(August 8, 2004) "In every thing give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

When we think of all the people who the Lord uses to assist, pray, and support us in His work, we cannot help but think of the above verse. We thank you for your monthly financial support for the Awana ministry. You are a vital part of the Lord’s plan for the Awana ministry in Iowa and around the world…even in Brazil and Los Angeles.

In case you had not heard. Our mission’s team to Brazil was redirected to Los Angles instead of Brazil. Brazil would not give Claudine and me visas. We had a very fruitful ministry in Los Angeles teaming up with Southwest Impact ministries. We ministered in the streets, the parks, and of Los Angeles County. We also teamed up with Children’s Hunger Fund. We planted a lot of spiritual seeds. We also saw kids come to know the Lord as their personal Lord and Savior.

The start of August also means that clubs will be starting up shortly again. We also have been very busy this summer with Basic training of new clubs, and organizing speakers for our upcoming Leaders Conferences. We also want to let you know that we have had nine new churches officially sign up to start Awana this fall. There are still a few more churches that we have been talking to who are considering starting an Awana program this fall.

(March 7, 2004) “I will praise you with my whole heart: Before the gods I will sing praises to you. I will worship toward your holy temple, and praise your name” (Psalm 138:1-2). After having completed our ninth year as AWANA missionaries, these passages really spoke to our hearts, and we wanted to share them with you.

We have had one more church start using the Awana program since January. That makes eight new clubs this year. We are already talking to churches about starting new clubs in the fall. Ron just did one presentation to a new church that meets in a funeral home. We recently attended one of the new clubs that started this fall and heard the Pastor say, “We have seen kids being saved….and an added surprise is that our attendance in church and Sunday school has gone up because of Awana.”

We have just completed a very busy month with all the Olympic coach’s meetings. As we were traveling, we thanked the Lord often for people (such as you) that we knew were praying for our safety as we traveled. We were also reminded that because of people like you who give to our ministry we can GO. We would like to thank you for your financial support towards the AWANA ministry in Iowa.

We have already restarted the Bible Quiz season in Iowa. We have had seven and have one more to go. It is such a joy to see so many young people coming together to reaffirm what they have memorized in their local club this year. We are seeing a few clubs who have never quizzed before taking advantage of this great tool this year. We ask for your prayers that the verses that are memorized for Quiz will stay with the clubbers their entire lives.

Our mission...to introduce the ministry of Awana to local churches, equipping them to impact their community and the world with the gospel of grace.

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

Merry Christmas, to you and your family. We pray you have a grace-filled holiday. We want to say thank you for your support of the Awana ministry. You are a vital part of the Lord’s plan for the Awana ministry in Iowa and around the world.

Christmas is a time of the year our family looks forward to all year long. In the Awana ministry December is a time of visiting clubs and making plans for the upcoming events, such as coaches’ meetings for AwanaGames that will be held around the state. Ron will not be home much the week of January 5-10. We are also making plans for the seven Bible Quizzes that will be hosting around the state starting in January. We were looking forward to seeing a lot of churches participating again this year.

Early in December Ron attended an Awana Missionaries area seminar in Galveston, Texas. One of the topics of that four-day seminar was the new Awana Rorheim Institute that will be coming our in the Spring of 2004. You will want to keep an eye on the Awana web page for up coming news about the Rorheim Institute.

As we close out this year, we have a lot to be thankful for, most of all for Christ and what He did on the cross for us all. Some of the other things we are thankful for are everyone who has supported our ministry as we close out our ninth year as Iowa Awana Missionaries. We are also thankful for Ron’s health. God is so good!