But before I explain, let us go back to July. As usual, we enjoyed an evening together at the Choctaw Indian Fair; the musical attraction that night was the Oak Ridge Boys. Duane, as always, took in some of the World Championship Choctaw Stickball games. (Note: He did NOT participate as a player!).
The following Sunday morning, Dr. Negiel Bigpond of the Euchee Tribe in OK came and led a special service at our church. A few months later, our Women's Group studied his book, "Women Warriors."
In August, Duane had the privilege of baptizing seven people at the Pearl River Community Pool. |
| Duane and Hank |
In September, we went on vacation to PA to visit Laurie's mother Carole and relatives and friends in the area. Brittany and little Kaira flew in from Kauai! Duane visited the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown one day. Laurie got to spend an afternoon with her dear friend Terry. Later that week, we invited Carole to move to MS to live with us, and she accepted! Preparations began.Later that month, some of our youth attended Fall Youth Rally at Pine Lake Fellowship Camp (PLFC) near Meridian, MS.
We attended and supported the annual PLFC Camp Sale in Gulfport, MS the first weekend in October, during which we also celebrated our 33rd anniversary. Duane enjoyed eating alligator, which is always a popular menu item at the sale! That evening, we ate supper at The Shed with Dave and Sue Weaver (Sue is formerly of Wakarusa, IN) and Louis and Kim Ferris. The following morning, Duane gave the sermon at Gulf Haven Mennonite Church.At our annual church business meeting, it was decided that instead of teaching the Youth Sunday School class, Duane would now be teaching the adult Sunday School class, and Daelin (the young man he'd discipled since 2010) would start teaching the Youth class.
Each year our church families collect coins in little banks to give to a missions project. This year, we collected coins for Teen Challenge. On a Sunday morning in November, the Teen Challenge Women's Choir of Brandon, MS did a special program at our church; after the service, we presented them with a check reflecting the total amount of coins collected.
Pastor Duane, Geri J., and Laurie attended the Good News Fellowship (GNF) Fall Gathering in Atmore, AL. The pastors from our MS, LA, and AL churches were recognized, officially welcomed into GNF, and prayed over by the executive leadership during the assembly. What a wonderful experience!
Laurie spent three weeks in November in PA getting most of her mom's house sorted and cleaned out. God was so very faithful in raising up and providing family, friends, acquaintances, and services like Goodwill of Northeastern PA to help with this challenge. Laurie had a welcomed break one day and met with friends Terry, Deb, and Vickie for lunch. We hosted a party for Carole at the Methodist Church in New Milford so she could see some of her family and friends before moving south. Over Thanksgiving weekend, Duane drove her few remaining special possessions to MS in a U-Haul truck, while she and Laurie flew to Jackson, MS. We praise God for safety while traveling. So now Carole lives with us. And she has been warmly welcomed into the PRMC church family.Major transitions are never easy. But change can be good.
The three of us spent Christmas in Indiana with Dustin, Heather, Eme (3), and Tucker (11 months). It was a very special time for all of us. We were happy to be able to attend church at Wakarusa Missionary Church on a Sunday morning during which Heather led the worship team. And we were also happy to be able to participate in the Reinhardt family Christmas celebration at Bill and Karen Martin's house.We did something a little different at our church New Year's Eve party this year. After a brief worship service followed by snack time, we had fun singing contemporary Christian karaoke!
Please pray about Duane's employment situation; for us as we continue to help Carole get her many business affairs in order; for Laurie's brother Randy Fiske who has started a 4 month interim pastor position at Pine Glen Church of the Brethren in Lewistown, PA; and for our sister-in-law Delora Reinhardt who is seriously ill but is claiming to have a Grand Deliverance or a Grand Exit-- either one glorifying to Christ!
But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
I Cor. 2:9. (NKJV).
Blessings!
Duane and Laurie Reinhardt
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