To the Oregon Trail

Up until this point, all our travel has been in our minivan. We have put 40,000 miles on our van in about one year of deputation. Yeah.

Yesterday was our first time flying to a missions conference. We would be lying if we said we were originally excited about that thought. Imagining Ellia constrained to a small space for a seven hour flight did not conjure up happy thoughts!

Our day began with the Tumia family taking us to the Buffalo airport. We love that family and were thankful their girls were able to come too.


While waiting at the airport we got bombarded with countless text and e-mail messages from people saying they were praying for us - and man did it show! Wow - did the day go differently than expected. Natalia had fun looking out the window and coloring and slept most of the trip. Ellia was an absolute joy the whole trip, even on the flight from Philadelphia to Portland. This picture was taken at 1:00 am - and she was still happy!


The day turned out to be a relaxing time with the family. Our praying church family is the best - what a blessing!

Calvary Heights Baptist Church

Wednesday night we had the opportunity to present our vision for reaching Italy at Calvary Heights Baptist Church. This is the church Erika’s parents attend. Erika visited this church a lot this summer and developed some great relationships with the people. Recently our family attended their church picnic in an effort to further connect with the church family. So it was nice to feel very comfortable having our family and many familiar faces. 

After the service they had a “pocket offering.” If you are not sure what this is - instead of writing the guest missionary a check (which is standard) the Pastor asked the people to come up to us and give us their offering. It is very humbling having people come up to you and hand you money. But it was also much more personable.

Michael’s Highlight: As I was coming up to the sanctuary before service, Natalia was playing on the stairs with some other kids. So, as I approached her to bring her into the church sanctuary she said...

Natalia: “Ready Poppa?”
Michael:,”Ready for what?”

Then...she put her palms up as though I had asked the obvious - she responded...

Natalia: “To pweach Poppa...to pweach!”
Michael: (smiling) “.........”
Natalia: “Can I go and watch you pweach Poppa?”

Mark 6:9!

Sometimes I think deputation is really hard...and it is. Last night I thought about that as I sat on the porch of our host home in Pennsylvania with Natalia.

But as I sat there watching her blow bubbles I was reminded that I am also having a great time and making beautiful memories in the process.


After a rough night of “sleep” last night we presented our ministry in both churches services today as well as teaching the adult Sunday school class.

The Bible Baptist Church of Burnham, PA is very warm and laid back. They made us feel very comfortable right away. Pastor Walters preached in a collared shirt and sandals. Erika and I shared a laugh when we realized that I was "slightly" overdressed for the services.

Matthew 24:36

This past Wednesday we had a great meeting out in Schenectedy, New York. Pastor Bob Hart actually got saved through the ministry of our home church and now pastors Sonrise Bible Church.


The night began at the Hart’s home for an early supper. At one point Ellia had ventured off and we lost sight of her. As we went looking for her...Mrs. Hart found her hanging out completely in the dishwasher. Despite that excitement, we had a relaxing setting and got to know them better. Then we went over to the church where they had the most amazing children's wing that I have ever seen! The kids had an absolute ball!

Although we were almost four hours from home, God gave us a special surprise to encourage us. Not only was this meeting a relaxing and encouraging one, but one of our great friends, Jeremy Phillips, came to hear Michael! Now will shock all who know Jeremy that he walked in late...twenty-five minutes late! What a perfect taste of home.

Judges 2:10

Picture the excitement of a group of children waiting in line to get the autograph of someone they admire, respect, and appreciate. Then imagine them actually getting to shake that person’s hand and meeting them in person. I witnessed this first hand tonight as kids of all ages stood in line to meet my husband Michael and have him autograph their Bibles. It was the sweetest thing!

These children were at Old Paths Bible Baptist Church in Clarion, New York. Wednesday night we presented our ministry at this family oriented church. It is clear that the church has taught the children to have an appreciation for missionaries. Instead of their families idolizing Hollywood, musical or sports stars - they look up to people who are interested in reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These kids genuinely admire a person who is willing to move and invest their lives into starting churches in areas where there are none.

We had a great meeting at OPBBC. It was great to see some of our good friends who attend there. As Michael gave the invitation, it was wonderful to see how many young children went forward to the altar. Very sweet. Lord, please never allow Satan to steal that softness from them.

Matthew 13:1-8

Saturday I had the chance to preach the gospel for the FBBC Flag Football ministry. The ministry had three separate gospel presentations throughout the day that I did. The weather was very hot and three gospel presentations can be spiritually and physically exhausting.

It seems like every year I have had an opportunity to preach for this ministry. Although I always enjoy it, today was the most encouraging day I have ever had there. Let’s face it, football players are generally not the most receptive of people - especially at a halftime of their game!

After my first presentation of the gospel, I was standing near some bleachers praying God would use what was said. A lady came up to me and introduced herself as Clara. She stated that a few years ago she was not a Christian and had attended a Flag Football game where I gave the gospel. She also stated that after my message she started seeing her need to be forgiven. She became a Christian shortly after! Now she is married and growing in her relationship with the Lord Jesus!

That day she thanked me over and over for taking the time to share the gospel with her two years ago. I left that conversation thanking God over and over.

Matthew 19:24

Princeton Bible Church is in the heart of a highly affluent area. As you can imagine, it is a different culture and lifestyle even to Pastor Nelson and his family. It is similar to that which we will minister to in Italy. Lives full of busy schedules, abundant material objects, social respect all entrenched in post-modern belief systems. Proof of this may be that the church is in the ideal location with Princeton University and the Choir College close by; yet none of the students attend church there.

We ended up in Princeton after Pastor Brad Nelson contacted our pastor inquiring about missionaries. His church wanted to do more for missions. Pastor Grace recommended our family, and Pastor Nelson got in touch with Michael. Before even meeting us, he and his church began to support us on a monthly basis. Of course that made it even more exciting for us to meet them all in person! It is a blessing to have a pastor like Pastor Grace, who has already done so much for us on deputation.

Princeton Bible Church is an amazing result of a vision to plant a Bible church in the heart of a beautiful, historical city. It meets on the campus of Westminster Choir College, to which I was thrilled-now I can attest that “Yes, I have sung there.” We had a wonderful day getting to know the members there and made some great friendships...and of course Natalia made "a few" too!