Summer 2013 update

We have had a wonderful summer in the United States. It has been absolutely packed with meetings and busy Sunday's, but we have been blessed to spend time with friends and family and have also had opportunity to make many new friends.

It's already time for us to return to China, so we want to take a moment to update you on the amazing summer we have had. There's no way we can capture it all, but this gives you just a glimpse into our lives this summer. (also see the "Summer 2013" pictures to the right)


 
In the midst of a packed schedule Doug had a wonderful summer spending time with the USA Samuelson kids. Going out to eat, camping in thunderstorms (on Father's Day), going to Como Park with Liza and the kids she nanny's, and.....

Father's Day

being part of the welcoming of the newest family member.... Carly's dog Quincy!

Look out! New driver on the road!

Isaac had a great summer working as a counselor at Hidden Acres Camp in Iowa. He also completed drivers ed and is now a licensed driver!

Isaac as a counselor

Shopping in the US!

Shopping in the US is so much easier than China!

Kelley at Iowa Father's Day Celebration

John Schuler at his Maple Grove store.

We were blessed by such generous and creative support! One example is John and Nancy Schuler (Schuler Shoes) outfitting our family with shoes for an entire year of walking in China!

We won't be seeing this for a while!!!

It's going to be hard to leave behind amazing meals,

Iowa Farm Fields

Washington State Sunrise

beautiful scenery, fresh air, most of all... you!

Back in the US

Hello Friends and Family,

We are excited (and ready) to be back in the US for a short few months. Doug arrived in Minnesota in early May and Kelley will return  with Isaac after he finishes up the school year at Xi'an International School (in late May). Please pray that time will go fast (we hate being apart!).

It has been a hectic but blessed year for us. Thank you to everyone who so graciously helped us to get to Thailand for medical needs. It was a huge blessing to have so many of you support us in that urgent need. We can't thank you enough.

Another Goal for Nate (#25)

Doug has already been able to spend time with the U.S. Samuelson kids since his return. He is having the time of his life watching several of Nate's lacrosse games. (Doug reports 5 goals in the last 3 games!)

 

Renee at Lake Minnetonka

And watching Renee race in a sailing regatta!











Carly graduates from St. Thomas later this month and has recently accepted a position in a Minnesota film company that makes documentary movies. Liza is wrapping up her sophomore year at St. Thomas and is talking about the possibility of taking some time off next year to explore the world before declaring a major. 

Isaac as "Prospero" in Shakspear's The Tempest

In Xi'an, Isaac has had a great year sophomore year. This spring he was the lead in The Tempest ("Prospero") and did a great job with memorizing about 200 lines and monologues. This summer he will work as a counselor at Hidden Acres Camp in Iowa.

We are so blessed to have such talented kids!



We are excited to be back in the US for a few months and are hoping to see all of you. Be sure to check out the calendar section of our blog to see when we will be in your area.

Also, take a look at the updated needs list and prayer list to see other ways that you can support us.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family who support us in our calling.

We hope to see you soon!

 

Urgent Need!

Dear Friends, Family and Faithful supporters,

We need your faithful prayers and we are asking each one of you, to pray about giving financially towards these two urgent needs.

 The first need is for $5,000 that is due Feb 15 that pays for our years rent for the headquarters that provides a launching and training base for our efforts in Northern Asia.

 The second, Kelley is needing some medical care that she is not able to get in China she will need to travel to Thailand and have an outpatient surgery.

Typical Kelley, full of life!

 

Kelley, on one of the very low air quality days

Kelley has really been struggling with the bad pollution that has recently spiked in Xi'an (it hit 800 on the index - severe conditions are 300!). Our joy filled wife and mother needs your prayers! Our son Isaac and myself are also needing to see doctors in Thailand. We have excellent insurance, but our copay and travel costs total $2500. The medical funds are needed as soon as possible.

We can’t thank you enough for praying about this situation.

If you have any specific questions, please email me

Busy in Xi'an

Hello Family and Friends,

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. We have been having an increasingly difficult time adding new posts while being out of the country. Hopefully that will change soon, but regardless I am taking advantage of being back in the states for GTC board meetings this week.

Children with their new backpacks on.

Backpack Giveaway!!
Our friends invited us to their school in a nearby rural community and we brought blessing backpacks containing a hat, a scarf and a stuffed animal for each kindergartener. In return, they gave us bags of the most amazing apples in the province!

Isaac, Kelley and Doug with the local school leaders

Xu Xue, Translating Materials

Translation of Materials
We are excited about translation efforts which have begun. The materials being translated will be used this spring as small groups are launched in the Northeast where communities have asked for assistance. Mark W., our like-minded friend, contacted us nearly a year ago about the need for these materials in that region.  





Christmas in China!
The recognition of Christmas as a holiday has recently begun in China and there is much confusion surrounding the Christmas Holiday. The image of Santa can be seen taped to store windows, random traditions have sprung up (some including giving apples as gifts), and often you will find Christmas decorations mixed in with Halloween masks, etc... There is very little (if any) understanding of the birth of Christ as a part of it.

Chinese New Year, 2012

Non-stop fireworks for 2 weeks!

We will soon be experiencing Chunjie (Chinese New Year) which is a celebration that lasts from February 2 - 17th. This is considered the largest mass migration of people in the world as many millions on people return to their home cities to spend the holiday with their family. Most stores close during that time or have greatly reduced hours. Fireworks can be heard nonstop and often the sky is filled with smoke. We have heard that walking out side during this time is worse than smoking two packs of cigarettes a day.

Lately we have hit a string of days with poor air quality. It has hit all of us pretty hard.

The difference in air quality can be striking!

Congratulations to Isaac!
This summer he will be working as a counselor at Hidden Acres Camp in Dayton, IA.