Re-connect

A little over 4 years ago, Ashley and I got accepted by Mission to the World to become missionaries in Honduras. Today we got back to the home office (in Atlanta, GA) for the first time since we were accepted. We are here for a 3-day conference for missionaries who are back on the US after having served somewhere on the field.

There are about 25 others at the conference who have (and mostly are continuing) to serve all over the world - some of them have been missionaries with MTW for more than 25 years. It was great to meet other missionaries and hear about how the Lord has used them and worked in them over the last few years.

Processing kindergarten style

We are together to reconnect with each other and with the people in the home office. Today we talked a little about raising finances and child protection. We also spent time processing our last few years on the field with all kinds of art supplies. Tomorrow we will share our story using what we made today. It will be great to hear about the ups and downs of others and that some of the things we have felt and thought and seen are similar to the experiences of others.

Three Weeks Back in USA

Three weeks ago we flew from Honduras back to the US. It has been a busy, but restful time so far. We have spent a lot of time with family and been able to share about the work in Honduras multiple times. 

We were blessed with tickets to see Penn State play Nebraska (unfortunately we lost) and spend our first weekend back in State College with my brother, Josh, and his family. We were also invited to speak at Oakwood Presbyterian Church to share about what the Lord is doing in Honduras. It was great for me to get back to this church and see some familiar people since it is where I attended for part of my time as a student at Penn State. 

Outside Beaver Stadium

We have been splitting time between my parent's house and Ashley's parents house for most of the time we have been here and will continue to as we stay in PA until the end of January. We are thankful they live near each other (about an hour apart) and have space to house us. My parents even came to Ashley's parents house to eat Thanksgiving dinner together! 

Quality time with family

In addition to Oakwood Pres., we have been able to worship with two of our supporting churches, Zeltenreich Reformed Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church, since we have been here. We are realizing how special it is to worship through song and the preached Word with larger bodies of believers (in English). We really missed this blessing while we were in Honduras. It has been so encouraging to talk with people who have been praying for us and the ministry in Honduras and to see and hear their excitement as we share what the Lord is doing. 

Ashley sharing at Trinity Pres.