One Month Down

We have finished the first month of our time in the states. It is going too fast, and yet not fast enough as we really miss our New Day family. However, we are also enjoying seeing friends and family and meeting lots of new people. It is always a joy to share the story of what God is doing at New Day. Every time we talk about the kids at New Day, we can't help but miss them.

We are now in our 5th state (Kansas) and have slept in 13 beds. We have shared in 5 churches but with lots of others in between. God is giving us great opportunities all along the way to tell the story of New Day. We even stopped for a restroom break at a little craft shop and left some information when we found out that the owner's son is a pastor and recently took a mission's trip to Zimbabwe. We don't have pictures of everyone (we often forget the camera), but below are a few pictures of the people we have met and the places we have been. 

We returned to Cleveland, TX a second time to speak at First Baptist Church. Once again, Mark and Beth Cameron so graciously hosted us. A few friends from the past dropped over to say hello while we were there.

Left to right: Brenda Cherry, Beth Cameron, Laurie and Martha Bounds

Left to right: Wes, Andy Cherry, Craig Bounds, and Mark Cameron. Always fun to see old friends--no pun intended!

Wes preached at First Baptist in the a.m. service, and we shared about New Day in the evening. We had a great response, and we look forward to a team coming to work with us in 2014. Laurie's aunt and uncle from Willis even came up to hear about New Day.

Thanks Uncle Norman and Aunt Elna for coming to hear us speak!

After leaving Cleveland, we headed to Temple, TX where we spent a few days with Darbi's parents, Ron and Dee Winsman. We had a very nice time in Temple and heard lots of fun stories about Darbi's growing up years. While we were there, we were able to visit with several of our ministry partners who have recently been to Zambia. We also met Carolyn's parents (one of our volunteer teacher's at New Day.) Sorry, this was one of those times I forgot to take pictures. 

Our next stop was Amarillo, TX where we shared with the Coulter Road Baptist Church family. We have been partnering with this church for years and look forward to continued ministry together. Once again the church family made us feel so welcome and loved!

 Bob and Debra Perry, as usual, spoiled us rotten while we were in Amarillo.

Mike and his little boy Avery, have been praying for us for years. 

Had a great meal at a Japanese restaurant in Amarillo.

While in Amarillo, we were able to visit with Steve and Shirley Taylor who now live in Borger, TX. We first met the Taylors when we were missionaries in Zimbabwe back in 1991. They helped us get settled in Zimbabwe and we also ministered together with them later in Zambia. 

Also had a nice visit with the Taylor's daughter, McKelvey, and husband Trent. We first met McKelvey when she was just a baby. 

I'm writing this blog from Wichita, KS where we are staying at the Holiday Inn. Although we are thoroughly enjoying our travels, some rest is needed as I'm noticing some dark circles under my eyes. I actually slept in this morning, which is something I rarely do. 

Orphan Sunday

This past Sunday we spoke at Coulter Road Baptist Church in Amarillo, TX. It just happened to be national Orphan Sunday. After the first service a woman came up to our table with her son. He was probably about 5 or 6 years old. His name was Billy. His mother said, "Billy has some money he wants to give to New Day." Then she turned to him and asked him, "Do you want to tell them why you are giving this money?" Billy's eyes were filled with tears and he huddled close to his mother with his head down. When he did not speak, his mother told us that Billy's dad died just died recently. Billy was very touched by the stories of the children at New Day. He felt a bond with them because, like him, they too had lost their fathers. He understood their pain. He handed me $40. What a big sacrifice for such a little boy. 

Billy smiles when we give him a New Day hat to wear. His mother is on the left, and  the pastor of Coulter Road Baptist Church, Chris Robeson on the right who is proudly wearing the African shirt we gave him last year.

When we share at churches, our goal is to touch the hearts of people to give so that New Day can minister to the orphans of Zambia, but to hear that we had touched the heart of this little boy, who himself just became an orphan, was probably the highlight of our day. Pray for Billy to feel God's comfort and to know that His heavenly Father loves him.