jay and carolyn's amazing cross country adventure: day 5

We left Goshen early Sunday morning in order to be able to attend the second service at Christian Celebration Center. It was great to worship with my church family and see so many treasured faces. While we walked the halls of the church Jay spotted this jungle mural on the wall of the nursery and we decided to take some photos.



After church we had grilled chicken at Grace's house and then Rick gave Jay the grand tour including corners in the business that I had never seen before.

Donna and her husband Frank had invited us to spend the night at their place on Sanford lake so in the late afternoon we headed that way. As we drove along the dirt drive that winds back to their house we stopped and admired a mama deer and her fawns.


Being near the water always brings a sense of tranquility but Donna and Frank's added a new element to that experience. When I commented on the towels in the guest bathroom Donna pointed out that they were actually misspelled and said "tranquilty". After thinking about it I decided I like the new word as it has a sense of wrapping peace around you.


Frank served us a delicious breakfast consisting of Frank's famous French toast and blueberry pancakes.



Before going to be and again in the morning we prayed together and made spiritual declarations for their property.



We had such a good time fellowshipping with Frank and Donna. Our time there was one of the highlights of the trip.

jay and carolyn's amazing cross country adventure: day 3, 4

Day 3 we left Sheila's house in Missouri, drove past the arch in Saint Louis, over the Mississippi River, and on to Goshen, Indiana.



After visiting with Jay's parents, siblings, niece and nephew, we drove Sunday morning to Midland, Michigan in time to attend church at Christian Celebration Center.

jay and carolyn's amazing cross country adventure: day two

Day two we drove from Gallop, New Mexico to Salina, Kansas. In Salina we visited with Rodney, the friend who performed our wedding ceremony. Rodney manages the kitchen at a Ramada Inn. He was able to get us a room and fed us a wonderful meal by his staff. It was nice to have a soft bed and hot shower after our very short night at the campground.

It was a long day of driving but there were interesting things to view from the window. I thought it was fun when we drove through Elkhart, Kansas because of the years I lived in Elkhart, Indiana.

We passed several fields of windmills during our trip. They are intriguing with a outer space-type feel. We also passed some windmill parts being transported on trucks and were amazed at their size.

We had to turn around to take photos of this hay-sculpture of a farmer and his tractor.


The driver obviously was not paying attention to the road when this photo was taken!

jay and carolyn's amazing cross country adventure: day one

Our amazing cross country adventure actually started Wednesday evening at 8:30 PM as we pulled out of the driveway in Apache Junction with the goal of reaching Gallop, New Mexico and a predetermined campground. We reached the campsite at 2 AM (3 AM local time), quickly set up our tent and got a couple of hours of sleep. In order to make our next destination, Salina, Kansas, we were on the road for the sun rise.


There was a beautiful display in the sky over the mesa. The clouds looked as if they were on fire.


As the miles clicked by on the odometer I tried to find things to photograph in order to amuse myself...


The puffy white clouds and green fields of Kansas were quite picturesque...


but after so many hours of scenic farmlands, being in the car 14 hours makes me go a little crazy...

name that blog post

dancing through mexico: appointments

During our extended weekend trip to Mexico there were several "appointments" where we saw the hand of God move. The first, our original purpose for coming, was delivering the DVD Bible school course to Pastor Alfanso in El Dimante. The leadership sat with Pastor Alfanso and his wife (seated at back right) and discussed the "hows" and "whos" of getting the Bible school working in as many areas in Mexico as possible.


Our next appointments included two worship services. The first, Saturday night in El Dimante and the second, Sunday morning in Caborca. Both services included drumming, singing and dancing.

At both services Evangelist Bill Easter (pictured here with his daughter) gave a message and then called people forward for prayer. Then we had a chance to pray over each person in the service. There was laughter and tears as God touched hearts despite our language differences.



Before leaving Caborca we stopped to pray and blow the shofar at the baseball stadium where there are plans being made to have a 5 day crusade in October. The stadium seats ten thousand with the possibility of seating more in the infield. How exciting to imagine what God will do there. Pray for those organizing the event, that God would draw those he desires to touch to the crusade, and for soft hearts, receptive to God's call, among the people.


Monday afternoon, before heading home, we had a spontaneous commissioning prayer time over our translator Ruben and his wife Maria. It has been on their hearts to travel south in Mexico and share the gospel. The need for people to take the Bible school materials and share them with interested churches seems to be the perfect launching pad for Ruben and Maria. Pray the Lord's will show them clearly the next steps along the path he has prepared for them.

chicken salad