Thanksgiving is just around the
corner. After leaving Wichita, we spent a few days in Topeka, Kansas at the
home of Jon and Priscilla Sapp. The Sapps so graciously allowed us to stay in
their home while they were gone for the weekend, but before they left, we
enjoyed an evening with them catching up on and sharing what God is doing in
both of our worlds, and eating some amazing barbecue. Thanks Jon and Priscilla!
On Sunday, we spoke at Covenant Baptist Church, and once
again enjoyed sharing God’s story. The people of Covenant were so gracious and
genuinely interested in what God is doing at New Day. While there, we were
presented with a check for $1,100 that the children of Covenant had raised. It
all started with the Covenant children raising about $200 during their summer
VBS program, which is not a normal program, but one in which the children learn
various skills, crafts, etc., but always with a Biblical focus. However, one little girl, Lily was not satisfied
with that amount that the children raised.
A plan began to form in her mind, and she came up with a plan to raise
money through a special garage sale where the children made things that they
had learned through this special VBS program. There were, if I remember
correctly, seven children involved. The children even passed out business cards
for the orphanage that they had made themselves. The garage sale brought them
to $1,000. In addition, a Topeka newspaper gave the additional $100 when Lily was
featured as their Sunflower hero. She asked her mother, “Why do they think I’m
a hero?” She was just doing what she thought was right.
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| Duane Dale, Covenant Baptist Church tells us the story of how the children raised money for New Day. |
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| Lily, on the far left, and the children from Covenant Baptist Church presented us with this check. What a blessing! |
Wes sister and husband, Karole and Tuffy Dodd, and Wes’
niece, Michelle, husband Ryan and their children Makayla and Gabe came to hear
us speak. It is always nice to have the support and interest of family. Thanks for driving down to see us!
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| Wes' niece, Michelle, and her son, Gabe, came with other family members to hear us speak. |
After leaving Covenant we made an unplanned trip back to NE
so Wes could go to the dentist. He had been suffering for weeks with what he
thought was an earache, but finally we decided that perhaps it was a problem
with his tooth. I think it was actually my dad’s fault because he had prayed we
would be able to come home for a few days since we were so close. Thanks
Dad!
Wes ended up having a root canal, but at the same time, made
a new contact with his dentist. God uses all sorts of situations to bring us
into contact with people who are interested in what is happening at New Day.
As I write this, we are on our way to Bolivar, Mo to meet
with a group of students at Southwest Baptist University. We will then go to
Carthage, MO, where we will stay with Wes’ mom until Thanksgiving. Sorry I don't have more pictures. I keep forgetting to carry my camera.
Okay, let me figure it out. We have now slept in 15 beds,
been in 5 states and eaten out 32 times that we can remember. Oh, and I can’t
count the number of times we’ve stopped for coffee at all the Casey-type gas
stations.
