A week full of thanks .....

Things are certainly quieter here now that the last Americans (besides us!) have left. It was a great week and we saw God's hand working in so many different ways.

As I have gotten closer to the Cesis young people over the years, I have asked them what do they look forward to the most during summer? I hope they are not just being nice but almost all will say it is when the Americans come. I don't think it is because of what we do in the camps or celebrations; I think it is because our team always has worked to develop relationships at every level. I have seen quite a few of the young people the last couple of days and they all said they are missing their friends from the USA. We saw one teenager last night at the Leil Veikals (big store) and she had just talked with Mattie (in the USA) by phone. It's a pretty awesome thought that a week could have so much impact. We also know that the Christian influence our young people have on the city of Cesis is huge. We hope our team will continue to reach out to their new-found friends to help and encourage them as the year goes by.

Thanks to the entire team for so much planning, inspiration and hard work. From Dashiel, Hillary, Spencer, Lauren, Kyle, Jacob and Jordan working so well demonstrating the basketball skills to Mattie, Adrianna, BriAnn and Jessica handling the crafts and non-basketball duties...all of you did an outstanding job. Never a cross word, never putting yourself first; what a pleasure to work with you.

With Steve Gowan on the guitar you never have to worry about music. An accomplished musician adds so much to every thing we do here...many thanks. Chase Bowers has the ability to talk to young or old about the word of God. He is a student of the Bible and knows how to explain God's heart. You can feel his inspiration as he is always able to say just the right thing at the right moment. Debbie and Jimmy Leatherwood are two of the hardest workers on any mission trip. We feel blessed with their friendship and they make so many things go better through their knowledge and abilities. Dawn H. has become a cherished member of our FBC team. Always happy to do whatever is needed, she has a loving spirit that is contagious to all. Katie only got to be with us a day or so but it was inspiring that she worked so hard to make it possible to come to Cesis. The balloons are always a big hit with the kids. The guy that makes it all happen is Steve Akin. He is always ready to try something new to make things better; always ready to jump in and work in any situation and keeps a thousand things going both here on the mission field and back home.

Last but not least, I must give my biggest thanks to Laura, my wife. Through a hectic week of basketball camp, youth celebrations, moving, etc. etc., she has been more than my help-mate. She organized the crafts beautifully, modeled Christian love in every way possible, was a gracious host to our visitors and said the many things that I can't. She was definitely chosen for this position as she is the perfect person for it. It takes a pretty strong individual to live with me 7-days a week, almost 24-hours a day . . . I'm so glad that she was sent to be by my side through all of this.

Loti, loti, paldies to all of you. I hope it was a week you won't forget but I also hope you will always remember Chase's last message about the 'hardest place'. Isn't it so true?

As one last reminder of the week I thought I'd post a picture someone you are all familiar with. Let's not forget him!

**Mark & Laura** ( mwimberley2005@yahoo.com )