Seeing Family while traveling

Nisha was able to spend some time with her "Mima" while traveling thru Tennessee in October. 

 We were also able to see her Aunt Pam with her two children.

 Jon was able to stop and see his Uncle Al, who is serving the Lord in Alabama.

 Our kids enjoyed some fun and relaxing times as well.

Matthew turns 16

On October 5th, our oldest son, Matthew turned sixteen years old. We are so thankful for Matthew and his servants heart. He is so good with children, loves sports, and is praying that God will call him into ministry. He was so excited when he became taller than his mother and is looking toward the day that he will be taller than his dad. 

We were able to celebrate his birthday by going to the Sight and Sound in Branson, MO. They were showing the story of "Jonah". He also went to the mall, picked out his restaurants (where his Aunt Renee embarrassed him by singing out loud and he ate as many black olives as he could), and played games. 

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.