December 2006

Dear Family and Friends

This is a view of the lake from the area where we hold our worship service at Gulf Shores State Park. This is just outside the pavilion and we are enjoying the view while we wait for the activities building to be completed and made available. We only have access to the game room that will only seat an estimated 50-60 people. There are more people coming into the park each day. At this time Butch and Jeff are alternating between this park and Island Retreat with one preaching at each until the other missionary is on site at Island Retreat in January.

We enjoyed a great Thanksgiving meal with our fellow campers following our worship service and we had 50 in attendance. Some took their plates and ate outside in the sunshine although it was a brisk day and a little cooler than expected. It was just great to have a service and a meal together to celebrate Thanksgiving away from our homes and families.

It is so nice to see the beaches at Gulf Shores look so clean and inviting once again. The last time we served here with Jeff Ford, resort missionary, was following Hurricane Ivan and this entire area was devastated. It has really come a long way in two years, especially since there have been several hurricanes following Ivan which made restoration more difficult. Businesses are once again back and there is new construction in areas all over Orange Beach . Foley is thriving with many new homes in that area and we are thankful to see God has blessed in the aftermath of the destruction. There is still much to be done and the State Park along the beach is still not restored, although there does seem to be something happening over there.

Our oldest and our youngest grandchildren. This is Anthony, (Cassie's son with his morning bed-head) and Lily Grace (George and Juli's daughter) with her usual happy face. She will be six months old December 4 th and Anthony is 13 years old so we feel truly blessed to have a new grandbaby at this time in our lives. Carly, Lily Grace's sister will be 13 in June so Lily Grace has a wonderful big sister to help her as she grows. Her daddy, George has just retired from the Army and is in seminary and is currently praying for a position in a church either as a pastor or youth minister. He has his resume out and would like to stay in the Mobile area but he and Juli are ready to accept God's will for their lives wherever that might be.

Right now there are over 230 sites occupied in the state park but it is expected there will be closer to the maximum of 495 after Christmas. This will increase the number of opportunities to share Christ either in worship or in daily relationships so we ask that you continue to remember us in prayer as we serve in this mission field. The association was kind enough to purchase a bicycle for Butch to use to make visiting the various campsites easier since they are scattered over such a large area. Pray that God will open eyes and ears to receive God's word as it is shared and that people will feel free to share with us if we can help them in any way. We pray for strength and health to reach out and share and to be obedient to our Father as we serve. Thank you for your prayers and support and we pray that you may all have a wonderful, blessed Christmas with your family and friends.

In His Service,

Vi and Butch

“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Luke1:38)