Thieves Break Through...

Our last very short update spoke of a recent break-in at our house in Mississippi.  The initial report was correct: the thieves broke in our back door, stole all my firearms, found my car keys, and stole my car.  After examining the scene, the detectives have both recovered our car and identified a suspect.  It seems that the thief was kind enough to leave his ID in the car.  In addition, the breaking in process inflicted a cut on one of the thieves--enough to leave his blood on both the inside of our house and car.  The suspect has two outstanding warrants for his arrest and has a history of burglary and grand theft auto.

The car, according to police, showed no signs of damage because there was no need to damage it: the thieves had already taken the keys.  The insurance company has been helpful in all of this, having already given us a check for the stolen firearms with the stipulation that we replace what we wish to replace in the next two years.

While all this drama has been going on back home, the Lord has been giving us good meetings on the road.  This fall at first appeared to be rather sparse in the schedule, but God has opened doors in a tremendous way.  We have seen people saved and Christians encouraged in our meetings, which are in the West right now.

In addition to our current meetings, we have spent a lot of time working on the schedule for next year.  The Lord willing, after Thanksgiving, we will post the following year's schedule online.  We praise God for every meeting that He has given us so far.

Josiah continues to do well at college.  He is a member of the traveling mixed group known as the Ensemble, as well as a men's octet that also travels on occasion.  In a recent phone conversation with us, he admitted that he has gotten to the place where he is tired all the time.  While we didn't say this to him, the thought of "You ain't seen nothing yet" did cross our minds.

Part of next year's schedule will be joining the Victory Gospel Crusade in Western Ohio.  For three years, Evangelist Dwight Smith has asked me to be a part of this ministry, but each time we have been in Asia during his meetings.  The Victory Gospel Crusade is an effort to reach urban areas with the Gospel through extended meetings under a tent.  We will give more information about this unique ministry as the time draws nearer.

We are so grateful for your prayers.  These are wonderful days to serve God, and we count it a privilege to be a part of it.

Breaking In

This update is a bit early, but also slightly more action than we normally have to relate.  Today between the morning service and afternoon dinner, I received a call from the Olive Branch, Mississippi, Police department.  They wondered if I knew where my car was.  We had left this car in our driveway back home when we left for this round of meetings.  I told them that I was in Montana, but that I had left the car in my driveway when I left town.  The car had been illegally parked in another part of the subdivision, and someone had called the police to report it.  Upon further investigation, our house had been broken into by means of the back door (someone kicked it in).  As I write this message, the police are going through the house with a list that I have given them. 

As I write this, we are going through the house by means of video chat with our friends and the police detectives.  We know that the thieves stole all our firearms, except the ones that we carry with us.  Beyond that, we are going through the tedious process of trying to ascertain what has been taken. 

We will update more as we know more.  Thanks for praying.