News from the Persons

Again the Persons have been off line way too long! Not sure we will be number one bloggers.

This past year has been packed with many miles of travel, changes and decisions. The biggest change was, which most of you know, we retired on August 31, 2013 from the General Board of Global Ministries as full time missionaries. We completed 35 years in Congo.

Here's what's been happening over the past year...

January – March 2013

We travelled and visited many of you on the West Coast and Hawaii starting in Washington. During our stay in Seattle, David officiated the wedding for Andrew and Judy. The event took place on a beautiful old ferry boat. It was great to celebrate with the whole family. We were glad to visit so many of our churches and spend time with you. Also to enjoy the beauty of the west coast and Hawaii.

April – May

We travelled east to Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia and a meeting with the Board in New York.

June – July

At the end of our travels, Lori came down pneumonia which delayed our return to Congo until the end of July.  One huge bonus in the delay was being present for our second grandchild, Cora, of proud parents Jeff and Michelle.

August

We were able to arrive in Congo in time to celebrate the Seminary’s graduation for 18 pastors and their wives. As always, it is a miracle to have these students complete their studies.

In August, the Seminary welcomed the Kafakumba Pastors School. We had 123 pastors plus wives and children. This is a yearly program like the Conference Course of Study bringing in lay pastors for 4-6 weeks a year.  These men and women mostly serve in rural areas. This always entails a big cooking effort -- like 460 wood oven backed rolls every day and a lot of meals over charcoal! Many of our Seminary staff were faculty for this program as are also the directors of the Kafakumba Pastors School who are past graduates of our institution! 

It's such a blessing to see them continue to fulfil their calls in ministry. Thirty-eight pastors graduated this year from the program and will be ordained by their Annual Conferences. One of the graduates has taken 15 years to complete the 8-year program.  His determination and commitment to completing this through trials of the war in Congo and problems of travel was so inspiring. His call to be a pastor was something he would not give up!

September – November

Mulungwishi also hosted two Volunteer in Mission teams from the States. We were excited by the vision and project to use e-readers for the schools of Mulungwishi. They started with elementary and secondary school teachers to have a Kindle. Now, we are working towards our seminar students having a theological library on a Kindle.  The Second team was involved in drilling water well, working with downs syndrome children and consulting. 

At the same time, the new academic year for the Seminary started and we continued teaching our courses, then returned to the States in mid-December. Since then...

Mid-December – January 2014

Celebrated Christmas with the family and did some settling in our home in Lakewood, CO. It was so special to have this time with the grandkids!

February – mid-March

Travels again to churches in the east and mid-west in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, New Mexico and Texas. After much prayer and sharing with our Congo Bishop and the church, we will be returning to Congo as Volunteers in Mission for several months each year. With this change, we attended the VIM training on St. Simons Island early in February. It was a great experience and good fellowship.

Bless you for continued Seminary support

We remain so thankful to you who have continued to support the Seminary. It is still important to stand with the Church in Congo and help develop the leadership.  We plan to return to Congo the last week of April. We covet your prayers for us as we prepare to return.