Settling In Down South

First of all, we promise to start post pictures as soon as we can! We're the kind of people who hold on to our 20th century items (like non-digital cameras) until they simply cease to work. Some friends gave us one of their digital cameras toward the beginning of our trip, but unfortunately the camera didn't work. So, we still have 3 rolls of camera film to develop into CDs. Now, we just need to remember to bring the film to the store!

We are truly excited to be here, and grateful for the Baton Rouge Ministry Center (BRMC)team. The pastor, Randy Knighten and his wife Maya, live just a few blocks from the Baton Rouge Ministry Center building. They have 2 sons...Kaleb (whose 3rd birthday is April 12th), and Dylan, who was just born in early February this year. I have yet to meet little Dylan, and Maya, who has been sick. Karen visited with her and brought her a care package yesterday. She got to hold Dylan, and apparently both the kids warmed up to her right away!

Randy has such a down to earth look on life, and a genuine heart for the people of Baton Rouge, including the many evacuees. We're so privileged to be working under his leadership and vision.

As we've gone out in the church van together touring the city and visiting the trailer villages, Randy has passed by old neighborhoods where he grew up and telling us whose lawns he used to mow. Randy delivered a beautiful sermon on Easter Sunday at a nearby Baptist church. This is where the BRMC is holding their Sunday worship services, while the downstairs of the Center is finished. They have had quite a few delays finishing up the building, particularly with obtaining electrical permits and having access to workers to finish the work.

The other couple serving here as relief workers/associate pastoral staff are Larry and Krista Lain. They have been all over, but more recently from California before getting selected to serve on the BRMC team. That is an interesting story in and of itself, probably for a future post. Larry and Krista live just down the hall from us, and have been here for 1 year now. We encourage you to check out their blog site as well. They are an inspiring young couple. They have one 6-year-old daughter, Averiana, and they are in the process of adopting a 3-year-old Vietnamese boy. They will most likely finish their home assignment with the C&MA church here in Baton Rouge in the Summer of 2008, and they hope to move on from here to serve in the Phillipines as a missionary couple. Their blog site is: www.thelains.blogspot.com.

The day we arrived (last Tuesday...WOW, it's already been one week since we arrived!), Larry's dad Billy was here from his home in Indiana, finishing up a lot of the electrical work that has been delayed here at the Center. Later this month, a team from Moses Lake, WA is coming to do more construction work on the downstairs, which is to become the new BRMC sanctuary and church location.

We had a great staff meeting with Randy and Larry this morning. Karen has done considerable research already into granting agencies that could greatly benefit the BRMC in carrying out its many visions for helping displaced residents and their children. I have also been very honored to be included in the Jobs For Life classes the BRMC puts on twice a week. Randy has asked me to speak at the class next week, to share from my own experience as a radio station manager. Next Wednesday, I will be helping conduct mock interviews for the (currently 5) class attendees who are evacuees now living here in Baton Rouge.

It's gratifying that my career experience thus far can be used in such a practical way. Pray that God truly speaks through me, as I am just the mouthpiece! Many of the evacuees such as these 5 class attendees are isolated, have limited transportation and access to decent jobs, and many have limited educational backgrounds to begin with.

Our children, Andrew and Melanie, are also doing very well. Andrew is homeschooling with Averiana at Rainbow Academy, the school taught by Krista Lain down the hall. Many of you know Andrew thrives on routine and structure, and Krista says having Andrew in class is a true answer to prayer, as it helps keep Averiana on track as well! Praise God that some of his obsessive-compulsive tendencies that drive us crazy are a blessing to someone else! I can totally see Andrew looking at his watch, which he claims is atomic, and saying: "Two minutes until math!"

Melanie is also doing well. Karen and I take turns watching her (and Andrew, when he's not homeschooling), and the schedule has also been flexible so we often have more family time together than back at home in Ellensburg. Andrew has appointed himself the teacher at the home school that he has created in our apartment. He gets Melanie and the neighbor children together and teaches lessons. The neighbor girl, Maggie (who is 10) serves as the school principal, and both Andrew and Maggie have posted the school rules on the closet door, so all the students can maintain proper order!

There is much more to tell, but we will go in spurts, as this particular spurt is more of a downpour as is. We will keep the blog updated. Thanks to all of you who have visited, posted replies, and have indicated your interest that we keep the site updated. Your support is truly recognized and appreciated!