2002 News From the Welches
12-28-01
Were Going to the Mission Field!!!
A major life change is headed our way! We have made a commitment to
serve the Lord full time at a Christian mission organization called Mercy Ships.
Mercy Ships operates three hospital ships that provide free surgeries, dental
care, prosthetics, and a variety of other services to the developing world.
Ships are used as mobile surgical hospitals and bases of operations during the 3
to 6 months at-a-time they visit countries in West Africa, Central America, or
the South Pacific. All of the services performed by Mercy Ships are free to
those receiving them. This is made possible by generous donations of
supplies and materials, and by the fact that everyone who works for Mercy Ships
is a volunteer. Yes! We will be volunteers. We believe that God will
raise up people who want to partner with us in God’s work. Needless to
say, this is a new way of life for us. We will be depending on God for all
of our needs. We believe that dependence on God allows Him to show us how
wonderful He is and allows Him to be glorified in our lives. Andy saw that
dependence on God in the lives of the believers in Moldova. They have
nothing except God. Material things matter very little, only God and other
people are important.
Andy will
be working as an engineer at the International Operations Center just
outside of Tyler, Texas. The work will involve design and construction
projects for the ships. Andy will travel to the ships as needed to
complete the projects he’s working on. Joyce and Maddison will travel
with him when they are able to. The point of everything is to take the
good news that Jesus changes lives and fills empty hearts to as many people as
possible.
We hope that you will be a
part of this exciting life change by praying regularly for us. If you
would like more information about Mercy Ships, let us know or check out www.mercyships.org.
Our House is on Fire!!!
That’s what the 911 operator heard Joyce say on May 12th! What
a way for Joyce to spend her birthday (and mother’s day) the next day.
The fire destroyed most of the garage and its contents, but didn’t make it
into the house. We stood on the front lawn and prayed while the
firefighters worked to save the house. An incredible peace came over us
while we prayed and we knew that God was in control and that He would use it to
bring Himself glory and honor. Our prayers were answered!
God
knew that the only way we could get the house ready to sell was to hire someone
to do the painting and other work. It turns out that the insurance company
paid for most of the work that needed to be done to get the house ready to sell.
God is so good! Let us know if you know someone who needs a freshly
painted house in semi-rural Alabama
Andy Goes to Moldova
Andy
just recently returned from a ten day trip to Moldova. Where is Moldova
you ask? It’s right between Romania and the Ukraine in Eastern Europe.
It used to be part of the Soviet Union. The purpose of the trip was to
encourage two local pastors in the northern town of Briceni and to tell people
about the freedom that can be found in Jesus. Andy went with three
pastors, two from Alabama, and one from North Carolina. The trip was
incredible! It was refreshing to meet fellow believers and immediately
have a close bond with them. The Moldavians were not affected by the
plague of materialism. They were happy with simply having food, clothing
and shelter. They are extremely poor by U.S. standards (avg. income is
around $600 per year), but they are rich in the love of the Lord.
Christianity for them is as simple as reading and obeying God’s word. The team
never got to bed before midnight. There were just too many questions to
answer and things to discuss. Days were spent going out into the town and
sharing the love of Jesus with anyone who would listen. Andy’s job at
NASA provided the key that let the team speak to a class of eleventh and twelfth
graders. After sharing about the power of the Space Shuttle, Andy told of
the greater power that Jesus has to change lives. A pastor followed
Andy’s talk with a clear presentation of the Gospel and an invitation.
The entire class stood to indicate that they wanted to give their lives to
Jesus! What an awesome God we serve. Andy hopes to return to Moldova
again next year. See Andy's Moldova pictures on the Pictures
Page.