What's Happening?

The folks at Engleside Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA were so kind to give us a day off to spend in DC. The single team members were able to see the Newseum in the morning before lunch. This journalism and news museum was very well done. It had a great display of the Berlin Wall, a 9/11 memorial, a display and explanation of Pulitzer prize winning photos from the last fifty years, even a section where you could look at old newspapers from the 1400's on up.

We all met up for lunch in the middle of the city, and then the single team members looked around at the incredible monuments. We spent the next few hours in the Holocaust museum. I had never been to this museum, so I was blown away at the history living and breathing inside this building. I came away with a better knowledge of the overall historical aspects of the Holocaust. But I also was greatly impacted by little stories that I did not know, and the visuals that I had never seen. If you have never been to the Holocaust Museum, I highly recommend it. It’s very humbling and sobering, but incredible.

We ended our day near China Town and ate at a unique South African restaurant, then laid our heads to rest for the next day of traveling.

-Laura Kennedy

God is a great provider and protector!

Many times we let you know what is going on currently on our team and what churches we have been to, but this time we will be telling a story.

A few weeks ago we pulled into Fairview Baptist Church in Decatur, Alabama. We were amazed as we turned into the lot to see an amazingly beautiful church building. Some of us couldn’t help, but ask how God provided this building. We were expecting to hear something different than what we heard. Pastor began to tell us that this church was not their original building, but their church had burned in a tragic fire on December 14, 2010. One Wednesday night after every one had gone home, something overheated in the attic and started the fire. There were church members that lived close and saw the fire. As the word was spread, the church members arrived at the devastating and unhopeful scene. How would God provide a whole new building? A quote from their website states this, “These fires may have destroyed our beautiful sanctuary, and meeting place, but they have not destroyed what God is doing here at Fairview.” God was at work.

Insurance paid for some of the damages, but it wouldn’t be enough to replace what had burned. Despite the low budget, they started looking to build another building or to find a vacant building. As the months passed, they kept searching until they saw one particular church building that had been foreclosed. This gave Fairview a wonderful opportunity for a great deal. They knew what money they had, but didn’t know how far it would go. After months of praying and asking, God gave them this church building for a price lower than what insurance had given for the burnt building. They were able to buy the building debt free and with extra to pay for utilities for a number of months! God had been tremendously kind to this church and had given exceedingly abundantly of what this church had even hoped for.

Even this week we are in yet another church that had a fire in the past year, and God provided for them as well. He is so kind!

This is not uncommon for God to provide for His children, yet we forget what He has ultimately provided for us through the sacrifice of His Son. We have everything in God. He loves to provide for His own.

-Sarah Roe

It's hard to believe that it was just two years ago that I first held my little girl. In some ways, it seems like ages ago--how little I knew and how different life was. In other ways, I can't believe that little newborn is now running around, talking, counting, and singing.

We had a fun time celebrating Evi's birthday--a "Pooh" party! We have built-in birthday party attendees with the team around, so we all enjoyed an excuse to eat some good food, sing, and give gifts. I wish I could pick my all-time favorite memory of Evi to share with you all--but it seems like my favorite times with her are all the little things that bottled up together make a wonderful and blessed two years. Our biggest prayer for Evangeline Mercy is that she accepts Christ as her Savior and submits her life to His will--that she would live out her name "Bearer of the Gospel of Mercy". Would you mind taking a minute to pray that for her? Happy Birthday, Evi!

-Caroline Roland

Pinch and Punch day. It's an Australian tradition that was passed down through the Pettit Team thanks to Ausie born team members, Peter and Elizabeth Blake. On the first of every month we pinch and punch each other and whoever pinches and punches first wins. Check out the latest Galkin Digital Short about this crazy day we celebrate.

Have you heard we have a new team member? She hails from the state of Connecticut, she likes squirrels, and her favorite color is blue. Check her out in this video.

What’s Happening, you ask?

We all met back up in Myrtle Beach for a new season of traveling just a week ago.

The singles made some new friends with the teachers of Calvary Christian School.

A new girl started traveling with us this season (we will reveal her to you next week).

We all played a mean game of laser tag and I believe William was the champion.

Some of us have had colds, but now we are all on the up swing.

The team started reading a book by Jerry Bridges called True Community.

Our video team has had quite a few meetings preparing for some new videos coming out this Spring.

We installed and used our new digital mixer at a bluegrass concert in Cheraw, SC.

We celebrated Christmas and two birthdays for William and John Baker.

And we are all (with the exception of Will) still drinking coffee like it’s going out of style.