Local TV

The beginning of this month we were asked to share a couple hours with a videographer from the Lincoln News Channel as they are featuring out hometown, Seward, in the news during this week. We enjoyed the time watching how the whole 'TV' process works -- and now seeing the final results as they put it all together and aired our portion today.

To view the clip, visit here.

Click the "Wissmann Family" link.

"Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory,

for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake."

Psalm 115:1

The Accident

As you can tell by the above picture, we had one additional momentous happening across the Canadian border. Yesterday we were just gathering for the morning service in Winkler, MB, when Stephen came running from the playground -- holding up his arm saying, "I need help!"

And he did need help, indeed. In the heat of the moment we didn't get a picture of the "S" shaped arm, but as you can tell by the x-ray, it was pretty obvious something was broken. Amazing how quickly a slip off the merry-go-round can re-arrange one's arm.

We're so thankful for the local people and their helpfulness in getting us to an emergency room in a local town. We were also grateful that we had planned to travel through the night to get home first thing this morning. This allowed our own doctor to do the actual setting of the bone as the small Canadian town didn't have a doctor on call to do the job.

As you think of Stephen, please keep his arm in prayer -- for a speedy and correct healing. Additionally, we're having to figure out what to do without our mandolin player! Quite an adjustment for everyone, as we once again realize how each member of the team is vitally important!

(Our 'one-handed' harmonica player is still in service.)

Canada

We're home! After driving straight through the night, we pulled into Seward around 7:00 this morning and have been eagerly unpacking and catching up on our laundry, correspondence, and gardening ever since! It has been a full week since I've been able to do much of an update here, so will try to fill you in with lots of pictures! [smile]

A big thank you to all of you who have been praying for our family during this trip. It has been a stretching couple weeks, but we are so grateful for each opportunity to share together. Here are a few tidbits from the past several days:

We were thrilled to be able to spend some time with the Berge -- and Caron! -- families in Minnesota at the beginning of last week. They have been such a blessing to our family -- and we even got them to share a few songs with us!! Thanks ya'll!

Mommy visiting with some of the First Nation people in Sioux Narrows, Ontario. We were actually able to sing right on the reservation -- a big answer to prayer!

Sioux Narrows, Ontario. If the Lord brings this ministry to your heart, please pray for these native people and the missionaries, the Nisly family. There are many challenges to this work as we saw in the short time we were with them. We pray the Lord will continue to strengthen and guide them!

On Thursday our boys enjoyed a short excersion in the Nisly's fishing boat -- which, they discovered, does have enough power to pull them up on waterskiis.

You never know what you'll wake up to find when you're celebrating your birthday on a bus -- right, Hannah?!

Time for some 'pre-service' singing in Morden, Manitoba at the Thousand Oaks Gospel Camp. We discovered this is much more than just a Gospel 'sing' -- it included some wonderful speakers and meaningful evenings around campfires besides lots of great music and testimonies for the Lord.

"Have I ever been carried away to do something for God
not because it was my duty,
nor because it was useful,
nor because there was anything in it at all
beyond the fact that I love Him?"

--Oswald Chambers

Hannah

Happy 11th Birthday, Hannah!

As your big sister, I can still remember eagerly waiting late into the night, telling stories and waiting for you to be born so we could hold you in our arms. What a precious surprise to have another sister! And now as you are quickly becoming a young lady we are so thankful for the gifts and abilities the Lord has given you -- and the thoughtful ways you bless our home. Your little notes of encouragment, smiles, and creative projects brighten our days. May God bless you as you continue to grow -- both bodily, and in your walk with the Lord -- this coming year. We love you!

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will compelte it until the day of Jesus Christ;"

Philippians 1:6

More Pictures

Early morning flag raising -- a great start to 'camp days!

Sharing at the retirement home.

The meals this year were fantastic -- many thanks to our cooks!

We were so thankful for beautiful weather the whole week, giving us lots of time for outdoor activities -- including many games of 'speed volleyball'...

...and Mighty, Mighty Scoop Noodle Challenge!!!

Mm-m-mm-m!

Evening campfires -- complete with s'mores and singing.

On our 'free' day, we were able to make a trip into the ND prairie hills and the guys helped a friend with some fencing.

"The glory is not in the task, but in the doing it for HIM."

--Jean Ingelow

Camp Pictures

Well, it is hard to pick which pictures to post from the pile of options, but here is a quick glimpse of the week at Prairie Bible Camp --

"Put On Your Armor"

Each morning started with personal Bible time. The whole camp was quiet as children sat reading their Bibles -- the younger ones with help. The most important time of the day!

The Life of John Newton (writer of "Amazing Grace")-- our 'cast and crew'!

Ruth organized the crafts for us this year - the girls made two quilts to be mailed to the mission field. Many hands and lively conversations made the teamwork fun!

Our closing program - the youth worked so hard on their memory verses this year and completed Ephesians 6:13-18. What a joy to hear their enthusiastic voices!

Matthias

Happy 15th Birthday, Matthias!

What a joyous day it was when God sent you to our family! It has been a marvelous thing to watch you grow from a baby, to a little boy -- and now this past year, practically a young man! Along with gaining height and strength, (surpassing these sisters of yours!) we are grateful for your gentlemanly ways and servant leadership. May the Lord richly bless you in the coming years and may you seek Him for guidance in the decisions and choices that lay ahead! We love you!

"So you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness."

Proverbs 2:20

Camp Re-Cap

After several days and nights of non-stop activity -- except for a few hours of 'wee morning' sleep -- Prairie Bible Camp is quiet and peaceful for the moment. A few teenagers are playing volleyball while the adults and young children rest. I figured this would be a good time to post a quick update. As we have a slo-o-ow connection, I’m not able to load any of the 500+ pictures Bethany has taken this week – but I hope to soon!

At final count, we had 74 children ages 7-18 for the children's camp -- a full load with the facilities available here. We are so grateful for so many answered prayers we experienced over the duration. Here are just a few:

~Sunshine! Though rain was often in the forecast, each day we would get up to the sun shining and birds singing -- with only one exception, and on that day it was shining by noon.

~ Safety! Aside from a few bumps and bruises, no body was seriously hurt -- even amidst the intensity of 'Mighty mighty scoop noodle challenge' and midnight 'Glowbee'. [smile]

~ Strength and energy! Doubling as both counselors and teaching staff we had little sleep each night, but the Lord seemed to renew our energies each day -- and then gave us a couple days to catch up on the hours missed!

~ God's working in the hearts of the children. We had such a good group of youth -- many from struggling and/or broken homes. Through the time in the evening services and dorm devotions, the Lord opened many opportunities to pray and talk one on one with several young people seeking answers to hard questions.

~ Wordless Book Training. This year we shared a 3 hour training with the older youth. It was great to see them dig in and learn how to share the gospel with others -- and then step out of their comfort zones to put it into practice at the retirement home. The elderly people just loved the smiling visitors and responded enthusiastically to what we shared.

So thank you for your prayers! Stay tuned for pictures….

“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

Our Armor

Specific prayer request for today --

After working through a several hour Gospel Training Course with the older youth at camp, we will, Lord-willing, be taking them on a couple outreach ministry activities this afternoon. We have scheduled a time at the local retirement home to visit with the elderly, as well as some 'on-campus' activities with the younger 'campers'. Please keep these teens in prayer as they step out and take action on what they've been learning!

"Therefore, take up the whole armor of God..." Eph. 6:13

Camp Days

Prairie Bible Camp has begun and will fill our next few days with long hours and lots of activity! What a joy to see so many of 'our' kids again!!!

We are so grateful for our friends, Thomas and Abi, who have graciously given of their time and energies to help us for the week. It's great having 'adopted siblings' for the week, and besides the extra hands and creativity at work, we love the time for fellowship! Thank you guys!

As I know many of you will be upholding our family in prayer this week, I was encouraged by the following quote. We are depending on His bounty to supply us, and what a joy to know that through it all He is showing us Who He is!

-----------------
"Whether we praise Him for His unfathomable
majesty or petition Him for daily needs,
prayer

is the expression of our dependence upon God, our whole-souled reliance
upon His power to sustain us,
His mercy to forgive us,
His bounty to supply us,

and His glory to overwhelm us

as we reflect on who He is."

C. Samuel Storms

Camp's a Comin'

The countdown is ticking rapidly. After several weeks of planning, praying, and preparing, we have only a few hours now until we take off for our annual trip to North Dakota and the Prairie Bible Camp. We'd be so grateful for your prayers as it is a very intense week. The Lord always uses it to stretch and teach us the importance of relying on Him!

From Sunday thru Wednesday we'll be leading the kids camp with ages 8-18. Our theme this year is "Put on Your Armor" -- centering around the armor of God based in Ephesians 6:10-18. We are excited by the things the Lord has shown us just from studying the past few weeks -- along with the games and activities to bring it all to 'life'.

2005 Camp Kids

But along with all the preparation -- the posters, props, skits, games -- comes the earnest prayer that the Lord will use it to make a difference in each heart. As Proverbs 21:31 states: "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the Lord." We feel anticipation along with the overwhelming knowledge that this is bigger than us. We need God's power and grace.

Thank you for joining with us in prayer and we look forward to sharing with you the memorable moments and stories when we get the chance to be online again!

Preparing verse posters.

Postscript -- We do have two specific prayer requests....

First, Dad has been struggling with some lower back pains the past several days, making it difficult to accomplish his normal work. We'd appreciate prayer for healing and wisdom in how to help him.

Also, I just checked the weather for camp in ND, and they have rain in the forecast. It may seem a small thing, but please join us in praying for sunshine! [smile]

Calvary Love

Recently I have been challenged by a tiny book, "If", by Amy Charmichael. Containing many good thoughts to ponder, I was struck this morning by the fact that Calvary love should leave its imprint on everything we do -- even the daily, hidden, tasks.

If I am inconsiderate about the comfort of others,

or their feelings,

or even of their little weaknesses;

if I am careless about their little hurts

and miss opportunities to smooth their way;

if I make the sweet running of household wheels

more difficult to accomplish,

then I know nothing of Calvary love.

--Amy Charmichael

Guitar Saga

Just a quick update for those of you who have been wondering what ever happened to our bass guitar. We are so thankful for a very skilled and kind repair man in Lincoln who spent hours for us working to get the damaged wood back into playable condition. For a fraction the cost of a new guitar, he has our old Martin back on the road with us, and we are glad to be using it again -- and will always have it's story to remember!

Our Bike Rider

Today has been a day of exciting 'firsts' for Nathanael. This evening Stephen started teaching him to ride a bike without training wheels! This was a thrilling occasion -- perfect weather, tiny 'learning' bike, and a good teacher.

And then came another 'first'. First bike wreck! Yep, he hit the ground and is a little banged up tonight. He says he wants to try again tomorrow, but has decided to go back to using the 'helper wheels' for awhile!

Happy Birthday!

We're celebrating a birthday again!

We are so grateful for you, Mommy! I can't count the number of times I've awoke to the sound of your voice singing and then closed the day with your good night hugs. Over the years you have not only taught us kids the 'academics' of life, but you have showed us what a living relationship with Jesus is like. You showed us how to work, play, grow, and learn together as best friends -- and led by example in reaching out to touch the lives of others.

I am so thankful that the first priority in your life is your walk with the Lord, and that Daddy is the love of your life. And no matter how small the gesture, you always notice what we children are excited about or struggling with and are quick to give your encouragement, prayers, or just a big hug. We love you!!!

"Who can find a virtous woman? For her price is far above rubies."

Proverbs 31:10

A Week of Pictures

I guess I have not done well this week at keeping up with blog updates (my apologies)! It has been a full week for our family -- full of house duties, the menfolk busy with sandblasting work, music practice each evening, camp preparations, and picnics with friends. To get you updated quickly, I've decided to do a 'week in pictures' post so you can see what we've been up to!

We enjoyed an evening of fellowship with friends from church last Sunday evening -- and several rousing games of volleyball!

Monday, we attended Seward's Memorial Day service. It was excellent -- from the music, to the speaker, to row after row of flags blowing in the wind. A good time to reflect on those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

And as always, home activities continue. With 14 around our table, we do food in a big way!

And everyone has their job (right Alaythia!??!)

Mommy gathering her 'little ones' from the playground.
(Notice 'baby Wissmann' growing!!)

Our first outdoor event of the year was today -- the Henderson Gospel Sing.

This evening we sang in Beaver Crossing, the town we called home sixteen years ago. It was good to see friends again and remember 'old' times as we sang at the park where we older ones had passed many happy hours!

Many thanks for those of you praying for our new music. After many evening practices we introduced a new song this weekend -- "Going Home", a joyous celebration of our heavenly home. May we live each day with eternity in focus!

"...while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:18