Finishing Up Deputation!

Since the beginning of August, we have been very busy visiting churches while making plans for our departure for England.  God has been working in mighty ways to open the door for us to go to England.  Two days ago we received an email telling us that our visas have been issued! Praise the Lord!  Lord willing, on September 14, we will be having our Commissioning Service at Mamre Baptist Church at 7:00 pm.  Bro. Scott Pauley and Bro. Don Ball will be preaching.  There will be a reception to follow.  If you would like to come and need any further information, our email address is: jm4england@hotmail.com.
We have purchased plane tickets and are planning to leave on September 27th for England! Please pray for our safety as we travel and that God will help us as we adjust to a new country and culture.

In the past month we were in Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia!  We praise the Lord for every opportunity we have had to share our mission work with churches around this country!

Chesapeake, VA

Lebanon, MO

Russellville, Arkansas

 We went back to Russellville to visit with some of Jonathan's family.  It was a blessing to see them again and to spend a little more time getting to know them.  We shared our work at Bible Baptist Church, which was started and is still pastored by Jonathan's uncle, Ron Kauffman.  We are so grateful for the family God has given us!  It  is a blessing to have so many faithful people praying for us every week.

Pastor Kauffman

Mrs. Carol Kauffman

The Kauffman Family 

Fort Smith, Arkansas

We were blessed with the opportunity to share our work in a Spanish-speaking church in Arkansas: Iglesia Bautista Biblica Fundamental.  The O'Briens started this church a couple of years ago.  We had a great time of fellowship and were encouraged to see how the Lord is working in their church.  Jonathan preached and Pastor O'Brien "interrupted" for him.  It was a new experience for Jonathan, but he did a great job!

Pastor O'Brien interpreting for Jonathan.

They just recently started their church choir!  What a blessing!!

Some of the children from the church.

Mrs. O'Brien plays the piano for the services.

We sang "Cuan Gran Es El" (How Great Thou Art) during the evening service.  

Lebanon, Ohio

Our last meeting in June was at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon, Ohio.  We were grateful for the opportunity to share our burden and meet some more great people who are not too far from our home.

Bro. Rick Ross led the singing.  He is a graduate of Crown College.  He and his wife finished just before we came to college.

Pastor Ross

        

Indianapolis, Indiana

At the end of June we were able to be a part of the Faith Promise Missions month at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Each service in the month of June they invite missionaries to come and share their ministry with the church and make it a month-long emphasis.  We were grateful to be a part of this missions emphasis month!

Pastor Daniel Tidd

A ladies' ensemble sang a special in the evening service.

Las Vegas, Nevada

We spent a week in Las Vegas, Nevada with Liberty Baptist Church.  They held their annual world missions conference during the month of June.  While here, we had the opportunity to go door to door soul winning two times!  It was incredibly hot, but most people were receptive and we were able to share the Gospel and invite many people to church.  

The Lord used this church to be a special blessing to all of the missionary families.  On Thursday evening they had "Christmas in June."  Earlier in the year they asked us to send a list of things we may need or just want!  We were overwhelmed by the generosity and love this church family has shown to us!  

Pastor Dave Teis

Pastor Matt Teis introduced all of the missionaries and moderated Christmas in June.

The combined adult and youth choir special song was a blessing to us!

We shared our burden for England with the Teen Sunday School class Sunday morning.  They did a chopstick-chapstick challenge.  Only two people were able to complete the chapstick tower in one minute.

Unbelievable!!!

On Saturday evening, Pastor Teis hosted a cookout at his home for all of the missionary families and church staff!  What a great time of fellowship and time to get to know everyone a little better.  

A double duet! (At least I think that is what you would call it?  Two pianos, four pianists.)

The Sullivans were our host family for the week!  We went to school at Crown with Zach and hadn't seen him since our wedding!  We had a great time catching up with them.  

Heading back east.  Hopefully we'll get to "England" soon!!

~Lindsay

Flagstaff, Arizona

From Arizona City, we travelled up to Flagstaff to be in the Sunday evening service with Ponderosa Baptist Church.  It was quite a change from the desert in the south to the mountains in the north!  We went from 98 degrees to 70 in just three hours!  Ponderosa is also a young church plant.  They have just moved into a new building.  They have a beautiful sanctuary and in a good location.

Pastor Joshua Gregg

There was a retired pastor visiting who sang a special during the service.  He travels around with his wife and they minister in churches throughout the western states.  

Before we left town, we took a little trip up to the Grand Canyon, which was about an hour and a half from our hotel!  We enjoyed viewing God's wonderful creation on this trip out west!

TOO close to the edge for me!

Just outside of Flagstaff

~Lindsay