Day 5

  

We woke up day 5 to a beautiful Arizona morning.  Our friendly cheerful host family treated us breakfast and good conversation.  We discovered the amazing things they are doing for the Lord.  Being a missionary means that you are following the mission that was given to us, "Go make disciples" and Jesus taught us to love God and to love others.  SO no matter what you do, in doing so you are either a local missionary or a foreign missionary.  The amazing work they are doing in counseling and helping others is radically changing lives.  They don't get much credit for what they do, but they are not doing it for that. As Jesus has set them free, they want to share that and free others.

Or our 2 hour trip to ur next stop, we met a man traveling across the US doing work that pays for his missions to Nicaragua.  When Mark was 20 he spent a month at an orphanage in Nicaragua.  So they had much to talk about.  After exchanging hugs and information, we were on our way, and we had a new friend.

Entering into the quint hidden city of Prescott, AZ, it is quite majestic.  It was exciting to meet up with our old youth pastor and his wife, who helped us become who we are spiritually. Not only were we very encouraged by them, we were able to go out to dinner and minister together to a hurting couple and to pray for others.  Singing old youth group songs together before heading to bed, topped off our blessing of a day snuggled in warm cozy jammies and blankets. 

Day 4

Moving on to the next stop is hard and the goodbyes are heartfelt and filled with love. There are very few new things that happen to you the older you get, and a humbling one took place on this day. We gave four stuffed animals to the family when we arrived, and when we left the boys had a surprise for us. On their own they gave us their own “Lovey”(stuffed animal) and some for children in there Philippines. That was a first, and a boost of love fuel. As we were walking to Zakita (the name we gave our car) we saw what we felt. In the cool breeze of a sunny day stood a 15 foot blossoming tree that was surrounded and filled with small delicate dancing butterflies. Hundreds of them delighted in the moment, displaying perfectly how we felt. These are the moments that I get a hint of heaven. Yes, a splinter in the forest of His goodness and truth but a splinter none the less. Leaving that moment led us directly to another two and a half hours later we were connected with family that received us with elated concern, love, and generosity. The evening was filled with fellowship memories and stories of God’s goodness. What a blessing, what an amazing work God can do.    

Day 3

Tucson Arizona...we meet up with a friend of ours that was once upon a long time ago, one of our students when we were youth pastoring 25 years ago. She is now married with three boys. This amazing family made us feel right at home with a wonderful greeting and love. We attended church with them and were able to speak a little about the Philippines to their Sunday school class where we saw her use here amazing teaching skills to teach her class. Then were blessed to hear a message at the service. Later we were taught the local technique of blending in with the beautiful native surroundings. What a wonderful work God is doing in this precious family. 

DAY 2

Said good-by to Texas today. 12 hrs driving, 11 people greeted, 10 looks a looking, 9 horns a honking, 8 restroom runs, 7 albums played, 6 flat road kills past, 5 gas pump stops, 4 stuffed animals given, 3 cups coffee,  2 stops at Walmat,  and 1 recovering patient.

Highlights: Hello and good-by to NewMexico  

Woke up to 50 people going dove hunting

Met a sweet lady with one grand child that lives near her, and gave a stuffed animal to give

We met a couple making the opposite trip and gave us tips on our trip

Talked to people when we stopped and answered questions about the car and about "Zoe" Life

Drove though a beautiful sunset in the mountains as we entered Arizona.  

Greeted by our wonderful host family and gave away 3 more stuffed animals.  

Encouraged by stories and conversation. 

 Then crashed hard for the night.

Coming soon:  Day 3   ....  stay tuned ...

Zoe 2 the World!!!

Well to wrap up our time in Texas after multiple doctor appointments, tests, MRIs, 2 procedures and 3 surgeries,  5 incisions, and many wonderful visits with friends, we WRAPPED our car that was given to us.  When SignMasters told us they could design anything that we could imagine, we were excited and begin to dream what would be fun and draw attention so that people may approach us and ask us "What is Zoe?" And it would give us an open opportunity to explain that it means Overflowing and abundant life in Christ and lead into conversations about life and Jesus.  We have had multiple opportunities already to have this very conversation and we haven't even started our big road trip.  God is so good!  So as soon as Mark is released from his day surgery today, we will start the first leg of our trip.  Stay tuned....

A Letter to You...

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you for your prayers and your support over the past 12 years. We are currently in Tyler, Texas on sabbatical after finishing our goals and vision in the Philippines. Before we left the Philippines to come to the United States, our house was destroyed by fire along with several in our village. All of our personal belongings, including personal mementos from our families and trips, songs that have been written, diaries and other deep personal things were destroyed. So all of our mementos and our belongings are gone. Mark’s injuries have been adding up and need to be taken care of. He was building a playground for an orphanage and a large rock fell on his neck some years ago. The end of 2014 he was heading up into the mountains for a outreach to a rural village with bibles for distribution and had a motorcycle accident and was seriously injured. We have now come back to the United States for medical care, healing, recovery, and planning the next step of our ministry. 

Mark is working with Dr. David Carney, an orthopedic surgeon in Tyler, Texas and just had a knee arthroscopy that they corrected a few things. Dr. Charles Gordon, a neurosurgeon at Precision Spine Care in Tyler is evaluating of some of Mark’s health problems as a result of a neck injury. We are also working with Dr Charles Fries a Christian counselor, who is helping us debrief and transition to this new season in our life.

While navigating this season here in the U.S. we have good news, the ministry in the Philippines continues.  The rebuilding of the 9 houses that burned down has continued, bible studies, preaching, youth ministry, and the activity area continues to be open daily.  We are in contact every other day and still supporting families, students, and ministries that we have raised up. There is even reports of spiritual great-grand children now. God is amazing.

We are asking for your prayers for healing, for guidance of those who are medically treating us and helping us to recover, and that God would grant us wisdom and direction. So please consider on going financial support for the ministries in the Philippines and our medical expenses and state side expenses. After all of that is done, what is next? We want to visit churches, sponsors, and supporters and continue to support the work that you have helped start in the Philippines. After that we will see, but only as we walk through this next door. Please keep us in your prayers and we appreciate your kind and helpful support. Thank you for your amazing love during this time.

Love and blessings to you all,

Mark, Patti and Bekah

903-258-1383

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

  

Don't give up! Love never fails.