Parents in Seattle!

We just had a great week with Sue's parents, Dale and Bertha (Dad and Mom C to me). Dale faces the daily challenge of MS, and Bertha has the role of major carer, so life is often difficult. Sue and I prayed about bringing them over to Seattle for a change of air and activity and purchased the air tickets. We travelled north of Seattle to book a wheelchair accessible van plus a motorised chair for the week and committed whatever came in the honorarium for the VBS we were doing for New Hope church on Mercer Island. We duly picked up the van and chair and headed to the airport. It was a stressful time for Mom and Dad C to actually get on to the plane, but Sue's sister De Ann was wonderful and saw them on at her end in Boise. Sue got a special Escort Pass to greet them at the gate (this is no longer possible for non-travellers since 9/11) and I manoevered the wheelchair from carpark to waiting area. When Dale was wheeled in by an airlines worker, I stood from my chair to greet him, much to the gasps of onlookers. I should have cried "It's a miracle" but didn't. From then on the week flew by. Each day we made one major trip and atel lunch out, getting back mid-afternoon to allow for rest time and an early night. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the waterfront in Seattle, dining at The Fisherman's Restaurant waterside, visitin Gig Harbour and then the Hawthorn Tea Rooms in Tacoma, and then 'doing' brunch at Salty's at Redondo Beach - an awesome gastronomic experience. I know this was a week that they won't forget and neither will we. And when that honorarium arrived from New Hope it covered all our expenses and more. God is SO GOOD.

Golden Anniversary

In the midst of VBS and Sunday ministry Sue and I tackled the traffic on the "freeway" - at times it took 30 mins to go 10 miles - we drove from Federal Way to Abbotsford, Canada to celebrate Dave and Vi McElhoes fifty years of marriage. It was a great night of reminiscing, laughter, the obligatory (but very good) slideshow and some great items from kids and grandkids. One special joy was seeing the first two great-grandkids of this awesome couple. I have know Dave and Vi since the 70's when David first came to Australia to minister. They are a great couple who always encourage Sue and I whenever we get together (which isn't often enough)! I guess as a single person, it was a real treat to see the extened family joining in honoring their parents and grandparents. There's a verse in Psalms that reminds us that "God sets the solitary (the loners) in families" and Dave and Vi have been one of several close friends who have opened their hearts and home to singles such as me. May the Lord continue to bless them and lead them into great times ahead!

SURE HOPE....

Friday we finished a week of VeBS (Very Exciting Bible School) at New Hope church on Mercer Island. We carried on with the pirate theme (drama and us dressed appropriately) with the Bible Theme "Sure Hope" (using a curriculum developed for Southern Cross Kids' Camps in Australia). I think you will enjoy these kids - they really got into the spirit of the moment! I got a lot out of this theme - with all that is happening in the world, the word "hope" seems anything but "sure". By for those who have experienced the love, forgiveness and redemption of God through Jesus, "hope" is indeed sure. As Hebrews 6:19 puts it "We have hope like an anchor, safe and sure." Hope for today, hope for tomorrow, hope in spite of what we see, hear, or fear - based on Him whose Word never fails.

UPDATE!
For those wondering what has occurred between the last two blog entries a brief summary.
June – I flew across to the US from Melbourne and hit the ground running! Landed in Seattle, then headed to deepest Idaho for a kids’ camp held near Idaho City. Great to have Sue’s new Forrester to go off the beaten track just a little. From there it was back to Seattle, then down to Portland to meet two dear friends Graeme and Angela from Melbourne. We headed to the Oregon coast for four fantastic days with the Hanson family: Doug, Mitzi and Janessa plus cousin Katie. We walked the beach, explored the shops at Cannon Beach, spotted puffins nesting on Haystack Rock, flew kites, ate fab food and played crazy games.














From Cannon Beach we drove in convoy to Boise and a day later headed up to McCall, Idaho to Quaker Hill for the Royal Family Kids’ Camp with Tom and Margaret Tuco, directors extraordinaire!!!!! What a great camp for kids in foster care – it is one of the highlights of our summer each year. It is so good to see what God does in the hearts and lives of these children.



Then it was on to Miracle Mountain in the Grangeville area. This was a really rustic old-time camp setting but we had a tremendous time in God’s presence. Both Sue and I got into Bible costumes and participated in the Bible drama each day. These kids really responded to God’s love, and it was so refreshing to hear one little lad pray his first prayer “Hey God, this is me, Christopher and I am speaking to you. You need to listen and do what I ask you to do….” and he continued asking the Lord to bless Sue and keep us safe. Totally non-churched, he came to experience the reality of a loving Father God.



TIGER LILY….. or Rachael Devore, interned with us this summer for five of our camps. What a great young woman she is! (You can check out her blog at tigerlilyspad)
She is about to enter Northwest College and her dream is to become a medical missionary working with AIDS victims (children) somewhere in Africa. How cool is that?? She was so popular with the kids, and with us! Very easy to travel with and a delight to have on the team! I got to do a bit less up front and worked with the puppets, and audio/visuals more. I enjoyed that immensely. We only did one Rainbow program this summer, but the theme was “Anchor of Hope” with a pirate flavour. A great hit with the kids AND with us. We debuted this theme at the Colfax Nazarene church and pastor and adults all got into it donning pirate costumes and participating in a skit which ran each night. Great to see adults and kids alike responding at altar times too.

As I write this we are preparing to repeat this theme with the kids of New Hope as we drive to Mercer Island each day for a VBS. This time Sue will be in pirate attire – no clown costume and no grease paint! That always makes her happy. We are also working on our pirate riddles and enclose three here (they are endless!) See end of this blog for the answers.

What country do pirates NEVER sail to?

What do pirates like to eat best?

What Bible Story do Pirates like best?



Let me know if and when you read this blog. We are also working on curriculum and programs, and teaching session for our upcoming missions trip back to the Czech Republic. Please do keep us in your prayers.

Answers to pirate riddles: (a) Aaaarrrrrgentina (b) Aaarrrrtichokes (c) Noah and the Aaaarrrrrk.

A Man of Honor

Today (August 4th) is the birthday of one of my 'heroes'. Sue's dad - DALE CARPENTER - is celebrating his 70th-something birthday. He is a godly example of a Christian man. As a loving husband to Bertha, and dad (to Sue and De Ann and her husband John) he lives his faith daily. And this faith is constantly tested - Dad C (my name for him) is challenged with the effects of progressive MS. His mobility is reliant on a wheelchair, his body is becoming increasingly weakened - but his inner strength remains. James writes "Be patient then until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5: 7,8. NIV
The farmer can be patient because he sees (by faith) what is coming - a good crop.
We too need to allow patience (God's peace in action) when tests and trials come to us, whether it be bad traffic, frustrations in our workplace or simply in our relationships with others. I know Dale or Dad C would love to physically "Stand firm" again - but he has never wavered in 'standing firm' spiritually and what an example he is to me and to many others. Happy Birthday Dad!