A Summer to Remember
Monday, August 6, 2007
 
With a few more weeks left, the summer of ’07 has already been one to remember. Our journey to Liberia these past weeks, has been full of travel to beautiful places in Maryland and Virginia, making many new friends, visits with family, a bit of rest, and some faith-stretching trials. We’ve had the privilege of sharing our call to Africa and vision for Liberia with the following special people: New Vision Fellowship in Forestville, Maryland (Pastor Kenny Martin) New Hope FMC in Lynchburg, Virginia (Pastor Ken Tesch) Spencerville FMC in Spencerville, Maryland (Pastor Kurt Erhard) Waynesboro FMC in Waynesboro, Virginia (Pastor David Kurtz) Faith Community Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia (Pastor Keith Hulton) Each congregation we visited was a unique experience. It’s so awesome to serve a God who enjoys creativity in worship. Whether the worship service was traditional, contemporary, a blend of both, held inside an established church building, a rented space or outside at a campground, the Holy Spirit was always present and our God worshipped in Spirit and in Truth. The believers in Jesus untied with one common purpose--to know Jesus and make Him known. What a tremendous privilege to be a part of His great Body. We spent the weekend of July 27-29 with the folks of Faith Community Church at the KOA campground in New Market, Virginia. Pastor Keith Hulton invited us to join them in their annual camp weekend. We had a great time getting to know these wonderful believers. From the walks (we won’t tell who was lost for a while but did find their way back!), the encouraging conversations, the games, the talent-no talent night, the campfires, Sunday morning worship and the baptisms in the camp pool, the late night visit from the teens (see picture above), and oh yes, the food, and more food, it was a weekend full of precious memories. You can find our pictures also posted on our blog site under the entry marked “Harrisonburg FMC.” Several of the teens had just returned from a mission trip to Costa Rico. We were so blessed by their stories of how God showed Himself to them in powerful ways resulting in their faith growing in leaps and bounds! These teens were such an inspiration to us both. It will be exciting to watch them grow and reach those within their circle of influence for Jesus. Partner in Ministry Update We want to thank everyone who is partnering with us on our journey to serve the Lord in Liberia. Please keep praying for the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of those who will join us. As of today, we have been blessed with the following: 472 Prayer Partners! $40,778 or 69% of our start-up funds! $52,905 or 63% of our annual support! We are still trusting the Lord to leave for Liberia no later than October 1st. Please help us reach this date by praying for the remainder of our support to come in within the next few weeks. We serve a big God who can work wonders and we’re believing for one. Electronic Giving Free Methodist World Missions now has a link on their website which allows you to sign up for electronic giving. Just follow these easy steps: 1. Go to: www.freemethodistchurch.org 2. Click on Missions 3. Click on the word Give, 4. Click on electronic giving 5. Click on I am a new donor. After putting in your info be sure to type in Henry Missionary Support. Your generous gifts will then be recorded in our account. We have personally found this to be the easiest way to support our missionaries. Thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support that allow us to following God’s call on our hearts to Liberia. We are humbled and blessed by all our partners! Serving in Liberia (soon), John & Melinda http://www.freemethodistchurch.orgshapeimage_2_link_0