Fire in the van?

Funny thing that happened.

While driving down the highway in Indiana, the girls sitting in the back of the van began yelling out that there was smoke coming from the back of the van. Jon immediately pulled over and had everyone jump out of the van. Jon ran to the back of the van to get the emergency fire extinguisher, only to discover that it was the fire extinguisher that was spraying out all over our luggage and hanging clothes.  The pressure gauge came off and began spraying out. We drove to Jon's sisters house (just ten minutes away) and borrowed their vacuum to clean up the mess. 

Thankful for no fire and for God's protection this furlough so far.

October furlough trips

Leaving from Michigan to make our way out to Western States. We make our way thru IN, KS, TN, and FL before turning to the West. 

We've seen some great welcomes and some old prayer cards of us in the churches.

 Our children are able to participate in Awana clubs and activities in the churches.

Seeing the many different sceneries and sights have been the blessings of all the traveling.

 Sharing our ministry in the churches and meeting those who pray for us has been encouraging.

Texas likes to do things BIG

The last week in September, Jon flew into Texas for a missions conference. The missionaries were treated to many surprises and many opportunities to share their ministries whether it was adults, teens, and children services.

 Pictured below are the host families of this year and also from our deputation. What a blessing they have been to our family.

 Jon couldn't even fit all the gifts into his bags when he returned by plane. He arranged for items to be picked up when driving thru the area later.

 Jon was excited when he was able to golf with the Pastor, some deacons, and special speaker Don Sisk.

 The church took each of the missionaries to the Cavanaugh Flight Museum and Car Show to see demonstrated flights and army tank.

 Jon was able to talk with vets who shared combat stories.

 The missions banquet was a special time with great international food, decorations, testimonies, and fellowship.

 Jon gets treated to an iced coffee at the church lobby before speaking to the teens.

 Meanwhile, our children were able to attend Harvest Festival in Michigan with our sending church youth group. They won 3rd place in dodgeball and participated in many activities. What a blessing to hear of the great preaching at this years festival.

 Jon visits the grassy knoll where JFK was killed. The road is marked with two "x"s where the president was shot.

There's no place like home sweet home

There's always an excitement when crossing the border into Michigan. It's our home state where each of our children were born. It's where our sending church is located and some family to visit.

 We returned to Michigan with a loaded down van after two months of visiting churches on the East Coast States.

 It was a blessing to spend time with Jon's dad.

African Wildlife Park

While traveling back to Michigan in September, our family was able to visit the African Wildlife Park. We enjoyed seeing the many different animals and being able to drive thru the park and get up close and feed the animals. 

 Of course, Nisha didn't like it when Jon fed the animals over her, especially the drooling bison.

 Who knew that Giraffes had such long tongues?!

The trees changing colors

It was a beautiful drive in September, we were able to see the trees changing their leaf colors. We spent two months reporting in churches up and down the East Coast. We appreciated the hospitality of our supporting churches and hosts who took us to many landmarks and great restaurants. We made our way back to Michigan where Nisha and our children will relax at our sending church while Jon takes a plane to a Texas missions Conference for a week.

 Our family was treated to a French restaurant which we enjoyed eating and learning new things.