Our first snow is working at turning the landscape white as I write this. Fall has been warm and beautiful with just enough moisture to keep the dust down.

Things have gone along rather smoothly at IBC since I last wrote, though we still sorrow as a result of the tragedy at the beginning of the semester. Many students are struggling to keep up their grades, or rather, not struggling but letting their grades suffer as they do minimal or no work. But, you can see from the photos that they enjoyed Spirit Week and many participated with creativity and enthusiasm.

 

The Kickoff Kampout I hear went well. I stayed behind and worked on accreditation, along with several other staff members.

Fall conference was thought-provoking as Dr. Mark DeYmaz challenged us to encourage our local church bodies to reflect the diversity of the communities around them. One thing I came away with was that the concept of “missions” simply reflects who you are if your congregation is ethnically diverse, rather than being thought of as a program. In other words, there is no separation between missions overseas and ministry in our midst as we work together with those who are different from ourselves but whose gifts are indispensable to the body.

Coming up I will begin teaching History of North America starting November 7. I’m working on a missions course that we will open up to the community (Arizona’s version of Perspectives on World Missions) starting in January.

Please continue to pray for the following:

  • That the students would focus on their studies and that God would use the emotional pain in our lives to make us more effective in ministry.
  • That God would provide the funds to pay off “The Barn” through the mailing that will be going out this week.

Thank you again for all your encouragement, consistent prayer and provision. God has blessed me through you!

Gratefully,
Martha