Weep With Those Who Weep

The last couple of days have been almost surreal for us at MTI. Most of you will probably already know about what has happened around here. On Sunday shortly after midnight there was a shooting at a YWAM base near Denver, and then after a church service at New Life Church, near Colorado Springs, there was another shooting. MTI is only about 10 miles from the second shooting. With many sketchy details and because MTI is also a mission-related organization, yesterday our building was in lockdown, with police patrolling the area regularly. Jeff, the kids, and I were actually away yesterday afternoon on the Santa Train Cog Rail in Co. Springs and didn't know about the second shooting until we received a call upon disembarking the train. However, on our way back to MTI, we saw New Life Church from the freeway, complete with flashing lights and a search helicopter flying overhead.

When we arrived back at MTI, someone had to open the door for us and we sort of scrambled inside. After a Wal-Mart run for diapers for some friends, Jeff had said, "Let's make sure everything is together in the trunk just in case we have to make a run for it." It was, and we hurried as quickly as we could, not wanting to believe the worst could even be a possibility.

We were greeted by worship songs coming from a group of our new MTI family that was gathered in the common area. Olivia and Sawyer melted into play with the other kids and dinner was served as usual soon after. The normalcy and fellowship uplifted everyone's spirits, and we fought fear in the evening by making gingerbread houses with the children! The festivities distracted us from the uncertainties and questions for a time. We have been thankful that the kids all seem to be oblivious to what has happened.

This morning we had a time of processing and sharing. It happened to coincide directly with the moment that I was hit emotionally with the reality of what happened. And not only with what happened here, but the violence that fills our world. Many of our friends here are heading to places of potential danger--Myanmar, Sudan, China--I don't know that any of us would have picked Colorado to be on that list. It is sobering to reflect on the darkness in each of our hearts. We all have such potential for good and for evil--and freedom. God forgive us and teach us to love instead of hate!!

As a mother, my greatest fear is that something bad will happen to my children. We are given no guarantees in this life except that God is faithful to walk with us in every situation. God is Good. We have no answers, and I grieve for all the moms and all the families today. And I pray that my children will be safe, and that they will choose Good as the path for their lives.

Thank you to all of you who have inquired about our safety and to those who are praying through this whole thing. Fellowship is so sweet.

In Awe!!

Have you ever been in awe of God's beauty? This morning we awoke to blue sky with trees, mountains and fields covered in a dusting of fresh snow. The God who created this also created you and I. More than that he created us in his image. I can only imagine how beautiful he is, as the beauty we see around us is a reflection of him. God knows just what we need to hear from him each day and today I (Jeff) am grateful to be reminded of his beauty, splendor, grandeur, and that he is God and I am not!

MTI

We are in the middle of a training program called SPLICE at Mission Training International (MTI). It is a 3 week program and we are enjoying our time learning about our heavenly Father, ourselves, each other, and getting to know new friends in the same stage of life as we are. One of the things we are learning to do is to live in paradox. This has proven true as in the midst of this exciting time of training we had the funeral for great grandma (see post below). We were also able to spend some time with Jeff's family before the program started as Jeff's parents live about an hour away. We have also found time for some walks in the foothills, playing on the playground, and yesterday visited Focus on the Family so the kids could explore "Odyssey and Witt's End" (their indoor play area, as it was cold and snowing!).

We have covered subjects such as conflict, life transitions, stress, life style choices, building community, sabbath rest, soul care, and entering a new culture. It has been a full couple of weeks with one to go! It has been a time of encouragement and introspection. We are still processing and reflecting on what God is doing in our lives and will post again soon with a window into our hearts. Please pray that God would continue to mold and shape us to be more like him.

Great Grandma

On Saturday November 24 Anna Malone, Jeff's Grandma, passed away. She has been battling severe dementia for the last few years and apparently had a stroke a week before she passed away. She was 93 years old. We were thankful to have been in Denver during the last week of her life and for the chance to see her and to be with family. She was a remarkable lady and we will all miss Grandma and Great Grandma.

Teaching in the DR

In late October/early November I (Jeff) traveled to the Dominican Republic for a couple of reasons. One was to serve as a last-minute substitute professor for a class as part of a study abroad program! I taught a course on transformational development and holistic ministry. There are 21 students in the DR as part of a program in which Students International partners with Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana. As part of this program the students study Spanish, take courses on Dominican culture, and work at an SI ministry site. The course I taught is designed to help students understand the “how” and the “why” behind the ministry they (and SI) are involved in. I had a great time preparing for the course and interacting with the students during the class time and at other informal times during my visit. Here are some photos of me in action.

Fall Festivities

Autumn is a fun time of year with harvest, pumpkins, costumes and carnivals. The kids and I helped at our school pumpkin patch this year--Olivia even got her face painted and her hair sprayed pink!

Then we had a Halloween party at Mimi's Munchkins (the daycare where Olivia and Sawyer go).


On the day of Halloween, I took the kids trick-or-treating for a little while with some friends (Jeff was in the DR--watch for that post shortly). Note the cute Raggedy Ann and Andy costumes, courtesy of Grandma Doot-doot.

Wishing you a Happy Fall!

Support Update

Thanks to all of you who have supported us prayerfully and financially! We have been overwhelmed by people's response!

Here is a quick update on where our support stands at the moment.

We have had $4,710 come in towards our anticipated one-time need of about $20,000.
We are currently receiving or have been pledged a total of $1,130 per month towards our monthly budget of $3,500.

The one time funds will cover the expense associated with our training at Mission Training International coming up in November/December! Praise God!

If you are thinking/praying about joining our monthly support team would you please consider starting to give at the first of the year (or before:). This will allow us to get a good gauge of where our support stands. From January - May we need to receive $1,100 per month to go towards Jeff's current salary at SI (The same as it has been over the last few years). Any amount received over the $1,100 during these months will be applied toward our one-time expenses.

We have been made aware that some of our last newsletters sent via snail mail did not make it to their final destination. If you did not receive one and would like to (It has cute pictures of the kids in it!) let us know. Also, if you have any questions about our support, budget, how things are going as we fund raise and prepare to move please don't hesitate to ask!