Newsletters

June 2002

Back to the Beach

A Taste of “Missionary” Life

We are glad to be back in Virginia Beach this summer! It almost seems like home, though with the maintenance problems we have dealt with, we would not want to claim this as our home. We arrived here to find water covering most of our bedroom, the AC not working in the kids’ room, the sink leaking, the floor dirty, and the cupboards without dishes or cups. We slept on a hide-away for a few days, and while some of the problems still have not been fixed, we are adapting.

A Challenging Schedule

I am again in charge of finances for the project, including collecting student donations and reimbursing staff for project expenses. Project is very busy, but it is still one of the joys of our ministry. I don’t have to worry about things like our house and cutting the grass and can focus on my family and my ministry. 

Killing the Giants

As I write this we are in the middle of our Killing the Giants week, where we focus on evangelism and students step out in faith and conquer their “giants” in the area of evangelism. Collectively as a project we hope to share the gospel with 1400 people. Our hope is that our students will never be the same in the area of evangelism—that they will share their faith as a way of life for the rest of their lives.

(left) The crowd looking on at our balloon toss outreach

(right) Tony from Michigan invites two guys to join him at the balloon toss outreach we did on the beach during Killing The Giants week. Our students found partners to throw with, developed relationships with them and then shared with them after the event.

Shelly’s Experiences

Nate is working directly with 5 students this summer. They are a great group of guys. One of them caught me as I was getting mail and we ended up talking for an hour about marriage and children. He asked a lot of good thought-provoking questions. I love having the opportunity to talk with students about the things that are on their hearts and summer project is the best opportunity for me to interact with students in that way.

I am having lunch with each of the women from UM so that I can get to know them. It has been fun and a couple of them have commented on how good it is for them to see a family in action. (Time-outs and all!) They leave with a better understanding of how much peanut butter and jelly a toddler can get on his face and how quickly an infant can eat Cheerios!

Kids’ Corner

There are so many people here and they all want me to say “Hi” to them. I have made friends with a  couple of them. I like to play with my new friend who is almost 2. His name is Aidan, but I say “UnDay”. I am really liking the pool and when it’s time to get out I keep saying “More, more!” I’ve even learned to jump into the pool into Mommy or Daddy’s arms. My new favorite treat is freezer pops. They are fun!

-Andrew

I sure can get around. I have learned to crawl and my brother crawls with me sometimes. I can go very fast! Now I can get to the toy box and get whatever I want! I am also pulling up to standing (like in the picture), taking steps holding someone's hands and starting to walk while holding onto the couch. Exhausting! Makes some time in the pool very refreshing. I don’t know why no one will let me drink the water, though! I love to be in the water and jump up and down and kick my legs. 

-Lauren

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