One Collective—Is it a food co-op? A commune? A think tank? No, it’s the new name for International Teams. For as long as we can remember, the Vision Statement has been:

“To see lives transformed by the power of God.”

That remains our vision; the strength of One Collective is bringing people and organizations together to transform communities in the name of Christ. For more info see: www.onecollective.org/aboutus

After 19 years in its ministry location, One Collective sold its building and is now leasing space, still in Elgin. How has the move impacted Dann? Immensely! There have been multiple technological changes including moving Info Services to the cloud, a four-month process to set up networking and internet at the new location, security locks, and phone system changes—still not quite finalized.

Following the transition of some of our financial staff, Dann has spent a significant amount of time helping the new financial team to learn and understand the systems for tracking finances (giving, accounts payable, payroll and audits) at One Collective. They are a great team, and it has been a blessing to get to know and serve Christ alongside them.

Random Thoughts and Ministry

What does a lunch box have in common with a bag of frozen peas in the bottom of the freezer? Well, with sorting out households of our parents, moving ministry offices, and having our kids all living independently, we have challenged ourselves to take a hard look at our houseful of belongings. We started out the year with a goal of using up, giving away, throwing out, or somehow “finishing” with at least one item per day. We have a long ways to go, but it’s been a good reminder of Jesus’ words,  

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy . . . but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21

At the same time we are grateful, because “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,…” (James 1:17). God has blessed us with His abundant provisions. (We gave away the lunch box and ate the peas!)

In March we returned to Ghana with Two Pennies Ministry, our daughter Kyla joining the journey. The time spent deepening our relationships with our African brothers and sisters was the best part. However, God moved in unexpected ways. For example, our hope to investigate solar power for the orphanage turned instead into an installed solar system, providing power for fans and lights for the children. In an effort to provide positive, significant ministry, we are grappling with the ideas presented in the books “Helping Without Hurting” and “Toxic Charity.”

For a closer look at Two Pennies check out:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc8Okt0Ju7I

Family News

What Nancy expected to be a quick outpatient procedure January 30 turned into additional emergency surgery and infection, causing a two-week hospital stay, missing the birth of Rachel’s daughter Eleanor Margaret Lynn on February 10. She is feeling mostly better now and grateful for the prayers and practical help provided during the month off work and time recovering.

Word came from Pennsylvania at the end of March that Nancy’s Mom was entering hospice care. Almost all of the family was able to spend time with her, warm loving moments that will never be forgotten. However, April 22 her life on this earth came to an end. The evidence of her amazing impact was expressed at her memorial service by many who came and spoke, grateful for her friendship, giving, and love from a woman blessed by God.

For many years we adopted and served as foster parents through the Evangelical Child and Family Agency (ECFA). Their spring banquet featured Nancy, Kyla, and Kenneth, Kyla’s birth father, speaking of God’s work in their lives. We were humbled to be part of this amazing testimony. Be in prayer for ECFA as on May 26 fire struck their building, causing extensive damage. Their ministry has continued strong despite working from temporary offices; they hope to return to their renovated building in May of 2019.

Dann joined Elizabeth and Jerry’s family in August for the finalizing of the adoption of Josiah, their fourth. Josiah was born on June 18, 2016.

Michael and Alyssa’s daughter Aliah was born September 27. Michael was given leave from the Navy to attend her birth, and thankfully was able to stay as Aliah faced some early challenges and was hospitalized for nine days. He is currently deployed overseas until April, so please keep Michael, Alyssa, and Aliah in your prayers. We are really looking forward to meeting her!

Danny enlisted in the Army National Guard. He is currently training in truck driving following nine weeks of boot camp. We are proud of him and traveled to Georgia for his graduation from boot camp.

We enjoyed a few weeks with an empty nest, Then in November Rachel, Adam and their four children moved in with us. They expect to stay until the school year ends. Then they plan to relocate to Wisconsin. We are thankful for the time to spend with them all. Here’s to Legos and Matchbox cars on the floor once again!

The times we can all get together are rare but energetic, entertaining, enriching (and exhausting!), making us grateful for each one of our kids and grandkids.

As we continue to serve in our local church and community, we are also grateful for God’s provision and guidance and for your love, friendship and support.

God’s richest blessings to you in 2019.

Love,

A Tale of Two Streets in Three Paragraphs

We live at the intersection of two streets, the site of many accidents. Friday afternoon Nancy heard a crash, called 911, and raced outside. A truck had smashed into a large tree on the corner. Two men got out of the truck. Nancy offered help, but suspiciously they walked away. We later learned one of them died. Nancy was interviewed during the police investigation and by the local newspaper.

Two days later another crash was heard. Nancy once again raced out to offer help, finding a young French couple with a baby. Another car missed a stop sign, hitting their rear door at the baby’s car seat. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Because of the cold we invited them inside while the police and tow truck did their thing. They stayed for dinner, then help with the police and insurance company paperwork because of the language barrier. We celebrate this new friendship.

Moral: There is no knowing what will come on any given day: Love the people God brings your way.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1 NIV

* * *

In an effort to improve its use of resources that God provides, International Teams (ITeams) has been looking to sell its existing building and lease a smaller facility in Elgin. In the next few months Dann and fellow IT worker Jon will be reconfiguring the technology that provides information services for ITeams.

· Please pray for wisdom for Dann and Jon in choosing technology and endurance for the increased workload.

Health wise, Dann has had two bouts of vertigo lasting from a couple of days to a week. Nancy has had ongoing sinus infections, although sinus surgery in 2017 successfully resolved some other sinus problems. We are grateful for the overall good health we have enjoyed and are increasingly trying to live a healthy lifestyle. However, we are not getting any younger!

· Please pray for a resolution of Nancy’s sinus problems and general good health for us both.

Another Journey Begins

God’s ways are mysterious. We are humbled and amazed that He is sending us back to Ghana with Two Pennies Ministry. The trip begins March 23, and this time our daughter Kyla will join us. We are more excited than ever to be part of this ten-day Journey. We are grateful that we can serve God together. Of ultimate importance is building relationships with the people God places in our path.

· Please pray that our team of seven will be guided by God’s grace and empowered by His strength to accomplish His work.

· Please prayerfully consider if you will join our support team of friends who will pray and give for this Journey.

Praise God for the generosity of His people who have lovingly given to Kyla as she is raising support for the first time. Already 75% of Kyla’s and our financial need has been met.

Enclosed are a response card and return envelope for your use. If you are writing a check, please make it payable to First Baptist Church. DO NOT write our names on the check. You may write “Two Pennies Ministry” in the note. Your gift will go entirely towards the cost of our trip.

In Christ,

To learn more, check out
www.Facebook.com/TwoPenniesMinistry/.

… and to join with you so that together we may serve God and others as long as we both shall live.                                     
                                      — Dann and Nancy’s marriage vows

When we spoke those words to each other, we had no idea that ten years later we would be called to full time service with International Teams. Over the years God has provided additional opportunities such as foster care and Awana. Our commitment to International Teams is as strong as ever.

However…there will be a third trip to Ghana!

As you may recall, Nancy has been privileged to travel to Ghana twice, helping with the school library, spending time with the kids at the Love and Care Orphanage, and building relationships. To learn more about Two Pennies Ministry (TPM), check them out at
www.Facebook.com/TwoPenniesMinistry/.

TPM, through our local church, is returning to Africa March 24, and this time both Dann and Nancy are going. Dann plans to help set up computers in the library which TPM began and partner with the teachers, students and pastors in using technology. Nancy’s plans are still being defined. We are more excited than ever to be part of this journey. We are filled with a certainty that this is where God is leading us and are grateful that we can serve God together.

Please prayerfully consider whether you would be part of our support team for this trip. We hope for friends who will pray for this ten-day Journey. Of ultimate importance is building relationships with the people God places in our path.  We also pray that our team (nine of us) will be guided by God’s grace, wisdom, and compassion, and be empowered by His strength to accomplish the work set out before us. We also need to raise financial support for this trip. May the power of God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ be known and accepted!

Will you join us?

Enclosed are a response card and a return envelope for your use. If you are writing a check, please write “Two Pennies Ministry” in the note, but please DO NOT write our names on it anywhere. Your gift will go entirely towards the cost of our trip.

In Christ,

Dann and Nancy

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

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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

Better late than never…. Our trip to Haiti in May

Travel Report

September, 2016

Thank you for your generous support of our short-term trip to Haiti in May. What began as a New Year’s Facebook request for knitting classes turned into an incredible opportunity to meet and work alongside some wonderful believers. When the request from American Baptist International Ministries came to help Jules and Laurie Casseus move due to retiring as president of the University Christian of Northern Haiti, it seemed the perfect fit for the daughter of a lifelong moving company family! And Dann’s technical skills were an added bonus. Yes, there were plans for knitting as well.

Travel there was uneventful, if you don’t count the frantic preparations the night before… Nancy’s cell phone and email getting hacked, the hair clippers breaking at midnight so Dann’s last-minute haircut was—well, a little less even than usual. We knew this trip was of God, because the enemy certainly was trying to thwart us! However, through the sincere prayers of our small group, and willingness to stay up all night, we were ready.

Dann’s part of the trip was, of course, technical assistance. A gift of several ethernet switches at the last minute was incredibly suitable. We were a little concerned about bringing supplies in through Customs, whether there would be fees charged. Thanks to Nancy’s mother’s gift of a broad-brimmed sun hat, we also were able to “protect” the 1,000 foot roll of wire Dann was bringing to help with networking at the University. At Customs there was no question about any of the many supplies we carried in, although our suitcases were searched. We prayed the whole time, and even as one Customs official began to lift several items of clothing, he simply stopped and closed that suitcase!

The packing and moving venture began. The University president’s home was also Laurie’s childhood home, as her parents had been previous president, so we were looking at books and many other items which had been there for over half a century. It was with great fear, trepidation, and care that Nancy packed fragile family ceramic pieces used for special celebrations, praying they would survive the move intact.

Helping Laurie sort through her grown children’s schoolwork and mementos was especially moving as her precious son Tony had passed away just two years prior. There were hugs and tears, and even some laughter in the memories.

Dann spent part of his time installing network infrastructure for the campus. He worked with Max, who is the registrar and responsible for information services, and they hit it off really well. He used alternate days pulling electrical wiring at the home where the Casseus family was planning to retire, a home which had not been occupied for 18 years and needed huge repairs and renovations. The previous wiring had been stolen from the home so it all needed replaced.

Nancy was able to have a few knitting sessions with some of the folks on campus. Not speaking Creole did present minor challenges but high school French classes (a LONG time ago) were of a little help.

All too soon it was time to come home; the 12 days we spent there were not nearly long enough to accomplish all the tasks or to cement the friendships which began.

We are grateful for all God brought about on this trip and again thank you for your financial help.

The stair railings and Newel Posts have been installed.

Closeup of Spindles

Continued Progress on railings. The spindles have all been painted. The next step is the installation of the railings and Newel Posts for the stairs.

We are in the process of painting spindles for our porch railings.

These are several sections of railings that will be painted.

Some that are painted.