REFLECTION ON THE PAST
In October we had the privilege of participating in the missions conference at Upper Cross Roads Baptist Church in Baldwin, Maryland, where the theme was "Lift Up Your Eyes." We enjoyed getting to know the brethren of the church, as well as the other missionaries participating in the conference. Carol attended the ladies' tea, which she thoroughly enjoyed. The kids in Sunday school and AWANA were a joy to share with. There was also a dinner with the members of the missions committee that left us very full and satisfied. We left Upper Cross Roads having made a whole new set of friends.

Our sending church, Faith Community Church, held its annual Missions Awareness Week in October as well, with the theme of "Hope of the Nations." They chose as their missions project this year to raise our Outfit and Passage funds. God really blessed their efforts. The children in the children's missionary conference raised over $600 in one week. Folks just kept on giving and giving, even after the week was over. When all was said and done, they had raised over $20,000! Praise be to God! We were overwhelmed!

Next, we headed up to Afton, New York to First Baptist Church (a supporting church) for their missions conference. Their conference theme was "Missions Means You." The conference was great, and the folks at Afton were wonderful. Our kids enjoyed the traditional missions conference bonfire with the accompanying hotdog roast, s'mores, hot apple cider and hot chocolate. We had the privilege to get to know some new folks (new to us) at Afton. It was special to be able to spend time with Andy's brother, John, and his wife, Wendy, since they were part of the missions conference as well. (John and Wendy are missionaries to Spain.) We were also able to visit with Andy's Uncle Tom and Aunt Helen Patton, as well as Andy's cousin, Steve, and his family while we were in Afton. Another memorable event was hearing a band of coyotes suddenly begin howling in the middle of the night- just up the hill from where we were staying at the Wilcox's home.

In November, we had a special time meeting the folks at Brooklyn Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York and sharing our ministry with them. Our time there included a great time of fellowship and an abundance of delicious food as well. What a pleasant and unexpected surprise to meet Mrs. Larrie Tice in person there. Larrie, a veteran missionary, lives in Colorado, but wanted to be at Brooklyn Baptist for our ministry presentation and to meet us in person. She was a missionary in the city of Iquitos back when almost all of the streets were still dirt and when Iquitos was more a town than a city. Her continued interest in, and burden for, reaching the Upper Amazon of Peru has been an encouragement to us.

Also in November, we were at Eric Boss's home church, Grace Independent Baptist Church, right in our hometown of Crownsville, Maryland. It was neat to be able to "go to church" and be there in 3-5 minutes. We were graciously invited to share our ministry in both the Sunday school hour as well as the regular service. Afterward, we were treated to a huge meal in their fellowship hall that had all the tables beautifully decorated, including red and white tablecloths that looked like the Peruvian flag. How encouraging it was to meet a new body of believers (new to us) committed to world missions!

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving in our own home for the first time since 2005 when we were still living in Peru. Carol's mom and brother, Jim, and his children were able to join us for a very pleasant time. A new experience for us was seeing our girls help Carol by cooking several of the dishes and desserts for our Thanksgiving dinner. They did a fantastic job. Yes, they are growing up too fast!

THE PRESENT
Now we are into the month of December, with Christmas just around the corner. We have plans to spend Christmas in Maryland and to attend, and participate in, several ministry events at our home church. Our kids are hoping for a white Christmas. We'll see. During this month, renovation and repair work will begin on our home that is needed in order for us to be able to rent it out. We will be doing some of the work ourselves to save time and money. Please pray that the Lord will direct just the right people to us to rent our home.
 

THE FUTURE
January, at least on paper, is looking like a very full and important month for us. On the 2nd, we will be at Mid-Atlantic Community Church in Crofton, Maryland, one of our supporting churches, to visit them for the last time before we go to Peru. "MACC", as the church is known, has been so faithful in praying for us and supporting us and has a special place in our hearts. We are praying that the Lord will bless them so that they will be able to be in their own building soon. Also, on the 6th of January, Carol will be sharing our ministry with a ladies' group at Fort Meade, Maryland.

Did you notice that we said, "for the last time before we go to Peru?" That's right- we are now moving ahead to leave for Peru. Although our monthly support level is still below 100%, we have decided to step out in faith and take concrete steps to go anyway. We are going to pray that the rest of the needed support will come in just prior to our departure or shortly thereafter.

We will be attending ABWE Spanish-Speaking South America's leadership seminar/conference. Andy is part of the leadership team and has attended several of the conferences, but this will be the first time that they have invited the wives to have their own conference. This will be a good opportunity for Carol to get to get to know the other missionary wives and to have a time of spiritual nurture.

On our way to the conference, we are going to visit supporters and family members for the last time before leaving for the field- in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. While in Florida, we will visit Andy's parents. They would like to see their grandchildren whom they have not seen since the summer of 2008. The Peru Field Team will be meeting in Lima (the capital city of Peru) from the 10th to the 15th of January. Pray that they might have a very productive time as they fellowship, receive timely teaching, and make decisions concerning many important issues. We would have loved to have been there.

OUR DEPARTURE
So, it looks as though February is the month for us to leave for the field. We have to decide whether to fly out of the Baltimore-Washington area or drive to Florida and leave out of Miami. There are pros and cons to both options. Pray for wisdom in this regard. We also have to decide whether to take our dog, Bizu ("beezoo"), to Peru with us or find a family to "adopt" him while we're on the field. There are pros and cons with those two options as well.

The process of narrowing down our things to what can fit into suitcases and carry-ons is a challenge. It's also an emotional process, as many of you who have had to make permanent moves can probably understand. Like we tell the kids, we're just going to have to trust the Lord to provide us with what we need and to replace what we've had to give up, if He chooses to do so.

Please pray that God would give us an extra measure of wisdom, strength, and stamina over these next couple of months. May we be open to, and accepting of, His timing and His leading.

In the Love of Our Blessed Lord,

ANDY & CAROL
 

 

Patton Postings

December 2010