The Long and Winding Road

The title of this month's update could be symbolic in so many ways. It could be describing our personal journey from husband/wife and mom/dad to missionaries. It could be a visual of the path taken to make all the arrangements to move from the US to the UK. It definitely is indicative of how we get most places around here. But regardless of the route, we're not only here, but have actively begun our duties with the ministry. When I say "we" that includes all who are part of this adventure, regardless of what form your support takes; moral/physical/financial/spiritual. Our success, victories, and triumphs are also yours. Thank you, from deep in our hearts.

To date our messages have been mentioning what we'll be doing once we got to the UK. Now we can report in "real-time". Mary is currently in Slovakia with two other members of the Kids' Ministry Team.They are meeting with a number of local pastors and providing training about how to integrate kid's ministry into the fabric of their own ministry.Think about this for a moment; those of you who know Mary understand that she loves children. Her heart beats for children, as evidenced by her relationship with our own children, our own grand children, and countless babies she has hugged, kissed, sung to, cuddled and loved-on around the world. Now she gets to share that love across Europe.

Some day in the near future some children in a small town or city in Europe will be attending a crazy outdoor event. There will be clowns, music, balloons, and more. In the midst of it all this a little girl will be getting her face painted. Not too uncommon a sight at a event like this. But this time there is a major difference. This time something will be happening for the first time in her precious life, the person painting her face will be praying over her, or maybe praying with her. This may be the first time this child has ever heard about Jesus. Hopefully it will not be the last. This event will be just one of many put together by NLI aimed specifically for children, and Mary is an integral part of that team. If you listen close to the music you'll hear Mary's heartbeat. If you look closely you will see her smile on the face of a clown . If you stand still for a moment you'll feel her hugs in the air. I don't call her "NaNa to the Nations" for nothing.

Thank you for being part of what Mary's doing for kids in Europe. We never forget that we would not be here if it weren't for the team that made it all possible.

On the home front, we still have boxes to empty, but there are fewer every day. The weather has been beautiful (if not just a tad cooler than Florida) these past few days, and we are looking forward to seeing the colourful splendor of autumn in England. We have phone service, internet, water, electricity, and library cards!! Somewhere between now and next July we need to get UK driver's licenses.

Prayer request: We are still looking for a home church. Not just some place to attend, but somewhere to serve, be challenged, and stretched.

We miss all our family and friends. Fortunately our NLI family and our neighbours have been here to keep us from getting too lonely.
Paul and Mary.

We are running on faith, but we are not running alone.

Stay in touch via email: mary@going4th1.com paul@going4the1.com.
We are also on Facebook and Skype. We'd love to hear from you.