We had SUCH a great time seeing so many friends again!! You really made us feel loved, appreciated and missed! We miss you all too!!
THANK YOU for
* all the hugs and warm greetings, (Becki said she really misses those hugs!!)
* the fun we had catching up,
* the food, (Marker's, Bove's, Gager's, Lindsay's, Chief Hart and Carol, REALLY HOT Habeneros! - Jacob, XXXX BBQ Hot Sauce - Bill, and dinners with Carl, Gail, Brandon, Sarah and then our friend Tom)
* the chance for Becki to minister at the Ladies Spa Day,
* The chance to go to Gia's benefit - Gia's hair is longer than mine now!
The Youth Ablaze did a really great job that night - wow!
{Hey! We won a SCRAPBOOK! Now we have something to put all your cards into!! Yeah!}
* the chance for Ray to attend and minister at Celebrate Recovery, what a great group of people there!
* the painting work and the help with it - Thanks Mike!
* the times to sit and visit and remember and enjoy
* the hospitality (Bove's and P. Joe - and all the others who stopped by the house or the beach!)
* the golf - the youngsters (Jeff & Jacob) think they won but Carl & I are not sure of the scorekeeping! (rematch!)
For those who were not happy about the unusually warm weather - it was just for us - we REALLY enjoyed our brief but warm and relaxing visits to the beach!
Thank you so so much!
We ran out of time before getting the chance to see nearly enough people - please know that we love you all and can't wait to get back again!
P.S. - If anyone wants to drive out to Ohio - the fall colors in PA were fabulous!
Your Buckeye Friends,
Ray & Becki
Friday, October 26, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
"It's in the Mail" - somewhere in Singapore...
This famous line has been used for decades as an excuse for late payments, etc...
We are quoting it now because we are just finding out that many of you did not receive the 'Thank You' cards and letters we wrote and mailed FROM SINGAPORE! We thought it would be a nice twist to see Singapore stamps on your incoming mail - not something you see everday so we spent a lot of time in Singapore writing our truly heartfelt thanks to so many who blessed us with your friendship.
To now discover that most of those letters are lost somewhere is really discouraging!
Please know - that we wrote to EVERYONE who gave us a card, a gift or even hearty handshakes and hugs during the time of our 'Farewell' to Cape May. We wanted you all to know how appreciated and valuable you are to us. We felt SO very loved by so many people -it has been such a blessing and comfort and wonderful reminder at times, just to know that - Thank you!!
So, for the few who did receive your international mail - Yeah!
And for so many who did not, here's hoping that they do find their way to your mailbox soon!
From our hearts to yours
Ray & Becki
We are quoting it now because we are just finding out that many of you did not receive the 'Thank You' cards and letters we wrote and mailed FROM SINGAPORE! We thought it would be a nice twist to see Singapore stamps on your incoming mail - not something you see everday so we spent a lot of time in Singapore writing our truly heartfelt thanks to so many who blessed us with your friendship.
To now discover that most of those letters are lost somewhere is really discouraging!
Please know - that we wrote to EVERYONE who gave us a card, a gift or even hearty handshakes and hugs during the time of our 'Farewell' to Cape May. We wanted you all to know how appreciated and valuable you are to us. We felt SO very loved by so many people -it has been such a blessing and comfort and wonderful reminder at times, just to know that - Thank you!!
So, for the few who did receive your international mail - Yeah!
And for so many who did not, here's hoping that they do find their way to your mailbox soon!
From our hearts to yours
Ray & Becki
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Missions as Seen from Singapore
I want to share something amazing that we experienced while in Singapore. Here in the US, we have long thought that the world revolves around us in a lot of important ways. Think about it - we have the "World" series, but it only involves American baseball teams. There are more things like this, even in our Christiain circles.
We think that we send the most missionaries, that we send the most money, that we are the primary hope for the world to hear about Jesus.
I now think we are wrong, or at least sorely misguided in some ways - or perhaps just a bit ignorant of some key facts.
Becki and I found churches in Singapore that have AMAZING mission programs! We read about ministry to several difficult countries. We witnessed reports from very recent trips. We heard from young people and older people, it seemed that everyone had a place to go.
We heard plans for several trips from just one church, to go to several countries, all during this coming Christmas time!! I was deeply convicted that we are not doing all we can do!
I was also taken with the fervor we witnessed and the level of commitments we heard.
I also saw that this strategy really makes a whole lot of sense! Sending white skinned Americans into some areas just doesn't make sense - they stick out too much! Sending Americans who need to spend 2-3 years trying to learn the local language doesn't make a lot of sense either when there are thousands upon thousands who already know the language. Sending Americans who require a whole lot more money to support than the nationals isn't always the best stewardship either.
Understand that I am not bashing our efforts but I am saying that I have seen that the Body of Christ has partners who are eager, zealous, highly committed, actively GOing and not waiting for the US church to lead the way.
Yes, there are still times when these nationals and others need some specfic help that is not available locally, but - I believe now more than ever, that there are times that we simply need to pray and get out of the way.
We think that we send the most missionaries, that we send the most money, that we are the primary hope for the world to hear about Jesus.
I now think we are wrong, or at least sorely misguided in some ways - or perhaps just a bit ignorant of some key facts.
Becki and I found churches in Singapore that have AMAZING mission programs! We read about ministry to several difficult countries. We witnessed reports from very recent trips. We heard from young people and older people, it seemed that everyone had a place to go.
We heard plans for several trips from just one church, to go to several countries, all during this coming Christmas time!! I was deeply convicted that we are not doing all we can do!
I was also taken with the fervor we witnessed and the level of commitments we heard.
I also saw that this strategy really makes a whole lot of sense! Sending white skinned Americans into some areas just doesn't make sense - they stick out too much! Sending Americans who need to spend 2-3 years trying to learn the local language doesn't make a lot of sense either when there are thousands upon thousands who already know the language. Sending Americans who require a whole lot more money to support than the nationals isn't always the best stewardship either.
Understand that I am not bashing our efforts but I am saying that I have seen that the Body of Christ has partners who are eager, zealous, highly committed, actively GOing and not waiting for the US church to lead the way.
Yes, there are still times when these nationals and others need some specfic help that is not available locally, but - I believe now more than ever, that there are times that we simply need to pray and get out of the way.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Belize Prayer Month
After a mission meeting at Grove City Nazarene, October has become the month to pray for Belize. Specifically, about our moving there, when this can happen, preparations, both on our end and with the people in Belize.
Here are some of my thoughts over the last couple of days:
Hello everyone -
I've been thinking about how we should be praying for Belize...
I don't have a lot of specifics but I am really being challenged in my own reading currently to not just pray safe, predictable prayers and to see opportunities out of things that may not look like opportunities when they first present themselves.
They 'might' look like opportunities but they may also seem
too big,
too costly,
too far beyond our reach,
not what we were planning
or how we were planing it
or they may even look like trouble...
I'm not sure where this is all headed yet but some of the Scriptures I'm being challenged by are not the normal, comfortable, safe kind of Scriptures. So, I just wanted to share this and say this:
As we pray this month for the developing ministry in Belize, let's expect to be surprised. Let do as David said, Let God hear our requests in the morning and then wait in expectation.
And, do not look past ANYTHING that comes up that has to do with Belize! ANY comment, article, person, broadcast, etc. etc. just might lead to the next connection we need.
Lastly, let's share our prayer thoughts, nudges, Scriptures, fears, hopes and let's see if we can track down the element of mystery in all of this - that part God has yet to reveal to us!
Seeking His face...
Ray
Here are some of my thoughts over the last couple of days:
Hello everyone -
I've been thinking about how we should be praying for Belize...
I don't have a lot of specifics but I am really being challenged in my own reading currently to not just pray safe, predictable prayers and to see opportunities out of things that may not look like opportunities when they first present themselves.
They 'might' look like opportunities but they may also seem
too big,
too costly,
too far beyond our reach,
not what we were planning
or how we were planing it
or they may even look like trouble...
I'm not sure where this is all headed yet but some of the Scriptures I'm being challenged by are not the normal, comfortable, safe kind of Scriptures. So, I just wanted to share this and say this:
As we pray this month for the developing ministry in Belize, let's expect to be surprised. Let do as David said, Let God hear our requests in the morning and then wait in expectation.
And, do not look past ANYTHING that comes up that has to do with Belize! ANY comment, article, person, broadcast, etc. etc. just might lead to the next connection we need.
Lastly, let's share our prayer thoughts, nudges, Scriptures, fears, hopes and let's see if we can track down the element of mystery in all of this - that part God has yet to reveal to us!
Seeking His face...
Ray
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