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October 2010
Dear Friends,
Long after visiting the Grand Canyon, my sister Darla continued to be in awe whenever she remembered its majesty. One day I mentioned Darla’s visit to the Canyon in front of her granddaughter. She then told me, “You can’t mention the word ‘Grand Canyon’ or Grammy will cry.” I did not understand why Darla was so touched until we actually visited it ourselves last month. It was truly amazing! Now I understand Darla’s tears.
We apologize for not writing sooner. So much has happened between teaching 150 juniors and seniors at camp in August to now. We embarked on a six week road trip from September 1 - October 14, which took us from Maryland through twenty States. We visited supporting churches, individual supporters, contacts, former co-workers from the Ivory Coast, college students from Hope Baptist Church, and family and friends that we have not seen in years. We thank all those who have opened up their homes to us. It was nice to see some of our own country as we made all of these visits. We have traveled to Africa and seen fascinating places as we traveled back and forth, but have only really been on the East coast of our own country. We thank God for the splendor and majesty of His creation here in the USA.
Finishing off the month of October and beginning the month of November, we are participating in seven missionary conferences of our supporting churches. It is great to share in the excitement of what others are doing around the world! We are also looking forward to visiting with many more of our faithful friends. We are so thankful that Steve’s sister, Rose, can get our mail and check on things for us as we travel.
A special thanks to those who have been praying for my mom and for those who have visited her. Since Mom has dementia, she does not even know who I am. (Has she also forgotten all the bad things I did growing up?) I am so thankful for all that my sister, Charlene, is doing for her. Please keep them both in your prayers.
I also want to thank those who prayed for the sons of my brother, Mark. In September his son Jeremiah gave a part of his liver to his newborn baby girl, McKenzie, for a liver transplant. They both are doing better. During the same time, his son Mark Jr. rushed his wife, Rachel, to the hospital. She is doing much better, but is still getting therapy at John’s Hopkins in Baltimore. Please continue to pray for both these families.
Oh, how I love fall! In West Africa we do not see the beauty of the leaves turning colors. While we are here, it gives us such joy knowing that the Bible Institute in San-Pedro is in session. Emmanuel is teaching with the help of two other pastors. They are presently teaching ‘Bibliology’, and the next course is ‘Evangelism of Muslims’. We are thankful that we have godly leaders who have a passion to train others.
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST: The presidential election in the Ivory Coast is scheduled for Sunday, October 31. As you pray for our mid-term elections here in the US, please pray for this election that it will be successful, without any misconduct in the polling, and bring an end the division within the country since 2002.
We thank you so much for your prayers!
Steve and Gayle
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