Keeping In Touch
……
Email from Andy Powell
November
11, 2003
Dear
Brothers and Sisters of PMC,
Hello
from
the wet, rainy,
North
lands. It seems like all it wants to do these days is rain and try to be
miserable. Last week had a few nice days until Kyle and I decided to go moose
hunting. We set up a cozy campsite and started a fire to fry up some bear and
deer steaks we had brought along. We questioned whether or not we should put up
a tarp. During the night,
the weather decided it had been nice long enough and now it had an opportunity
to get two sleeping guys all wet for the next day’s hunt. Fortunately,
we had decided to put that tarp up. Unfortunately,
the tarp didn’t do a whole lot good. Needless to say the weather’s
plan worked.
At
2:30 a.m.,
Kyle woke me up to inform me his
sleeping bag was getting wet. As I pulled
up my sleeping bag,
I had the pleasure of finding that I had a nice puddle under my bag
as well. After a long,
cold, sleepless night we got the honor of
trying to build a fire with wet wood in the rain with flint. What an interesting
experience!
But
we survived and were able to get a fire going and had some breakfast before the
hunt began.
As we paddled up the twisting, winding creek (that
would double back harder then a West Virginia back road),
we knew it was going to be a long,
wet, cold day and prayed
that we could see that moose soon. Well,
it appeared that the moose were the smart ones that day,
and they stayed in the bush out of the rain, because we saw nothing but tracks...and
lots of them. As the day went on we felt
the
wetness,
the stiff,
cold hands that held the paddles,
the tight, sore backs from endlessly
paddling into the wind and up river. And never once did we see a moose;
I don’t even think we saw a squirrel. It’s a funny thing though, as
miserable as it was I will always look back at the memory with a smile. Needless
to say we survived, but still have an empty moose tag to fill. Please pray that
I will get one before the season
ends. That would make for an even better memory.
Friend
in the North,
Andy
Andy’s Plans
Before completing his two year
term of mission service at Stormer Lake on December 27th , Andy will take
a 5-day hike (Lord willing) by snowshoe through the bush country to Red Lake,
ending at Amanda’s home on Christmas Day.
This is an hour trip by car on the main road.
For Andy this is more than just a wild trek;
it is a spiritual journey with his God.
At the present they already have two feet of snow on the ground and
Stormer Lake is frozen a solid 6 inches.
There are some dangers; wild
animals and –20 degree temperatures. But
in North Country... it is a part of their way of life.
Andy will be carrying a two-way radio so he can communicate with
Amanda’s parents in case of emergency. Pray
for God’s hand of protection over Andy and peace for his family and friends as
they wait for the completion of his journey!
On the 28th, Andy and Amanda will be arriving
in Amelia before heading out to Rosedale Bible College for 6 weeks of
study in January. One of the
classes Andy will be taking is a public speaking class.
He said, “I choose this class because it scares me to death.”
He will have to preach a sermon as part of his class assignment!
In appreciation for Andy’s term of service on the mission field, PMC is supporting Andy with $600 for a time of spiritual growth and training at Rosedale Bible College. Carolyn Nowlin, our missions coordinator, will be in charge of collecting the remaining balance of $600. Checks should be made out to Andy Powell.
Email
from the Althouses........
November 22, 2003
Praise the Lord!
The vote by the Marietta Community Chapel was 89% to accept my nomination
as Pastor. I am both humbled and honored to serve my brothers and sisters at
Marietta as we proclaim the Gospel together.
The date for my installation is Sunday, January 18, 2004 in the
afternoon. I will begin my role as Lead Pastor on January 4, 2004.
Linda has applied for a transfer to a Blue Ball Bank branch closer to the
Marietta area. Until we know the date for that, we are not totally sure when we
will move. They would like us to
move within 6 to 8 weeks after the new year.
Selling our house in Reading is another concern.
We have had interest from a family that goes to South 7th St. church. These
are all details that God will solve in His own time. We just have to be patient
and wait on His timing, His perfect timing. In the mean time, we covet your
prayers about these things, and for the Lord’s continued direction in our
lives.
Thank you so much for all your prayer and encouragement through the
years. We pray God’s blessing on you all. As God unfolds His will for our
lives we will let you all know, when we know.
May
our Lord bless you more and more.
Love and Prayers,
Dan and Linda Althouse
Reading,
PA. 19602
LinDanAlt@hotmail.com