The final segment of our furlough was a weekend event, hosted by Hope Church, to bless, celebrate and connect with all of the churches foreign missionary partners. The event was called "Growing Further Weekend." This four day event was filled with a great deal of sharing, reconnecting, relaxing, and fun.
On Thursday evening we enjoyed a wonderful dinner served and cooked by our good friend Bruce Worth. Of course, we stuffed our selves with his incredible BBQ ribs and beef brisket. After the dinner the missionary partners had an enjoyable fellowship time with the Hope Church leadership team and elders. The High School ministry organized a hilarious time of games copying the game show "Minute To Win It." (This was the first time we had ever heard of this new game show. As to be expected our table (Warden's, Dunn's, and Ewing's) won the whole competition.
On Friday morning we experienced a really special time of fellowship with Pastor Stephen Kirk and each missionary partner. Each partner was asked to share how the Gospel is impeded in their culture. This lead to a 2 hour discussion and fascinating stories, facts, and cultural insights. It was amazing to hear how many of the same threads of fear based obedience, corruption, and animistic worldviews were underlying challenges in each culture represented. From Japan to Bolivia to India to Russia to the Islamic world God is at work doing mighty things amidst the pain and oppression.
On Saturday evening we enjoyed a another great evening of fellowship as the church was invited to enjoy the Niederman Farm. An outdoor farm "event" with activities for children, adults, grandparents and everyone in between. From pig races, to bonfires, and blow up jumping rings for kids it was truly a family affair.
Finally, we ended the conference with a Sunday morning service where we introduced ourselves and our ministries to the church congregation, (John also preached both services) and then spoke in various church community groups. (Once again we owe a special thank you to the Hope Church Kids ministry for their incredible party and generosity to our family. God has truly used you to bless and encourage our family.) It was a blessed morning as the fellowship with friends and the opportunity to share our heart with the church was a special encouragement. In the evening, to close the conference, we participated in a coffee house discussion where people had an opportunity to ask questions about our ministry and hear more about what our everyday work looks like.
The Growing Further weekend was a special blessing to our family and ministry. We left feeling very encouraged and ready to return and continue in the ministry God has laid upon our hearts. The weekend was a great opportunity to connect again with Hope Church and receive a tremendous amount of energy from supportive church friends and the other ministry partners laboring around the world. May God bless our friends in India, Japan, Russia, Mexico, and the Islamic World as they follow His calling and share the transforming message of the Bible to people in search of life, peace, and hope, all around the world.
Group picture of Growing Further Weekend Participants.
A special time of prayer with friend and Hope Church member Jim Kuhn.
John participating in a "Minute To Win It" game
Jennie mastered the M&M elevator game.
Our beautiful Ella even helped the team out by winning a game. Her parents were so proud!
Feeding the cows at Neiderman Farm
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