Archive for the ‘Prayer Request’ Category

Rain, Rain Go Away

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

We’re in Norfolk, Virginia watching the rain slam against the windows and listening to the wind howl though the trees outside. This is the yearly “Noreaster” that residents here have come to respect for its ability to flood the city annually. Here’s a link. We are safe, but appreciate your prayers as we are hoping to drive to central Virginia tomorrow and then head on to Tennessee Saturday.

Yesterday, however, we did squeeze in a little fun before the heavy rains and wind. We went to the Virginia Beach Aquarium and had a great time looking at the animals. Here’s a sample of what we saw:

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in News Article, Prayer Request | No Comments »

Settling In for the Long Haul

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Sharon sitting down to sort through mounds of Cherokee data.

Sharon sitting down to sort through mounds of Cherokee data.

As Sharon sits behind me she alternately scratches her head, bounces her knees, and bangs some phonetic writing out on the keyboard. Today is her first full day of work after four full days of packing, cleaning, traveling, visiting, and unpacking. Outside the orange leaves on the trees are almost gone and rain is in the forecast for the next three days. In the kitchen is a pot of hot coffee and under Sharon’s feet a small space heater breathes warmly on her feet. Ideal conditions.

Now if only the computer would work right, the data would fit together perfectly, someone would spoon food into her mouth, and the kitchen would clean itself. Then it would be perfect, but that’s probably asking too much isn’t it?

Please pray that Sharon will be able to focus on her studies and finish her analysis of the Cherokee language before we hit the road in a few days!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News Article, Prayer Request | No Comments »

Back in Michigan

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
Standing at the border of Michigan and Indiana

Standing at the border of Michigan and Indiana

Have you seen the new sign at Michigan’s borders? We took this picture in front of it while we stopped for a much-needed break on our way back from Oklahoma. Maybe it’s a play on words with two meanings, one indicating that the state is very environmentally friendly and the other making it clear to all crossing the border that Michigan is not two states, but in fact is just one state (despite the fact that a lake separates its two main halves).

We are back in Michigan for a few days while Sharon works on her write-up of Cherokee. It will take a lot of concentration and effort on her part! While she is doing that I will be working on the house we’re living in with my dad and preparing for our next round of travels to Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, and Arizona.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Ministry, News Article, Prayer Request | No Comments »

New Tools for Ministry

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Our toolbox has arrived! Thanks to Norm and Joanne Chenier and many of you who helped us raise the funds for these tools for ministry.

I don’t know how he did it, but the UPS guy managed to carry our toolkit under one arm from the end of our driveway to the front door. The thing must weigh 70 pounds! I can barely lift it with the two sturdy handles on the side. This is the absolute best time in history to be a missionary, hands down. We have the most powerful tools available, and yet many of the tools that arrived in our box have existed for millennia .

The Tool Kit frame is made of Northern Michigan White Cedar, one of the best outdoor woods available. The joints are dovetailed and glued with exterior glue, and the box is stained with Sikkens which is used on log homes.

Most of the tools in the box are the best that money can buy, and I would list them all for you, but that would take forever. What you see in the picture is just one layer! Basically, it’s everything we’ll ever need as far as non-powered woodworking tools are concerned from saws to hammers, rulers to tape measures.

Thank-you to those of you that helped us acquire this, and especially to Norm and Joanne, who built the box, bought the tools, and taught us a class on how to use them! The box will be a big blessing!

See more pictures here.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Prayer Request | No Comments »

June Requests

Monday, June 1st, 2009

Our most pressing prayer requests this month:

  1. Wisdom and balance in taking "odd jobs" to offset the costs of linguistics as well as pay the bills. Striking a balance between "trusting God" and taking the opportunities He has given to work can be tough.
  2. For our internship with Trinity, that it would be a beneficial and strategic move.
  3. For balance in relationships with family, friends and supporters. There simply aren’t enough hours in a day
  4. For safety in travel as we head down to NTM’s Missionary Enrichment Conference in Missouri later this month. I (Ric) will be taking pictures for the conference and putting together a slideshow for the misssionaries to take home.
  5. Our largest financial need: Sharon heading to Oklahoma in the fall to study Cherokee. It will cost about 2,000 dollars.

Tags: ,
Posted in Prayer Request | No Comments »

Packing and Moving

Monday, May 18th, 2009

Please pray for us as we pack and move this week and next. We will be saying a lot of goodbyes too. Please pray for safety on the road as well as no car troubles.

Tags: ,
Posted in Prayer Request | No Comments »