Summer excitement slides into fall

Greetings from Cape May, NJ! I've had a few days at my sister's this week to begin catching up after an incredibly full summer of meetings, camps, church visits, and celebrations. This summer has been packed so full I have not been able to see many of you, or call, or keep up with correspondence. While I've visited with some of you during the past 2 months I've been reminded of how much God loves me and has surrounded me with committed prayers and faithful givers. I've also been thrilled to share with some of you who have been praying about and exploring ways God wants to use you in the building up of His Kingdom here on earth.

One such person is Whitney Smith ~ she is the newest member of Mango Ministries. She is beginning her Homeland Ministry Assignment, based in Alabama, and hopes to be able to come to Sudan by late winter / early spring. I was able to spend some time with Whitney when we both attended a seminar at WGM's headquarters last month. I enjoyed getting to know her better and believe she'll be a huge asset to our team.

Here is a glimpse of some of the activities that have filled my summer.

My time in the US began with a great time of fellowship, sharing, and breakfast at the Kountry Kitchen in Elmer, NJ.

It was exciting to attend WGM's 100th anniversary Celebration in Marion, Indiana in late June. There were so many retired missionaries, former colleagues and friends to see! Many conversations were started and before finishing one it seemed that someone I hadn't seen in ages came by and another chat began. I was able to share a testimony about how God is at work in Sudan at one of the services.
Since I don't get to see my brother and his family (Len and Betsy Phillips) very often since they serve as missionaries with WGM in Bolivia my Mother and I decided to go see them. We enjoyed a week of vacation hanging out with their family, seeing the work of WGM in Santa Cruz, and even visiting retired missionary Meredith Sheflen (pictured above with me and my brother Len) who many of you from NJ will know. It was exciting to see the Bolivian Evangelical University that she was instrumental in starting.

This next week I will be busy meeting with partners and champions of our ministry in Sudan. As the fall-ish air blows in with the accompanying sound of crickets many are looking forward to the transition from summer to fall. I also look forward to returning to my home base in Nairobi, Kenya in 10 days and am excited about the many opportunities opening up for us.

This last picture is from WGM's Celebration. Retired missionaries Tim and Sharon Hawk are handing over their ministry torch to newly appointed missionaries Zach and Esther Motts. Are you willing to step out in faith and pick up the torch that God is calling you to carry in order to bring His Kingdom to men and women across the street and around the world? Check this out!

Thanks for helping carry Jesus love to the Sudanese through Mango Ministries!

Shalom,

Joy