Last month we reflected on the “storybook of our lives in the Lord,” and how we were beginning the  29th year of full time ministry. And that is truly the case, as 28 years ago at the beginning of this month, we set out a course to travel the county and minister as evangelist along with another family, for what was to be an 8 month tour. Some of you who have followed us since those days, would remember that even we did not know what plans the Lord had. Our caravan (us and our dog in a sleeper van and another family of 5 in an RV) zig zagged across the country ministering in churches, and eventually landing in San Diego for what was suppose to just be a few days. Only we ended up putting a stake in the ground, and stayed. Some would remember that we met the late Mark McCoy (who mentored us in worship), who suggested we may wanna stick around and participate in the worship evangelism his church was doing. And boy were they doing it! The late John Wimber (Vineyard Christian Fellowship founder) called it “Doing the stuff”.  And it was truly a great season for us to be trained and discipled along the way of ‘doing the stuff’.   Another one who was not only ‘doing it’ but had been doing it for years and years since the earlier Jesus movement days, was the late Gary Goodell, our pastor, mentor and friend. He ultimately was the one who invited us to STAY. He offered us a job to clean the church which we did willingly, gratefully, but also humbly for nearly a year before Gary then hired Wayne to do church office administration work. And from there the rest is history. We became ordained in the Vineyard and part of the pastoral staff of the San Diego Vineyard that later became Third Day Churches (TDC). Curiously, a transition that happened for Gary from Vineyard to TDC after John Wimber (his mentor) went to heaven. Likewise for us as Gary went to be with the Lord 4 months ago today (the 21st), we have felt a season come to an end for us in San Diego. 

You heard right. We have felt the Lord’s leading, to take up our tent stake, circle the wagon back across the nation, and set a new stake in the ground back in North Carolina. Interestingly—and specifically– to live on land nearer where the Moravians (some of our ancestors), Quakers (some of our ancestors), and where most of Wayne’s family live, being near where he was born and raised. Also interestingly, we will be moving very close to where Carol gave her heart to the Lord, just down the road from where we plan to settle.  Our new home and base for Voice of the Bride “worship and compassion” Ministries will be in Liberty, North Carolina, Alamance County. We will update you with our new mailing address next month. All of our contact info remains the SAME for now! 

Our plans are to continue the “compassion” work that has been sown in Mexico now for almost 17 years. Wayne has established many relationships among those who not only had need, but also the desire to help others in their communities who have need. We realized in the last couple of years, when we have had to be gone for extended periods of time helping our own family through health crisis’s, that others could be raised up in our absence. This is really what you hope for, when starting a grassroots ministry such as what the Lord has done thru us. Ultimately, you want to somewhat be working yourself out of a job, hoping that the indigenous can take on the lead, while we undergird them with support. In this way, there are boots on the ground at all times that don’t necessarily have to be worn by only Wayne (side note; his boots were getting rather worn, as was his physical body. Ha!).  But now we have those in place who can help with the physical labor, while we as a ministry, provide the financial backing to make it happen. And we will continue this mission, and hopefully with your continued help as well! We will continue school scholarships, medical expenses covered (see Manuel’s story below), fuel for food trucks delivery, supplemental income for those doing the work, and ongoing support of other missionaries we work with throughout Tijuana. Nothing will change in that regard.  Your support will go continue towards those VOB partners with. 

Our plans are to continue the “worship” work which has been sown across the nation, including among Native America. This will certainly continue with Carol being just as mobile from an east coast base, as she has been from the west coast. Opportunities to participate more with many long standing relationships she already has, up and down the eastern seaboard, will be a new aspect as well.  As you know, many creative ways to communicate online came out of the pandemic, and Carol and others have quickly found new ways to lead worship and intercession around the world simply from a home studio. She has also been able to invite young worship leaders from Tijuana to join in and looks to mentor them further in worship and prayer from an online platform. 

These are certainly big changes for us. But not too big for the Lord. He can simply move us however He desires, just like chess pieces on a board game. All He asks is that we are willing. We are exited about the many possibilities of new avenues of VOB ministry. We are sure many will continue to develop, and you will be the first to learn what they are, as we share in the months to come. We are grateful for the many of you who support this work, and pray that you will continue to help carry and support the vision, both in Mexico, in Native America, and to a new community of people excited about worship and compassion!  It will be a blessing to be able to carry on the mission, while being able to minister to our families much more easily. We have given our lives, to live and serve the Lord, regardless of where we live.  Please stand with us, as we shift locations, but not our hearts.  Love Wayne & Carol

Meet MANUEL “God with us”. He is a little boy whose daddy we have known and helped since he was a boy. He has a birth defect that needs correcting with his feet. We have been covering the physical therapy this past year. And he is now strong enough and ready for the corrective surgery that VOB is covering. The surgeon has even already agreed to do it for half what was originally quoted! His story, and that of his dad, grandma, uncle and aunts are the “making a difference one person at a time” goals we set early on. Following Jesus’ parable to leave the ninety-nine to rescue the one! Let us know if you would like to help. You can do so at this link. www.voiceofthebride.net/donate