Cherry Trees Bloom In DC

 The cherry trees are in bloom in Washington, DC, this week! Since it's spring break at the college, we went down to see them. This shot above is of Arlington House from West Potomac Park. Weeping cherry trees are in the foreground.  

Here's a view of the Washington Monument with the trees blooming around the Tidal Basin.

 

The memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. is new (above). There are a number of meaningful statements he made carved on a wall near the monument.

Yes, once again it is lovely among the blooms in the US capital. This year is the one-hundredth since the first cherry trees were given to the US as a gift from Japan.

Conference Photos

How great it was to see God assemble a team to work on the conference.  Students put up posters to decorate the chapel and halls (above). It was gratifying to see one of my classmates attending sessions (below). Representatives of over 20 organizations put up displays, and students had an opportunity to talk with them (continuing below).

Workshop leaders and exhibitors gathered for a photo (below).

The worship times were led by a different group for each of the nine meetings. Here, some of our international students  practice for their session.

A friend allowed us to use tablecloths with world maps on them (in the two above), and the international students decorated the dining room with international flags. AND the chef and his crew prepared fantastic international meals!

Besides these things, the speakers provoked us to contemplate what part we, individually, are called to take in making our great God known to all people. We praise Him! And we thank those who took part by praying for the success of this event. God answered abundantly.

What a Mighty God We Serve!

God has answered our prayers abundantly. It's difficult to come up with a picture of an answered prayer. Let me just say the spirit of excitement about what God is doing worldwide to make His love known is palpable at the missions conference. The worship times in music have been wonderful. Dr. Bob Evans, our plenary  speaker from Bible-Centered Ministries, has given us much to think about in relation to the key nature of ministry to children. The students are learning about other faiths in exposure trips to the local mosque, synagogue, and Buddhist temple. Missionaries have arrived with displays and break-out sessions to help us visualize the variety of ministries to far-reaches of the globe. Adoniram Judson will visit us in a drama in a few hours. We look forward to our closing evening tonight.

Packing Up Gift Bags

Sue says:

It was a treat to be able to pack gift bags with a neighbor from our apartment building. It more enjoyable to do a chore with someone else. These bags have little welcome gifts for the 54 missionaries expected to arrive on campus in just FIVE days.

We praise God for the way He's helping us manage last-minute details. I had purchased just 54 of one item for the gift bags. Then, wouldn't you know it, a 55th person called to say she was also coming. I was trying to figure out what to do for the gift bags, when someone else emailed to cancel. WHEW! 

Missions Conference Coming Up

Sue says:
The Lord is providing missionaries who want to attend the March 6-8 missions conference at our Bible college and seminary. Fifty-two people are signed up to represent their mission organizations and to lead workshops on a broad range of topics. Students and graduates are pitching in to help. Look at the great poster (above)! A graduate put it together for us. It illustrates the theme, "Let the children come to Me (Jesus)."  

Please join us in prayer that the background preparation and the up-front presentations will expand the vision of attendees. Our majestic God wants all people to know Himself.  

Crocuses Herald Spring

Sue says:
A few brave crocuses are poking their heads up in the wintry landscape, trying to rally our hope that spring will indeed come back. Snow is predicted for for Sunday, though. Will those precious little flowers be able to brave the weather?

Inside, the temperature is nicer, and our Valentine hyacinths are blooming. Wish you could share their delicious smell.

These thoughts of something good coming soon remind me of the missions conference which will convene in two-and-a-half weeks. We are looking forward to the good things the Holy Spirit wants to do in our midst at that time. Fifty missionaries are confirmed to participate in different capacities. Plans are moving along with publicity materials now. We are so thankful a WBC grad is laying out posters and other visuals to spread the news. A few more volunteers are still needed. We wait with expectancy for the big event. 

Women's Fellowship

Sue says:
The building we live in has a mixture of employees of the college or seminary and students, marrieds and singles. Perhaps even more than the dorms, folks are in and out so much that they don't get to know their neighbors. One wife was new at the beginning of the school year and another one or two from the start of second semester. Because they work off campus and don't study, they have little opportunity to make connections with others. A number are newlyweds.

So, I thought it would be meaningful to gather weekly for fellowship time: sharing a scriptural idea or a testimony, praying for each other, laughing together, or building friendships other ways. Last semester the idea was slow to develop, but it seems to be taking hold now. We hope others will join us as well.

This week, I think we'll bake together. Most of the women live in efficiency apartments with just a hot-plate to cook on. A couple of them said they have never baked and would be interested in someone showing them how to do that. Shall we bake peanut butter cookies with nice chocolate kisses on top? It sounds like a winner in Valentine's week.