As we mentioned in our last update, we were given the opportunity to participate in a missions conference at Southside Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia – and what an incredible experience that was!
From the first day we arrived at the conference, we received nothing but love and encouragement from the believers there. It was amazing the number of hugs, gifts, and prayers that came from people we had never even met before. We truly felt like we were all just brothers and sisters in God’s family.
One of the most encouraging things for us was seeing other people who are just as excited about what God is doing around the world as we are and who want to be involved. We could hardly get away from our display table because of the number of people who cared and were interested in what we’re doing!
One night in particular that was just spectacular was the night they call the “Missionary Christmas.” That’s exactly what it was. The church was packed out and all five missionary familes were sitting up on stage. One by one, gifts were brought to us while the church looked on and cheered while we opened them. We received everything from clothes to a Kitchenaid, Brian’s dream camera to a GPS. Books, computer stuff, perfume, jewelry, baby stuff, the list goes on! When we would run out of gifts to open, the church in unison would yell, “More Presents!” Sure enough, down the isle came more gifts and we felt it was never going to end! We were so overwhelmed by the whole thing that none of us could control our emotions anymore. It was a night like none of us had ever seen before.
It didn’t end there, though. It’s has been a month since we were there in Georgia and now we’re back in Arizona. However, we still have been receiving gifts and emails letting us know that people are praying for us.
Once again, our desire to go and be an encouragement to the church has backfired and we have ended up being so much more encouraged by them. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers for this conference. We were truly blessed and are grateful for the relationship that has begun that we know is not soon to end.