Carolyn's Capers Letter.. July 24

I’m just back in Omaha after a nine day trip to Ohio. July 15-18 I attended the Dynamic Communicators Workshop along with 24 other International Workers and a few Pastors. We each had to give three speeches during the workshop and then received encouragement and constructive criticism to help us do better. On July 18th, in the afternoon, we were shuttled to Beulah Beach Conference Center on Lake Erie. There over 60 International Workers for a re-entry Seminar. We had group sessions and other sessions where we had optional topics from which to choose. We had worship times and fun times together. I flew back to Omaha yesterday. The word from Gabon is that the ship with our annual “Food Orders” arrived and that the food for those of us who live at Bongolo Hospital started arriving by truckload. See photos: Yes, I did order food but not much since I will not be there until December. I ordered mostly canned goods. The men will carry it into my home for me. We have found that food items ordered from the U.S, shipped and trucked to us at the hospital are cheaper than foods bought in the country. Gabon is one of most costly countries IN THE WORLD. We each make one food shipment order per year. It is always a fun day when the food arrives!

June 8th the President of Gabon passed away after 41 years in office. The National Presidental elections are scheduled for August 30 with several candidates running for office. Pray for peace to continue during and after these elections.

The Mission holds an annual Field Forum Conference which is like family camp. The dates for this conference are set for August 31- September 4, the days just after elections! Pray for wisdom in planning the meetings and safe traveling for this conference. A hotel in the town of Lambarene has been reserved for Forum. Pray for spiritual refreshment for all who attend.

While in the States I am doing quite a lot of speaking. Here is my schedule for the next months.

7/26 Speak at Soujourner's SS Class- Christ Community Church
7/27 Priscilla Women
7/30 Missionary Coffee 9:30am in Blair
8/30 Christ Community Church- Sarpy County Site
9/13 Speak at Ambassador's SS Class- Christ Community Church
9/18-20 Alliance Women's District Conference- Orange City, IA
9/22-27 Millard, NE Millard Alliance Church
9/28-10/1 Workers Retreat – Colorado Springs, CO
10/2-4 Colorado Springs, CO- Crossing Church
10/5-8 Travel/Time Off- Visit with my two brothers who live in CO.
10/9-11 Grover, CO - Friendship Alliance Church
10/12- Fly back to Omaha from Denver
10/18-21 Princeton, NE- Countryside Alliance Church
10/23-25 Bellevue, NE - Bellevue Community Church
11/1-4 Hamlet, NE- Hamlet Union Church
11/5 Travel 11/6-8 Brunswick, NE- The Community Church
11/11-15 Wahoo, NE- Wahoo Community Church

Pray for me as I prepare both my heart and my messages to present to the above churches. Thanks so much.

Happy July 4th Weekend!

Look what is NOT for July 4th dinner. SNAKE! Yes, snake tastes like chicken!

July 4, 2009

It is hard to believe that it is already July 4th. Freedom is something to enjoy in all seriousness. Not everyone is FREE like we are in America. It is good to be able to celebrate that freedom this year on home soil! I think of John 10:10 that says “The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. ASV” I think of those around the world AND in America who are not free but are bound spiritually by the thief (Satan) and who very much need the Lord to “free” them. I rejoice in that freedom that I have in Christ who gives me abundant life. I plan to attend a picnic at my cousin’s home late this afternoon. There should be about a ten or so of us together. Tomorrow after church I’ll have lunch together with my stepfamily right here at home.

I heard that the Missionaries at the Bongolo Hospital are getting together this evening for a BBQ dinner as they celebrate July 4th. It is nice that it fell on the weekend so that they could take the time off of their busy schedule to be together.

July 5th Update: Check out the parade that they had at Bongolo Hospital yesterday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CazIOPAXYas