A Time of Encouragement and Refreshment to Others - Those Traveling Legs!

April has come and gone, with the Easter celebration, and the University students soon to be leaving for home for the summer. A few opportunities I have this summer is doing a bible study for those girls who will be staying thru September doing their masters. Also both Bob and I are developing a ministry discipleship class for 3 months to people in our church body who desire to be more effective in ministry. This reminds me of that scripture found in Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." So we are excited to work hand in hand and teach them many things.

It's time once again to plant for my summer flowers. As I dig up those weeds and give food to my roses, I am reminded of God's faithfulness as the great Gardener. He tends to our hearts, His great love never ceases, and His mercies are new every morning. He delights to feed us from His Word while pruning back the deadwood from our hearts to make us His well watered garden for His good pleasure.

Both Bob and I have had wonderful opportunities this month to share God's Word with others, while seeing a little bit of the England countryside. We both spoke at a conference in Bradford in northern part of England, in which we were blessed to meet such lovely people. Getting close to Scotland, we could really pick up a different dialect, so this kept us on our toes listening intently to their conversation. The theme for the weekend was "Contending Earnestly for the Faith." Then after speaking, we traveled to the "Lake District" for a short time of R&R, visiting Beatrice Potter's home, then back home.

This past weekend, I got to travel to Germany to speak at a ladies' retreat for the Herborn Calvary Chapel. It was such a delight to meet and be with those ladies as we looked into God's Word on "Being Imitators of Christ" and how important it is for our lives to be an example of Christ in all we say and do. We studied quite intently from the scripture found in 1 Corinthians 11:1 and the ladies were encouraged and blessed. Ephesians 5:1 " Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, as a fragrance offering and sacrifice to God."

So now as I am on my way home, looking out through these train windows at the landscape here in sunny Devon of green pasturelands, wild bluebells coming up in the fields, and the baby lambs laying by their mums in sweet contentment, I can't help but reflect upon the amazing goodness, love and beauty God shows to all of us each and everyday just to enjoy. Truly what a blessing of God's sweet creation.

Summer will soon be here, company's a coming, and looking forward to bringing forth once again my hospitality skills. We just hosted a lovely couple from Arizona as they were passing through. What servant's hearts they had and truly refreshed our souls in serving along side us for a few days at both our Exeter and Wotter church. Thank you for your prayers, as always our heats are blessed, touched, and encouraged by your abundant love to us. 

Here's how you can pray for us:
--- larger venue for Exeter church by September, near the University
--- balance between ministry time and family time
--- health and strength to continue ministering to these two churches
--- safety on these roads this summer
--- assistant pastor to help Bob in the ministry here
--- evangelism opportunities for both church congregations