The Journey Continues
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
 
Since our last blog entry we’ve had the privilege of meeting the precious people who attend Layhill Community Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, Woodsfield FMC in Woodsfield, Ohio, in addition to the students and staff of Oakdale Free Methodist Academy. The picture above shows us with our two new friends, Albertine and Nettie. These wonderful women came to the Saturday night potluck at Layhill CC and gave us a special blessing. They are both from Liberia and were able to share their love and concern for their family and friends still in Liberia as well as help us to learn more about Liberia. We are forever indebted to them for allowing us to “see” Liberia through their hearts.  The remainder of Saturday evening was filled with great food and company. We were lead in a time of prayer for the 5 unreached people groups in Liberia (the Dan, Gola, Manika, Manya and Vy) who have not heard the gospel of Jesus. And Sunday morning with the people of Layhill was filled with warmth, love and encouragement. Layhill has a very international congregation so worshipping there gives you a taste of what it will look and sound like in heaven when people from all tribes and nations worship the King of Kings! P.S. Our trip to Maryland was a double blessing for us because we were able to have our daughter and grandson come with us. It was such a precious time Saturday watching both our grandchildren be together. How truly blessed we are.  The next weekend found us on our way to Woodsfield, Ohio. Pastor Sheryl and Todd in addition to the entire Woodsfield congregation warmly welcomed us and greatly encouraged our hearts. No matter where God opens His doors, His people all reflect His love, kindness and compassion like those from Woodsfield FMC. (Be sure to see more of the Woodsfield pictures on our separate blog page. )   Pastor Sheryl & Todd And finally, we received and invitation from Dan Fisher, the president of Oakdale Free Methodist Academy to come and share with the students during chapel. So off we went to Jackson, Kentucky. Since our first mission trip was to Oakdale, we felt we had come full circle. How appropriate for the Lord to include this place of precious memories and people for us towards the end of our deputation process.  Us with Dan Fisher Beacon Center We even were invited to Isaac’s 7th birthday party! God has certainly blessed the work of all those who serve Him at Oakdale. The fruits of their labors can be seen in the changed lives of the students as well as the improvements to the campus. Twenty students signed up to join us as prayer partners, including three children of staff members (ages 6,7, and 9). The children and students are VIPs in God’s eyes and our hearts! (Be sure to look at our Oakdale pictures on the separate blog page.) It’s a Bird......It’s a Plane......Nope, It’s a Car!!!!! A week before we left for Kentucky we received an extra blessing from the Lord. One of our pastors planted the seed for us to have a car to ship to Liberia that would handle the more than 9000 miles of unpaved roads as well as the 200+ inches of rain a year. To make a long story short, the dream of this pastor was fulfilled by a local Akron car dealership. Mr. Tom Dunn, one of the owners of Fred Martin Superstore provided us with an ’04 Jeep Cherokee Laredo at auction cost! What an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to provide for our needs. Now we’ll be able to travel throughout Liberia for Jesus and hopefully not end up like those in the last picture taken in Liberia.    John with Pastor Dave Tom Dunn with John John with Steve, our salesman 
Melinda, John, Albertine & Nellie