Dear Friends,
It has been a couple months since we have communicated. We wanted to reach out and share what has been going on in our lives. We would love to hear from you as well
Family
+ Noleen's health ... Noleen is doing well, she has recovered from her Nocardia infection, and I think we are done for a while having to see four specialists (Infectious diseases, Neurologist, Oncologist/Hematologist, and Rheumatologist). All this to say it has been a challenging year and a half. We thank God for your prayers and support. She continues to have minor seizure episodes every few weeks but manages them well. This weekend Noleen is participating in a 3-day intensive for her international certification to become a doula. Birth doulas offer expectant mothers emotional support, encouragement and wisdom throughout labor and birth
+ Trip to Africa....March 19-31st Noleen and Keilah will be traveling to South Africa for a family wedding for a few days and then will spend the rest of the time in Zimbabwe partnering with missionaries that Noleen worked with, before we were married. Click this link to watch a short video about Keilah's creative way she has been raising money for the orphan children of Zimbabwe.
+ 1322 W. Monroe ... For almost 3 years we have been waiting for the opportunity to buy this house. It is only 8 houses down from where we are now. It would allow more space for our children to grow up in and provide a backyard for us. We have sensed that this is key for us as we desire to stay in the neighborhood for long-term (we have been their 9 years already) The owners of this house have been difficult to work with. Please pray as we are trying to sign a contract as early as next week.
1322 W. Monroe Street
Antioch Network (AN)
+ Role of President ....I have been prioritizing visiting our staff and their different ministry expressions. Last weekend I was able to visit Christ the Reconciler founded by Thomas and Amy Cogdell who are also giving leadership to the Wittenberg 2017 Reconciliation initiative.
+ Reconciliation Work ...I find myself lately spending time with people I would have never imagined. Here locally, I have been building friendship with the Catholic bishop, Orthodox priest, an Egyptian Coptic Monk, and next week I will be meeting with an Armenian priest. Why, you may wonder? I believe we are in a historic time where God is orchestrating reconciliation in His Church. One of the main instruments in this, is the persecution that many brothers and sisters are experiencing around the world. God has allowed me a front row view as I now serve on the Leadership team of Wittenberg 2017 (International reach) and the John 17 Movement (local reach)
John 17 Movement - Reconciliation work in Phoenix
John 17 Movement - Reconciliation work in Phoenix
A2J
+ Our City .... We move forward in the call to love our city one neighborhood at a time as some of relocate into neighborhoods to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors. The past six months we were able to help facilitate bringing a six varied ministries together under the Community and Growth collective, to build friendship and learn together how better to love our city. March 7th we will be facilitating a gathering of Christians from different traditions coming together around the theme of God's heart for Reconciliation and unity. YOU ARE INVITED click link for more details.
loving our friends who are homeless in Woodland
+ Global ...This month we have the wonderful opportunity to strengthen our friendship and partnership with the Kincaids (who are serving in Rome) and are part of the AN team and partnering with A2J. I have been with them twice in Rome and they will come visit Phoenix for their second time. (picture below of us together in Rome on vision trip two years ago) The Russels whom we also partner with are in Phoenix for a month to strengthen friendship and receive training as they prepare to return to the Philippines in early April.
Vision trip in Rome with Kincaids Oct. 2013
With gratitude,
Ryan and Noleen
