Deputation Update
On June 13 we participated in the final day of Vacation Bible School at Victory Baptist in Manchester, MI. We were privileged to share our ministry with the children and how God wants each of us to be a missionary wherever we live.

On the way back from that trip we were able to help Dave’s parents hold a yard sale. We all worked very hard and sold many items that were no longer needed. Rain threatened most of the day, but the Lord kept it away until late afternoon.

We especially enjoyed our time at Faith Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, OH on July 6. Ruth was reunited with her roommate from college, and we were treated to the warm hospitality of Tom and Shirley Fischbach, who were missionaries to Ireland.

The Baptist Mid-Missions Annual Conference, July 7-11, was a special time of fellowship, fun, and encouragement. We participated in workshops and worship services. We enjoyed special outings and, of course, good food. We were also able to meet our teammates, Nathan and Amy Freel, for the first time.

Family News
Ruth has spent many hours preparing for Celeste’s home school assessment. It involves preparing a portfolio of all of Celeste’s second-grade work. In Ohio, homeschoolers must be assessed by a state-certified teacher. Ruth and Celeste are thrilled to have received a very positive report, which is important since we have been traveling a lot more this school year than last year, and the school schedule has had to be flexible. Pray for Ruth as she will be starting kindergarten with Amber and third grade with Celeste in the fall.

Last month we asked prayer for Celeste’s orthodontic treatment. We have found a doctor who will be able to start treatment in the next couple months when Celeste’s six-year molars are in position. They will essentially be expanding her upper palate to make more room for her permanent teeth. This phase should be complete before we go to Romania. Then we can wait on the second phase until she is a few years older. We were pleased at the approach this doctor is planning to take, and it is also the most affordable at approximately $1800.

We are also happy to report that two big projects on our home have been completed. We were able to paint the kitchen ourselves, and we hired two godly men from our area to do the exterior. What a difference! This month Dave will be installing tile in the bathrooms while Ruth and the girls visit her parents. Pray that these will be worthwhile improvements and that we will be ready to sell it in God’s timing.

Dave, Ruth, Celeste, and Amber