Greetings!                                                                       FALL  2003

We hope this note finds you well and the grace and peace of Christ is an encouragement to you.  The past few months seem to have gone by as a blur.  We have been extremely busy since our last letter.  In late July we unloaded our 20 ft. container of all of our stuff.  It was like Christmas finding things that had been packed away for so long.  The children were especially thrilled as you can imagine.  On the other hand, we are amazed at how burdensome things can be.  And it becomes easier and easier to give away things when you look at their purpose and the energy needed to maintain them.  We will remember this when we repack our container for Germany.

Jim is almost finished the basement in his parents’ home.  It has been our living space since late July and it is very homey and comfortable.  He just has a few finishing touches before it is done.  He works on it in his spare time now and has really done a nice job.  God has been so faithful in providing for our needs.  Jim had given away his office furniture and God provided replacements through our local church body.

Jim has also had the privilege of teaching a Bible study weekly at a couple’s home who are new believers.  He is greatly encouraged by their questions and the desire to know more about our Lord.  He also is involved in numerous individual’s lives helping with counseling, physical work and just sharing the faith in fellowshipping with them.  He has had the opportunity to speak a few times at local churches and greatly enjoys preparing and delivering the Word of God.  Our speaking engagements outside the area are few.  The visit to KY was postponed until the February.  And we are planning another trip to CA to attend the Shepherd’s Conference in March 2004.  Please pray about any other opportunities that may be available to us in your church as we are at about 20% support at the present time.  We had the blessing of attending the annual Global Outreach Conference in Olcott, NY in June and were encouraged by many who are serving and planning to serve on the mission field.  Also, we attended the annual week long world missions conference at Perry Hall Baptist Church this past week.  We learned a lot about other missionaries and how they present their selves.  We were encouraged, Perry Hall is a church of 500 that supports 85 missionaries and has a budget of $270,000 for missions.  This church is concerned for their neighborhood and for the world.

Recently Maryland was hit by hurricane Isabel.  It had a personal impact on our local area as Theresa’s mother experienced great loss of furniture, and other belongings when 2 ft of water flooded her home.  Also, Jim’s grandmother lost her car and various other belongings as her first floor was flooded.  They were fortunate to be safely removed from their homes but the rebuilding process and cleanup is overwhelming.  It truly was a disaster.   We have tried to be available to them during this difficult time but the loss is very great to them.  It calls us to remember Matthew 6:19-20 “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven………  It has also been a great learning time for our children.  We have tried to use the situation to teach them the scriptures in addition to showing compassion for those who are hurting.  We pray that God will use these difficult times for his glory and that many would seek Him in their trouble.

Theresa is busy managing the home which is a full time job.  More than once we’ve recited Proverbs 31.  The Proverbs 31 woman really had a handle on homemaking and Theresa tries to implement the wisdom found there.  The children keep us both very busy.  They are full of life and lots of questions.  Hannah is in 2^nd grade and doing well.  She turned 7 in September.  She is also in the 3^rd year of Sparks (AWANA).  She has learned to become very flexible in many areas and has proven to be a faithful little camper.  Josiah is 4 1/2 and is quite the handy man.  He loves to play and work with tools and loves to help wherever he can.  He is in his second year of Cubbies and really enjoys it.  Sarah turned 3 in Sept and has conquered potty training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She is growing independent and is very sensitive.  She is in her first year of Cubbies and is learning the Scriptures too.  It’ amazing!  And then there’s Micah!  Where do we begin? He is FULL of ENERGY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   He is 20 months old and has mastered climbing and demolition.  Despite this he is still a lovebug and a sweet boy.  He keeps all of us busy.  The job of parenting is truly a huge responsibility but what blessing comes when we see glimpses of truth becoming a part of their lives as they grow.  We feel blessed that God has entrusted 4 little ones to our care.

One thing we have learned from this first year of deputation is to ask for what we need.  When the need is known, then it can be met.  Therefore, if the 150 recipients of this letter would commit to support us at $35 a month, then we would be writing to tell you of our immediate departure for Mannheim.  We desire to be the catalyst for planting 2 churches in the city of Mannheim.  The people are waiting for us and requesting us to do the full time work that is involved.  You could be the instruments that the Lord uses to make that happen.   

Prayer Requests:

1)       For opportunities for sharing our burden for Mannheim.

2)       For prayer and financial supporters

3)       For our family as we are always in transition speaking at

      new churches.

Love in Christ, Ganz liebe Grüße!             

Theresa, for all of us.