We're officially back!

Dear Friends and Family,

We just wanted to inform everyone that we are now officially back in the states for our furlough. I say "officially" because our first two weeks back we snuck off to Florida to get some very much needed relax time. Things in Chad this past year was so much work with all the projects we had going on with the construction for the hospital and the school. But God really blessed the work and we are very excited to share our program of progress with whomever we can. We are in the process right now of editing a program that we are going to put into Dvd form to be able to give it to those that are interested in the work we have done this year. Just reply to us that you are interested with your address and we will do our best to put you on the list to get one to you.

This past sabbath we went to one of the local churches here in Collegedale, Tennessee. I can't tell you what a blessing it is to go to church in the states. I can't explain it but when I go to church here I am so overwhelmed, by what exactly, I am not sure. I don't even understand it but every time I go to church here in the states I am overwhelmed and tears just flow from my eyes uncontrollably. I don't know if it is the fact that I miss going to God's house and being touched by the spirit. I don't know. When we are in Chad we go to church only for the local people to see us there. We get nothing from the service because we don't understand what they are saying. The music is not spiritually moving because again the words are different and so is the beat. There are usually drums being played and most of their songs sound like they are stuck in a chant and they don't really have pitch that is calming to the soul. I just really miss church. This sabbath I sat in my chair with a back on it, not on a bench, and just thought about all the many blessings that are here in the states. Everything from the soft carpet to cushion our knees when we pray to the microphones, and the heat or air condition But I think most of all, I feel the spirit of God that I miss so much. Who am I to say that the spirit is not in Chad for I do know He is. But for me there is definitely something missing when I am there that It is a struggle for me to go to church in Chad. I guess the saying, "you don't know what you've got until its gone" has come to life for my sabbaths in Chad. But I assure you that while we are here we are not only going to be able to rest from all the work but hopefully fill our lives back up with the spirit to get us through another year in Chad.