A Blip About Equip

We are mid-way through our first week of Equip. What a privilege it is to be here, learning about aspects of partnership development, what Wycliffe Bible Translators is all about, relationships, prayer... our brains are being stretched but our hearts are encouraged as we continue on the path in which God is leading us. Isaac and Joel continue to adjust well and to have fun in their own "classes" during the day. For me, it has been exciting and eye-opening to realize how my own role in Wycliffe will support the ultimate work of bringing the Word of God to people who do not have it in their heart language. We look forward to the next week and a half!

Welcome to Orlando

We're here! After three days of road tripping, we're in Orlando. The last time I was here was 1986. I was younger than Isaac, but yes, I do remember Disney World! One thing about Orlando in October - it's really hard to pack for hot, humid weather when it's cold and rainy in Pennsylvania and you're wearing a hoodie indoors. It was 86 degrees here today. Thankfully everywhere is air-conditioned. I digress. Not much has happened yet, but we're looking forward to the next two weeks. I think Isaac and Joel are going to have a lot of fun "playing" while Daddy and Mommy are training during the day. They have a great facility and staff. We're staying in an apartment on the Wycliffe campus and we're loving the strange beauty of Florida (strange to our Northern-bred eyes, that is). Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as we travelled here. Please keep us in your prayers as you think about us, for good health for all four of us, strength, and a teachable spirit. Last but not least, Happy 30th Birthday to Peter!! I will do my best to keep posting. :)

Our weekend "at the airport"

We spent this weekend (yesterday and today) at Keller Brothers airport near Lebanon, PA, where JAARS put on a Missions at the Airport event. Peter and I were the featured missionaries and we had a lot of opportunities to meet people and tell them where we're headed. We set up our own table, complete with Brazilian flag and chocolate! :) I also was able to get a ride in the JAARS helicopter (my first helicopter flight!) and Peter took a ride in the helicopter and the Helio Courier (pictured above).

We had a great time and were blessed to meet and talk with many of the JAARS staff putting on the event. Also, while we were at the airport, we received calls from a few people telling us that they had decided to give money toward our Equip and travel expenses. Because of these generous gifts, the cost of Equip and our travel expenses HAS NOW BEEN MET! Last week, we were wondering whether we would be able to go - God has completely met our needs and we are praising Him! We are heading to Florida this Thursday, October 11th. We plan to arrive in Orlando at Wycliffe on Saturday afternoon, and we will do our best to keep people updated while there. We will head back home on October 26th. We appreciate your prayers and also ask you to praise God with us for His provision! Here are a few more pictures from the weekend:

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Two nights ago, we had a blast opening our (small!) home to 17 adults and 9 kids to share a Thanksgiving feast. It was Peter's and my 8th time celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving together, and while it brought back so many memories of all the friends that have celebrated with us in the past seven years, we also made a lot of great memories with a bunch of new friends, too. Our entire small group from church was there, along with Kars and Missy Kroneman - good friends from Spokane (and even Chicago before that!) who have joined us in many past celebrations! We could not have been more crowded, or more blessed. From good food, to good fellowship, to an overflowing crib full of toys (thanks to the kids), we were truly reminded of all we have to be thankful for. And being in the States, we get to celebrate again next month! So Happy Thanksgiving this weekend to all our Canadian friends - thanks for giving us yet another occasion to remember our blessings.

a little closer...

Only one more week of our online course! So far we at about 50% of what we need to attend the course in Florida. We are still planning to go, and relying on God's plan and provision. We are planning to leave for Orlando on October 10th - gulp - just a week and a couple days away!!! This weekend, we will all be attending a Missions at the Airport event at Keller Brothers airport (in Lebanon, PA). We will get to set up our very own table with Brazilian curiosities (okay, we have a flag) and will get to tell people where we're headed. We're looking forward to it! Plus, our good friends from Moody in Spokane, Kars and Missy Kroneman, will be there too! We are so looking forward to seeing them. Tomorrow we look forward to celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving (a week early)... that deserves its own post. :)