Ephesians 6:1

We love these girls. Ellia's face is priceless in this picture.

They are such a blessing to have with us on deputation. Pray for them this week as we will be at a missions conference with a lot going on and no nurseries. We are very excited about this conference, but just pray the girls will do OK with the long days.

Job 37:9

Today we presented our ministry at Callie Harbin Baptist Church in Villa Rica, Georgia.


I met Pastor Corey Gordon when he came to FBBC for a Pastor's School of Discipleship. One of the regular teachers was not available so I was asked to step in. We hit it off and without me asking, he invited me to come to his church and present our ministry.

Okay, without further ado....Both the girls looked really cute in their new dresses. Erika took much time and care to make sure they had matching dresses with coordinating accessories. If you are a female, you appreciate these details...if you are a male, you probably scrolled right past this paragraph.


Afterward Pastor Gordon stated that the church will be partnering with us monthly to reach Italy with the gospel of Christ!

Today was a great day. Pastor Gordon and his family love the Lord and are very enjoyable to be around.

Psalm 143:5

As we prepare to leave FL tomorrow...just some of the many things always want to remember about our time with Crossroads Baptist Church...

Visiting the first grade class that presented us with sweet gifts...

Bonding with the other missionaries and the guest preacher and his family...

Final party at the Thompson's...

and time with our girls.

This is our favorite memory... Every night (regardless of when we got back to the hotel) as we took the elevator up to the fifth floor, Natalia would get really happy. As soon as the elevator would open she would sprint to our room giggling the whole time -



Thank you Lord for CrossRoads Baptist Church

Psalm 34:1

Well....day two at Crossroads is coming to a close. The morning began with the men gathering for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. The staff are all hilarious and just a great group of guys. I feel like a kid at summer camp - not wanting this to end. 

Tonight in the evening service it was my turn to present our work. We were running a little late because a dinner with some members went long. As we arrived to church I went to grab Natalia out of her car seat and stepped in a leftover container of cheese and broccoli soup. I managed to get most of it off my shoe before going on stage. 

At one point during the service they called all the missionary families up and gave each of us a bag filled with gift cards for the kids. One for a local ice cream place, one for the local Christian bookstore, another for Walmart, etc.. All for the parents to buy stuff for the kids. None of this is how we need to be treated, however it is an overwhelming blessing. 

Pastor Mike Grover concluded the service tonight with a message on having a mind for missions. Erika said it was the best message on missions she has ever heard. I agree. 

Psalm 73:1

I once had the opportunity to have lunch with Dr. Charles Shoemaker regarding our then upcoming deputation. During that lunch, he mentioned I should try to get into Crossroads Baptist Church because "...they have the best Missions Conference in the country!" 

So far...I think he is right!

We got to our hotel yesterday and were greeted with a bag of goodies, two gas gift cards, and a letter from the pastor! 

Oh...and the hotel is the finest we have ever stayed in!

Last night we went to the church for an orientation dinner. All the staff and many church members were there. Everyone, I mean everyone knew our names. They knew our girls names too. They have been praying for us and learning about the missionaries for the last two months. I am wondering what to share tomorrow night when I present...because it seems like they know all about our ministry already! 

This morning as we walked through the church people would stop and say, "Michael! So happy to have you! Where is Erika and the girls?" Crazy. Erika taught two elementary classes today and I taught two adult Sunday school classes. All the people seem much more than missions-minded...more like missions-hearted. 

This church is a blessing. We are just a family doing our reasonable service, and yet this church is treating us much better than we deserve. We are overwhelmed at the goodness of God to us! 

II Corinthians 12:10

If it could go wrong yesterday....it did! Oh, yes it did!

• Michael was unusually nervous because he was going to be presenting in front of his favorite preacher - Dr. James McGaughey of Charity Baptist Church.
• Natalia whined the WHOLE day as we got ready and drove to the church. 
• Ellia decided this was perfect timing to cut a tooth and cry at the top of her lungs nonstop. 

None of these are a blessing when you are trying to get prayed up for a meeting!

• When we arrived to the church, we learned they did not have a projector to play our DVD. 
• To top it all off, Michael did not bring notes for a message to replace the DVD time. 

In our minds - this was not going to be a good meeting. 

Sometimes though, God has to remind us that when we are weak, He is strong! This was one of those times! Michael and I prayed before the meeting and begged God to overcome the day and ourselves and do something special. He answered our prayer!

This meeting was one of our best yet! Michael got up and presented our ministry and then preached a powerful message (again...without any notes). 

People's hearts were touched and the altar was full. 

Once, again, God took a situation that looked bleak and turned it around to be another proof that we can trust Him. He is at work when we are not always seeing it. He just wants all the glory! That you Lord! We are encouraged once again!

II Timothy 2:2

Yesterday we were at Central Baptist Church in Yorkshire, NY.

Erika actually attended Central for some time as a young girl. Erika got up and gave a testimony in the evening service. It was great! She cried as she remembered the testimony of some people she looked up to! She was able to talk about how many of the people in the church invested in her and taught her through the years. She spoke on how now she is going to Italy to "teach others also" by committing to them the life-changing truths of Scripture just like those Sunday School teachers did for her!

Then I preached and presented Italy as a missions field. The feedback was excellent as many did not realize the deep spiritual poverty of the country. 

Now we are off to Florida for some meetings. Woe is us. After Florida we head north again - all the way to Georgia on Resurrection Sunday for a meeting.

If you think of it – pray for…

• God to be glorified through this trip.
• safety as we travel.
• the girls will be healthy and have fun.
• the meetings would lead to partnerships.

The Lord is good!