From the desk of VOB…

Dear Friends;

Hope you have had a blessed new year so far. This time of year is always a good time to reflect our past year and think upon the year to come. We always wrap up the holidays by also celebrating our wedding anniversary on January 3rd (29 years this go-round). This month also completed 25 years of full time ministry. Many of you have tracked with us through these two decades and a half filled with adventures in the Lord in one way or another. Long before social media and the internet as we we now know it, we didn’t even have a computer much less a website or an email. We did have a Brother Word Processor (remember those?) that we used for writing papers in Bible College.  Through all the progression this is our 243rd newsletter!! (I’m a date and numbers guy – ha!)  When we left North Carolina in January 1996, to embark upon full time ministry, we would never have known that the roles we play would change a number of times through the years. But we always knew we would be serving whether by demonstrating or communicating the Gospel in one way or another. It became clear that our supporter base, support who we are and trust what we commit our lives to doing. 

These past few months, while serving Carol’s family through their greatest health crisis yet experienced, have been no different. We were beyond humbled and grateful to our VOB board of directors who agreed on our indefinite break from work in San Diego, as we remained in Virginia helping with family. And there is no less gratefulness and humility, than for the ongoing and faithfully consistent support from our team. YOU.  Even before these recent months, throughout this pandemic, we have never once lacked the resources needed to carry out the work we have been entrusted to do. After preparing tax receipts this month, we are reminded that this season in our ministry has been no exception. The Lord, and your faithfulness completely astounds us.

All this to say THANK YOU! We truly thank the Lord for you, and the honor to serve together with you, just as Paul, speaking to the Phillipian church, ascribed he and Timothy’s sentiment; 

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good    work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”  [Philippians 1:3-6]

We could have never known we would have taken this unofficial sabbatical, nor known how faithful our supporters would remain, how consistent our team in San Diego/Tijuana would continue, and how the Lord would open new doors for connecting with Native Americans during this time. Faithful support afforded provision to our partners in Tijuana to ensure that food was distributed; one of VOB’s fully sponsored college students graduated from nursing school; an entire house was built (we can’t wait to return and visit the family in); Opportunities to link with Native American leaders in Georgia and Pennsylvania – and plans to connect more perhaps along the drive back west very soon. 

As we start to close our suitcases, that we have been living out of, and pack up the truck, we go with a father’s blessing. Carol’s dad told each of us he was proud along with a very intentional blessing before he passed. Later, Wayne had somewhat of a visitation time with the Lord where the Lord gave him a personal connection, or revelation if you will, that our Heavenly Father really does watch over us. Somehow knowing that Carol’s father is there with Him now, made that real in the most profound way! Our Father says well done to each of us!  Love Wayne & Carol