Church Needs to Move

Please pray for an urgent need of our congregation in Manta. We have met at the same building for over three years, but the owner has asked for us to find another location. We have been good tenants, paying the rent and utilities promptly, cleaning and maintaining the appearance of the two apartments and terrace. However, the landlord has been showing signs of wanting us to move for the past several months. The church has decided to find another meeting place as soon as possible and to vacate the building as the owner has requested. I am proud of them for not "fighting for their rights" and being willing to trust God for a suitable location. Please pray that God will quickly lead them to another site, and that the leaders will continue to grow in grace and wisdom during our absence.
Also be praying that this will create a greater urgency to build on the property that God has provided us. Joy and Teddy and I will be traveling for about five more weeks, visiting churches in the USA and attempting to raise funds for the building project. Please continue to pray that God will open doors and supply all of our needs. He has no shortage of resources and uses many channels to bless us for his own purposes and eternal glory.

Ashley Graduates

Ashley graduated from Baptist Bible College on May 15 with a BA in Missions and a minor in Children's Ministry. We are so proud of her! She has worked hard at her studies and to pay most of her own bills during her college years. Prior to attending BBC in preparation for church-related ministry or work in foreign missions, Ashley completed three semesters of study in nursing, gaining knowledge she has used in working at a local nursing home. Ashley and Shane plan to get married on June 27 in Knoxville, TN and will be living in Springfield, MO while Shane completes his studies at BBC. Please be praying for Ashley and Shane as they seek God's guidance for their pathway.

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day we were in Springfield, MO with Ashley getting ready for her graduation. We had plans to attend Seminole Baptist Temple in Springfield with Ashley and her fiancé Shane Coston. We were happy to learn that our missionary friends from Ecuador, Jim and Sharon Smith, and their daughter Stacey, would be at Seminole as well. Jim was to be the guest speaker in the Sunday AM services at the church. We had a further blessing when our daughter Alexis arrived to surprise Joy! She and her fiancé Jonathan Taylor had driven from Kansas City early in the morning to attend church with us. It was terrific to spend Sunday morning and afternoon together. We are very thankful to God for the strong, loving family he has provided us. In many ways Joy is the key member in holding us all together and encouraging us to build great memories and family traditions. I am very thankful for her.

Field Trips

During the past couple of weeks we were able to squeeze in an off day to visit a couple of interesting and fun places. While visiting friends in South Carolina, we took the opportunity to visit the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. It is an outstanding place to learn about the great 20th-Century evangelist, his ministry and his message. I was impressed by a few things at the library. First of all, it is filled with Scripture: every wall and even the beams of the barn that houses the museum is covered with it. Secondly, Rev. Graham has had a ministry focused on the very essence of his calling to share the Gospel of Christ with as many people as possible. That is reflected in the use of video throughout the museum featuring clips from his messages at campaigns. Thirdly, his ministry has been powered by prayer from beginning to end. I'll admit that I have a special place in my heart for Billy Graham and his work because I gave my heart to Jesus at a Billy Graham Crusade at Shea Stadium in NY in 1970.
On a lighter note, our friends Tim and Debbie Gunter made it possible for us to take Teddy to Disney World's Magic Kingdom. We had a great time! It was fun to enjoy everything through Teddy's eyes. We are grateful to have friends who would encourage us to take a break from our usual travel routine.