Sorry for the delay in this long overdue post. Since Jo and I returned from Mexico we have been busy serving with Samaritan's Purse and getting ready to go back to Rancho Maranatha this fall.
In April the town of Mena Arkansas was hit with a EF 3 tornado and Jo and I were asked to help with the Samaritan's Purse disaster response. We were in Mena for about 2 weeks where Jo answered the phone and took requests from home owners and I contacted home owners to make assessments of damage for tree removal and temporary tarping of roofs. This was a wonderful time for both of us. We got to work with the SP staff and a great bunch of volunteers. In this town of 5,000, 1,000 of the home were damaged and of that 1,000, 300 of those were completely destroyed. We both pray that God continues to allow us to serve with Samaritan's Purse and share the good news.
When we returned to Wichita we went to Illinois to pick up our 2003 Jayco Designer fifth wheel that will soon become our full time home.
We spent several weeks painting and doing all those little repairs that I had been putting off in order to put our home on the market. That was done 3-4 weeks ago and although it has been "shown" several time we have not yet received an offer. Jo (mostly) has been trying real hard to down size and get rid of lots of stuff we have accumulated over the years and won't have room for in the RV.
A few weeks ago we had a major hail storm here in Wichita and at the church every car in the parking lot (Wed. night service) was damaged, but the RV only suffered a few broken vent covers. Thank you Lord!
I will be retiring and off staff at the church the first of August. We have started to visit some of our sister churches in the area to renew friendships and share about what has been happening at Rancho Maranatha in Mexico. Our plans are to return to Mexico this October and stay until May of next year with maybe a short visit back to Kansas around Christmas. The girls have not been returned to the ranch and Daniel is still in prison in Obregon. There is a great brother and sister in the Lord, Paul and Pam Cooper, serving at the ranch but our hearts long to join them there.
We really need for the house to sell for this to happen so please continue to pray that God brings us that one buyer we need.
If you would like any more information about Samaritan's Purse, Rancho Maranatha or what is happening with Daniel and the girls at the ranch, please let us know.God Bless all of you.
Jerry and Jo
