Wheaton visit - week 1

Twenty-four hours after arriving in Wheaton for a Spring Missions Fest we awoke to three inches of snowfall!  Your mom helped Mary Gieser shovel while I played important on a conference phone call.

For the most part our stay in Wheaton has resulted in a full schedule.  Even when an afternoon or two allowed a couple of hours “break”, we still felt that preparation or communication was appropriate.  Sunday was particularly busy: we began the day participating three times in the parade of flags/nations during each of College Church’s morning worship times.  Added in were two short visits with a story, a song and a touch-the-coconut in the 2s-3s class areas.  Before heading to “129 Class” – currently only about 11 adults – we enjoyed greeting people we remember fondly.  Among the latter were the Felskes, the Duseks (my freshman BB coach), Sue Teiwes, the Cooks (Jenny’s youth leaders) and others.

Immediately after a presentation in 129 we hustled to a Tapas lunch in the church Commons area for lots more interactions.  Then after a brief stop back at the Giesers’ home, our hosts, I returned to set up the ISI table.  Evening service was a good one with sermon from Acts 15-16 – “Unexpected” – two video clips from ELIC, several missionary testimonies including from me and good singing led by a men’s instrumental group.  Following that we all headed back to the Commons for “Ramah Tamah” cafe and lots more interacting with folks from all ages.  Whew.

Today we intended to drive about two hours northwest to visit a friend of mine from high school days.  But another snowfall and swirling winds prompted us to be prudent about such a trek.  Our friends agreed; we may get to meet before the week is out.

The only other item worth mentioning, because it did get my attention, was another unexpected back spasm (?).  I probably should not have gone to the Wheaton recreation center to work out after that….

Next up: a few more visits locally and preparation to present before a men’s group Saturday morning at Wheaton Bible Church.  Help!

Oh, before we forget – we enjoyed supper and a visit with Joel, Sue Teiwes and hosts Carol and Tim Avery.  Very pleasant.  And speaking of pleasant, we joined Giesers for homemade pizza and a dvd, "Prince Caspian" on Saturday evening.