Shalom!

Senior Pastor Denny and Sue

Associate Pastor Jeff and Diane

Jeff and I stand in AWE at the work of God's hand over this last year!

God has been directing, encouraging and guiding us clearly!

As we reflect and look back at what God has done, we remember how heartbreaking it was to leave Brazil last April!  Brazil, a country and people that will forever remain in our hearts!

It would have been so easy to stay there. But when God calls us to "go", He does not promise us that it will be easy.  And in our 10th year, it was getting easy and comfortable.

As missionaries there, God had blessed us again with full support for that year, our 10th year.  Ministry was effective, we had finally obtained permanent visas and our daughter and son-in-law were planning to move to Rio to teach at the International Christian School.  We had so many reasons to stay!  And we had one better reason to return to the United States....Jesus Christ!  We could see how our own country was/is turning away from the Lord!

So return, we did---to the country of our origin, because God was clearly calling us to do so! 

God gave us a short stop in Grimes, Iowa, where we stopped to encourage and minister together with some incredible brothers- and sisters-in-Christ.  Now, God has clearly has called us to Annandale, Minnesota. 

Jeff will serve as Associate Pastor at Annandale Evangelical Free Church beginning April 1st.  To quote a sister-in-Christ from AEFC, "His (God's) hand is all over this one!"  Thanks, Nancy, for these encouraging words!

Through Jeff's interviewing process and "courtship" with Annandale Evangelical Free Church, the Holy Spirit has worked incredibly, guiding and affirming!  Allow me to share just one of the many...

One morning during the 5-day candidating visit, I was prayer-running around Pleasant Lake in Annandale, praying for peace as we sought God's clear direction. 

I looked up and saw a sign saying, "Shalom".  I praised God for that word of encouragement!  Upon second glance, I realized that the sign actually said, "Shallow Water"!  

Both encouraged me!  "Shalom", because it means peace, and "Shallow Water," because to me it means that there are times of magnificent ministry opportunities ahead in Annandale after what seemed to be unending and deep waters of being in limbo!

We are so excited and looking forward to what God has in store for us in Annandale!  Praising Him for revealing our "NEXT"!

Shalom,

Diane and Jeff

John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."