Our trip to Los Angeles went well but started on a difficult note. The transmission in our Suburban locked in 2nd gear in Tucumcari, NM.  When we had the fluid and filter changed the next day, the mechanic told us it needed to be rebuilt immediately.  Having prayed to our Lord, we set out for L.A. and drove 1100 miles without incident. We stayed in the mountains for 3 weeks, drove through CA to Forest Ranch and returned to Baltimore over the Sierras, the Rockies, and the Appalachians all towing a trailer we stayed in.  After a month in Baltimore, our steed finally gave in and we had the transmission rebuilt. The mechanic could not believe our story since the truck had the original trans with 270,000 miles.  Jim spent over 2 hours talking to him about the Lord and also called the mechanic in Tucumcari to testify of God's goodness.  If the God we serve could make the sun and moon stand still, He could make this vehicle travel.  And that He did! Thank you for praying for our safety as we traveled.

     We have been busily involved at Perry Hall Baptist.  We are now members of the church and we are getting involved with the ministry there.  Theresa is enrolled in The Moody Bible Institute taking Old Testament survey and New Testament survey.  Rodney suggested that she take a few courses to be prepared and Perry Hall requires some formal study as a condition for support.  With Hannah finishing school this week, Theresa can spend more time working on her courses.

     The children are growing without any problems.  They are still as active as ever but they all have good hearts.  They respond properly to the training we have done yet they still have their moments.  Traveling is difficult for them as they always have new rules to follow in different surroundings with many new people with which to interact.  We would appreciate your prayer for them as they are our first ministry and life is not normal for them like most children.  

     We have been informed by Global Outreach that there are a few supporters that have not officially committed to support us.  By contacting the mission through letter, phone or by visiting http://www.mannheimbyrons.com/support and informing them of your intent to support us, you will receive a letter from the comptroller thanking you on our behalf.  If you have not received one of these letters then you have yet to be counted.  Also, if you want to support us but are waiting until we leave for Germany, you can commit to the mission your desire and you will be counted toward our 100% goal. When we leave for Mannheim, you can then begin to fulfill that commitment.  You can send a note to the mission, call them, or visit our website at http://www.mannheimbyrons.com/support and enter your information and the mission will send you a letter of thanks on our behalf.  Deputation is a long process with many benefits and many discouragements yet our Lord is there for us each evening to show us his goodness and care.

     Paul said to the Philippians in chapter 4 verses 10 to 20 that he was grateful for their temporal support because they partnered with him in his ministry in distress and exaltation.  His great care was that "fruit would abound to their account."  That is our prayer for you as you faithfully share in our work in Mannheim, Germany.

Kindly remember to pray for us.

1) Opportunities to share our calling throughout the summer.

2) For prayer and financial supporters.

3) We reach Mannheim within the next 6 months.

4) The believers, church and vision for a new church plant in Mannheim.

Love in Christ, Ganz liebe Grüße!

Jim, for all of us.