An Afternoon Spent With Old Friends.

Vicki was my very best friend in high school. Her brother Josh was one of my brothers best friends. I love these two. Josh had a large tumor removed from his chest this past year. We prayed a lot for him and his wife Emily and their daughters. To see him healthy and happy was awesome! To see the way it brought him and Vicki close was beautiful. To hear of the way Josh used his circumstance to bring God glory was inspiring. In our weakness God shines. It was an afternoon of kids playing together, adults chatting and generally a fantastic time. To Josh and Emily thanks for hosting, to Vicki and Todd thanks for making the trip and to Daniel, Levi, Isabella and Sydney thanks for the entertainment!

Sunday August 1

Grace Community Church, Chico CA

Guest Speaker David Pardini - Missionary to Hong Kong 30 years

Acts 1:6-8 Obeying the Last Words of Jesus Hong Kong Style

-The Great Commission of Jesus is still being fulfilled.

-Most evangelism now is reaching the cities, all over the world people are moving to the cities.

-A man's life does not consist of the things he possesses but in knowing God.

" You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth"Acts 1:8b

Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

-84 countries

-Start Churches

-Establish mission sending movements

1982 - 2010

-32 churches now self supporting and sending missionaries out

-8 million people in Hong Kong 400,000 bible believing Christians, about 5%

-The Story of Hope, www.goodsoil.com. A publication of 20 Old Testament and 20 New

Testament stories aimed at teaching the bible to those who have never heard it before.

-Training God's servants to shepherd God's flock.

-Beijing

-Shanghai

-Hangzhou

-Guanzhou

-Harmony Baptist Church

-50 to 60 people each week

-5 to 6 different ethnic groups

-Missions is no longer the sole effort of North America

-South Korea 12,000 workers sent out

-China now sending out mission workers

David used the story of the 5 loaves and 3 fish that Jesus used to feed the 5,000. This floored me because God has revealed this message to me on several occasions when I was feeling overwhelmed by the task of raising funds. The fact that Jesus used something they already had to solve the problem means that He can use what we already bring to make much of Him!

I love Grace Community Church. Whenever I visit Chico i love to go with my mom. They truly are a community church, loving the people around them and showing God's heart for the lost. Their involvement in Love Chico, an initiative to bring local churches together to serve the needs of the city is an awesome effort to show God's love and community to that area. It is indeed the very picture of the Church I'm sure Jesus meant us to be. Visit www.lovechico.org for information.

Sunday July 25th

St Andrew Presbyterian Church

Rev Chris Kersting - Luke 15:11-32

The Prodigal Son - We are Not the Older Brother

We are the younger son, God is always waiting with arms wide open to welcome us back. What a terrific perspective this morning. We have all been rebellious, selfish and disappointed our Heavenly Father but He's always ready to take us back and forgive us.

It was great to visit Anna's church and feel the love and sense of community that they share. I know this is a place that loves and supports my sister and her family and I am grateful for that. She loves and serves there with a cheerful heart. god has blessed her with a wonderful church family.

July 20 through August 3. Our great California Adventure. Possibly our last trip "home" before we follow God's will for us in Brussels. It was an amazing time of bonding with friends and family. The ways that God encouraged us through people who have walked in our lives since birth was amazing. I am most thankful for the support and love of the people who have known me in very selfish times and see the change that Jesus has made. My kids had a chance to experience life with cousins, lizards and horses. I am thankful for the way that God is equipping us and preparing us in ways we don't yet know. If we visited with you while in Chico, thanks for making an effort to spend time with us. We appreciate it!