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

Christmas day 2008

It is a cold rainy christmas morning here in southern California. Dan lit the fire place in the front room and we enjoyed Christmas music, a crackling fire, candles and coffee as we read about Mary's part in the Birth story. Wonderful!

This year I made up the rein deer from fallen palm fronds that litter the streets with the fall storms and Hollie was checking them out. You can see Dan's 5 grandchildren pictured on our tree and we are so thankful for a growning happy healthy family. Then is a photo of Julia and Stephanie opening their gifts before a wonderful dinner at Rick and Suzanne's home.

Thanksgiving 2008

What a wonderful afternoon with Rick and his family, Ryan and his family, and Rob (who was flying for Southwest Air and had an overnight in Ontario, CA). It was Emma's first Thanksgiving and everyone so enjoyed her. Noah is almost 3 years old and was the life of the gathering. It was nice to have Dan's 3 sons together, again.
(just click on the collage and it will enlarge for easier viewing)

We all missed Susie and Lauren, so here is their recent family photo, too. Oh, and here are two shots that Ryan took of the group minus Noah and Emma (who were fast asleep), and 3 of Dan's 4 grand daughters. Also, of his oldest Stephanie and youngest Emma together.

Betty Ann Wagner and Wayfarers Ministries

Today we attended a luncheon celebrating the ministry of Rev. Betty Ann Wagner and the support she has been to many, many students at Fuller School of Intercultural Studies. In her years of ministry she has shipped approx. 62 tons of books around the world. Wonderful words of thanks and love were shared by various students and faculty and they all agreed she is an awesome combination of tenderness and toughness. Betty Ann shared that one of her students, Stanley Mutunga from Kenya, wanted to start a ministry for aids orphans and asked Betty where he would get the orphans, she said, "Be obedient to what the Lord is telling you and the orphans will come. Now, 5 years later he has 1,000 orphans."

Pictured here from top left to right are: Farida Saida from N. Africa, Evans Kamau from Kenya, Evelyne Reisacher from France/N. Africa and SIS professor, Erwin Mooradian a board member of Wayfarers Ministries, William Addai from Ghana, center photo is Betty Ann, Igors Rautmanis from Estonia, Wondu Adnew Ersulo from Ethiopia, Assefa Zalelew from Ethiopia, Dr. Paul Pierson former Dean of SIS, Dr. Dan Shaw, Dr. Doug McConnell is Dean of SIS and Magdy Behman from Egypt who brought his daughter Betsy, a freshman at Azusa University and his son Joshua who is still in high school in Tucson, AZ. Not pictured are Gideon Yohannes from Ethiopia, Dr. Betty Sue Brewster, and Dr. and Mrs. Dudley Woodberry.

Ray and Jill Davis share at our home Bible study

Yes, last night Ray and Jill Davis shared their work in Eldoret, Kenya with our home group from Lake Ave. Church. The Davis' are training African missionaries to do cross-cultural ministry in various African countries. They shared prayer requests for the nation of Kenya as it continues to struggle after the post-election violence and 200,000 people are still displaced. The lower photo is of Dan with, Jill and Ray, along with Nancy and Dave Rose.

Anjali Olson and Dr. students on the weekend

Anjali got a break from her studies at Azusa Pacific Univ. and spent the weekend with us and got to see some of my favorite places like the hall of stainglass windows at the Mountain View Mausoleum (she has a first year photography course so enjoyed taking pics, too). Then she cooked us a scrumptious north Indian meal with real chai, my first taste of chai and it was good! We also had the SIS doctoral students over for a potluck meal and it was encouraging to see how far they have progressed in their PhD program to this point. Pictured here are several shots of Anjali, then shots of some of the doctoral students including; Carol Christopher, David Bundy (Fuller Librarian), Blaze Babihb from Cameroon, Steve Hawthorn (editor of the Perspectives course text), Pasquel Bazzell, Bryant Myers (SIS prof), Birgit Herppich, Matthew John and group shot including Betsy Glanville (SIS Dr. director), Stan Kruze and Craig Hendrickson. It was a wonderful time with spouses included.