Weekend Fun and Answered Prayers!

We've come off of a weekend full to the brim. Mi hermano y la familia (a little Spanish for ya) came for a visit. It is such a blessing to enjoy Asheville and the mountains with our family. We are truly blessed by so many who have protected our freedom and made the ultimate sacrifice so that a weekend of enjoying God's creation and each other is possible.

Update:
There is much to tell but we will spread it out over several posts. We will be completely revising our budget for Liberia in the next week. We found out that our housing and a few other budgetary needs will be provided for! PRAISE THE LORD! Things are really moving into place and we continue to be blessed and confident that the Lord is orchestrating the next phase of this journey.

The other week when we did the grand Trinity Growth Group tour someone asked us "What is your biggest fear, and what are your primary prayer needs?"

Kyle and I both answered individually and it was neat to see what each other said in response. We both said that there are very few things that we are anxious about right now. God has really provided unity of heart and mind for us and that is such a blessing. We both agree that our peace is only attributable to the sustaining power of God and the prayers of His people. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS! Our prayer needs revolve around God's provision both now and once we are on the field.

1)Pray for God's protections; marriage, health, ministry

2)Pray for our relationship with those already working with Equip Liberia. Pray that God would provide unity of spirit and purpose to present the Gospel in word and deed to one another and the Liberian people.

Thank you for your continued support. June is a big month. We will be having a yardsale on the 5th (next Saturday!) and moving out at the end of the month. Big stuff!

Thanks for reading this little ole' blog...it really means a lot!

In Christ Alone,
Kyle and Jessica

Liberias's President Comes for a Visit

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia's 1st democratically elected leader since the war) came to Washington for a visit this past week. She even sat down with President Obama for a chat in the oval office. Read more about her visit and Obama's praise for the budding democracy and development in Liberia in this article.

Peace Weekend Readers,
Jessica (and Kyle)

#14: Let's PLAY BALLLLL!

#14: The Tourists

Round about the latter part of March when the weather is starting to make an upturn Kyle and I usually look at each other and ask one question,

"When is The Tourists' first game?"

The Tourists are Asheville's minor league baseball team. Yes, we know, not exactly the most intimidating team name that you've ever heard, but if you've ever seen the way that real tourists drive around AVL then you would understand. DANGEROUS! We have spent quite a few nights over the recent years in the stands at McCormick field and are proud to call ourselves Tourist fans...I think...

The Tourists have a long history in AVL and their games are kind of a staple of summer time in the downtown area. You know Babe Ruth? Yeah, he played at McCormick field...and evidently said something really nice about our mountains and now that is plastered on everything in the stadium.

Kyle and I have made a lot of memories at Tourist games. One time we almost got hit by a renegade foul ball. Thirsty Thursday always provides some good people watching. The foot race from 1st to 3rd base between four semi-intoxicated guys in ridiculous outfits was an event to remember. When my grandmother visited we took her to a game and she hooted and hollered until we had to take her home. A fun time was had by all! Teddy Tourist (A giant teddy bear...I know once again super intimidating mascot) gave me a dozen roses the day I graduated college. Awwwwwww...now you are really intimidated. Lots of memories....
Grandma and Jessica the night she (grandma) got thrown out for berating the team...Note: Do not take grandma to any sporting event with you. She will embarrass you as an adult as much as she embarrassed you as a kid at your t-ball games, trust me.

Then there is this guy...Joe Mikulik, the team's manager ...We were there the night that they honored Joe (which despite his outburst a few years ago is a really great manager) for 10 years with the Tourists. We choked back emotions at the photo montage with Miley Cyrus singing It's the Climb in the background, sniff, sniff, phfffft. You may know the name. He was featured on ESPN one day a few years ago because of this:


All that to say...Thank you to the The Tourists for many lazy spring/summer/early fall evenings spent enjoying one of the greatest games ever invented.