Philippines Photos

We led a Titus outreach to the Philippines last year... and I've finally got around to posting some pictures.  We'll let THEM tell a bit of the story:

(By the way, we were a bit nervous about taking our whole family on outreach -- but the kids loved it, and would go again any time!)

I write the best Blogs ...when I'm falling asleep :-\

Yes, it's true.  The minute my head hits the pillow, my mind is off and running.  Ideas, ideas, and more ideas!  While my body starts to gear down, my brain keeps going -- I love envisioning things, dreaming up all sorts of plans and possibilities, thinking, brainstorming.

While trying to sleep, I also go through a mental check-list of things I wasn't quite able to get to that day... or past month... or past year...!  One of the main things that has constantly been on my mind the past several years that I just can't quite seem to find enough hours in the day for is ... more personal communication!

And so, while trying to drift off, I also write.  A lot!  I've written literally hundreds of brilliant blog posts, sent out the nicest newsletters, and compiled clever videos -- all on my way to la-la-land (aka sleep).  The problem is my computer -- it unfortunately (or fortunately for you, whatever the case may be) doesn't have one of those mind-to-computer transfer devices.  By the time I've thought through and re-worded several times over whatever it is that I am mentally writing about, my body is usually well-and-truly gone, with my mind generally following soon thereafter.  If I actually did have the capacity to drag myself out of bed every night, we might have a much better, oft-updated site then!  (I'm hoping it's wisdom though, knowing also my need for sleep, that keeps me in bed most nights)

At any rate, (haha, I sound like a typical amateur blogger lamenting about not writing often enough, with promises to write more), know that it at least is on my mind, and maybe one of these days, I might get myself out of bed like I did tonight, write a few more posts (although they probably won't be as good as the ones I dream about), and publish my half-written saved drafts.  Except that if I get up, although semi-awake, I'm also semi-asleep, and tend to get more random and incoherent as time goes on!  I think now might be my signal to hit the pillow again.

P.S.  Last week, I completed the first page (2-sided) of a newsletter update.  I've got a few drafts saved in Mail Chimp for something new we're going to try out soon (it's just taking me a long time to enter all the e-mail addresses), and of course I've scads of ideas for more things... so now with the kids back to school, you might actually (?!?) hear from us "soon"! :-P

Titus Times! (Taiwan, 2011)

Here it is: the latest edition of our Titus newsletter with news from our Jan-Mar & Feb-Apr programs. Enjoy! :-)

Taiwan Titus Times 2011

Titus Cambodia

We are so excited & blessed as we see Titus multiplying around the world, and more Bible teachers trained up and sent forth!

In a few days, Michael has the privilege of going to Cambodia for 18 days to help them run their 2nd annual Titus there. Two other of our Titus Taiwan staff will accompany Michael, and they will be doing staff training, helping with the final preparations for the program, and then teaching most of the training time lectures.

Following is a short clip sharing how the Khmer have been excited to study and now take God's Word forth!

Titus Nepal!

My heart has been so full this year hearing all the reports from Titus Project world-wide.  Titus Nepal now brings us up to 7 operating locations around the world.

I don't know what kind of things touch and inspire you, but watching Titus videos generally brings the tissue box out for me.  I am inspired by the lives of the individuals I see (several whom we also personally know).  I'm encouraged to keep going each & every day, giving everything I've got.  I am challenged to live a life of faith and obedience as I see the incredible Faithfulness of God over the years.  God's Word is alive and active and we are all blessed to be part of bringing it to the nations!

This video was put together by our dear friend and Titus Montana leader (who was in charge of pioneering Titus Nepal), Kerry Neve.  The one thing that especially struck me from this video is the joy I see on these guys' faces.  The photos are of the 3-wk Training Time before they are all sent out on outreach to go teach & preach! :-)

From Titus SA!

Mobile Bible Teaching Team from De Wet & Marysol on Vimeo.

Update Page

Since we haven't sent out an update/newsletter for awhile, I'm posting our "Stevens' Update Page" below.  Every 4 years we have a Rietema Reunion/Rendezvous/Roundup -- and each family does a scrapbook style page to put in a booklet for each family (and we are a large family! :-))  So, here is what we put together for our 2010 Rietema Roundup this past summer.

Stevens Update Page

Montana Furlough

What a summer!  What a whirlwind!  We had a blast!!  Highlights include:

• Amy's family all together for the first time in 4 years
• Rietema Roundup 2010 -- Family Reunion
• Playing with cousins
• Connecting with Friends & Supporters
• Games
• Four-wheeling
• Swimming in Flathead Lake
• Barbecues
• Camping
• Garage-saling
• Glacier Park
• Fair

A few photos: