Sam Talbert

New Life Teachers

2010-11-25T00:18:00.000-08:00

Pirates in the Talbert family

2009-05-22T23:10:00.001-07:00

We have pirates among our family but at lease we don't have any horse thieves yet.

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Fire Captain Brian Talbert Gets Pinned and Pecked

2009-05-15T09:31:00.001-07:00

At a ceremony in the Orange County Fire Authority headquarters Brian Talbert, AKA 'Uncle Bubby', received his pin as a Fire Captain. He is stationed at the La Palma station. His wife Cindy performed the pinning duties and the extra curricular activities.

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Little friends in No Cal

2009-01-27T21:28:00.001-08:00

The Bishops live in a house they built somewhere between Chico and Oroville. Hanging outside their dining room window these little friends hang out and make every one smile. Beyond the finches is an awesome view.

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Road to California

2009-01-18T14:03:00.001-08:00

Here is grandma hanging out with one of her favorite TV teachers. We have watched every episode of Alex Anderson's TV show, Simply Quilts. Honestly if you have to watch a quilt show, Alex Anderson put on one of the best. I even enjoyed watching it.

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Captain Talbert

2008-12-24T22:08:00.001-08:00

We just visited Captain Bubby Talbert at his new Station 13 in the city of La Palma.

Here is the remains of his first fire. Poor Santa!!

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Beijing Tour

2008-11-21T14:54:00.001-08:00

I did it! I climbed the wall! And I am here to tell you it was
murder. You go almost straight up while your lungs scream like crazy
and you wheeze at every third step. Then on the way down your knees
are ready to disown you. Thank heaven for the hand rail. I wouldn't
have made it without it. I thought I was doing pretty good for an old
geezer until a 79 year old Chinese man roared past me.

I thought Brian would appreciate the pic of me at the big pot. No,
it's not for cooking missionaries. It is the fire suppression system
in the Forbidden city. A kind of ancient sprinkler system. In the
winter when it gets really cold they put a fire under it to keep it
from freezing. Hmmm, I guess you could cook a missionary if the
opportunity arose.

Coming home today and looking forward to Chula Vista and all the nice
things of home.

Sam

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Recognize me?

2008-11-19T08:21:00.001-08:00

My glucose has been up and down and I don't think I have gained any
weight. However some things have changed.

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Friends in the staff room

2008-11-19T07:34:00.001-08:00

Here are three young ladies who served in the staff room at the school
where we held our workshop sessions. They furnished coffee and
cookies, kept the place clean and neat, and showed me where the
computer lab of the school was located. They are special friends who
I hope will get on facebook and keep in touch.

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Guess What

2008-11-19T07:27:00.001-08:00

I bet you can't guess what I have been doing in Mongolia. Here are a
couple of hints. After 2381 clicks and 8 sessions of WTB I am on my
way to Chula Vista, Hooray!!!

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Second week in Mongolia

2008-11-15T00:22:00.001-08:00

We finished the conference on Thursday and took the day off on Friday.
On our day off we went to the Russian border and to the valley where
Chingiss Khan recaptured his wife who had been kidnapped by his
enemies. They have a huge rock there as a marker. The first
conference was a great success, even though we had a hiccup in the
middle when the Education Superintendent felt we were being too
religious.

This conference got off to a great start with more participants than
the last group. My Walk Thru was enthusiastically received and I look
forward to three more good sessions. Here are some pics of me in
action, at the border and at the Chingiss Stone memorial.

Having fun in Suhkbaatar,

Sam

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Sunday in Mongolia

2008-11-09T00:57:00.001-08:00

It has been a good day. We met our interpreters and began to bond.
Mine is one of the best which is good and bad. Good that she is the
best but bad that she has to interpret for two other people.

I have some pics for you. Enjoy!

The young girl is our waitress at the hotel. Notice in lthe photo of
the Ger they have a dish outside. We may not have solid walls but we
do have our TV. I wonder if they are watching Dancing with the Stars.

You will recognize the sign outside the restrooms.

We crank it all up tomorrow so, again I implore you to pray.

Sam

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Hanging in Suhkbaatar

2008-11-08T00:50:00.001-08:00

We are still in the training mode. I have been drafted to become the
official photographer for the conference. I get to roam around and go
where ever I want. I also get to spend time playing with my computer
and it is officially OK.

We have found three internet cafes and we are out every after noon
explloring the city. Interesting time. I will meet my interpreter
tomorrow and we will begin to work on my Walk Thru the Bible
presentation. Then on Monday everything cranks up.

I love you all and really appreciate your Prayers.

Sam

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Safely in Mongolia

2008-11-04T23:12:00.001-08:00

I have arrived safely in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia. There were no
hitches and even though I was overwhelmed by the enormity of the
Beijing airport I find my team and all is well. Here are a couple of
photos for you to peruse. The young lady was the smiling face at our
hotel..

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Lemon Bars

2008-11-03T15:57:00.001-08:00

Since, I (Grandmother) am still learning how to work the computers,
pics, etc.( notice I don't know the language yet) I'll be using
granp's twitter, etc. Here's how I spent Monday afternoon. Mixed
one lb. of butter with 3 cups of flour a little conf. sugar and a lot
of cutting with the blender. Notice the crust is pressed into the
pan. After a wonderful browning of the ingredients walla, out comes
a golden pan of crust. Next the gooey part. 8 eggs, 4 cups of sugar
Yikes..... these are not for gramps. a lot of lemon and lime juice, I
mean a lot, a little zip of zest, more stuff and then poured on the
golden brown delicious crust. You should have seen me trying to get
the pan into the oven. It was sooo full I had to have help
transporting it from the counter to the oven. Gramp's was eagerly
helping. He thinks he's getting some. Maybe one.....Had to take a
break and get the product out of the oven. All done except the
dusting. Well they are too warm to get into the mail today, if they
last, maybe tomorrow. Jaclyn gets half since she was on a cleansing
during her birthday and she didn't get her request for lemon bars. So
Geoff, enjoy, diabetes here I come.

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Sugar and Damn It

2008-10-30T12:54:00.001-07:00

I wouldn't get too worked up over a kitten named Damn it if I had a
history of dragging home strays like this one.

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Guess where I had lunch today

2008-10-25T21:30:00.001-07:00

For lunch today, I had lobster bisque, spinach lasagna, Philly cheese steak, salmon, spagetti, chicken rolls, chicken tacos, chicken stir fry, chocolate covered macademia nuts, pumpkin cake, zipfiz energy drink, apple crisp, a hot dog and a coke. Can you guess where I ate?

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October Update

2008-10-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

Here it is the third week of October and I am not in Cannon Beach, OR. For the past 15 or so years I have been teaching Walk Thru the Bible at Ecola Bible School. Not so this year. I did not realize how hot it gets in So. Cal. this time of the year. I miss Ecola but I look forward to teaching at the Baja Bible School in Tijuana. They were going to start this fall but have postponed the opening of the school until next year. By the way, if you know of anyone who is interested in a one year Bible study program with excellent instructors, let me know and I’ll put in touch with Baja Bible School.

However, things haven’t slowed down without the Ecola schtik. I have been busy teaching a seminar for Walk Thru the Bible entitled, Raising Up a Child. This is a new parenting seminar from WTB and I am teaching it for the first time at Bonita Valley Baptist Church. On top of that, I was the mission speaker at Carlsbad Community Church, and the speaker for the Pinewood Derby races for AWANA at Bonita Valley Baptist Church. I have also been asked to fill the pulpit for the Santee Community Church before I leave for Mongolia.

I also had another interesting conversation this month. One of my long time friends and colleagues in ministry and I took a half day and talked about how to finish up ministry. He is still actively in the pastorate and all his kids almost out of the house and the next big step would be retirement. Just what that would look like is anybody’s guess. I certainly have found retirement an interesting adventure and the years ahead hold just as much thrill has any years I have experienced. I just don’t know where they will lead. None-the-less, we want to finish well and be an asset to the kingdom of Christ until He takes us home. You may hear more about this as time goes on. If you have a comment, I would like to hear it. Let’s all finish well!

Mongolia is coming together well. I have my ticket, my presentation is pretty well set, I have my flu shot, I have been collecting all the odds and ends, I have purchased gifts for my interpreter, Janiece has laid in plans for how she is going to spend her time, (She has even worked out an itinerary for the train that I would not have figured out), so, I guess everything is on schedule. I met a lady in Berean Christian Store yesterday who is also going on the trip from San Diego. That was an unexpected delight.

I am working on a sermon for Santee Christian Church and I feel drawn to Philippians 4:6 which says to be anxious for nothing. Anxiety seems to be the elephant in the room in a lot of people’s lives these days. With the Wall Street Rollercoaster scattering our emotions all over the landscape and the impending election raising all kinds of issues it is no wonder that people are anxious. I think this is a time to assess just what we believe about God. Does a $31,000 lost in our portfolio spell disaster, or is this a reminder that our real confidence is in God and His loving care. It chases me back to the scriptures (Matt. 6:33) that admonishes us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

He knows, and He cares!

As difficult as things are in Southern California there are others who are struggling more than we are. Let’s not miss this opportunity to uphold our brothers and sisters who are facing insurmountable difficulties.

Oh, by the way, my baby boy turned 45 this week. Happy birthday Jon! He also, this month, pulled off a major involvement in the San Jose Aids Walk. He challenged four churches to recruit 600 walkers and raise $20,000 for the Aids Health Fund. He missed his goal. The four churches recruited 802 walkers and raised almost $30,000. The boy is doin’ good. Papa is proud. Not that I’m not proud of the other two, this was just Jon’s turn for the spotlight.

Suhkbaatar, here I come,

Sam Talbert

Be sure to check out my blog at smacktalbert.blogspot.com

Cumquat Harvest

2008-10-15T17:37:00.001-07:00

A couple of years ago we bought a Cumquat tree. We kept it in a pot for a while then we planted it out near our gazebo.

It has struggled and finally it produced a crop. I went out today and hauled in our cumquat harvest.

Yep, that's it. Two whole cumquats. Aren't they pretty? I can't wait to enjoy my delicious citrus fruit.

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I don't know if you have ever eaten a cumquat. They work great on salads and in other combinations, but to eat them alone is an experience of a lifetime. You eat them whole. The peel tastes slightly sweet. To balance this the inner pulp is sour. When you eat them you get a mixture of both these tastes which is quite interesting.

Here's how you do it. You put the whole thing in your mouth and bite down.

Then you enjoy the splash of intense tastes.

Sometimes one taste overpowers the other. Can you guess which one dominates?

Maybe the next crop will taste better.

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British Car Day

2008-10-05T22:44:00.001-07:00

The first Sunday of October is always British Car Day. This year it was at the Admiral Baker Park in San Diego. About 177 cars pre registered. This year is the 50th anniversary of the Austin Healey Sprite and that mark was featured. My Sprite was in the center of the show along with a dozen others.

Janiece came too and hung out in the 'quick shade' canope. We had a McBreakfast and strolled around looking at all the variety of rolling artwork that came from mother England.

There was even a bagpipe marching band.

They were pretty good, I think. I don't really have a category for judging bagpipe bands. The little girl who played the drum and twirled her drumsticks was cute though.

Here are a couple of photos of interesting sights.

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Looks like the photog is having a hayday.

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A Tropical Treat

2008-10-01T11:55:00.001-07:00

A couple of years ago I went to Papua New Guinea to visit Steve and Tracy Geis and in the process I was introduced to Passion Fruit. Later I found a vine at Lowes and planted it on our fence. Well, it has begun to produce fruit. The fruit looks like a huge plum with a thick tough skin.

Open it up and it is filled with a juicy, gelatinous pulp and seeds that looks like frog eggs to me.

If you can get pas the looks the pulp is tart and sour but tasty. According to the internet is high in vitamin A. I think I am the only one in the house at the moment who likes it. So, I guess I will be able to have all I want.

I'm sure there are some exotic applications that will be delightful. Wanna try some?

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Breakfast in Julian

2008-09-30T08:47:00.001-07:00

Janiece and I enjoy breakfast at the Julian Hotel. They turn out a pretty good spread. The Granola is homade and the pancakes are filled with apples.

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I Found Him!

2008-09-29T14:06:00.001-07:00

You may have been wondering whatever happened to Bob's Big Boy. He has not become the antichrist, he is just retired and living in Julian.

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Mongolia, Here I Come!

2008-09-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

It was 1996 that I last worked with the International School Project, connected with Campus Crusade for Christ. They found my name buried in a file somewhere and invited me to accompany them to Suhkbaatar, Mongolia, and I accepted.

On Nov. 3 I leave for three weeks to conduct two teacher convocations in that city. Where is Suhkbaatar, you ask. I had not ever heard of it either and had to find it on a map like the one here.
You will find the city in the north center of the country just below the Siberian border. Also just south of Lake Baikal.

I will fly to Beijing, then to Ulaan Baatar, the capitol of Mongolia, then take some kind of ground transportation to Suhkbaatar. It is along a river in a mountainous region and at about the same lattitude as Canada. You remember I said I was going in November. I expect it to be COLD!!!

Off to Mongolia

2008-09-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

My next trip comes in November. I leave on Nov. 3 for Mongolia.

A little history. In 1992 the Soviet wall came tumbling down and Campus Crusade, Assoc. Christian Schools Int'l and Walk Thru the Bible joined forces forming the International School Project to reach that country that had been closed to the gospel. The tool was to offer a new curriculum to Russian public schools emphasizing ethics and morality, using the Jesus film. We began conducting Teacher Convocations in major cities throughout the former USSR. In 1992 Janiece and I participated in Convocation #3 to Moscow and Ivanova. I returned for another shot in 1996.

Out of the blue the International School Project called me again and asked me to come with them to Suhkbataar, Mongolia. After discussing it with Janiece I decided to go.

Here is the itinerary for that trip:

Date/Time Depart Flight # Arrive Date/Time

11-3/905p San Diego United 5595 Los Angeles 11-3/1000p
11-4/1240a Los Angeles Air China 984Q Beijing 11-5/530a
11-5/820a Beijing Air China 901Q Ulaanbaatar 11-5/1045a
11-20/1145a Ulaanbaatar Air China 902 Beijing 11-20/145p
11-22/900p Beijing Air China 983 Los Angeles 11-22/430p
11-22/712p Los Angeles United 5580 San Diego 11-22/805p

From the capital, Ulaanbaatar, we will take the train to Suhkbaatar. We will conduct two separate convocations there in two different places. I will be one of the plenary speakers, teaching Walk Thru the Bible, and I will also be a small group facilitator.

This is a great opportunity for me as I will get to speak 8 different and have close input to two different small groups.

Keep watching, I'll post more as I move ahead in this challenge.

New Facial Treatment

2008-09-12T17:09:00.001-07:00

I understand Estee Lauder is beta testing a new facial treatment that will make a person drop dead beautiful. I don't think this is it.

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Tourville Two

2008-09-12T00:11:00.001-07:00

A while ago our kids took us to a studio and had a portrait photo taken of all our grandkids. Last weekend when everyone was here for our anniversary we restaged that photo. Take a look at a 'then' and 'now' comparison of that portrait. There have been some changes.

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Take a look at Colin's shirt

2008-09-11T17:57:00.001-07:00

I thought this was a great picture, and it is. Then I took a closer look at Colin's shirt. I wonder what his mom was thinking when she bought it for him. Either she didn't look closely or she was accommodating his teenage urges.

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Jaclyn

2008-09-10T21:18:00.001-07:00

Jaclyn is now back with us. That means I get to drink 'living beverages.' I think what that really means is 'expensive beverages.'

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El Cajon Classic Car Show

2008-09-10T20:52:00.001-07:00

I took my healey (see a picture in my last post) to the El Cajon Classic Car Show this evening. As I was driving down Main St, one of the officials signaled me to pull into the Promenade at the center of the Show. Mine was the only Healey parked there. I was next to a Rolls, an Anglia, a couple of Morgans, a couple of Jags, and two MG's. Mine was a lowly little Healey in pretty heady company.

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My First Blog Post

2008-09-10T14:42:00.001-07:00

Here is the Healey with me and Jenna.

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password issues

2008-09-10T14:34:00.001-07:00

I am having trouble with my email address and password. Posterous won't let me login.

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Taking the Sprite to El Cajon

2008-09-10T12:49:00.001-07:00

This afternoon I will take the Healey to the SD Austin Healey Club meeting. This is the first time I have taken my car to one of these meetings. It is held in El Cajon and is a part of their "British Invasion" car show.

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Fifty years and counting

2008-08-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

August 27, 2008

Tomorrow it will be 50 years. I still remember that night we spent 50 years ago sitting in a car in Wasco, CA waiting and watching for Buddy Baker to arrive. He was my best man and he was coming from LA or Burney. I forget which. I think he arrived around 1 a.m. I had resigned from my job as a garbage truck driver at the Wawona Hotel in Yosemite earlier in the week. By the way, because I quit early they won’t hire me back. That makes me sad -- I can never drive garbage truck in Yosemite again, sob, sob. The crew was Lavon Johnson, Millie Sarasen and Marlon Villegas on Janiece’s side and Buddy Baker, Stuart Cunningham and Gary Strauss on my side of the aisle. The minister was Ed Steele. We were married in the First Baptist Church in Wasco and that evening we stayed in the Bakersfield Inn. That nest night after we got married in Wasco, the Buchanans, (Bucky was my best friend) got married in Stanton, CA. The next week school started at Biola and I had another year before graduation. We moved into an apartment on Dillon St. in the Silverlake district of Los Angeles.

Janiece continued to work at Biola full time and I started my final year and worked part time. Biola moved to the new campus after I graduated and we moved to Buena Park until I finished Talbot Seminary. Janiece worked until Lori was born and then I had to pick up the slack and work full time and carry my seminary load. Tough times but bearable. Brian was born a year and a half later.

Then it came time to move to Dallas Seminary for a Masters degree. We packed up a 14 ft. Uhaul trailer and lit out for big D. Lee and Lavon Sterling came along to keep us company. Picture this Lori was not yet three, Brian was 15 months, and Janiece was 8 months pregnant with Jon. It was the longest four days of my life. We arrived in Dallas where it was in the high 90’s and the tough times really began. Jon was born at the Baylor hospital and we moved into a home in Casa View. We came within 10 days of washing out because of no job and no income. Then my friend, Dennis Guernsey, got me a job in juvenile probation. Then another job to make enough to live on. So, Janiece had to take care of three kids under three years old while I worked two jobs and went to seminary. Dallas was a miserable experience!

From Dallas we went to Oklahoma where things didn’t get any better. But that is for another post.

In December ’65 we came to California for Christmas. We were driving a Corvair and on highway 99 somewhere around Merced we blew a tire and flipped over and crossed the median into oncoming traffic upside down. Brian and I got out before an eighteen wheeler swept it all away. I was sure the rest of my family was gone. I remember saying, “OK God I guess it is Brian and me.” Then I found Lori who was thrown out of the car. I said, “Thank you,” and headed for the car. Janiece and Jon were still in the car and pretty banged up but OK. That Christmas we had no money, no job, no home, and no car. Janiece was pretty banged up and it was a pretty down Christmas.

From here God led us to Calvary Church (another story for another time) and the beginning of ministry. Now here we are 50 years later in San Diego awaiting the arrival of our three kids, their spouses, and our fourteen grandkids.

Well, she has finished another one!

2008-08-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

Janiece is never without a quilt project and sometimes there are several in various stages of completion. Recently she wrapped up a project she had been working on for some time.

It is pretty clear that this is a quilt for a young man. He will snuggle up nice and warm and nevr know who made his quilt or why. That doesn't matter, Janiece had the joy of making the quilt and giving it away.

Sleep well little man!

Ministry in Pasadena

2008-08-04T09:56:00.001-07:00

Out of a Perspectives Class I taught last year came an opportunity to speak in the Missions Month of the Community Church on Holliston in Pasadena, CA. This church is a combination of three churches led by Pastor Sam Park. There is a Korean speaking congregation, an English speaking Korean congregation and a traditional congregation. The traditional congregation and the Korean congregations merged a while back to form this mosaic congregation. Obviously, I spoke only to the English speaking congregation. I was totally impressed with their approach to ministry and to missions. They have a solid approach to world outreach and an eagerness to reach into and beyond their own community.

This is the kind of church that would benefit greatly from the ministry of E3 Partners.

There was one frustration of the weekend. We arrived on Saturday afternoon and stayed in the Pasadena Hilton Hotel. This is a first class hotel and the room was very good. However, when I logged onto the internet there was a charge. When I called the desk they told me it would be $9.00 per day for internet access. When I asked why, I was told it was because Hilton is a “full service” hotel. This puzzles me. I thought “full service” meant every service would be provided by the hotel. Evidently it means every service provided by the hotel will have a fee charged to it. I think this sucks.

I am currently sitting in the waiting lounge of Toyota of El Cajon and using their free Wi-Fi. I can go to any Panera Restaurant and use their free Wi-Fi. I have not done much research but I bet I could go to 100 places and find the same thing. I guess they are not “full service.”

Memories in Los Angeles

2008-07-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went into Los Angeles where Janiece and I met when Biola was in downtown. We visited some of the places that are still there and some that have changed radically. We ate breakfast at the Pantry which is still there and still open. They have never closed since sometime in the 20’s.

6th and Hope has changed a lot. The Bank of California occupies the spot where Biola used to be, so I could not find the fire escape where I gave her an engagement ring.

We took in Olvera St. where Los Angeles started and where Janiece and I first met back in September of 1956. The plaza is a little different now but it still brought back memories.

2008-07-18T16:25:00.000-07:00

Home From Africa part 2

Now that I have been home a while it is time to reflect on some of the changes since Awassa. First, let me comment on the health issues. Usually, illness accompanies the return trip home. Not so much this time. I have read that some of the team did experience some intestinal difficulties but not so for me. I did pick up a cold somewhere between DC and home but I can’t blame Ethiopia for that.

A tip from Al Wilson may have helped. He suggested peptobismol before each meal. I think that helped because I took some chances that could have caused problems, but nothing happened.

Here is a look at a typical Ethiopian dinner, eaten communally with your right hand only.

You use the rolled up bread to scoop up the meat/sauses etc.

It has been a trip getting back into the ‘american way’ of eating and getting my glucose back into its boundaries.

Coffee has been another adventure. I have not had the opportunity to try out my Ethiopian Coffee Grinder that Janiece is demonstrating below, but the coffee we bought in Addis has turned out to be the best I have tasted in a long time. Look out Starbucks!

I have had some contact with friends in Awassa since I returned. I received a couple of e-mails from Asmenaw. He is the interpreter that looks like Arsenio Hall. I teased him about becoming president of Ethiopia (he is in law school). I really think he might just do something in politics.

I am looking forward to getting back to my church (Bonita Valley Baptist Church). I have been speaking at other churches (see my speaking schedule), and I won’t get home until the 27th. That will be the first time I can report on my trip.

I also have volunteered to take on the missions chair at Bonita. This will be a challenge to work on developing a missions focus for the church that will grab the younger generation and still keep the older saints active. I look forward to the challenge.

Another change since returning is the opportunity to drive my Bugeye more often. I had to miss the Conclave that was held in San Diego while I was in Ethiopia. So, I decided to break it out and drive it whenever I could justify it. It has been fun.

I have been working on an idea for ministry among bivocational pastors of new churches on the mission field. I will wait until the next post to tell you about it.

Until then, let the word of Christ richly dwell in you. . . .

Sam

Home from Africa

2008-07-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

I’m home and just about caught up with my sleep. It was a great trip and amazing in every way.

First, the logistics of the trip were interesting. I was the only staff member as we left San Diego and flew into Washington DC to meet the rest of our team. Nadine, the Church Planting Coordinator, was to meet us there. Her plane was delayed and it looked like she would miss the connection, meaning I would be the leader all the way to Addis Ababa. Fortunately, she showed up just as our plane was boarding. So started a loooooong flight to Addis. We met our leader, Al Wilson, there; spent the night and were treated to a typical Ethiopian dinner. Strange food and strange eating style (no utensils and eat with only right hands). Saturday we drove 6 hours south to Hawassa where our work would take place.

On Sunday I preached in a Guannet church. This was the denomination we were working with. On Monday we went out to four different areas and shared the gospel from house to house. It was a Muslim area and some interesting conversations ensued. One of our team was even invited into a Mosque. On Tuesday I moved to another area of ministry. Joseph Menna, our contact in Ethiopia, invited me to go with him to another town to teach about 100 leaders from other denominations in preparation for future church planting. For the next three days I taught Walk Thru the Bible, the Great commission and the fundamentals of Church. God prepared a way for me to have an impact in a totally unexpected ministry.

When the week’s work was totaled up we found that we had shared the gospel with over 4000 individuals and seen over 400 positive responses to the gospel. These new babes in Christ were turned over to the leaders of the Guannet churches for follow up. Another factor in all this is that many of these responses are Muslim and many more Muslims heard the gospel and are now considering the claims of Issa. Our prayer is that they will continue to explore the ideas presented by our team members.

At the end of our work we celebrated and went into Kenya for a couple of days of unwinding. For me that was a two fold blessing. First, I got to spend an afternoon and evening with Brian Arensen and his family. It was a great time talking about missions, ministry in Africa and the challenges of missionary life. Second, I was able to photograph some of Africa’s wonderful animals.

Now what? To be honest, I don’t know. Joseph invited me back to Ethiopia and that would be truly enjoyable but that is all up to God. There is a great ministry going on there and I was greatly impressed with Joseph’s ministry plan. He is working to multiply every dollar, every effort, every ministry that comes his way. Ministry in Ethiopia is really exciting. Who knows, I may be back inviting you to go with me to Ethiopia in ’09.

For now it is a Walk Thru in Carlsbad and pulpit supply in Santee. Looking ahead there is a huge celebration on the horizon at the end of August when Janiece and I celebrate our 50th.

Thanks for loving us and for your support. I haven’t sorted all my photos yet, so I’ll put together some that will show the story in the next couple of weeks.

Still serving,

Sam