Hectic Yet Blessed Few Days

We have had some blessed and hectic days recently. Nancy went to North Carolina last Wednesday for a conference on Spiritual Warfare. She really enjoyed this conference and learned some key Biblical principles. Also on Wednesday, Jane Lathem's mother went to be with the Lord. I drove down to Canton on Friday so I could attend the funeral on Saturday. After the funeral I enjoyed lunching with some long-time friends and then I drove to Knoxville to visit with wonderful new friends whom I met at the language school in Costa Rica. I went with them to an English-language worship experience and a Spanish-language Sunday school class. Afterward I hooked up with Nancy at a Cracker Barrel north of Knoxville, as she was returning from North Carolina. We then caravanned home. That evening we had the joy of visiting with our great friends Virgil and Jo. We spent the day with them yesterday (Monday) as well and had a great time catching up with them. Dan is now getting back to intense studies and Nancy is catching up on reading and relationships. Thanks for your continued prayers!

Mrs. Baird Celebrates with Jesus

Our dear friend, Jane Lathem, lost her mother yesterday. Mrs. Baird has suffered with illness for several years, and she was a wonderful Christian, so we are grateful that she is celebrating with Jesus today in heaven. Please pray for Jane and Warren and their entire family during this time. They are also grateful that Mrs. Baird is no longer suffering here on earth, but of course we always miss our loved ones when they are gone. Also, please be in prayer for our dear friends Thoby and Elizabeth Ramirez in Venezuela. They serve as pastors in Puerto Ordaz, and we are grateful for their ministry. Please ask God to use them to reach many lost people with the good news of Christ's salvation. Much Love, Dan and Nancy

Nancy to NC Again

Hi Everyone,
Nancy heads to North Carolina again today, this time for a five-day conference on Spiritual Warfare. Please pray for her safe travel, and also that God would equip, heal, grow, encourage, and use her during these days. For the next few days, we additionally request that you pray for our dear friends Edwin and Sonia in Costa Rica . They lead the ministry that reaches street kids and poor children in Costa Rica. Please ask God to continue to lead them, guide them, and use them to minister to these children, teens, and their families. For those who would like to go to Guapiles with us next year to partner with Edwin/Sonia in the residential ranch program there for street teens, please pencil in August 1-8 on your calendar. We are in the process of trying to firm up that date, but for now it appears that this is the week we will take that trip. Much Love and Many Blessings, Dan and Nancy

Please Pray for Juvenal and Nohely

Hi Everyone,

This has been an interesting week. We have both enjoyed learning a lot, while also "enjoying" back problems. Dan bent over to open a drawer on Monday morning, and something "gave" in his back. He is on the road to recovery, but the doctor thinks a slipped disc may be involved, so we're trying to be diligent about stretching, icing, and walking. He missed class on Tuesday but was able to get back to classes yesterday. Nancy is participating in a day and a half conference at the Seminary on Christian Healing, facilitated by Dr. Terry Wardle, and she is really enjoying it. Her back started bothering her on Wednesday (probably from caring for Dan), but it is much better today. For a Prayer Focus the next couple of days, we want to ask you to pray for Pastors Juvenal and Nohely Perez (Juvenal is pictured here with Dan). They serve in Punto Fijo, Venezuela, and are great friends. Please pray that God would continue to guide and lead them in their ministry to reach lost people in Venezuela, and also that God would protect and heal their family. Much Love, Dan and Nancy

Teenage Missionaries

We had a great day on Sunday. We presented a slide show about our summer mission experiencies to a high school Sunday school class. This summer these teens received teaching on how to participate in God's passion for global disciple-making, and they were fired up! They prayed all summer for our travels, as well as for each of the street teens at Sonia's residential ranch program in Costa Rica. Five of the teenagers were commissioned this past Sunday as God's missionaries in their own corner of the world. This was a moving experience for us as we witnessed the Holy Spirit moving in these young Christians' hearts. God's grace continues to amaze us.

Newly Thankful

Hi Everyone. Nancy is in North Carolina for a week-long event focusing on prayer and healing. We are very grateful for God's continued work in Nancy's life to lead and guide her in these directions. Dan is great enjoying his new semester so far. It is continually amazing how much new learning is available when we open up our hearts and minds. We are both thankful for fresh equipping to be the persons God designed us to be, and pray that the same thing is happening for you as well. Thanks for your continued prayers and love.

Today we had the joy of sharing lunch with a young Venezuelan in Wilmore and his American wife. We were excited to learn that they are in town and really enjoyed getting to know them. We have asked them to begin praying about whether or not God would want them to serve in VZ after he completes his education. He is pursuing a double major at Asbury College, in Biblical Languages and Sociology. She has a wealth of experience in music, music teaching, and ESL training. Pictured here are our dear friends Efrain and Bethsaida Morales, with their daughter, Lim Morales Lathem. It was a great joy for Lim to be in VZ and share the graduation experience with her parents. Go God!