A Quick Update on the Way Out the Door

 I just read a report from one of the missionaries I'll be visiting with next. More in a moment, but for now, they mentioned the work it takes to balance family and work. Even as senior, empty-nester, "part-timers," Kathy & I have to work at that. Sometimes life is just full.

We got home, last night, from a wonderful visit with family in SC. 

On the way home we stopped at 2 stores to get a couple of items for two of the missionaries we'll see. The phone store was a zoo.

I was able to rise early every day we were gone, except 1, and I worked while Kathy drove. I got my prep to a phase I can say it is "done." PTL. Thanks for your prayers.

I have session handouts to print today, and packing, including all the "freight" I'm taking to others.

In the morning we'll pack the car and head to church where I am interim pastor. After church, we'll head up to Kathy's brothers where we'll spend the night and then head to Dulles Airport Monday morning.

Here is the schedule I know. There'll be a lot more worked in.

• 10:00 AM 1/1, take of from Dulles for a 13 hour flight to Ethiopia. I arrive there 1/2.
• After a 4 hour flight I arrive in Zambia, just before noon.
• For the first part of my stay I'll be at Amano Christian School in Chingola
  1/4&5, I'll speak 2 times and lead 2 discussion times at ACS's staff retreat.
  
• 1/10 I'll move to a fellow missionary's home in Kitwe.
• 1/11&12 I'll speak 8 times at the Zambia Baptist Association Leadership Conf.
• 1/14 I speak at Luanshya Baptist Church.
• 1/16, 12:45 PM, I start home. One flight will make a stop in Zimbabwe and the other in Rome. I get back to Dulles, 8:00 AM, 1/17.

About that family I just heard from. They are in need of support. In addition they are helping a Zambian family and an orphan college student. If you'd like to "meet" the Andersons, let me know, and I'll forward their letter. One of the items I bought, yesterday, is for the Andersons. If you'd like to make it a late Christmas present, let me know.

Also, please pray for Kathy, while I'm gone.

I'll see you on the other side.

By His Grace,

Howard Merrell

LMUSA Missionary Care Associate

(540) 620-8429

2106 S Carpenter Drive

Covington VA 24426