Have you ever lost your keys? Your wallet? Your cellphone? How about a favorite piece of jewelry? One that has intimate sentimental value to it and cannot be replaced? How ferociously do we search for that lost item? Almost to the point of panic we search. Our hearts start racing, we hit the verge of hyperventilating and sometimes tears. We become consumed with finding it. Our focus is microscopic. We can think of nothing else until it is found, right? J ust like the woman searching for her lost coin in Luke 15:8-10, w e’ll even turn the house upside down with no care for how much time it will take to put it back together again, even if our search comes up empty. Albeit costly nowadays, keys can be replaced. So can money. It might be a big hassle, but credit cards, driver’s licenses and cellphones can be replaced too.   But, there are some things that are too precious to be replaced. Some of them are one of a kind and can never be replaced. Some of them hold memories atta...

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 Greetings in Jesus’ wonderful name. This week our nation celebrated its 236th year of Independence from Britain, and I hope you and your family enjoyed the day very much. My contribution to the newsletter this month is about family, as we are preparing for two very important and very different events. One is a joyful occasion – the wedding of Mark and Julie’s firstborn, Hannah, my first granddaughter – in Boise, Idaho on July 21st.  Jennifer, Janna and I will be flying out on the 19th, and we are looking forward to participating in this wonderful time in Hannah’s life. The other, is the approaching death of my youngest brother, who is under Hospice care for terminal lymphatic cancer. Of course, no one knows the day nor the hour when this event will occur, but he seems to be declining now at a more rapid pace than before. That means another trip to Austin, Texas, where he resides, is necess...

India Ever After by Bill Paddock Nearly three months have passed since I stepped into the mission field for the first time. I keep asking myself: “self, why didn’t you do this sooner”? The experience was nothing short of amazing! India is truly the richest culture I have ever encountered, and I’m not referring to material possessions. What I found was a beautiful collage of colors, smells, warmth, and passion. I saw and felt God at work like an artist preoccupied with a masterpiece. I love the way He is working in the lives of the people, through all the diversity and intricacies of life. While in prayer one day with Mark and Bhalchandra, I saw a vision of the presence of God rushing through the streets of Pune. His form was like a blue comet with a long tail – and as He passed by at supersonic speed, dust and papers and anything not tied down was blasted up and away. Chains were being broken, doors were being opened, and freedom was being released. God was confirming that...

“ And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2 We arrived home on May 30th, safe and sound from a wonderful time of ministry in Uganda. KAMPALA - the capitol of Uganda, and the place where we ministered, is a most beautiful city. Originally positioned on 7 hills, now spilling over onto 10, Kampala is a lush paradise of tropical plants, trees and flowers, and home to some of the most beautiful birds I’ve ever seen. Although its location is just barely north of the Equator, its altitude of 4300 feet above sea level provides a moderate climate year round that is most enjoyable. The southeastern part of the city is on the shores of Lake Victoria, the world’s 3rd largest lake by area, Africa’s largest lake by area, and the largest tropical lake in the world. As a result, the city enjoys the benefits of breezes that blow across the lake into the city. My travels in Africa a...

Ahh, Summertime in Alaska... Brings our oldest daughter, Hannah, home from college to get ready for her wedding next month, high shcool graduation for our middle daughter, Ellen. And company. Our home church, Valley Chapel, hosted a group from Redding, CA for a week of services, and we were blessed to be able to house some of them while they were here. Incredible services and wonderful company. Just on the heels of that, our nephew, Ryan (Jennifer’s oldest son), and his wife, Lindsay, have come to visit. So, needless to say, summertime in Alaska has been busy, busy, busy so far. And, we’re loving every minute of it. Next month, I want to share with you Bill Paddock’s view of the India trip. He was one of the ministry team members. I think it will bless you to see through additional eyes and hear a different voice. Although this is just a quick family note, we want to take every opportunity we can to say “Thank you” for all that you do, both financially and in prayer, to help...

“And you shall be witnesses unto me …unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 May has finally arrived, and on the 16th day of this month Bron, Jennifer and I will depart for Uganda. By the time you receive this newsletter, I will have been vaccinated for the 4th time for Yellow Fever, after which we can send in our visa applications, and then all the technical functions of preparing for a trip to a third world country will have been performed. As you know, this is Jennifer’s and my first time to go into East Africa. Now Africa is Africa, so there will be many aspects of life in Uganda that are “familiar” territory. On the other hand, it will be “different”. We will be meeting new people and learning what their particular needs are, as well as where they are in their walk with the Lord. It is going to be an exciting time, and we are looking forward to it with much anticipation. The most important part of any of these trips, of course, is to impart some spiritual life and...

Greetings from the greening North Spring in Alaska is different. It’s so sudden. One day you’re wondering when the long winter will end and then… spring. The ice is gone from the lakes and streams, buds are showing on the trees, everything is coming to life. It’s a wonderful picture of resurrection, revival and rebirth. On to the India report.  We had a great trip, some wonderful fellowship, and an awesome time with the Father. But it was different. The conference presented some challenges and frankly, I felt a bit overwhelmed at first. But Jesus used even that for His glory. He broke through my feelings of inadequacy and transformed it into a solid confidence in Him and what He could do through me. What a blessing! Remember when I asked you to pray that the Father would show up in power? Prayer answered. We watched Jesus heal back problems, different skin ailments, free up restricted lungs and open deaf ears. That last one was cool. An older lady was deaf in her righ...