Encountering God

     Starting next week we start a new bible study series on the mission of Students International. "Bringing students and the poor together cross-culturally to encounter God, share the Good News, disciple and serve others in occupational ministries". We will be breaking into 6 different weeks, beginning the first week with "Experiencing God". Thinking about that, how have I encountered God in my life? Many ways, would be my answer. I do have to admit though that sometimes when I experience Him, it is not in a happy way. There are times that our experiences are really hard to go through and those are some of the times that we need Him the most. At the same time, when we finally admit that He is the only way that we can get through those times, He is so alive and close to us. I am looking forward to digging into these studies being led by our staff spiritual director, Fernando Gonzales.
   We all continue to be doing good overall. We will be heading back to Indiana next Thursday the 19th for a 12 day visit. At first it was, what will we do for 12 days? Now it is, WOW, there is no way that we are going to get to see everyone we want to in just 12 days. So I will apologize now to those of you that we don't get to. It's not that we don't want to, but......  Janae and Karen have already been working on their "Walmart" list, as I have a Menards list of my own.
     Marcy and Janae are enjoying their school a lot. Doulos is a great fit for both of them. Marcy is a lot like her day. SHE LOVES SCHOOL!!!!!!! She just struggles with the classes. Recess, lunch, and gym all went great. She is doing OK though. One thing Marcy is looking forward to when we go back is, going to "the talk doctor." Dr Gerald Wengard in Goshen was one of her favorite places to go and so we will make a couple of trips to see him while we are back.
       We enjoyed having Bev Hooley and Kris Bontrager here with us for a week as they helped with the base garage sale. If you see either one of them you need to ask them about it. Quite an experience it was. The things on the garage sale were mostly from teams that had been here in the last year and left clothes back for us. We then have a Pulga (garage sale) with the funds going towards our fall beach trip each year with the staff. It is fun, but yet it is a bit different here as a garage sale in the DR is a contact sport. We contemplated having an ambulance on standby, but opted not too. We actually did have a pair of hand cuffs this year at the sale. I am still unclear if they got sold, or got used during one of the scuffles.
     Not sure when my next post will be but most likely, not until after we get back on Oct 2nd. Thanks for all the prayers and support that you send our way. It is just one more huge way that we "Encounter God" here in the DR. Mike for the family.