Dear Friends:

What a year! Some changes, some unexpected happenings, and much blessing from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We gathered in Tennessee for a final farewell to Dann’s Mom and Dad. The memorial gathering drew their many wonderful friends, many of our kids, and Dann’s brother Kevin’s clan.

Last time we wrote Nancy was anticipating a second trip to Ghana, which came about as expected. What was NOT expected was the Brussels airport terrorist attack two days before our departure, where our flights were routed. Eventually, all the team made it.

The time there was fantastic. The kids at the orphanage were wonderful; she had great visits with them. The kids at the school also were amazing. Seeing so many faces we knew and reconnecting with teachers was such an encouragement. The team did much work on the repair of a building to become the library, which was continued by the local townspeople after we left. To be honest, there is no way to put into words the impact of this trip on her life, and we pray those in Ghana were drawn closer to God through our time together.

What was not exactly expected was that just five weeks after returning from Ghana, Nancy and Dann would together have the opportunity to travel to Haiti for a project there. Nancy had been working with American Baptist Church’s International Ministries on a possible knitting project there. Then word came that the Casséus family, who had been president of the UCNH (Université Chrétienne du Nord d’Haïti) needed tons of help getting packed up to move from campus due to Jules’ retirement. Laurie and Nancy became fast friends—more like twins—during our 12 days there. Some knitting lessons also happened, but definitely the majority of her time went into sorting and packing, a very emotional journey as the home was where Laurie had grown up. Her parents were founders and previously president of the school, and there were untold memories. The Casséus’ son Tony tragically passed away in 2012, so there were tears and laughter in sorting Tony’s things as well.

Dann had a dual purpose for going, both to help the University with network technology and also help to renovate the home where the Casséus family would be moving, a house which had been vacant for 17 years and needed to be completely rewired, along with much other work.

We are beyond grateful that God allowed us the privilege of meeting the fantastic folks in Haiti and would gladly travel again if God should direct it.

When back in Elgin, we continue work on the restoration of our home. One of the five decorative gables has been installed, and there’s a chance the second one will go up before winter. There are always little repairs and projects inside and out, but it’s definitely looking better.

Dann’s annual International Conference for Computers and Mission was held in Pennsylvania this year. The conference was rewarding and encouraging. Dann was able to learn, for example, about new web page technology that ITeams is now using.

Nancy tagged along, able to spend time with her mom and sisters. Mom has been sorting family pictures, memories, etc., like crazy, so we spent quite a few hours working with her and walking down memory lane. She’s been the keeper of family history and has been  sorting and copying to graciously share all of this with the rest of the family. To end the trip, Mom, in her incredible generosity, gave us her car as she is no longer driving, which we drove back to Illinois.

We came home with an extra passenger, a tiny kitten rescued by our niece Haley. Aria is a sweet little thing, six months old now, and has livened up our lives like we couldn’t believe. We do love her, but I don’t recommend driving 625 miles with a kitten!

In September Nancy accepted the position as head of the Mission Team at church. It’s an honor to have been asked, and we pray that God will use her to forward the work of Christ throughout the world.

We expected it would happen but never knew when, but the empty nest is more or less in sight! In August Matthew and Danny moved out on their own, and we pray God’s best for them both. That leaves Joseph (now going by Joe). He currently attends school out of state but will most likely return home for Christmas and will finish school at home in Elgin. After feeding ten people every day for so long, it’s still a big adjustment to buy groceries for only two! We are still housing Judson University students and recent grads. A side note is that for the first time in 25 or so years we really didn’t need a van. Our 15 passenger van is now on its way to a new home with Two Pennies Ministry in Ghana. (Thanks again, Mom, for the Buick!)

Dann has spent time in the development and improvement of web applications at International Teams. He also has been able to help with maintaining the HVAC system for the building. Dann was awarded the LifeSaver Award (complete with  a bag of LifeSavers) in recognition of his problem solving skills.

Dann continues to work with designing and installing apartment security systems, something which is much needed in some of the more challenging areas of Chicago.

Thanks so much for you financial support, prayers and friendship, God is impressing on us the value of loving our family and friends more deeply. We would love to hear from you.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord                                                        Joshua 24:15