June Newsletter '09

Greetings,

June has been a busy month, but a good one. We found time to make a few trips to see friends and family, we had more jobs on the island than we had time, and we're right smack in the middle of team season.

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Teams: The Sent-ones from The Church

There are only one or two churches here which remind us of home, and more often than not lately we've longed for those old relationships and friendships that we had back in the US. Teams help bring that sense of connection.

CMA is blessed to have some fantastic churches partnering with us on the mission of bringing training to the Caribbean. This June we've had 3 great teams and they have kept us extremely busy. From roofing to demolition we've worked on buildings, the village clinic, homes, and churches.

Teams are an enormous blessing to this ministry and to us, and we've cherished their fellowship for the week that they've been here. I tell them at team orientation that my favorite day is also my least favorite, which is their last day here: because its when I finally know them the best, but also when they have to leave. We thank God for the relationships He gives us through teams.

See pictures and read more about the Score YOM Texas Team
See pictures and read more about the Roswell Community Team
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Trips for Family and Friends

Emily and I had two unexpected trips back to the US this past month. Mine finished in early June, but began back in May as I traveled to PA to see our good friends Matt and Sukey Lynskey. The Lynskeys became our best friends back in seminary at Dallas, and they are now commissioned to leave for Tanzania as missionaries in the middle of July. This trip was my "farewell" trip - I just had to see them once more before they left.

Emily's trip was somewhat spur of the moment as well, as her family was gathering at her Aunt and Uncle's home in NC. She and Micah traveled to spend a week with them and enjoy their company while taking a break from the day to day here on Eleuthera.

We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family, and honestly there is no replacing them in our lives. Such relationships make easy decisions for plane tickets - and we give thanks for the safe travel and the wonderful fellowship we've been given.

See pictures and read more about Ryan's Trip to see the Lynskeys
See pictures and read more about Emily's Trip to see Family
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Update
This month Mike and Shannan Fastzkie (and their girls) have joined us on the mission field here in Eleuthera. We are enjoying our time with them and their added expertise and helping hands are much welcome to the ministry. We are currently in a stage of transition as Brad and Alicia Fox are moving to Freeport to lead the Bible Institute and ministry there, while Emily and I will be taking over on our end here.

Micah and Tag are doing great. Micah looks ever cuter in his outfits and he has become much more mischievous: learning how to get into EVERYTHING!

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Prayers and Praises
We praise God for our friends and family from FBC Frisco, Grace Church, and Our Saviors
Praise for added staff with the Fastzkies serving with us
Praise for our intern staff serving with us this summer
Praise for our friends and family that we got to visit this past month

Pray for the churches in Eleuthera, and steadfastness against the spreading "prosperity" gospel that is influencing many preachers
Pray for CMA that we might receive more workers: for our task is growing
Pray for the remaining teams this summer and their ministry to the island and to their own people
Please pray for Matt and Sukey and the many other missionaries who serve all across this planet, many with harder circumstances, much resistance, and little fruit

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Thank you for keeping up with us and our progress in ministry. We so value your prayers and support, and we would ask you to take a moment and pray for our journey and how you can play a part. To find out more CLICK HERE.