These past two weeks have included a lot of travelling, but travelling usually means meeting new people... which I always welcome.
The first week of October was spent at a 4-day missions conference in Bristol, VA. I stayed with a delighful couple (right), who took me one morning, on an exquisite, 7 mile hike that encompassed beautiful forest, breathtaking scenery
(this picture doesn't do it justice...) an old fire tower, and some towering boulders. The massive boulders - on the top of the mountain - were seemingly thrown on top of each other, with some natural, but very out of place sand nearby. Hard to explain ...unless you believe in a world-wide flood, of course! What an awesome God we serve, Who can open the windows of heaven to poor out a curse - worldwide flood (Gen 3:11) - or a blessing (Malachi 3:10)!
In less than 24 hours of finishing the missions conference, I was in PA for the annual Deaf Baptist Ladies Retreat (DBLR) in Valley Forge. Though the DBLR has been held annually for many years, this was my first time attending, and I was impressed. The speakers -
both Deaf and hearing - included missionaries and pastor's wives with a vast array of experience. I had the privilege of meeting many inspiring Deaf women, and was encouraged and challenged by teaching sessions. I also enjoyed the special music that was signed by several groups. This quick clip is of a Deaf group from Harvest Baptist Church of the Deaf, GA.
The following Sunday I visited the church that hosted the DBLR this year, and was pleasantly surprised to meet Laura and Bob Goins, the parents of the missionary family I will be working under/with in Honduras. What a treat!
Thank you for your prayers, especially for my safety, as I drive from state to state. Next stop... home.