Back in Bolivia - February 4 through March 29

On February 4, I headed back to Bolivia to help out at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center. The main focus of ministry was to speak at and direct the junior high and high school camps. In addition, I was able to be involved in other ministries at the school including the weekly Bible studies and chapel services. The school asked me to lead the Servant Day for the high school students on March 20. My final activity with the students was to lead a time of communion along with Emily Barlow and Ryan & Pam Parsons, who are serving this year as the school youth pastors.

One of the highlights of the trip for me was building relationships with the young people and spending time with them in personal accountability. 

Overall, it was a wonderful trip with multiple times of service and participation. I returned home to Ohio on Good Friday and enjoyed Easter with my family.

Speaking & Ministry Opportunities in January

I had the opportunity to speak at Central Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio; at the Ohio Christian University WGM Student Involvement Center and for the WGM/Asbury Ski Retreat.

There were almost 250 MKs plus others in attendance at the MK Snow Camp in Northern Indiana. It was a great weekend of fellowship and challenging the young people in their walks with the Lord.

11 Students from Indiana Wesleyan University's ISA (International Student Association) were among those in attendance.

Also attending, were friends and former students of the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center.

On January 26 & 27 I spoke for the junior high and high school services at Cypress Wesleyan church where I attend. Then, just before leaving for Bolivia, I spoke for the Asbury/WGM Ski Retreat. There were approximately 50 in attendance for the 2 days together with 5 also joining us from Indiana Wesleyan.

In addition to these activities, I was involved in two events at the mission, a Re-Entry Seminar for returning missionary families and a CMS Conference for families heading out to raise their support. During the CMS Conference I worked with a 'new' WGM family who will be heading to Kenya. Two of their 6 children attended, so we had a great time working with the family in preparation for their service at Tenwek Hospital.

New Years and Wedding!

I started out 2013 with great friends near Lexington, Kentucky. It was a fun & relaxing time catching up!

On January 3, I flew to Maine to be in Ben Cooper's wedding. Ben lived in my home in Santa Cruz from 2005-2007. It was an honor to be a groomsman in the wedding and a great time of fellowship with his family throughout the weekend. I even had the honor of sharing with his youth group briefly before heading home to Ohio.

Picture from Christmas Day!

With my niece and nephew on Christmas...

Winter's Here!

I was really looking forward to visiting with good friends in Coshocton, OH today. However, after waking up and looking outside at this, the trip was cancelled. Tomorrow would have been a better day for snow!

Merry Christmas!

I pray you enjoyed a wonderful celebration of Christ's birth with family and friends. I've had an opportunity to spend the holidays with my family and in a couple churches. On Friday, I was at my local church's youth Christmas service and party. On Saturday, the entire Banks family was together celebrating the holidays at my older brother's home. On Sunday morning, I was able to worship at my brother's church and then hosted good friends and supporters that evening. On Monday, I was helping out during the Christmas Eve services at a supporting church. Then today I celebrated with my parents at my younger brother's home. It's always fun to watch the two little ones open their gifts.

Our family decided to reach out to a local family for Christmas and went in together to help them out for the holidays. They are a wonderful Christian couple who have a real heart for ministry and outreach. They have brought that ministry into their own home adopting 14 children over the years to join the two they already had (yes, that means 18 at the dinner table each evening!). It was a great privilege to have a small part in helping this family for the holidays.

Merry Christmas!

November '12 - Asbury MK Dinner

I had the privilege to return to Asbury in November to speak at the Global Cafe. The WGM Center's cabinet and I took the opportunity of the weekend together to host a dinner open to all MKs on campus. I also invited a few MKs from Kentucky Mountain Bible College. They were able to make the two-hour drive and join us for this evening of fellowship. There were 40 plus in attendance and we had the privilege to share some great stories.