OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2008

Activity Update: since we last wrote in August. . .

   As mentioned All 3 of us were involved in the SCE Conference in Hissar, and as hosts at least the 2 adults had jobs to do.  Cheryl organized the craft night again and Greg made shopping trips and an airport run to Sofia (a 350 km round trip) for early departures.  After conference we dashed home with less than 48 hours to get ready for the long drive to Germany and Black Forest Academy. (This included anxiously awaiting the turbo to be fixed on our car—something accomplished at 5 PM!)  Things went well for us on the trip until we hit Italy--and our water pump went out. Well, at least we were stranded in a beautiful place, but instead of getting to Germany Sunday evening we had to wait until Monday afternoon to leave Italy.  $1,000 of repairs later and after some night driving we arrived in Kandern at "0-dark:30" Tuesday but at least we were able to see Brian march that morning to the Opening Day Ceremonies with the rest of the BFA Senior Class. PTL for His mercy!

   After the return trip to Sofia Greg had another load of papers from the Varna group waiting for him to grade (assignments, final exams and class projects times 26), so he went to work morning and evening to finish those before the "tide of movers" swept in.  He and Cheryl got busy emptying rooms and selling things for the Edwards family, who arrived 8 Sept. We spent the majority of that month (to 27 Sept) helping them in this difficult task. And now we are busy packing our own things for furlough.

   And Brian? He has had a wonderful 1st quarter at BFA—playing on the tennis team, going on his senior trip to Italy, and he managed all A's & high B's on his report card.  Right now he is preparing for his SATs and filling out college applications.

Coming Up:

   In very short order—our home service.  Hard to believe it's been almost 3 years, but Greg, Cheryl and Brian will arrive back in Pennsylvania 3rd week of Dec, and Brian will return to BFA in January to finish high school. For now it is all packing, storing stuff, selling the car, and so forth. We will fill you in on our plans, our schedule and contact details in our January 2009 newsletter so watch this space!

Praises:

~ Good SCE Area Conference that went smoothly.

~ God’s protection taking Brian back to BFA even though our car broke down.

~ Brian had an amazing senior class trip to Rome, Florence, and Venice.

~ The first semester grades are in and Brian did really well.

~ Greg was able to finish all his marking and turn the grades in for his July class.

~ The Edwards move was difficult and exhausting, but finished with no great difficulties

Requests:

~ UTF: we really don’t have any updates. Things are about the same and much prayer is needed.

~ We did find a place to store the things we plan to leave here but we still need to sell our car so we can purchase one in the States.

~ With the team’s input we have been working on a ministry plan for Bulgaria. Cheryl and I seek the Lord's will concerning our role here and have put forth a proposal for our next term here. Pray for the Lord's best—approval/rejection/modification of proposal, etc.

~ Pray for the country of Bulgaria. There is so much greed and corruption that it is vexing to the spirit. Pray for people to see their need for the Lord and to turn to Him. Pray for national believers to take initiative and not lose heart in the battle against darkness.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope: The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness."                                                                                                   Lamentations 3.21-23

August 2008

Activity Update:

   Greg had a good time of teaching in Varna in June and just received the tests and papers to grade so he is busy. He finished the papers from the first week of class. He also spent some time surveying about eight pastors for their views on the needs of the church in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, since enrollment is down, he won’t be teaching in the Autumn.

    Cheryl spent two weeks in Germany taking two classes for her masters in International Education. The classes were practical and the fellowship was especially sweet.

   Brian has had a good summer. He has been doing some reading and some investigation into colleges. He did some small jobs for us. He made it to camp and back safely and also got to visit friends in Macedonia. He has been faithfully reading his Bible and we have had some good discussions with him. He has to be back at Black Forest August 26.

   We have been busy hosting some overnight guests, holding meetings, having friends over and entertaining missionary kids. Bulgaria is hosting the area conference this summer and we all have jobs related to that.

Coming Up:

   We plan to take Brian back to school at the end of August. This is his senior year.

   In September the Edwards are coming over to repack and sell off their property that has been stored in the apartment where we have been living. We expect to be involved helping them.

   We will have some planning and packing ourselves for our home service coming up in December.

   We want to finish our term here well so we are seeking the Lord’s will as to where we should invest the time we have left here. There are many possibilities including teaching English and orphan work.

 Praises:

~ Good productive summer for all three of us.

~ Safe travel to and from camp for Brian.

~ God’s constant provision for housing and finances.

~ Meeting and talking to more Bulgarians.

Requests:

~ UTF and for the future of the teachers here.

~ Our area conference 13-18 August. Ask for safety traveling, spiritual refreshment and good fellowship. We are hosting a speaker from Canada and a team from York PA to help with kids.

~ The trip back to BFA. That Brian will settle in and work hard to finish well.

~ Our remaining time to be spent wisely as the Lord directs.

~ Planning for home service. Support needed to return to Bulgaria. Job description for our return.

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love to those who fear Him; as far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”                                                                     Psalms 103

June 2008

Praises:

• Not having to move multiple times is a big one!
• Being used of God in the lives of students here in Bulgaria.
• Enjoying good health, good food and all God’s gifts.
• Improved team relationships…more prayer as a team.

Requests:

• That Greg will be able to get all the homework and tests from the classes in Varna graded in a timely manner and that God will provide a Bulgarian helper for this.
• That we will get our visa renewal without problems.
• That Greg will be able to prepare for the new class he will teach in the autumn…New Testament Theology.
• That Brian would have a good break and accomplish some of his goals he wrote for himself and that we will find a way to get him safely to camp and back.
• That God would grant us a spirit of thankfulness and contentment and not one of complaining or dissatisfaction. 

April 2008

Praises:  

* Good relationships with students in Sofia and Bourgas.

* Enough financial support to help us finish our three year term.

* A “dream come true” wedding for Charis and Joel Landis.

* A super visit to the USA including celebrating the resurrection with family and friends and attending a mission’s conference at our home church.

* A good report card for Brian.

 Requests:  

• That we will find the apartment God wants for us to finish our term here.
• Help for the Edwards to sell and/or move the belongings they left here.
• That our landlords will find new tenants for this apartment for their income.
• For Brian to finish the year well at BFA and for no sports injuries.
• That God will make it clear through provision if we are to return for a second term.
• That Greg will have a successful time teaching in Varna.
• Strength for moving during a busy ministry time.
• For the students at UTF as they complete their studies for this year.
• For God to lead more students to the school to study His word and prepare for ministry
• For two new MA programs UTF plans to launch in September.
• For their finances.
• For team unity and relationships to continue to grow in a healthy way.
• For our eyes to be open for ministry opportunities wherever we go.
• For our team mates in Croatia who are having serious visa problems.
• For us to get our visas renewed in June without difficulty.

 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ—be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5.20-21

Our deepest thanks for helping us to be His ambassadors here in Bulgaria—God Bless You!

Special Request

In 2004 SEND appointed Warren Janzen, missionary to Japan, as Gen. Director of the mission—only the 3rd person to hold that office in 60 years.  The Janzens are Canadian citizens and are having great difficulty getting their visa from US Immigration, due to a general crackdown on immigration fraud (This is true even though they have lived in MI and have had their children in local schools for some time.)  They have a deadline of November 27 to receive their residence visa or leave the country.  Would you please pray that God would open this door by that date? Update: 30 November : After being told he couldnot work and that he and his family HAD to leave the country, INS sent out a representative who assured Warren that his visa and green card would be processed and that he DID NOT have to leave! To be on the safe side, he is currently not working but expects to get the green cards and visas shortly! PTL!

Family News: October-November 2007

BFA got off to a good start and Brian has showed no signs of homesickness so far. We suffered withdrawal but just the time it begins to feel normal that he is not here, he will be home for Christmas! He got onto the varsity volleyball team and is having fun with that. His class recently took a History field trip to Normandy to see the WW2 battle sites and cemeteries there. His comment after the trip..”Awesome in so many ways!” We talk to Brian nearly every weekend and he seems to be doing well although he is tired. The high school had a Christmas Formal banquet and he had a date! It was very fun to look at the photos...will try to post some on here later. He will be home 15 December.

 Charis seems to enjoy her new job working with autistic children and their families. She recently completed some training for leading small groups through her church and she often plays with the worship team. Got to visit with Charis the first week of November and see her apartment etc! It was a special time!

  Matt is hoping to visit some colleges in anticipation of leaving the military in August 2008. He has been hearing rumors that his unit may be deployed again to Iraq. He won’t know anything definite until Christmas time and if deployed they would leave in February like the last time. Previously they were there a year so he is hoping it won’t mess up his release date.

Praises:

* Brian doing well at BFA

* Good visit with Dick Walton when he was here to teach.

* UTF got off to a good start

* Greg finished teaching Part 2 of New Testament Interpretation in Sofia

Requests:

• That God will meet our support need if He wants us to return to Bulgaria once our term is up – we estimate needing an additional $800. per month We have $50, a month additionsl so far!
• That God will meet the needs of UTF both financial and otherwise – they are currently undergoing a review by the accreditation board – pray they pass The review was favorable!
• For us to be intentional about language practice especially conversation We have not had much time for language study but we have gotten much more practice.
• That we will find God’s direction for our future here and be sensitive to His leading
• Since we sent out this letter, one of our team mates had a new baby. It was a difficult experience as forst they were told the baby would not survive and then found out he is Down's Syndrome. Pray for them. Jaden (the baby boy) is still in hospital and his parents are still a little in shock.

Family News August-September

What’s happening with Brian?

    Brian will be going to Black Forest Academy in Germany! After struggling all last year with schooling issues we were at a loss to know where to go from here. Cheryl had a good look at the campus this summer and met some of the staff during her PBU courses there. BFA was our back-up plan if things did not go well here but it is more expensive and usually full. Plus, we enjoy having Brian around and did not want to send him away sooner than necessary. After talking things over with him and determining that he would be excited to go we took a chance and contacted BFA about 3 weeks before school started. We had done a lot of praying about it over the summer. They had one opening in Year 11!!! They were willing to work with us and about 4 days before he was supposed to be there we got word that he was accepted. Greg took him there and was able to meet with dorm parents and school staff. It is obvious to all of us that God opened the way for Brian. Please pray for all of us because this will be an adjustment and it will stretch us financially but we believe this is a great opportunity for Brian and the right choice for him.

Praises:

* Language exams  passed

* Received our 1 year visas (Lichni Karti) with no problems

* Safety in travel over the past 2 months

* Successful conference, SEND workers from 7 countries in south central Europe

* Brian’s schooling issues solved in God’s timing

* Relaxing vacation in the middle of a busy summer

Requests:

* UTF—school starts September--new students--extension program--new dean

* Pray that we will make more Bulgarian friends perhaps in our neighborhood

* Greg as he prepares to teach again

* Adjustment to Brian being away and that he will have a successful school year

* That we will be about doing the good works that God has already prepared for us here

Family News From MARCH Newsletter Updated April 1 Updated 5 May

        There have been some interesting highlights for Brian since the last letter. His school enjoyed a visit from a visiting artist who did a week’s workshop with the kids allowing them to experiment with various mediums. Then there was the fun of ski camp where we all enjoyed snow in a winter that had none. Lastly we all attended the SHARE conference in Budapest which for Brian was a week of visiting with friends old and new. This is a lifeline for missionary kids who are often isolated. He took a standardized test which placed him well above his grade level compared to other students in the USA. So it appears he is doing fine academically. We just completed the third marking period at SCA. Brian's class has been working on fitness this term and they each have a personal fitness program two mornings a week and they play soccer regularly with a group of kids and dads. He is helping guide a group from the USA this week. They came to do a camp for Agape. Now we are nearly at he end of school. We have about 4 more weeks. Brian has worked pretty hard all year so he can be proud. We are praying about choices for school next year.

    Charis’s work with tiny Chinese children keeps her busy and involved in the international community in Philadelphia. She is exploring various ministry opportunities with her church including music and small group. Charis wants to have more time for ministry so she is considering a job change again. Please pray the right situation comes up for her. The job at the community center is now finished and Charis is looking for a different job. She has a few leads for being a nanny.

   After a month leave, Matt is back in California. He is definitely glad to be out of Iraq. He is now “Corporal.” Pray that he will settle into the routine of life on the base and that he will not neglect his spiritual life. Matt bought another motorcycle after the last one was stolen and is enjoying riding in the California sun when he has free time. He also likes to go to bike shows with friends.

   Cheryl and Greg are back at language study. Greg hopes to take the Level Two exam before the end of March, but it can be a bit “scary”!  Cheryl continues with the Agape Lunch program at UTF, and teaching 2 days a week at SCA.  Pray also for team vision and planning for the future.  As mentioned, we are already looking at second term possibilities in the city of Varna, organizing/teaching in the UTF Extension program, discipling pastors, and perhaps some work in Moldova.  Greg has still not taken the test but soon!!! One of our team mates took it and did not pass so that caused us to delay and study more!  We had a visit last week from the SEND security officer. It was interesting. He has a lot of experience from working with the police and FBI. HE is trying to help us with emergency escape plans and so forth.    We have had some busy weeks full of team meetings, a bridal shower and preparation for teaching.

Praises:

* We had a good team retreat and a good beginning to building trust and team work. We have recently had more team meetings and worked to write some team mission statements and talk about current and future plans including recruiting. Our director was able to listen in and give input via SKYPE.

* We traveled safely to Budapest for the SHARE education conference. We went two days early and enjoyed a mini break in that beautiful city.

* Greg celebrated 54 years of life on this planet on Sunday March 11.

* A hotel has been located for the SEND area conference in Bulgaria this August. Plans are coming together for that. A church in Texas is sending a team to minister to us.

* For faithful prayer and financial support from partners all around the globe. THANKS!

Requests:

* Pray for our neighbor that her heart would be open to her need for the Savior. She came to the craft outreach and now she will work as interpreter for a group coming to help orphans. She will hear a lot of Bible stories, and be around lots of Christians.

* Ask God to help Greg as he prepares to teach his course on New Testament. This is scheduled for the first weeks of May. This class is the 7th to the 12th and will finish in September.

* We are trying to decide if Cheryl should continue to pursue the Masters in International Education through PBU. It requires her to be in Germany for three weeks this summer but they have offered a scholarship. She has decided to go for it. Now please pray she can get the books and find cheap transportation to the Black Forest Academy.

* Holy Trinity Church in Sofia is preparing a special presentation for Easter. Our language helper is in it and our neighbor is going with us to see it. Pray for the people that will be invited to respond to the message of salvation. We do not know what God is doing in peoples hearts who came to see this prsentation but we know that because of it a new ministry has begun. The Bulgarians have taken the challenge to develop a mime team themselves.

* Pray for the students at the Bible school as they work through several weeks of intensive courses.

They made it through and they now have a week of exams and a weeks break. We are nearing the end of the school year for them as well. The Agape lunch continues to be a blessing. Pray they all finish their course work and do well on their exams. Also pray for the new students God will send.

* We are in the process of voting for a new area director. Pray that the right man will be chosen to lead us. Praise God that we now have a new director! Dr. Gary Griffith will take over the post beginning in August.