A Cup of Tea with Joy

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Home Again...

Thank the Lord we had good flights back on Thursday. There was a delay leaving Orlando and then leaving Miami, but we arrived safely about 11:30pm...by the times we cleared customs and immigration we finally arrived at our hotel about 1:30am. That's ok, they were were expecting us...the room was clean the bed was soft and the air condition worked just fine! We slept in Friday morning, enjoyed the breakfast buffet...Teddy especially! :-) Darwin and Jessica picked us up about noon, and we arrived at our house here in Manta about 3:30.

Friday evening we got all the suitcases emptied and things headed in the right direction. Yesterday, we worked on getting things put away and also on preparing for the services today. Also yesterday afternoon, was the first ladies meeting especially for women 20-35. We had 10 attend and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.

This morning we had around 80 in the services. It was good to be back and to see everyone. Please pray for us during the next couple weeks as we get back into the work here. Also pray as Tony takes over the responsibility of a sister church in Porto Viejo, (about 40 minutes away).

God bless you as you serve Him this week!
Joy

Thursday, January 15, 2009

The bags are packed and we're ready to go...

Good Morning! It is 8:30 on a chilly, overcast morning here in Central Florida. I am sitting at the kitchen table, thinking that, Lord willing, tomorrow morning I will be sitting in sunny, warm Ecuador, enjoying rolls and Cafe con Leche!

We have had a wonderful trip in this time. It was so good to have time with the girls and my parents. Also to have a few days with Tony's mom, and to visit with his Dad, Cindy and CG. The church here in Altamonte has been so gracious and generous to us as always. We have thoroughly enjoyed having the use of the Missions House and being able to visit with good friends. It was also great to visit a few of our supporting churches. 2 of which, although they have supported us from almost the beginning of our ministry, I had never had the opportunity to visit.

As you go through your day today and tomorrow, we would appreciate your prayers for safety as we travel. Our flight is suppose to leave Orlando at 4:00 this afternoon and we are scheduled to arrive in Guayaquil at 10:30 tonight. Darwin, from the church in Manta, is suppose to pick us up from our hotel tomorrow around noon, and drive us back to Manta. We are hoping to be home late tomorrow afternoon.

Also please be praying as we prepare for Sunday services there in Manta.
Praying God's blessings on you as you serve him!
Joy

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Last few days...

Well or time in the US is winding down. We have enjoyed time visiting friends and family and also some of our supporting churches. This morning we were at Suncoast Baptist Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. We enjoyed renewing friendships there and being in their services.

This evening Tony preached here in Altamonte Springs at Palm Springs Drive Baptist Church.

We appreciate your prayers this week, as we finish up our time in the US. We are planning to fly back to Ecuador on Thursday.

Joy