East Coast Trip

The Life of a Missionary is not for the Faint of Heart...

Traveling with 4 kids across the country and back is no easy task!! I'm not going to tell you that it was all smiles and great attitudes; or no crying while on the numerous plane flights; or no spills and messes at our hosts houses. What I am going to tell you is how utterly blessed we were to see the care and love of Gods people for our family while we were there. We can't describe what it means to us to have faith and love by others put into action on our behalf. Let me explain a little bit of what I mean.

When we were planning to visit our supporting churches and friends in Florida and North Carolina we didn't really know where to start. How were we going to drag our large family (I think I can safely say large now with 6 of us right?) all over Florida and up to North Carolina? How would we get there? Where would we stay? What would we drive? And maybe most importantly, how are we going to pay for a trip like that?

We are thrilled to report to you that God provides through His people and most of the time, without us even telling others of the needs. Oh we asked God all right, but all of our plans from places to stay, churches to speak in, and yes, even the money for the flight and the rental car; were provided in such and amazing way. Only God can get the credit!

I mean, if that's not God's hand taking care of our family then I don't know what is! We want to sincerely thank all of you who, shared your home with us, invited us over for a home-cooked meal, took us out to eat, offered to play with our kids while we shared in churches, bought us tickets to Disney World and resort, gave selflessly to our ministry, and just spent your time getting to know us or caught up on time past. We are truly blessed to have such great friends and family of believers around us as we go out yet again to start another term.

Like I said in the beginning, it's not easy being a missionary family, but with all of you around us, praying and supporting us- we know we are not going alone.

So yet again we share with you our needs and prayer requests in order get back to the work that is waiting.

Things to be praying for:

*We want to be back in the Philippines by the beginning of January 2014. In order to do this we have to be 100% supported or we can't buy our tickets.

*Right now we still have $1,500 per month needed in ministry partners.

*Packing and shipping our household items down to our new city is not going to be easy, plus we need to find a house to rent once we get there.

*Since being back in June, I have counted at least 25 different places our family has slept- needless to say our kids (and us parents) could use some prayers for adjustment and saying goodbye yet again to family, friends, and the familiar. No wonder the baby is not sleeping well at night!! :)

So although asking sometimes is hard! We would like to invite you to be a part of the ministry in the Philippines by considering becoming a monthly partner with us. We do know times are tough with the economy and many have said to us that it will take longer than the 6 months in the States to get the support needed- but we also know that God is bigger than all of that and if He wants us back in January then He can provide the funds needed.

If you are interested in becoming a partner with us, or would like to in the coming year, please email us at gilmerandjulie@gmail.com for the promise form that you would send to our organization- SEND International. You can also give online if you click on the link to the right, or go to the SEND website- send.org

Below are some of the highlights from our trip.

Everyone knows where this photo is taken I'm sure!!

At SeaWorld, obviously something really neat is going on in
the show! Those intent stares. 

This is how Luke helps out when we are sharing with a church :)

SeaWorld again!

This is Gilmer's good friend David Vignali. He was a missionary in the Philippines for many years.
What a blessing to see him.

We had a chance to visit Teen Missions and show the kids our old stomping ground. Plus this is also where Gilmer and I met all those years ago. Bob Bland is the founder/director and he gave us the grand tour :)

A visit to the oldest city in the States was quite disappointing since it was during the
government shut downs and the fort was closed.

Great to see old friend! Steven and Gay worked with
Gilmer in the Philippines before we were married.

At a football game in the small town of Live Oak. What a great time
with our host church and great friends there. 

Meeting friends on the road at Cracker Barrel as we drove through was also such a blessing.

Margaret Helms was instrumental in helping Gilmer come to the States for bible school years ago.
She was a missionary in his home town and helped lead him and his family to the Lord! 

Celia and I grew up together at the same church in Tucson.
So exciting to see her after more than 13 years.

Apple picking in the mountains of North Carolina!
Doesn't get much better than that!

We even had a chance to hang out with our fellow
teammates from Manila right there in Florida.

Just some fun times!

Battleship USS North Carolina. What a great history lesson for the kids!

Had a few hours in Charleston, South Carolina. It's so interesting there, we wish we had more time to explore.

In this graveyard are buried 2 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
How cool is that!

Of course we have tons more pictures we could share but I don't want to bore you. Praying you have a wonderful Thanksgiving this month with your family and friends.

In His Service,
Gilmer and Julie Paden
(Nhaya, Caleb, Josiah, and Luke)