Highlights of Visiting Kansas City

We were able to take advantage of a small break in the campaign schedule (which later ended up changing) and make a trip back to the states to visit family.  We were scheduled to fly out on April 19, but torrential rain and flooding in Houston caused a delay of a day and a half.  We arrived just before midnight on Wednesday, April 20 ,and were picked up by my brother, Ron.  It was after 1:00 a.m. when we got to bed in Lee's Summit.



Our time "back home" in the Kansas City area gives us the opportunity to visit family, friends and our home church, Abundant Life.  Stephen spent two days with his parents, I was able to spend time with my dad, we both saw our siblings (over various meals) and there was also time to reconnect with friends.  This trip, we also had the priviledge to be in the Sunday evening service at Topeka Baptist Church.  It's always great to spend time with Jeff and Paula Rhoades, our missionary mentors.  Stephen sang "Jesus, Messiah" in English and Spanish while a slideshow of our work ran on the screen.  It is also impactful for me as many of the slides bring back memories of past campaigns and of God's faithfulness.

On April 28, we left Kansas City to start the second half of our visit with a trip to see our kids and grandkids in California!



  

Time in Kansas City

The last official day of the campaign with the Christ Chapel Bible Church youth was Friday, July 18.  When the team headed to the beach for the day, we headed to the airport to catch our flight to Kansas City.  Unfortunately for us, there were storms along the east coast so, even though we had no problems getting into Houston, our flight to KC was delayed two hours--11:00 p.m. arrival into KC instead of 9:00 p.m.  Originally, my dad was going to pick us up at the airport, but I'm so glad we changed it.  I can't image how he would have handled the two hour delay--probably would have tried to sleep in his car in the KCI parking lot.  By the time we got to Lee's Summit it was after midnight, but we still managed to talk to the Guenthers for an hour or so before we crawled into bed.

Stephen and two of his brothers worked in a game of golf on Saturday afternoon and then we all went out to dinner (minus Michael and Denise.)  

We went to the traditional 8:00 a.m. service at Abundant Life on Sunday morning and then on Sunday afternoon we drove to Topeka to visit with Jeff and Paula Rhoades.  It was great to go to church with them and see their home/town.

Stephen drove to Marshall early (5:00 a.m.) Monday morning to have breakfast and play golf with Michael.  In the afternoon, he stopped to see our friend, Kimberly Kelley in Seymour, Missouri, and pick up a Peruvian drum for our church in Guatemala City.  Kimberly tried to bring it to Guatemala in June, but the airlines wouldn't let her carry it on.  We're going to put in a box and check it as luggage.  Hopefully, it will make the trip safely.

He also managed to find time to play the piano and give her brothers a quick lesson.

He's spent the last two days visiting his parents in West Plains while I've filled my time with various annual doctor and dentist appointments.  Our son, Jon, flew in on Monday night so I've been able to spend some time with him, too.

A Special Goodbye

Jeff and Paula flew back to El Salvador last Thursday evening.  Because we were still in Managua, we didn't get to see them until Sunday morning when we picked them up to go to church in Lourdes.  It was a great morning of worship--I just can't tell how beautiful it is to sing Christmas carols in Spanish.  Pastor Steve Kern's message was titled, "Why do we celebrate Christmas with lights?"  He encouraged us to remember that Jesus is the light of the world and all the Christmas lights (wherever they are) should remind us of His birth.

At the end of the service, they had a special goodbye for Jeff and Paula.  First, there was a presentation called "Thank you for your Footprints," next, the little kids came forward and read a thank you card to each of them and then the Pastor Koky and Pastor Julio presented a placque to them.  It was a very touching goodbye and there wasn't a dry eye in the church.

After lunch we drove up north to attend the 7th anniversary celebration of Iglesia Buatista Vida Nueva, Aguilares.  After the worship and preaching, the deacons and pastors ordained Joel Lopez as the new pastor.  

This morning we picked them up at 5:00 and drove them to the airport.  Jeff starts his new position as outreach pastor at Topeka Baptist Church on January 3.  We are so sorry to see them go, but we are so thankful to have been able to work with them for the last 3 years.