An end of a chapter

We have been blessed to have spent the past 2+ years serving our Lord at Agape Flights. The past few months we have seen in various ways that this chapter of our life was ending. Last Thursday was Dan's last official work day at Agape. We will be spending this week saying goodbye to our friends there and closing out the remaining tasks. At this point we do not know what is next, but trust God to show us when the time is right. We are a bit anxious about Dan not having a job, yet are excited to see what is around the next corner. We could not sum up the experiences we have been a part of in a shot blog, but a condensed version would sound like this: We have laughed, cried, prayed, seen lives change, made new friends, witnessed miracles, served, travelled, trained, witnessed births, witnessed rebirths, ministered, been ministered to, and blogged. We would not trade the experiences or the relationships we have had at Agape for anything. Rejoice with us, for we serve a Great God!!!

King Air emergency landing in Eleuthera Bahamas

Yesterday late morning Agape's plane, pictured to the left, encountered some difficulties when the right engine seized up and started smoking over the Bahamas. Pilots, Jeff and Steve, had recieved training recently on how to handle landing with only one engine should it ever occur. God is so good! They were able to land the plane fully loaded with cargo for the missionaries without incident. Praise God! Dave Spangler a missionary in the Bahamas came to the rescue and allowed his plane to to be used to get the cargo to Haiti and the D.R. Thank you Dave for your generousity!
It appears as if the engine will have to be replaced. Dan, Harvey, and possibly a few of the aircraft mechanic volunteers will most likely be heading to Eleuthera on Tuesday to begin the process of replacing the engine in preparation to bring "Grace" as named by Harvey home. Please keep the mechanics in your prayers as there is no hangar and they will be doing all the work on the tarmac with what they can borrow or bring with them. We will update as we know more.

Short Update

Hi all! It has been a while since our last post. We have been kind of at a loss for what God has for us, as our relocation to the D.R. with Agape Flights was cancelled a few weeks before our planned departure date. It seems that what was to be the plan has majorly changed. Because of these changes our friends, John and Sarah Niesen, have left the field to return to Missouri and the mission house in Santo Domingo has been closed. We are currently in prayer and seeking counsel on God's will for us. We are (still) more than half packed and are eager to serve Him in whatever He has for us. We are going to Greenville, SC next weekend to counsel with our Sr. Pastor, and we also have been seeking the counsel of our Sr. Pastor here in Venice. We thank you for all your prayers, please keep us and our Pastors in you prayers as we seek direction. We will post after we return from Greenville. The picture above is Dan speaking at Calvary Chapel of Bradenton here in FL. God bless!

Home? again

Well, I, Dan, returned home last Friday from the Dominican Republic. I had many revelations while there. First, the little spanish I know is very inadaquate for serving. I could survive with what I know, but could not minister (Donde es el bano?). Next, working up close with the missionaries, we saw God is truly doing great things in the DR. Finally, the plans we had to minister there do not seem to be needed at this time. Kate and I would love to serve God in the Dominican Republic, but more importantly, we want to do what God wants. We do not believe that our plans to move there and serve are His plans. So, the question mark in the title is not a typo, but the reality of what we feel. We are seeking God's will for our lives, but are not sure what or where the next step is. If you visit our house now, you would see a family living out of boxes, since we were packed to leave. We are continuing to serve at Agape here in the states as we wait for the next step. Please pray for us and direction in our lives.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic photos

I have posted a new slideshow with some pictures from my trip to the DR. I am sure Dan will have some more when he comes home on Friday...Yes John he IS coming home. It is so nice to get to spend some time with Sarah and the kids...they were missed. I hope you all (y'all) enjoy the pictures. I love and miss you Dan...see you on Friday! God Bless!
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11