Barbara Dahl in Long Beach Hospital

Christmas 2009

Christmas was a very relaxing, refreshing time for us. We talked with Rob's family on Thursday (he had to fly on Christmas day). After spending time with Rick's family we came home and talked with Ryan's family via skype.

Dinner with home Bible Study group at Panda Inn

We had a wonderful time with the members of our home Bible study group tonight for dinner and then exchanging crazy white elephant gifts.

My nephew David visited us

Yes, David was with us for a couple of hours to catch up on intervening years and share a meal together. This was David's first time to meet Dan and be in our home so it was fun showing him around, plus he fixed some computer problems I was having, thanks Dave.

thanksgiving 2009

We had a wonderful time with several Fuller students from various countries; Uganda, Germany, Cameroon and missionary to the Philippines. While we were in Cameroon in 2007 we met Barbara and Blaise Beboua's parents (he in long white embroidered shirt, she in the middle of three ladies on the couch in brown gown) and they arrived in the United States for the first time last week. What a joy to have them in our home along with their family that they have not see for 6 years. Also Blaize's aunt (on couch in purple gown) who is here caring for their 3 children while Barbara and Balise study. David and Anna Ofumbi and little girl were with us, Nicole from Cameroon (in yellow and white gown), Birgit Herppich from Germany (holding child in 4 photos), and Jacquiline Huggins (Wycliffe in the Philippines) in red sweater.

In the one photo you see the children and Blaise checking out the reindeer Georgia is making from fallen palm fronds. The kids thought they looked more like elephants!
It was such a lovely afternoon we prayed in the back yard and then ate in the dining room inside.

School of Intercultural Studies photo 2009

Yes, this is the time of year the SIS photo is taken so we were both home for it this year and post it with pleasure.

Georgia spent a week in Michigan with her sister

SIL Conference in Dallas Oct 09

With Rob and Susie in Texas Oct 09

Ashley Thaxton in final 7 for Rose Queen 2010

Yes, my god daughter, Ashley, was selected for the royal court and the Queen will be announced on Oct 20. Ashley is a senior at John Marshall High School this year. She is the granddaughter of Eddie and Renee Gibbs.

Olivewood Cemetery, Riverside, CA 9 25 09

Palomar Observatory

We also went to see the 200 inch Hale telescope at Palomar outside of San Diego. Great experience.

More California Missions

Yes, we visited two more missions on our trip to San Diego for our 3rd anniversary outing. At San Luis Rey there are 144 window panes in the dome, fantastic. The river pattern in the heavy wooden doors is typical of the missions. We were most taken with the ruins of the San Juan Capistrano mission that is being rebuilt.

Back yard humming bird circus

This morning the humming birds were amazing to watch, so I caught this video is show you how many we have at various times. They are wonderful to have around.

New York City June 2009 on our way to London

Almost forgot to post this my first time in New York City. Our hotel was one hotel away from Ground Zero! So we got to visit the Statue of Liberty and Wall Street!

More of the Cruise

couldn't get all the photos on the first post.

Mediterranean Cruise June 28-July 12, 2009

At last I am rested enough to update our blog with all the adventures we had in Europe. It was great...see the photos that are worth many more words! The itinerary was: Malaga (Granada), Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; flornece, Italy; Rome, Italy; Gibraltar, Gibraltar; Lisbon, Protugal; and Vigo, Spain.

MAF gets first Kodiak

Georgia finally got a close up and personal view of MAF's new Kodiak aircraft at the El Monte Airport near Pasadena. The Kodiak 100 was designed and manufactured by Quest Aircraft and runs on jet fuel, allowing MAF to reduce its dependency on avgas while ministering in remote, isolated areas. This first MAF KODIAK will be used in Papua, Indonesia. Dan is pictured here with John Boyd, MAF USA director. Georgia got right in and took photos of the inside, fantastic, just fantastic and so clean, too!

Fuller SIS graduation 2009

Yes, graduation time again, but this one was more special than usual, as the first "cohort" from SIS graduated 5 Dr. of Missiology students. And such a celebration we had, 30 folks here at our home for a time of eating and sharing. This first cohort was from Toronto, Canada and Dan was their mentor. So pictured here are Dan and Doug McConnell signing the dissertation sheets, Betsy Glanville and Dan signing Vaden Williams' cover sheet, Dan with all the grads; Ruth Cassidy, Harold Minor, Chad and Leslie Segraves, Christine Vaughan, Malcolm Hartnell, Joseph Wamutitu, Wondferahu Ersulo and Assefa Zelelew. And a photo of little Joeli Segraves learning to put on her sandle while standing!

May 29, 2009 celebrating 62 years

Yes, it was Georgia's birthday so we got out of the fog blanketed city and drove up to Mt. Wilson for a picnic. It was wonderful and we got to see a large piece of history, especially the 100 inch telescope. It gave us incentive to drive down to Palomar to see the 200 inch telescope next.

Doctoral students' potluck May 2009

We had a wonderful evening with some 30 of the SIS doctoral students. A new cohort began this week with Wilbert Shenk here in the Pasadena, so they were included as well. It was a wonderful time of eating and fellowship. It got cool after sunset and our African brothers were cold, thus the butterfly blanket for Omanni.

Dan and Dudley in Cairo

The end of April saw Dan in Cairo with Dudley and several students. Here (1) is the group, (2) a view of Cairo with pyramids visible in the center background, (3) Nile River with bullrushes similar to where Moses was placed in a basket, (4) Dan on the base of one of the pyramids (5) Magdy as modern day Moses, (6) Magdy is from Cairo so took Dan on a wonderful tour of 'his' home area (7) and the last one is of a local Bedouin with his camel talking to Dan.

Ashley Thaxton stars in High School Musical (not)

So our talented Ashley has stolen the stage again, this time in "All Shook Up" as a teenage girl grease monkey, turned boy to catch her 'dream man' Chad (complicated, indeed). It was delightful, full of fun music and talented high schoolers. Congratulations ART!lica

MAF and the Kodiak 100

Dan was just in Napa, Idaho for the MAF board meetings and the first Kodiak 100 flew in on its way to Indonesia. Here is an up-to-date piece from MAF:

Our first Kodiak 100 has arrived! The new aircraft, designed specifically for mission
aviation, was welcomed last week by our American staff and trustees as it taxied into
our hangar in Nampa, Idaho, USA.
The delivery of the keys last Monday week took place at the Quest factory. All 200+
employees gathered around the aircraft and laid hands on it, sending it off with their prayers and blessing. ‘We are very excited to see this tangible result of the Kodiak project,’ reports Dave Rask, our Director of Aviation Resources in the USA. ‘The HF radio and other minor modifications will be installed in April and,following the May dedication, it will make some west coast visits to thank donors for their involvement. We expect to ferry to Indonesia in June or July.’ Dave continues, ‘MAF’s second Kodiak is already well along in the assembly process and is scheduled for delivery in July.’

Newly weds Joan and Jim Farr with us

Yes, Joan Henry and Jim Farr were married last month in Papua New Guinea and are in the States for a few weeks so they are staying with us for a few days. It is great getting reacquained with Joan and Jim as a couple. We both knew Joan as a student at Fuller in the early 90s and Dan knew Jim from PNG, so it is great fun.

Heritage Square 40th Anniversary

Yes, Dan surprised me with an afternoon at Heritage Square just down the 110 freeway between Pasadena and Los Angeles. As you can tell from the photos, it was a great day to celebrate and dedicate. Dan had never been there and I hadn't for 20 years so it was fun!

Weather Vane collection

Dan's trip to Australia Feb 09

Here is recent activity for Dan in Australia as he attended the MAFI board meeting in Melbourne, Australia. He also spent a wonderful time with several Fuller graduates.

Huntington Gardens with Anjali and Cam

Anj (Kathryn Lottis' and Nate Olson's first born) and Cam (from Prince George, BC) had a few days off Azusa Pacific University so they spent time with me and we went to the Huntington Gardens for Lincoln's 200th birthday celebration. It was a nice day wedged in between rain and cold. Here you see the entrance of the Gardens, the first portrait of Lincoln, then a shot of the bronze cast of Lincoln's head and hands (fantastic). Huntington is known for its art gallery, statutes and gardens. I really enjoy all the chandaliers, too. Note the magnolia tree in bloom with the orange trees in the background. There is actually an orange grove on the grounds!

Granddaughter Julia and Cheering

Yes, Julia and her "Victory" cheer group won 1st place and Grand Champion yesterday at the competion here in Pasadena. She is one of the little ones at the top of the pyramid! Dan is so proud of his Julia.

Praying for Los Angeles, the country and the world

Saturday, Jan. 17th was a glorious day here, so we took a short drive up to the Angeles National Forest. We got out at a 'look out' and spent some time praying for various needs as we extended our hands out over Los Angeles basin and toward Santa Catalina Island. I was reminded of that verse that says, "IF MY PEOPLE, WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY..." Lord, may your will be done here on earth as it is being done in heaven.

Holiday frig door

I love it when we open greeting cards and there is a photo. Yes, they go up on the frig and we're reminded to pray for the faces pictured there. From family to friends to ministry partners. From Washington to Texas to Virginia to Michigan to Arizona. From Turkey to India to Africa to Australia. From MAF to SVM2 to WBT to FTS to Servants to CRI to FedEx. You might say our frig door is a window to our world!

Willie Addai improving

Just received an email from Willie with the wonderful news that after one month of the prescription from Mayo Clinic in Arizona he is able to stand, take a few steps and swing his arms more than previously. Praise the Lord, here is some from his email:

I am beginning to understand the medical/spiritual phenomenon! God’s purpose for me is unfolding….

The time off has been a great blessing. I am amazed at the ways God is using this time off to provide healing, affirmation, and equipping me for another phase of ministry.

It is also refreshing for me to continue mentoring key leaders by emails and telephone. I have designed two web sites, drafted seven textbooks and leadership training manuals as well as videos. It’s all about helping leaders discover and utilize their God-given talents to make a difference in organizations, nations, and communities in Africa.

I have had an opportunity to observe colleagues and students provide excellent leadership and training during my time off. My staff is ably maintaining the buildings and grounds of the Leadership Center in Kumasi. I have such a gifted group of ministry colleagues, and I did know!

Thank you for your prayers, encouraging acts and emails. God answered your prayers! God is doing more than I can ask or expect. His mighty hand is on me, giving me joy, hope and peace.

visit from Dr. Willie Laskowski

One of Dan's long time friends from Papua New Guinea was on a layover at LAX and we met for dinner and 3 hours of 'catch up'. Willie and Carol now live in Florida.

Three days at the Marriott in Buellton, CA