IT REALLY WORKED

That was what the lady said Sunday morning before service as she ran up to me at Changepoint Church in Poughkeepsie, New York where we had conducted a seminar.

She and her husband had attended our Marriage Toolbox Seminar Friday night and Saturday.  We had been teaching on Communication tools and ways to Resolve Conflict.  She shared that when they got home on Saturday they had a huge argument and were slinging the "well I can see you got a lot out of the seminar" statements when all of a sudden they stopped and thought we need to try the techniques and see if they work.  Surprise - it really worked. She said they were able to resolve an issue that they had not talked about for the past 25 years because it was such a sore spot.   Praise God is all we have to say. He is so faithful.

All in all the seminar was a huge success. The comments afterward were encouraging and we could tell that people had taken to heart the truths taught and that it was going to make a change for them.

Sadly we had to leave and rush home because Sherry's 91 yr old mothers youngest sister who lived in California, had died and poor mom was heartbroken and quite distraught as you can imagine. We were just thankful that we were so close to home and not in Europe.  Our daughter stayed with her until we arrived home around 11:30 p.m.  So please keep Sherry's mom, Dorothy,  in prayer as she grieves.

This is the kind of thing that everyone who travels for ministry dreads.  But isn't that like life?  We never know what a day will hold. In James  3:13-15  it says "Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.

So dear brothers and sisters, live today like it is your last, make a difference by being faithful to God and preach the gospel to everyone who will listen.

Here are some pictures of our seminar.  Much love, PW and Sherry

One of the brothers leading us in anointed worship

One half of the room

  

Wayne teaching on the tool of understanding the purpose of marriage

The other half of the room. :>)))

Rivers of living water

This song has been rising up in my spirit all morning. It makes me happy but also builds my faith because it is true.  

John 7:38 says He who believes in Me (Jesus); as the Scripture said, from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water. 

Is this true for you?  If so then sing this hymn with conviction and watch what God will do in and through you. Who knows perhaps you will be able to do like Peter did in Acts 3: starting in verse 6 speaking to the man who was lame: I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene - walk.  Now that is some living water if I ever saw it.  

1	I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me; It makes the lame to walk and the blind to see. It opens prison doors, sets the captives free. I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me.
	Spring up, O well, within my spirit! Rise up and tell, so all can hear it! Spring up, O well, so I experience That life abundantly.
2	I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me; It started gushing up when God set me free. That I keep the flow is my only plea. I’ve got a river of life springing out of me.
3	Once I call His name there’s a flow within; It turns me from my day, makes Him Lord again. As my spirit burns, Satan cannot win. Calling, “Oh Lord Jesus,” keeps the flow within.

Let it flow dear friends, let it flow.

Much Love, 

Sherry

Around the Table of the King

Like all Grandparents we are proud of the accomplishments of our Grandkids, and in our case all 5 of them.

Nathan is a gifted psalmist.  This hymn was birthed after a communion service Nathan had the privilege of being a part of at the Emerging Sound Music Camp in Texas this past July.   The camp was founded by composer Jenni Lee Riddle who wrote Revelation song.  The leaders at the camp are all recording artists and give their time to impart and train the next generation of psalmists.

We are confident that you will be touched by the Lord as you listen to this song played by Nathan and sung by our daughter Jen.

Much love, PW and Sherry

Please Pray like never before

Dear Saints,

We have been in touch with Pastors in both Kenya and the Philippines and the terrorists are advancing in both places. Please pray for the Churches in these areas.

As our friend Pastor Rannie said in a recent email:

 "This is the reason of why the gospel is very near to the heart of the people, that's why God saved the 31 people because through the attacking of the terrorist many people seeking God. We know already that God all things work together for good. I believe that what happen in Kenya now God will touch the heart of the people through  this circumstances. 
Paul said in the book of Romans ' For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." 

So it is a time for war, not in the natural, but in the spiritual.  God can go where we cannot so please take your place on the wall and pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering at this present time.  Ephesians 6: 18 - 20.

Much love, 
PW and Sherry

Amazed

Who would have dreamed that in 2000 when we took our first mission trip to Ukraine that the Lord would open up doors for marriage and family ministry all over the world. We are still in shock. Since our first trip we have had the privilege to minister personally in Romania, Ukraine, Thailand, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia and the United States and via DVD and Skype to Philippines and now Kenya.

We are humbled and so grateful to what the Lord is doing and you are a major part of His plan. Because of your faithful prayers and giving all this has been possible.  Thank you so much.

Below are some pictures we just received from a Pastor .  He had requested a copy of the DVD to show to his congregation.  We are very excited and honored to be introduced to this Church.  Enjoy them and please pray for this congregation.

Grace and Peace,
PW and Sherry

Perfect ending to a wonderful week in Riga

Good friends and a beautiful city.  

 Mauro and Julia Martinez

 Mauro, Nathasha, Sherry 

 Built in 1335 restored in 1999

 Charming little side streets

 Spring is evident in the outside cafe's.....it was too cold to sit out but it was inviting. 

 Coffee is a work of art at Double coffee

 Surprise party from Danny and Damaris Pedraza - turning 66 isn't so bad. 

Danny, Nadine, Damaris, Julia, Mauro, Natasha

Thank you friends for a wonderful ending to our week in Latvia.  

Heading home today so please pray for traveling safety. 

Much love, 

PW and Sherry

Humbled, Amazed, Speechless

We finished our week of teaching at BSM and the words above describe us.  Words cannot describe adequately how God answered prayer this week. If you remember we had asked God to bring life to the hearts of the young people through the teachings, not just head knowledge.  Well He sure did answer us above and beyond our wildest dreams.  All we can do is Praise Him and do a Happy Dance.

Today we did role plays which is the most fun for me since it is where we can see if our students understood what was taught. They did amazingly well. We spent a lot of time laughing that is for sure. Those of you who know me, Sherry, know that I love to dramatize stuff so I played it up a lot.  I was even able to work up a tear or two while playing my part.  But this is where the amazing thing happened some of the students started to cry.......the Holy Spirit was telling their story through the role play.  At the end we were privileged to minister one on one to several of them.  We have done a lot of counseling this week because the different teaching have touched places in their lives.

During chapel the students gave testimonies and at the end laid hands on PW and me and prayed for us and our ministry. It was quite humbling but wonderful.

This afternoon we are going to Riga to site see which will be fun.  With Pw having been so sick last week we did not get to do much of that so I will take more pictures to post in the morning before we leave to fly home.

This has been an amazing week and we have seen God meet us in our weakness and do wonderful things. Thank you so much for praying for us, thank you to our family for graciously letting us come and for our church family for sending us off with love.  You are all such a gift to us.

Much love,
PW and Sherry

 Students standing in line turning in their homework so they get credit. This counted for 20% of their grade. The assignment was to look up and list the put offs and put ons of scripture and then to make a plan to overcome a sin in their own lives.  They said they loved this assignment.

 I am roleplaying a rebellious 17yr. old girl who is being counseled by the class.  

 Our class minus 3 students who had to leave early.  

Sure love all of you.

 Pw surprised Sherry during chapel with these lovely roses and a card and candy while the class sung Happy Birthday. My birthday is Saturday and we will be traveling.  It was quite embarrassing and romantically sweet. 

The class presented us with this mug with scripture on it and a card as a thank you. 

We are so overwhelmed with Gods love we are speechless.  

Thank you to all at BSM..it is our honor to serve you as teachers each year. 

Day 4 - Thursday

Whew today sure was a long one. We taught 7 sessions today.  Getting to the Heart, Process of Change, Giving Hope, Put off and Put on, and various other spontaneous topics as the Holy Spirit led.
Can you imagine the poor students having to concentrate and learn all this stuff?  It is the end of the year so they are very tired. But PTL they are attentive and ask really good questions about each topic so we know they are listening.

They have their test tomorrow so please pray for them to do well.

We have done a lot of counseling this trip which is unusual. We are thanking the Father for the lives we are able to touch through His word.

 This is my almost 100% healed man of God as he prepares for todays lessons. 

 Anna Potapova is the cook at the school. She prepares amazing food on her small budget. 

 These are our amazing translators.  The girls are the Latvian translators the boys are the Russian translators. 

From left to right back row: Dima, Sasha, Adre

From left to right front row: Anna, Elza, Ilza, Lauma

We thank God for the gifting of these young people. They work twice as hard as we do. 

 Natlaia Antonicheva - The School Secretary and mother to the students.  

 Mauro Martinez - Dean of the School

 Former students Erland and Veronika from class of 2011.

They are now in full time ministry and said that the things we taught are still coming to mind today. 

 Natasha with a statue having fun.

 Bridge locks placed here by young couples getting married. 

 Palace of Catherine the Great from Russia built in 1735. She never lived here. 

 Beautiful Birch tree forest. Very common in Latvia.

Much Love, 

Pw and Sherry

Day 3 - Wed.

Today was a short day of teaching since the young people had sports this morning.  But the time we spent with them was profitable.  PW taught the peace and joy principle and I taught a session on gathering information to help with counseling sessions.  

PW met with one young man at the end of lunch and then I met with a young woman this evening.  The teachings open up insights for them on why they do what they do.  It is a healing time for many as they listen and then work on dealing with the things that they thought they would have to live with.   This is our favorite part of doing these teachings.  We have seen over and over again the sufficiency of Scripture in the lives of God's people.

Natasha, who is the secretary for the school, took me on a wonderful walk this morning while PW slept since he was still not feeling well. Today has been a bad day for him as far as the way he feels.  We have concluded that what is wrong with him is that he picked up the flu virus that is going around.  Anyway, sleep and plenty of fluids is the only way to go with this unless the Lord heals him quickly.

Below is the only picture I took today, it is of the students having a party. At the end of the day they decided to have pop corn and a contest to see who had the most bible knowledge.  The laughter could be heard into our room. Sorry it is so dark, but at least you can see that they enjoy spending time together.

Much love,
PW and Sherry

Day two '

Today started very early for us.  Up at 6 and class starting at 8:45.  We are loving this class. The students are so much fun.

Today one of the young men was making a joke about PW being old and of course being Americans we laughed because it was done in fun and with respect. Well after the class session was over he humbly came and asked forgiveness saying he was wrong, and that he was so thankful for the wisdom that God had put in PW. This is the caliber of student that we have the privilege to disciple this week.

PW was teaching on counseling the believer today and took one of his famous "bunny trails" which was spirit led because after class another student came to him and asked for counsel because the "bunny trail" was God speaking to him and he needed to talk it through.

God is so faithful.

Please continue to pray for "life" to be given this week not just knowledge, and for PW and his sinus issue.  He is feeling a tad bit better but still not up to par.  But we know whom we believe and we are confident that He can and will heal in His time. Meanwhile this weak vessel is relying on the Holy Spirits strength to do what only He can do anyway.  God is good.

Below are today's pictures.  I hope you enjoy them.

 Double click on this picture and you can read the names of the students and staff of this years class.

 Prayer time for the mission focus country today which was Romania

The sound of voices filled the room as the students all began to pray aloud. 

I Love to hear young people pray and sing.  Our own youth from CCF are meeting tonight to do this very thing as they worship God and then pray together. 

Pw enjoying recreation with one of the young men.  I told them we are going to pray God prompts someone to donate a pool table for next year.  

Break time fellowship.

Much love to you all, 

PW and Sherry

Monday - First Day of School

We arrived her at the Baltic School of Ministry yesterday around 3. We unpacked hurriedly and then took another nap. With PW not feeling well and it being Sunday, we always nap on Sunday afternoon, it just seemed like the right thing to do.

We woke up this morning to the sounds of students arriving and Chapel service beginning. It is so beautiful to hear young people singing praise the Lord in another language. We know the songs in English but for some reason hearing them in Latvian, we forget the English words.  Anyway, since PW was still feeling under the weather, we prayed again for healing and then Lauma, our translator took me to the pharmacy down the road.  This was a new experience for me.  In America as you know you buy the whole box of pills, not here, the pharmacists asks your symptoms and then picks a box and pulls out the number of pills they think you  might need and then they put the box back on the shelf and tells you what the recommended dose is from the back of the box.  So for about $4 we purchased 25 pills.  But I can already see the difference in PW so PTL he is hopefully on the mend.

Our  first class started at 2 and we taught until 5.  PW did a great job laying foundation for the week.  There was a very lively discussion on whether men are born basically good or basically bad.  We love when the students interact and engage like this.  A lot of good teaching comes out of these times.  After class they were thanking him for the teachings.   We already love these students and are looking forward to a week of interaction with them.

Thanks so much for all the prayer coverage. We are feeling the results.

Here are some new pictures for you to enjoy.  Much love, PW and Sherry

 This is supposed to be a video but if you cannot make it work you can see by my face that I was having a really bad hair day today and should have worn the wig.. LOL

 The view out of our little apt. window. The sky was so blue today and the temp around 48.  

 These are some of our students getting settled as class began. A formal picture will come later. 

 Two the girls enjoying down time. 

Playing peek a boo?