Chrysalis Ministries

Whew!

Whew!  Half of our grandchildren arrived today and the other half arrive next Thursday!  We have been so excited about their coming, (oh, and their mothers' coming, too!  Our daughter and our daughter-in-law–-sadly, the fathers have to stay at home and work!).  Between times in our Chrysalis daily work, John and I have sandwiched in shopping trips in preparation for their arrival: buying age-appropriate second hand toys for two 2-year-olds, a four year old, and a 4 month old, (there’s a whole subculture of grandparents out there, frequenting the 2nd hand shops as summer has approached), buying diapers and Winnie the Pooh-bear place mats, Play Doh and beach chairs!   

You cannot imagine the thrill of walking into the airport and having a two-year-old calling out “Grandmommee” running towards you with arms spread open wide!!  And sitting down at a child’s table and eating a pretend meal with this beautiful child.  Undescribable joy!

There’s another joy that ALMOST rivals this– that of having wonderful friends around the world, younger leaders with whom we have laughed and cried, and with whom we can share the ministry to which God has called them.  Preparation for meeting with them often entails hours of reading, studying and writing talks to be translated (I’m just finishing two talks for southeast Asia in August, both of which need to be emailed for translation tomorrow.).  And there’s the trip preparation that sometimes means finding resources to take along on the journey with us. 

When we finally meet, there is great joy and laughing and of course, sitting down to a special meal together to talk and catch up.

John and I leave for Asia on 10 August, arriving in Singapore after mid-night on 12 August.  We will enjoy a dim sum dinner that day (after a few hours of sleep!) with good friends and their family. 

On 13 August we’ll head to Manila, Philippines where we’ll once again, be with many friends.  There will be an International Chrysalis Institute (ICI- Asia) Team meeting on 16 August, where we’ll be making additional plans for the ICI-A to be held in the Philippines in September 2008. There is always great joy when we see our young friends, with lots of laughter and sharing, and sometimes even a few tears. After our time in Manila, we will head to other Asian cities where we’ll both be speaking and teaching.

So, we look forward to the next few weeks–and the many moments of joy and laughter we can share with family and friends, here and across the world.

We will probably be able to blog from most of the places where we’ll travel.  If we don’t you will know that it is not a possibility.  But do check back with us or email us – and we will appreciate your prayers.

Have a joyful, restful summer!

What happened to April, May and June?!

Many weeks have passed, and we’ve been busy!  We get so involved in travels and meetings with people, that writing for the blog and getting connected in various places is sometimes overwhelming.  That is our excuse this past trip–our apologies!  Also, doing computer work was difficult for Carol, because of the carpal tunnel pain involved.

Budapest, Hungary – April 16   We traveled to Budapest, Hungary, where we had an International Chrysalis Institute-Europe Team meeting.  Team members from Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Serbia were present.  Members from Wales were not able to attend because they were traveling in Asia.  The meeting went well, with alternate dates and meeting place thoroughly discussed, in the event the funds for the November 2007 Institute did not materialize.

Belgrade, Serbia – April 22 - 29   A very busy week of speaking, teaching in a small Bible school, lecturing for the Belgrade Business Forum, speaking to students of EUS (Evangelical University Students) in Novi Sad, lecturing for a school of English, leading a Bible study, etc.  During that week, Dr. Kirk Gilbert, a doctor from Santa Barbara, California, joined us in Belgrade for several days of lectures and sharing.  He spoke to medical doctors and nurses at two hospitals on the subject of “Palliative Care” and also to students of EUS.  He, too, was kept very busy!  It was really great to have him with us and the Serbs were very very grateful!

Crikvenica, Croatia – April 30 - May 6  John taught from the book of Philippians each morning for the 90 students attending the EUS Spring Conference.  This was the third year to be with these gifted students and a special time to spend more in-depth time with individual students.

Arad, Romania – May 7, 8 We were able to spend time with a young pastor and hear what God is doing in his very effective new church.  And we visited with our long-time friends with whom we have ministered many times since 1992.

Oradea, Romania – May 9 - 12  John shared with 2 different groups of young leaders about how to effect change in the church, how society and culture are rapidly widening the gap from many churches, and the need for relevancy.

Budapest, Hungary – May 13 and back to the US on the 14th.  We stopped to visit our son and family in Virginia and returned to California on the 17th.

A few days after returning home Carol had a medical procedure, part of a regular health check up, and was sidelined for about 3 days.  And the following week, June 1, she had a Revision Carpal Tunnel Surgery at the University of California, San Diego (more extensive than the first surgery in August 2006). Recovery has taken about a month but seems to be doing well.

That’s is in a nutshell!           Carol