Wow… America moves fast!

Dear friends….

Wow… America moves fast! It seems that just yesterday we were packing our bags in Takoradi to come to Baltimore for a year. Since our arrival in June, we have had the privileged to visit many friends and family. At the same time we have had several challenges at the church in Takoradi. Thankfully Pastor Henry and the team of leaders have responded with great skill and grace.

Since our return, I have been reflecting on what Jesus said in John 15:13 about His friends: “ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” I have been thinking a lot about friends and those people who are important in our lives. In July I had the privileged of visiting a few of my college buddies in Oregon, and playing a round of golf at the Eugene Country Club with Casey Martin, the Univ. of Oregon golf coach. It was great to be able to be with friends that I have known since my early days as a young believer. As we shared old stories and time together I realized that these guys would lay down their lives for me, and I would do the same for them. I also consider it is an honor to count you as friends who have prayerfully followed our adventure of faith.

We have been experiencing a bit of “culture shock” as we enter a society that is foreign to us in many ways. Maybe you have never read the You Know You're A Missionary Kid When . . . but if you do you may get a feel for what we and our children are experiencing. We are living in an urban environment; something we have never done as a family. Susan is working outside the home for the first time in 22 years, teaching 4 year olds. Ryan is going to traditional school for the first time and playing on the soccer team; Katie is a freshman in high school and playing volleyball. Nikki is now in her professional phase of her Physician Assistant Program at Desales University and has started rotations at the local hospital, and Sari is studying journalism at Temple University in Philadelphia this semester.

Besides taking care of the “details” of re-entering America and assisting a friend’s start up company, I have been taking a few classes at Maryland Bible College, helping the Verticalink campus ministry, filling in at the Greater Grace Christian Academy teaching Bible to the juniors and seniors, and being available to help at the church when and where I can.

Please continue to keep us in prayer for:

Missions Support – We thank those who have continued to help us financially during our transition to the USA. We continue to be responsible for the ministry expenses in Ghana and encourage you to continue to support us and the ministry with your financial gifts.

New Church Building Fund – We are currently negotiating with the local chief for a parcel of land. The location is good, yet we need to raise additional funds to purchase the land and process the paperwork etc.

Health Insurance - Currently Chuck is uninsured and awaiting a reply on receiving health insurance while in the U.S. as his missionary plan expired. Susan’s insurance will also expire in 3 more months. Please pray we will receive affordable plans and acceptance despite Chuck’s diabetes.

Transition - For the whole family to adjust to living in our new culture.

Thank you again for being with us in your continued prayers, financial support, and encouragement. We would love to hear from you and be in touch, so please feel free to give us a call on our phone numbers below. Please let us know any questions, comments, or suggestions you may have.

God Bless,
Chuck & Susan Heidenreich