Speaking and Being Blessed

EOPC
Growing up we watched missionaries speak and now, we are those missionaries.  That is why it felt a bit surreal when we were asked to speak at the church Matt grew up in, and that his parents currently attend.  EOPC invited us to be the missionary speakers at their Missions Night.
All we can say is WOW, what an incredible honor and opportunity they gave us!  It was a beautiful event that knocked our socks off with the amount of work and love that they poured into it.

Playing a game! 

Matt's parents, Mike and Carol and grandparents, Albert and Wilma contributed several items from Indonesia. (as you will see in the pictures)  They had Indonesian snacks, music, and a dessert bar after the presentation.  They planned a "Family Feud" style game so that everyone could learn more about us, Helimission, and Indonesia.  It was so much fun!

Prayer card, support table and awesome painting.

This was an honor, a blessing, and it encouraged us so much.  It was our first time presenting! We had a powerpoint, a video, a question and answers session...the whole thing. When we were first being introduced and prayed for we got a bit choked up.  This is it, WE are going, we are being sent, and these people, this church are showing us such love and are being the hands and feet of Jesus to us.  

The night was a huge success!  We want to take a moment to say thank you.
Thank you Pastor Randy, the missions committee, EOPC,  mom and dad,  grandma and grandpa VanBeek, everyone who worked so hard, and everyone who came.  We love you, and we are so thankful to you for giving us such an opportunity and for loving us.

Indonesian snack!

After our presentation, everyone is headed out to eat pie! 

Thank you to everyone who came! 

Everyone could see what the Indonesian Rupiah looks like. 

Mini size Papuan houses and buildings. SO COOL!

Indonesian knives, axe, hammer, weapons, headdress. (I told you it was a beautiful event!)

Carol, Christie and Lynn...just some of the wonderful people who worked SO hard on this event. 

Josh Brown holding the wands for the "Family Feud" game.   =) 

Grace had a blast playing with everyone!

Not quite how a 

That's it baby girl! You got the hang of it! 

=) 

Mars Hill
Our church, Mars Hill Olympia, presented us and told the congregation about what we will be doing in Indonesia.  We were at both sunday morning services and went on stage as pastor Seth presented us and prayed for us! It was so exciting, and encouraging.  We had a table set up in the commons area, and many people came to talk to us and were interested in what we are doing.
It was such a neat thing, to be up in front of all the people of our church that we love, and that we have done life with.  It also felt like this chapter beginning to close. Bittersweet. We love these people, this place, we love pastor Seth. Although we will still be around off and on for a few months
as we move to and from Bible college and make our final plans, it felt so real.  Thank you Pastor Seth for presenting us, for praying for us and for encouraging us.  We love and respect you.  Thankful that God put you and this church in our lives.

Pastor Seth presenting and sending us off. 

Praying for us

Our table in the commons.