Gideon has been watching the video "Moses-Prince of Egypt" over and over lately(we finally limited him to once a day). Lately I often feel like those Israelites who mumbled and complained against God and Moses and find myself thinking to myself "maybe I should just go back to a 9-5 job(Egypt) with a regular paycheck". Well, we are backed up against the red sea with the Egyptian armies barring down upon us right now(financially) and are waiting for God to do something big. We hesitate to write about it because we don't want to seem like we are asking for money (and because of pride) but we would covet your prayers for us.
Pray that we would be strong and courageous and continue to follow God by faith.

In the most recent issue of Climbing magazine, which focuses on climbing in Africa, Lynn Hill, a famous female climber, made the comment "Though climbing is an ideal excuse to visit these places, it seems that the most enriching experiences have to do with the unfamiliar and unexpected interactions along the way." I call those interactions "divine encounters" appointments arranged by the Holy Spirit, similar to Philip meeting the Ethiopian eunich in the middle of a wilderness road-(Acts 8:26-40) He was "in the right place at the right time". I have had many of these encounters through-out my many travels and they are some of my most memorable experiences. I pray that I will be tuned in to the Holy Spirit's guidance and be ready to follow where He leads and be ready to make the most out of the opportunities He provides.

Ministry news:
Haiti -still on hold. Pray that our contact will be able to get the funds out of the bank to purchase building supplies and that the situation there will stabalize enough for us to make the trip and complete the project safely.
Word of Life-I will most likely be going on a Youth Reachout trip again this summer (most likely my last one) There are a couple of possibilities but I will go wherever they need me for staff. France or Costa Rica are the options. I have enough left in my account to cover the cost of that trip. PTL
Kili/Tanzania- On hold as we do not have a missions candidate at this point.
Lesotho- I have been able to make good connections with Steve Hill, a missionary with Africa Inland Mission working in Lesotho, and am in the process of setting up a survey trip for early October.
Indonesia- Things are moving ahead for this trip scheduled for early Nov. A team of 7 from the US will be joining a group from Jakarta to minister to people on the streets of Jakarta and then on to Papua to help a ministry there.
If you are interested in receiving a copy of our recent magazine "the Climbing way" a missions issue, email me your address and I will send one your way.

It was not a huge crowd but, it was a good crowd. The first ever free pasta dinner was a success. We met some really nice people and made what I think will prove to be some key ministry contacts for the future. Including the owner of a local climbing shop, Lake Placid Mountaineering, who is a Christian. Also a man who just returned from 21 days in Pakistan gave us some contacts to follow up on. Two of my former campers who where in town (Tammy Davis and Karalie Gray) came to help out in the kitchen which was a great encouragement.

I was able to get the needed repairs done to van today and get it reinspected. The Lord provided for the payment as well. We want to say thank you to those that provided the money and to the Lord for using them to meet our needs- again. -Thanks.

Haiti news- the electronic bank transfer was successful. Now they just need to convince the bank in the Dominican Republic to release it to our contact down there. That means that Gary and I will not need to go down in person- for now. Pray that things will become more stable in that country so that we will be able to complete the church there.

Kilimanjaro news- we have a new candidate for our missionary position over there. Pray for wisdom for us and them as we decide if they are the ones that God wants for the position.

Lesotho news- I am trying to make contact with a missionary with AIM (African Inland Mission) who spent 9 years there in the town that we are praying about working in. He is in the States on a long term assignment. Pray that I will be able to get in touch with him.

Praise the Lord! Our van failed inspection this morning! It needs new tires and both idler arms. About $500 worth. We have no idea how we are going to pay for that. Another chance for us to trust God and live by faith. That was alot easier to type then it will be to live out. Pray that we will glorify God through these new circumstances. -storing my treasures in heaven where moths and RUST don't corrupt. -Todd

The Haiti trip has been postponed for at least two weeks. Due to recent events there and the pending elections we feel it best to wait. Please continue to be in prayer about it though. Myself and Gary Fallesen may be going down in the next few weeks to hand carry the money for the purchase of materials.

Praise the Lord!
All of the needed money for my trip to Haiti has come in! Please continue to pray for that trip coming end of Feb. as there will be plenty of "unknowns until the very end".
Things are starting to come together for our trip to Indonesia. That one is scheduled for Nov. The cost of that one will be upwards of $6000. Our contacts for that trip are super excited about our coming.

On Friday I drove out to Rochester to be a part of a fund raising event for C4C called "Go tell it on the mountain". It was a great night filled with music, drama, inspirational readings, climbing films, and giving. Spent the night with the Fallesens in Hilton, (not to be confused with in THE Hilton;) and after a great breakfast made by Elaine and Haley was on my way back home. The van seemed to run ok- Praise the Lord!

Please pray for me as I attend my first meeting with the LASAR (Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue) team on Tuesday. My Prayer is that this will be an opportunity for outreach and community service.

Finally a prayer:

Make us Thy mountaineers;
We would not linger on the lower slope,
Fill us afresh with hope, O God of Hope,
That, undefeated, we may climb the hill
As seeing Him who is invisible.
Let us die climbing. When this little while
Lies far behind us, and the last defile
Is all alight, and in that light we see
Our Leader and our Lord, what will it be?
– Amy Carmichael, author, missionary, great Christian of the 19th and 20th centuries

A Hymn for the New Year -2006

Another Year is Dawning -by Frances Ridley Havergal

Another year is dawning: Dear Father, let it be, In working or in waiting, Another year with Thee; Another year of progress, another year of praise, Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace; Another year of gladness In the shining of Thy face; Another year of leaning Upon Thy loving breast; Another year of trusting, Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, Of witness for Thy love; Another year of training For holier work above. Another year is dawning: Dear Father let it be, On earth or else in heaven, Another year for Thee.
-Amen