Day to Remember

Sue says:

With multitudes all over the world, we remember today that our Lord is risen from the dead, just as He said. We thank Him for offering peace with God to all people. 

Slogging Away at the Course Work

Sue says:
It's that time in the middle-to-end of a semester when everyone suddenly realizes s/he had better apply her/himself  to academics to be able to finish strongly.  The students are discussing together the papers they must write. I'm thinking about a book critique that's due next week for the Social and Cultural Foundations for Counseling class in which I'm a student. And student case studies I need to mark for missions classes. Jeff is writing course assignments for a block class he'll teach on Intercultural Studies in the summer term. Busy bees here. Bzzzzz.

What Comes Next?

Sue says:
Last week being spring break, we enjoyed getting to visit with our kids and grandkids.(See some of them below.)

With about eight weeks left at our current assignment, we're praying about what comes next. It is our plan to find jobs and a house in the town where our kids live. Though we intend to apply ourselves in the rest of the Bible college semester, it's also time to think beyond. We wonder what good things God has in store for us next.

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!