What a Time it Has Been! From the Willis'

It seems like we just got here just a week ago but our visit back to Oregon is coming to a close and in that, we want to take some time to share what the Lord has done and is doing in our lives.

Our family traveled across country for the third time this past summer, specifically to attend our good friend, Jen's wedding. What a memorable time that was. With plans to head back across country shortly after that, we found God drawing us to stay just a little longer. Well, that "just a little longer" ended up being 4 wonderful months in this beautiful country side.

Well, we are sad to say we are headed out in 1 short week. But all the things we have been able to do and participate in. This truly is home! We were blessed to be able to stay in the same house on the same property as the community hall with plenty of events happening. Amy had a few great opportunities to help out with some of the events that were being held down at the hall. We also got back into the groove with community dinners right out of our home. Oh there are so many great people in this town. Many of which don't know the Lord and we were able to share the gospel with so many people coming and going from our home. The Lord has been good and our time here was so fruitful. We have met many new friends who we can't wait to keep in touch with and continue sharing God's goodness with.

It was a very refreshing time with our Church family as well. We haven't ever come across such a great bunch of people. People who are so in love with their Lord and are willing to share it with whoever comes along.

The trip and trip planning itself has also been quite a joy, blessing and fruitful. We are traveling with a network call A Candle in the Window Hospitality Network. Just a bunch of Christian households who offer to house other Christian families who are traveling. We have been so blessed with this network. We will have met about a dozen new families by the time we get back home to Canada. It's so strange how each family is so very very different yet at the same time, we are all part of the same family. We are all common in Christ. It was certainly a great way to build up the idea of biblical hospitality. What a beautiful experience.

Well, that was the quick summery of the last few months. We are planning to start some similar ministries once back home in Canada until we can travel back here. Lot's of idea's on the back burner. Lord willing, our time in Canada will be just as fruitful as our time here.

The Willis Family

acandleinthewindow.com

Fall 2012 - Thompson Family Update

Summer time in Southern Oregon is a good time to appreciate the outdoor activities. Our community is a rural farming community and summer means production, harvesting and the growers market. Going to the market just a half mile from our home allows us to visit with members of the community and outreach to the locals with whom we have become familiar. We love the opportunities we have to share our lives with our neighbors and inspire dialogue about our family, work, and beliefs. 

Tim's volunteer work at Pacifica is beginning to show fruit. The organization is moving a local mail order nursery to the land to help generate revenue for the non-profit. As Chairman, Tim is active in the  exchange and is organizing the efforts to make the new operation functional and profitable in the years to come. The work is all volunteer, but the experience is invaluable for our own ministry. Tim's leadership is appreciated by the board of directors and the 23 employees. We are praying for strength and wisdom to guide and be a witness to this organization.

In September are hosting the wedding of our niece Jennifer, who has lived with us for the past two years. It is a true blessing to have her part of our lives and bring some femininity to our family. She is marrying  wonderful man, Michael, and they are moving back to Portland after the wedding. We will miss her. Please pray for Michael and Jennifer as they begin their life together. 

As we prepared for the fall, we are planning weekly classes to further last years World View classes. We hope to organize two missions trips this year, to San Francisco and Seattle, where we take the time the serve as well as engage the culture and learn of the competing accepted worldviews that oppose Christianity. The students will be able to engage and dialogue with others of different beliefs and spend time defending their faith. 

Please pray for:

• Our students. We have interested individuals for this fall. Some are coming from difficult situations in church and family.
• Our programs. We are defining new objectives for short term programs and weekly meeting times. 
• Outreach. Pray the Lord guides our efforts and softens the hearts of our community for us to make an impact. 
• Our family. As we move forward into a busy season, our family needs guidance and protection.

Away in Canada but still taking away from NEXT

I can't believe we have been away for 4 months already. I grieve the home and family I came to know in Oregon but I have to say that God sure did move and work in that place and continues to in my life even while we are 4600km away. For those who don't know how far that is, it's the distance from California to New York.

Every day I use the things I learned at NEXT. And what's next for us? I don't really know but it looks like whatever and wherever we are, we will constantly be using the knowledge taken from Oregon from the NEXT program, to Household of Faith, to our friends Tim and Katie, to the work at the ranch Pacifica. I could go on and on. I have not learned as much in my life, about life as I did in Oregon and I pray that God keeps doing that in my life even while away.

We miss you Oregon people :D God bless you this year.