The Missive ~ Summer 2019 (July - September)

Hello friends,

Ready for a recap of our summer?

Since we last talked, Stuart and I celebrated our son's wedding, traveled to Florida for General Council, and then enjoyed a "family reunion" at Together '19 (the largest gathering of Assemblies of God global workers we've ever had in one place, I believe). We are grateful for the many pastors and churches who made this time special for all of us. Thanks especially to The Caring Place (Jon Susa), River City Church (Robby Bradford), Grace Assembly of God (Wayne Murray), Realife Church (Adam Detamore), and Cornerstone Christian Fellowship (David M Wigington).

Katie & Wesley share their first dance.

And then their second. It was a fun wedding.

Ready for some exciting news?
During General Council, JoAnn Butrin (director of International Ministries) sat down with the general superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Burkina Faso. As it turns out, the general superintendent’s son runs a school and a children’s home in their beloved country. Furthermore, he has extended an invitation to CompassionLink to join him in Burkina Faso to talk about sustainable methods for long-term growth and health of the ministry. In turn, CompassionLink extended an invitation to Stuart to join them on this trip (October 28-Nov 5).

As you know, Stuart has been working full-time as a volunteer at CompassionLink since the beginning of the year. Although, grateful for the invitation Stuart and I wondered how we would come up with the necessary funds. Due to send out a newsletter, I began to craft a plea. However, would there be enough time to raise the funds? Or would Stuart have to pass up the opportunity for a later one? The answer came sooner than either of us expected when the very next day, Stuart received word that JoAnn Butrin and CompassionLink secured the funds on Stuart’s behalf and the trip is completely paid for!

Evangel University World Changers Mission Club prepares to raise awareness and encourage involvement in God's global mission.

In the garden center, CompassionLink also raises bunnies. These happy rabbits are relieved to tell you of the upcoming CompassionLink Fish Fry on October 1 to raise funds.

Ready to pray?
Please pray for ... the Burkina Faso trip: may it be a productive relationship-building time as the national church and the CompassionLink team find sustainable solutions together.

CompassionLink's Fish Fry fundraiser on October 1. May supporters and potential supporters be energized by all that the team is doing to develop, train, and provide compassionate and sustainable solutions worldwide.

a personal request: our daughter Olivia gets married in December. We'll all be traveling to North Carolina for the nuptials as soon as the semester ends.

Olivia and Brandon will be dancing at their own wedding soon.

Proud sister Sophia and friends look over the happy couple.

Thanks, friends, for your faithful support. Stuart & Wendy

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The Missive ~ Spring 2019

Hello friends,

Stuart continues to work with CompassionLink - an International Ministry with AGWM, as I (Wendy) prepare for my final year as Missionary in Residence at Evangel University,

Just recently, CompassionLink welcomed golfers and guests to a complimentary steak dinner on the eve of its annual Golf Classic. Specialty items from around the world helped to raise funds in a silent auction and exceptional door prizes surprised a few grateful attendees.

Donna Barrett, general secretary of the Assemblies of God, encourages donors at the CompassionLink golf classic.

CompassionLink partners with AGWM missionaries and the communities they serve to find and use locally available resources to create spiritually, physically, and emotionally healthier communities. In preparation, the CompassionLink team customizes seminars, clinics, and projects to adapt to unique environments.

For example, in our last newsletter, I described the aquaponics process of siphoning off fish waste to fertilize and grow vegetables - a sustainable project to feed a family or a village. As you can see (below), the hydroponically grown buttercrunch lettuce that Stuart planted weeks ago thrives in the greenhouse at CompassionLink.

Buttercrunch lettuce thrives in the CompassionLink greenhouse.

As handyman Scott looks on (and as I teased on social media), Stuart and MSU intern Marcus show off their current project - a rocket stove! This highly efficient stove requires much less fuel – imagine only needing small branches or twigs to cook a meal – while significantly reducing smoke to allow a healthier living environment. Materials used to make the stove can be found almost anywhere in the world which makes this a wise and sustainable option.

Stuart and company build a rocket stove

These are just a few of the many unique ways CompassionLink serves the world.

School’s out for summer, but as Missionary in Residence at Evangel University the fall semester promises two (very) full classes in New Testament Literature and Introduction to Intercultural Ministries. As faculty advisor of World Changers Missions Fellowship, I look forward to a great year promoting missions and mentoring the next generation of global workers. 

Even better than building rocket stoves and tweaking lectures, Stuart and I will celebrate with family and friends at the wedding of (our son) Wesley and Katie (Lafon) in July. Then we are off to General Council and Together '19 in August.

Wesley and Katie

Thanks, friends, for your faithful support. See you soon!

Stuart & Wendy

Stuart and I visited my family in Connecticut recently to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday.

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The Missive ~ Winter 2019

 Some wonder if something fishy is going on when world missionaries are approved for temporary assignment stateside. They may be right. While I (Wendy) spend most days at Evangel University, a different kind of school occupies Stuart's time and energy as he volunteers full-time with AGWM International Ministries at CompassionLink.

CompassionLink engages in numerous projects year-round, but a school of Tilapia currently occupies their attention. The team is raising about 100 Tilapia and siphoning off the fish waste to feed growing vegetables. The plants filter the water which then returns to the fish tank squeaky clean in a hydroponic circle of life.

The CompassionLink team takes a project like this and teaches missionaries and other partners how to adapt and use it in their ministry contexts to promote health and sustainability in communities worldwide. So, if you think something fishy is going on in Springfield, look no further than the Tilapia.

Stuart wants you to know, this is just one of the many unique ways CompassionLink serves the world. Please check out their link here to see more.

As Missionary in Residence at Evangel University this year, I have the unique privilege to train, educate, and mentor our next generation of missionaries. Whether it's in the classroom or as the faculty adviser to World Changers Missions Fellowship, God has opened doors for deep conversations with students not available elsewhere. I trust you would be proud of the questions our young people are pondering and the ways they are serving now to prepare for a life of intercultural ministry later.

World Changers hosted Global Impact week at Evangel University just recently and brought students and missionaries together for a meaningful week of personal interactions and heartfelt challenges.

Many thanks to the Pipeline Team, Dave Ellis (Regional Director LAC), Dick & Cynthia Nicholson (former Regional Directors LAC), and missionary colleagues from every region serving with AGWM and US Missions for their help and service.

Stuart and I give thanks to you as well, friends. It's been 15 years since AGWM commissioned us as missionaries and you have faithfully supported us throughout the journey. We are grateful, and we are truly blessed.

Stuart & Wendy

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