Winding down our time in New England

It's time to bring our year of home assignment to a close! We are ready to get back to Ecuador but can't say that packing and living out our suitcases is our favorite thing. Neither is saying so many goodbyes! But we are thankful for a good year and feel like God accomplished His will for us during these months we have been in the USA.

Kenny....Kenny just finished his first year at NTBI in Wisconsin. He loved his studies and the fellowship with the other MK's and students. God provided him with a good job at a small hotel just a few blocks from the school in order to pay his school bills--a job he should be able to return to in the fall. He plans to spend the summer living with his grandparents in New Hampshire and looks forward to his second (and last) year at NTBI beginning in August. From our perspective as parents, we feel like Kenny has made the transition well, and we feel confident that he can handle life here in the USA as he studies over the next few years. We've seen him grow spiritually and learn to take responsibility for himself. We thank the Lord for His grace in Kenny's life, through so many changes!

Keilah and Kimberly....Adjusting to the USA took some effort for our girls, but we've seen them come to relax and enjoy their American heritage. They are both looking forward to returning to Ecuador this summer, but realize that leaving their friends, family, and some aspects of life here will also be harder than they had imagined a year ago! This gives them something to look forward to coming back to on our next visit! Keilah is spreading her wings a little by heading off to Whispering Winds Bible Camp May 28th, along with her cousin Laura Shaub, to work for four weeks and then attend a Teen Extreme week as campers. Kimberly is saving her money to buy a compound bow to take back to Ecuador with us....she hopes to take up archery along with her new interests in piano and guitar. Our home in the mountains there ought to be a great place for perfecting her varied talents! Visitors, beware! :-)

Renewed vision for the ministry....We are thankful for the way the Lord has renewed our hearts to prepare us for going back. Many blessings have contributed to His work of renewal in our hearts: books we've read, encouragement and growth through Bible teaching, times of prayer and fellowship with friends, and even through special times with our families. We had many busy days, but it came with the confidence that we were involved in exactly what God had for us. We are full of thanks to our God for His mercy and grace that are new each and every day.

The end of June we will be heading down to the Midwest in order to fly out of St. Louis the first week in July. We'd appreciate your prayers as we make the transition back into the different roles in ministry.

In Christ,

Kevin & Kathy