Face to Face

FaceTime is a great thing...or some may like Skype or Gmail Chat. Whatever it is that can let us talk to friends and family from across the ocean, we appreciate! We use FaceTime often to talk to Mom and Dad Gormong and we use Skype to talk to my family in Ohio each week. The other night Philip and I were trying to wind down our brains from over 2 hours of Russian study, when we decided to FaceTime with our friends the Rambos! The Rambos are currently missionaries in Africa with World Gospel Mission. It was so neat to be able to talk to them (and hear about their news of having another baby on the way---Congrats!)! The Rambos are dear friends from seminary, who we miss a lot!

It is amazing to be able to use technology like we do. Years ago when Philip and his family were on the mission field, there was no FaceTime, Skype, or Gmail Chat. There was just snail mail and probably a few phone calls here and there. We are so blessed to have the internet to be able to stay connected with our family and the Western world. Of course we are orienting our minds to life here, but there is still a part of your heart and mind that longs for the familiar things of the west...FaceTime, Pinterest, Facebook, News websites, and blogs all help us in this department!

Pray for us as we are turning in our residency paper work once again tomorrow. This is the 3rd time for corrections so we are praying this will be the last time. We don't just want to assume that we will be accepted, but we are continuing to trust the Lord for Him to work things out!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

Pictures!

Meet: Esther (no, not me, the puppet!)

I guess she wasn't impressed with Esther's performance!

Learning the Bible Verse! John 3:16

The Queen Esthers!

Adalynn was suppose to be making a necklace...but she was too hungry so she ate the "things" to make the necklace!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen

*pictures taken by Cara B.

Sunday Evenings

Twice a month we get together for a large group gathering (there are usually around 20-25 people). When I saw "we" I am talking about the small groups/house churches that have formed from the leadership team of our church plant--Grace of Christ Church. There are 4 groups meeting or going to be meeting each week. During these groups there is time for fellowship, reading and discussing the Scriptures, and a time for prayer. It is great to meet each week, but it is also nice to get all the groups together as a whole twice a month. During our large group gatherings we have a time of tea and fellowship, singing, prayer, reading of the Word, and communion. I have been teaching the Sunday school lesson to the children during these meetings when the adults start reading the Bible and doing a study. The children get to participate in worship and fellowship, but they are ready for Sunday school when that time arrives!

Last night we talked about Esther and how God answers prayers. We usually have 5 kids all under the age of 7. I did a puppet show with Esther. I forgot how hard it is to tell a story and move the puppet's mouth all while having an interpreter! I think poor Esther's mouth wasn't moving at all the right times...plus one of her eyes fell off and she about lost her hair during her story! Yikes! It was fun though and the girls go to make crowns, scepters, and necklaces. We met in a large room that had a blow up castle jumping thing that the girls got to play in after the lesson. It was pretty fun for all!


Being praying for Philip this week. Tonight starts his class on Pauline Epistles. He is ready and excited to for this experience. He is still busy preparing each day, so pray for strength, wisdom, and clarity of thought as he continues to prepare and teach!

Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen