http://belizemission2014.org

follow us as we travel to Belize, Hopkins Village, Central America
March 5-18

Willie will be connecting with those who need his skills - renovation/remodeling
Von and the ladies will be teaching a sewing class
Both of us are renewing friendships made 5 yrs ago and making many new friends.

Please connect with the webpage to see the vision and mission of Belize/Hopkins Village!

Christmas is now behind us and we now move on to our next mission trip to Belize.
We will post new updates as we get closer to March

To give a financial gift go to
www.adventive.ca
Choose "DONATE NOW U.S."
and follow the steps to our name.

We need to raise $1800.00 for travel and expenses.

We wish you a Happy New Year with Gods Blessing

Hi Everyone!
It's good to be home for Christmas.  However, we leave behind some of the greatest memories we've had yet as missionaries.....it was our first and most blessed.  The students and staff hold a passionate place in our hearts.  If you are a student reading this, we encourage you to study and remember what you've learned, applying truth from God's Word to your lives.  To Staff, believe that God will supply all of your needs each day.  Be encouraged, knowing the work you do is so important to His Kingdom.

The last few days in Alaska were beautiful....tree hanging with snow, frosted branches and grasslands all covered in a deep blanket of virgin snow.

This week was again a busy and rewarding week. Beside our normal work schedule we were involved in the Wednesday chapel service. There was no one scheduled to speak so staff and students who were willing were asked to either have a musical part or speaking part in the service.
Von & I chose to give a short talk about how the cross and manger are connected and without the manger there would not have been the cross, which is really what Christmas is about.
I made a simple manger scene for the service.

On Thursday gifts for all the students arrived from Plymouth Cov. This is always an exciting time for the students. They are mostly simple gifts but so appreciated. The students cannot believe that someone would give them a gift without knowing them. It was fun to see many of them get things that they really needed or would enjoy.
The day was made special too by the return of one student who had been missing since Nov. 21.
Little had been said about him since his disappearance but the tension could be felt.
There was not much said at his return either but in discussing it with some students, their reply was,
"We thought he was dead."
It is sad to think that this happens too often in their lives and the outcome is not always that the missing person is returned alive and well.
We thank God that he is now back with us.
Thanks too for all the wonderful gifts from PCC.

Serving Him,

Willie & Von 

Sunrise on the Homer Spit.

The sun rises above the mountains at about 10:30 and is visibale for about 6 hours.

 

Speaking at the chapel service.

 

 

 

The manger scene made by Willie for the chapel service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas coming early when gefts sent by Plymouth Covenant arrived.

You can see her reading and studying the card with the gift.

The cross has many meanings. This was our contribution to the Communion

--- a special candle light service for the students.

The wood came from the nearby forest.

That night chains were broken and souls set free.

There is excitement in the air at ACC. Thanksgiving is happening this week and many students will be taking a little time to visit friends and family. The college will be closed for a few days so all students will be off campus.
Another exciting thing has been the first significant snow amount for the winter. While we Minnesotans look at it with a ho hum attitude, the students love it and run out in it to play with it.
These young adults look like six year olds throwing and kicking snow at each other.
My fun (Willie) with the snow was a three hour time in a Bobcat moving snow off the parking area. My partner in crime Harvey ran the plow truck while I cleaned up the small areas not so easily accessable with the truck.
The snow here has brought on something the locals here call "black ice." I am familiar with the term in Mn. but here every accident is blamed on it and there seems to be a sort of fear of it. We have been very comfortable driving but with caution to not go too fast and not take the corners to fast.
Weather contitions can change very quickly here due to the closeness to the ocean water and mountains.
The third bit of excitement was that we lost all electrical power for about 5 hours. It is amazing how much we depend on our electrical power and how much it is missed when it is out.
Thankfully the power came on when it got dark and we were back in heat and light.
Also it was the night of the staff student Thanksgiving gathering. The kitchen here is on an emergency generator so the meal was ready on time and enjoyed by all.

At this Thanksgiving time we are so thankful for the opportunity to be here and tp serve ACC.
We are thankful too for our health, for the students and staff who we've come to know and love.
May God bless you.