise God, they did. However, Shane was just diagnosed with lymphoma (cancer). Please pray with us for this family and a complete healing of the cancer.

August 9 we were at Grace Fellowship where I preached in the morning. What a great community of people. We really enjoy every chance we get to be with this church. They make us very welcome.

August 16 we will be in Findlay, OH, at Turning Point Church dedicating three babies. Actually, I think the real dedication is of the parents, family, friends and church to raising their children to love the Lord. It is a joy to be able to share this day with them.

August 19 Ray Nethery and I will driving to Baltimore, Colonial Heights (VA) and W. Orange (NJ) We will be spending time with Fred Lessans, Mike Murray, Scott Pursley, and others. This is a time of pastoral care and refreshing relationships. In NJ Joanne will fly to join us on Aug 24. Ray will return to Mansfield on Aug. 25. Joanne and I will have some time with the Rhodes (preparing for missions in Belfast, IR) and Stampers (friends in NJ) before we drive to Franklin (MA) to spend time with Handels (ARC Associates) and the new church in Beverly, MA, called Beverly (for now). I will be preaching at a Brazilian church Aug 26. We return to OH Sept 3 +/- a day or two.

Brazil

Belo Horizonte Conference Report Judson, James, KaKá, Gregorio and I were the speakers. The most powerful message and surprisingly balanced and entertaining word came from our own KaKá! His talk was about going back to the pattern of the original or "Organic Church" and he used some amazingly entertaining metaphors such as the difference (it was hilarious) between cage raised chickens and free roaming chickens. The cage fed chickens were so fat and un-naturally birthed, fed and processed that there legs could not even support them to stand up. Ironically, the conference out at our own Ceifar school campus and the neighboring rehab farm of Ele Clama proved to be absolutely one of the best conferences ever.

READ MORE http://arcchurch.org/events/tom-padley-report-on-belo-horizonte-conference/

Joanne Writes: Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. I know that newsletters can become same old, same old, but it's the way we can communicate with you all and share our life. I guess it's because God has put us in this place that we have the opportunity to do this, knowing that most of you have very full, exciting, and challenging lives that could also be shared. I said all that to say that we are so very appreciative of you all - for your prayers, interest, financial support, and love. We couldn't keep on doing what we are without you.

Travel seems to be the name of the game these days as we find ourselves visiting other ARC churches and church plants. It's wonderful to be able to connect with so many friends, both new and old, and participate in their church life and become more involved in their personal lives. Re-connecting with my pastor's wives friends, again, both new and old, has certainly been life-giving as we continue to open our lives to one another, pray for each other, and just enjoy one another's company. This is indeed a privilege!

Visiting and babysitting our daughter, Rachel's family, has also been part of the mix, since they live in MI. I'm continually reminded why we raised our children when we were younger as I am physically stretched as we interact with our grandchildren. Would I change any of it??? No way - it's all worth it. And now that Rachel is pregnant with their fourth child, we will be able to continue with the babies - thank you, Jesus. A trip to the zoo with Mark and Ginger's two children is still an event yet to happen before school starts.

My personal travel continues to take me to Cleveland Clinic. As our God continues to heal me - "little by little" - I acquire more OLOGISTS than I care to name. The result of my spinal drain will culminate in another brain surgery to put in a "shunt". Sept.30th is the date, so needless to say, I covet your prayers that this will do what is needed to straighten out some things in my body that still need attention. The Word God gave me in Deut.7:17-24 is still being fulfilled as more and more "conditions" surface. Our God is so very faithful to help me go from "strength to strength" each and every day. May He return to you a hundred fold for all your love and prayers.

Other News

Ireland: Garreth and Carla Falls, along with becoming new parents are in discussion with the city government about a piece of property that Garreth has had a vision for for many years. This would be an answer to many prayers but would also take a big step of faith. If you want to get more information check out their website. (http://www.letsmorph.org)

Mexico: Mike and Becky Kuelker are serving in Tepic, MX (see their blog [http://makuelkers/xanga.com)
Church Plants: Ekklesia, in Canton, OH. James and Tiffanie Ferguson and Shane and Amy, as well as the whole church, need your prayers as they walk through this tough time (see above).
Kids Rock House (formerly Grace Christian Fellowship), Dayton, OH. Greg and Catherine Weis and their family, and Jason and Carla Hale, continue to serve the inner-city young people of Dayton. Unfortunately Adrian and Sarah Kohler have to return to Switzerland (their home) after Adrian was laid off at his company. They have been a pivotal part of the ministry in Dayton. Pray for them as they readjust their lives and seek employment. kidsrockhouse.org and kidsrockclub.org

Turning Point Church in Findlay, OH. Steve and Kristi, Mike and Doreen, and Aaron and Shannon, the team, really have heart to reach their city. Sunday, Aug 16 they dedicated their three youngest children. Currently they are considering other locations for the meetings. findlayturningpoint.org

Beverly church plant is located in the Boston, MA area. We will be with them for a couple of days during our trip east.

Our Schedule

Here is what is going on--kind of! Aug 19-21
Baltimore, MD Aug 21-23
Colonial Heights, VA Aug 24-25
West Orange, NJ Aug 26-27
Manchester, NH Aug 28-Sep 3
Franklin, MA

That's good for now. Pray for safe travel.