Ketchup

Well, as Grace already mentioned in the previous post, we're back onboard the Africa Mercy.  Rather than write a ton of blogs on all of the things we did this summer I though I'd just get you all caught up (ketchuped?) briefly.

As already mentioned in a previous post we had the wonderful opportunity to take a family vacation to California including trips to Disneyland and Lego Land.  On the drive back to Washington we needed to stop for lunch and did so in Livermore, CA.  Dara said as we exited, "Mary and Dave live somewhere in Livermore, I think".  Mary and Dave are relatives on Dara's mom's side that we haven't seen in years.  We called Dara's mom to get their phone number and gave them a call from the Jack in the Box we were eating lunch at.  Their house was four blocks away!  God was so good to arrange this 'coincidence'.  We spent a wonderful afternoon and evening reconnecting before heading back on the road.

For the remainder of the summer we spent time with family and friends, spoke at several churches (thank you to Cross View Church, Life Point Church [both Lake Stevens and Everett sites], and Central Christian Church), ate tons of great food, and had several fun day outings.

The final week we spent at Warm Beach Camp, to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude for their generosity, hospitality, and kindness.  We were there for their annual Family Camp, which includes morning and evening bible/preaching/informational sesssion for both kids and adults as well as a host of incredible activities to be enojoyed in the afternoons (and sometimes late night).  There were several missionaries there and we were honored to be given opportunities to share about Mercy Ships and our involvement in it during the week.  We were inspired, refreshed, and made some great new friends (most especially Mike and Trace Graham).

All in all, eight weeks of God's grace and mercy shown directly and through the lives of those around us.  Thank you, Lord.