FEBRUARY 2006

First, a little background. In August 2005, we traveled to Fort Hood, Texas and visited the Texas Military Family Foundation. Then, with Director Julie Curtis-Win and other volunteers, we attended the first of two flights of deploying troops leaving that day. We helped distribute gift bags and donated 156 books (3 boxes) to the TMFF building at Ft Hood.

The deployment was astonishing in so many ways, because mainly because we were allowed to participate in the hospitality and TLC that Julie and others had arranged for the departing troops. And Stayton and I both thought that it would be an amazing blessing if we could donate our book, Day By Day The Jesus Way, to future deploying troops, as our gift to them.

Also, we realized that the September 2005 second printing of the book - with its reduced type size and reduced white space - would be ideal for mobile troops because it would fit so much better in their large pockets!

At the deployment we met Chaplain Crews and Chaplain Graves, and told them of our interest in donating more. Then on the day before we flew to Greece - 12 September 2005 - we received 50 of the newly printed 2nd edition from the printer. And we mailed two of them to Chaplain Crews, with a letter saying we wanted to get them approved to donate to deploying troops. Then, off we went for 2 ½ months.

In January 2006, with feet back on the ground, we reconnected with Chaplain Crews, and he referred me to the Installation Chaplain - Chaplain Brewster - who has responsibility for the entire garrison. So I sent two copies of Day by Day to the Installation Chaplain's office, with a letter explaining our desire to donate. That brings me up to today!

Around 10am on the morning of 1 February, Installation Deputy Chaplain Tidball called and said they had received the books, and I just held my breath! Remember, it's been a long time since I started this and I have a lot of hopes! Anyway, Chaplain Tidball says he'd read the book last night, and liked it. And both he and Chaplain Brewster thought it would be good to give to the troops. I begin to feel myself almost floating with delight, and tell him how wonderful that news is. 'How many can you use?', I ask. And he says, 'Well, we have some 3000 troops here. And whatever we get, we will distribute proportionately among the units. And then we'd like to ship them to Iraq and Afghanistan and Bosnia.'

You've heard the phrase 'wept for joy'. Well, I'm telling you, that's what I did! As soon as I hung up, I just cried and cried and cried. And Stayton teared up too! What a blessing, and how amazingly above and beyond any of my hopes and expectations!!! To think that God intends such a wide distribution is gratifying at a level I can't even adequately describe.

Our second printing was for 4000 books, and all but a few hundred will go to Fort Hood on 13 February. Chaplains Brewster and Tidball will work out a distribution plan, and will let us know if and when they need more books.

Later, when we had a celebration lunch with our friend Brett Mosher, I said, 'How is it that we can be continually surprised by God?' I mean, shouldn't we know by now that there is nothing he can't and won't do, when it fits in with his plan to reach people with the Good News? How thankful I am that he's using this book. I am just tingly and floating - and profoundly grateful.

FALL 2005

We're in Athens, Greece this fall, for a 3-month stint working with Muslim refugees and children from all over the globe. It's work we love and people we love - a great fit! We're staying in the flat we had several years ago, which is delightful. And we have great flat-mates: an Afghan mom and her teenage son!

The trip to the Athens Refugee Center downtown is by bus, then metro, then walking - about 1 1/2 hours each way. The Athens area has 5 million people, so there are always lots of interesting sights and sounds along the way.

SPRING 2005

Home is great!!! And we are enjoying this time with friends and family as a peaceful break from traveling. We are using our time to catch up on projects, talk to individuals and organizations about the book, love on grandkids, and connect with friends - both old and new.

Usually we're away at this time of the year, so we are soaking in the green plants emerging, the flowering bushes and trees, and the great weather - just the whole "dress up" that God plays every year at the time!

Once a week, we are meeting with a small group, as we read together Max Lucado's great book, "It's Not About Me!" Like everything Lucado writes, "It's Not About Me" is straight-talking, humorous, and thought-provoking. Just a think little volume, but packed with ideas to tickel and inspire both heart and mind! We enthusiastically recommend it.

JANUARY 2005

After several months in Athens, Greece, we are home at last!

Athens, as always, was a whirlwind of personalities, cultures, and activities. Lots of excitement, lots of work, and a dash or two of tiredness and frustration thrown in. And of course, there were occasional heavy doses of home-sickness, as usual. But it was clear to see why God has us there this time - and that's always good to know.

On previous trips, we've been involved in teaching English to refugees from the Middle East. We love this work, because it gives us an opportunity to talk with them about the things that matter to us, and to them. This time, we taught English to several men from Afghanistan. They were so hungry for learning and obviously enjoyed the attention from a couple of old Texans!

We also worked quite a bit with a small school for non-Greek children, with students from all over the globe. Albania, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Afghanistan - these are a few of the countries represented. Some have been in Greece since birth, because their parents came from their countries for domestic work. Others have been here just a year or so, learning English for the first time.

One thing they all have in common: they are being taught in English, which is not their mother tongue. An amazing effort, really, by all concerned!

One student in particular, a recent refugee from Afghanistan, captured our hearts. This young man is 16 and began learning English at the Athens Refugee Center last year. Then in September he came to the school, after many years away from a classroom. He is a delight to be around, and it was a true pleasure to know him.

On the home front, we've had a very productive time distributing our book Day By Day The Jesus Way. Several organizations, including Prison Fellowship and Teen Challenge, are using the book. And we will continue to donate as long as they find it helpful.

SUMMER 2004

This Spring, we had the opportunity to speak with a number of churches and organizations that are reaching out to "pre-christians" and those who want to learn more about their faith. And we believe that God was with us in this, because the opportunities flowed naturally, without our having to press or push.

When we speak to people, we find they are curious about us and how we met Jesus after years of not knowing. They want to know about our volunteer missions work and about the people we meet as we travel. And of course, we are delighted to oblige!

In Utah, we visited with a Presbyterian church committed to meeting the needs of unchurched people and those wanting to learn more about Jesus. In one group of people interested in "beginnings", we met people of all ages, at all stages of faith -- with one thing in common. They wanted to meet, ask questions, be heard, as they explored Christianity and what it means in their lives. Of course, there are our kind of folks! So we had a wonderful time in Utah, first speaking to the church during their Sunday service, then spending a rich time with the inquirers.

When we traveled to Colorado, we had the privilege of visiting the Denver Rescue Mission and learning about their ministry. Founded in 1892, the Mission has dedicated itself to the homeless and to those who want to salvage their lives from the ruins of drugs and alcohol. And what they're accomplishing is truly a miracle. They prove that a mission for God -- that is WELL MANAGED -- can do great things in the lives of staff and client alike. So we are honored to be a small part of their work, by donating books to them.

To learn more about the Denver Rescue Mission, check out their website at

http://www.denverrescuemission.com

SEPTEMBER 2003

In many parts of the world, September signals crisp breezes, crackly leaves, and the smell of fall. But not in Texas. Here, it means more 90+ temperatures, shorts and swim suits still, and parents sighing relief at the sound of school bells. Welcome to our world!

This website is new, so we are excited to hear from our visitors. Tell us where you're from, and what September is like there. And we'll be grateful if there are some cool breezes somewhere in your description.

Normally, September would be a time of planning for our next overseas mission, with departures usually in late September or early October. But this year is different, and it's because God has been quite specific about what he wants us to do. And that is, to launch our book marketing campaign.

So for the next few months, we will be visiting churches, groups, and bookstores to talk about Day By Day The Jesus Way. Our goal is to distribute this book as widely as it deserves. That means selling - but more of our attention will be on donating books to groups who can put it to good use. Most of you know that all profits from sales will be dedicated to missions and evangelizing projects in the U.S. and worldwide. So we are quite sure that God wants us out there, telling people about the book AND about him!

This September will also be special, because we'll be approaching our 10 year "birthdays" as Christians. And because of that, we'll be reveiwing our journals and experiences over the past five years, to remind ourselves about what God has been doing in our lives. Look for more info as we work our way through the past.