Summer 2012

Summer 2012

Thank you all for the many prayers going up on our behalf! God is so good and faithful, and we love Him more and more, as we see His hand of goodness and mercy on our lives. So many prayers have been answered. Teresa’s foot has been healing marvelously. She’s walking around now, doing some physical therapy exercises to strengthen the ligaments. God blessed us with an old missionary friend in the States, who is a physical therapist, and “just happened” to be home when we were in his town. This made such a difference. Our dog, Ice, was wonderfully cared for, and as we came home, he was so happy to see us. We were blessed with travel mercies, good health for the most part, and good times with family and friends. We are back now in good old Siegen. They say the way you can tell winter from summer here is by the temperature of the rain! How true! We need to constantly rely on the Son of God shining in our hearts to fill the warmth and love inside of our souls. The time spent in the States was more like a marathon than a furlough.  Here’s a brief recap of all that we did:

 We flew into Los Angeles to attend Jonny’s graduation from Azusa Pacific University. His brothers joined us, and we spent a few days with them, greatly loving their company. We’re so proud of our son, and all his efforts. God is blessing him with work, provision, and open doors. Even though Teresa was “hobbling” around on her ‘not healed yet foot’, we had a great time all being together.

From there, we traveled to Costa Mesa to meet with Scott Cunningham from the worship school there. Bruce and he shared ideas to further our efforts here in Europe. We’re excited about some of the things coming up.  After staying with some old friends, Kathy and Steve Gilbert, we drove down to San Diego. We met with some of our supporters, friends, saw our old church and pastor Mark, and hung out with some former bible college students from here. It was a short, but sweet visit.

From there, we traveled up to Santa Barbara for a couple days. We met with David Guzik, former director of the school here. Teresa led worship on Sunday at CCSB with Andrea, a German friend/worship leader, who’s now on staff there. It was great seeing some old friends again.

Finally, we arrived in Monterey, our home in the States. We stayed there for 2 weeks, seeing friends, taking care of lots of “business”, and gathering with supporters and our care team. We led a wonderful worship night at Mayflower Presbyterian, also at a fellowship of believers in Big Sur. There were lots of ex-hippies gathered, who had given their lives back to Christ. Also, three young hitchhikers came, and we got to share with them. Teresa gave her testimony, and it was like looking at herself years ago as she was sharing her story. How great a deliverance God has blessed us with from our former days!!! We loved visiting our son, David, and his family, and eating at Outerlands, his famous and delicious, restaurant! Of course, Leithian, our granddaughter, was such a delight to be around.

From Monterey we flew up to Vancouver, WA. to stay with our son Simeon and his family. Alli is pregnant with their second son, and we so enjoyed seeing our grandson, Jamin! We led worship in their church, CC Vancouver. While we were there, we went to Vancouver, CA, to visit Teresa’s old relatives; she hasn’t seen them in decades. What a treat it was for her to reconnect.

Then, off to Appleton, WI, where Teresa visited a friend, Ruth, and shared at CC Appleton. She shared in worship and the vision of what we are doing here in Germany. Bruce was visiting two brothers; one in Spokane, WA, and the other in Atlanta, GA. This was a special treat, as he hadn’t seen them in a while.

Then both of us met up in South Carolina, to spend time with our son Nate, and his family. He has a new baby, Elijah Thomas. What a great time it was, holding little Eli. It was difficult to get Teresa to let go of him, as she loved holding and feeding him. Nate is in the Air Force , and he was able to take the time off to be with us…so great!

From there, we hopped on a jet, back to Deutschland! And here we are!

If you think you got tired reading all about our travels, imagine doing it! But God sustained us, and blessed us over and over again.

    As we went back to the States, we realized just how much darker this world is getting. Every time we go back, things change. We have to continually put our hope and trust in Jesus, focusing on Him alone for our security, our hope, and our life. It’s so easy to become distracted with all the things of this world…but they are so temporary. The only thing that will last is based on Christ Jesus. Let us draw closer to Him and follow after Him alone, finding joy, and refreshment in His presence!

We love you and pray for you, and are soooo.. grateful for your prayers as well!

Thanks for standing with us!