Hello friends!
We hope this note finds everyone well. Jane and I are still trying to figure out this Cleveland weather. It will be cold for a while and we'll get some snow and then all of the sudden it warms up to the 40s and 50s (I know that is not "warm" to some of you but to us it is). None the less we are still enjoying it. We are having so much fun together, and God is so good to us, and continues to amaze us at the ways in which he blesses us.
Jane and I want to update you on how we are doing in the ministry we are working for.
As we have told you, Jane is the assistant for the Director of Member Care of Ambassadors In Sport - in other words she's the contact for all the AIS missionaries overseas and all new applicants. With this job, she is getting familiar with all our missionaries, where they are, what they're doing, and what their needs are. She is also helping with many other clerical duties that are proving to be a huge help. She is loving her job with AIS, and is adaquately filling an AIS position that has been needed for some time. Apart from working with AIS part time, she is writing a lot of songs, which she is becoming good at. She has also become a very good "house wife" as well. I am amazed at her ability to not only do all the domestic things she does, but doing them with excellence - she has become a very good cook as well. :)
I am running all over the place developing partnerships with churches throughout the Cleveland area to work with Ambassadors and the City Stars to do sports ministry. Our team, in connection with Ambassadors in Sport are offering to help the church reach out to their community in a new fun way through soccer. Sports ministry can be so cool, because, as we have witnessed before, parents who normally would never set foot in a church much less bring their kids to church, will bring their child to a soccer camp at a church run by professional players, and just by getting them their we have already planted the seed.
I have been getting some great responses from all the churches I have been to. Some churches have already roughly started some sports ministry outreaches and are so excited to work with us to continue to build their outreach. Other churches I meet with have been searching for ways to better their children's program and ways to dive in and serve their community, and are so excited to partner with us and play soccer! If the community doesn't come to the church, the church must go to the community, and I have really enjoyed helping the local church of Cleveland do that! At this time last year, we only had one or two partnerships with churches, and now we have 7 strong partnerships and 5 or 6 which will probably happen soon! God is good!
Of all the many things we're doing, we both agree that the biggest ministry we're taking part in is helping with the kids at the City Mission. Playing with these kids and telling them Bible stories has proved to be one of the sweetest opportunities we've had. They are always so excited to see us and play with us. They are also becoming more interested in the Bible stories. It is the biggest blessing ever to see the kids listening intently to the gospel being presented to them. Keep praying that the gospel will really sink in one day, and keep praying that God will continue to use us to help these kids. Also, keep praying for God’s protection over them in their everyday life.
*******************
Recently, Luke and I were able to get away for a trip to Washington DC. It was such a fun and needed time. Luke was so great in being willing to go to every museum and monument I wanted to… this trip really reminded me how much I love history. We stayed in a hotel in Alexandria, VA and were able to spend a lot of time there enjoying all the colonial houses. We rode the metro into DC and saw some Smithsonians, the Capitol, the White House, many monuments, and war memorials. It is amazing how much God has richly blessed this country… and we pray He continues. We also went through the Holocaust Museum. What a solemn reminder of God’s grace and perseverance despite man’s horrifying sin… On the way home, we stopped by the battlefield of Antietam. In case you have forgotten :) Antietam was a battle fought in the Civil war in 1862. It is known as the bloodiest day not only of the Civil War, but perhaps one of bloodiest battles American soldiers have fought. It was so humbling to walk through the fields where men died for our freedoms today. What a gift. All in all the trip was great and needed, and served as a good reminder of how much we’ve been given in this country.
Thank you all for your support and prayers! We love you all and can’t wait to hear all the wonderful things God’s doing in your lives. Blessings!
We hope this note finds everyone well. Jane and I are still trying to figure out this Cleveland weather. It will be cold for a while and we'll get some snow and then all of the sudden it warms up to the 40s and 50s (I know that is not "warm" to some of you but to us it is). None the less we are still enjoying it. We are having so much fun together, and God is so good to us, and continues to amaze us at the ways in which he blesses us.
Jane and I want to update you on how we are doing in the ministry we are working for.
As we have told you, Jane is the assistant for the Director of Member Care of Ambassadors In Sport - in other words she's the contact for all the AIS missionaries overseas and all new applicants. With this job, she is getting familiar with all our missionaries, where they are, what they're doing, and what their needs are. She is also helping with many other clerical duties that are proving to be a huge help. She is loving her job with AIS, and is adaquately filling an AIS position that has been needed for some time. Apart from working with AIS part time, she is writing a lot of songs, which she is becoming good at. She has also become a very good "house wife" as well. I am amazed at her ability to not only do all the domestic things she does, but doing them with excellence - she has become a very good cook as well. :)
I am running all over the place developing partnerships with churches throughout the Cleveland area to work with Ambassadors and the City Stars to do sports ministry. Our team, in connection with Ambassadors in Sport are offering to help the church reach out to their community in a new fun way through soccer. Sports ministry can be so cool, because, as we have witnessed before, parents who normally would never set foot in a church much less bring their kids to church, will bring their child to a soccer camp at a church run by professional players, and just by getting them their we have already planted the seed.
I have been getting some great responses from all the churches I have been to. Some churches have already roughly started some sports ministry outreaches and are so excited to work with us to continue to build their outreach. Other churches I meet with have been searching for ways to better their children's program and ways to dive in and serve their community, and are so excited to partner with us and play soccer! If the community doesn't come to the church, the church must go to the community, and I have really enjoyed helping the local church of Cleveland do that! At this time last year, we only had one or two partnerships with churches, and now we have 7 strong partnerships and 5 or 6 which will probably happen soon! God is good!
Of all the many things we're doing, we both agree that the biggest ministry we're taking part in is helping with the kids at the City Mission. Playing with these kids and telling them Bible stories has proved to be one of the sweetest opportunities we've had. They are always so excited to see us and play with us. They are also becoming more interested in the Bible stories. It is the biggest blessing ever to see the kids listening intently to the gospel being presented to them. Keep praying that the gospel will really sink in one day, and keep praying that God will continue to use us to help these kids. Also, keep praying for God’s protection over them in their everyday life.
*******************
Recently, Luke and I were able to get away for a trip to Washington DC. It was such a fun and needed time. Luke was so great in being willing to go to every museum and monument I wanted to… this trip really reminded me how much I love history. We stayed in a hotel in Alexandria, VA and were able to spend a lot of time there enjoying all the colonial houses. We rode the metro into DC and saw some Smithsonians, the Capitol, the White House, many monuments, and war memorials. It is amazing how much God has richly blessed this country… and we pray He continues. We also went through the Holocaust Museum. What a solemn reminder of God’s grace and perseverance despite man’s horrifying sin… On the way home, we stopped by the battlefield of Antietam. In case you have forgotten :) Antietam was a battle fought in the Civil war in 1862. It is known as the bloodiest day not only of the Civil War, but perhaps one of bloodiest battles American soldiers have fought. It was so humbling to walk through the fields where men died for our freedoms today. What a gift. All in all the trip was great and needed, and served as a good reminder of how much we’ve been given in this country.
Thank you all for your support and prayers! We love you all and can’t wait to hear all the wonderful things God’s doing in your lives. Blessings!
... Here are some reacent pictures from DC and also Christmas...
In Old Town Alexandria, VA
In the Washington Mall...
Chinatown
WWII memorial...
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Battlefield of Antietam
Christmas with the Melvins!!
Cross country skiing in our sweet 80s uni-suites!
Melvin & Kiely kids together again... minus two
Sledding!!
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