Continuing to Grow

Crossroads Fellowship Church continues to grow and with the building being finally completed, the members are enjoying their own place to worship the Lord. Some of the members report that there is landscaping taking place as well as the parking lot reaching completion. There has been a temporary building completed for the Sunday School program, however, plans are to build on to the worship center and complete a two story education building. God miraculously supplied all we needed for the worship center, so we know he will provide the money for Phase II. 

The marriage of our son Nathan to Tina (Okken) Smiddy began the year 2008, with all of us traveling to Arizona for the wedding. Hanna, along with Tina's brothers were all attendants in the wedding. Even Gary and Tina's father, Tim participated in the ceremony. As is typical in weddings in Kenya, Gary paid cows to Tim as a dowry for his daughter. It was quite a surprise to everyone that attended! 

Although it is difficult for any missionary kid to come home, Hanna is adjusting well, working a part time job and learning to balance college, work and life in the States. She is in a Christian organization on campus, which has helped her spiritually, and she has made some friends along the way. 

It has been difficult to decide when to write this letter as we seem to once again be in God's waiting room. Gary had an MRI in January and it showed that he has four vertebrae in his neck compressed with never damage at each one. Surgery seems inevitable, however, we will not know definitely until April. We have been waiting a long time for all the testing and appointments to take place and this may delay our return to Kenya. Please pray for Gary and this situation. It has been a long time since you have heard from us, so we wanted to write now rather than wait for an appointment. 

Thanks for your financial support and prayer. What a true blessing you are to us! May God Bless You.