Dear Friends of Dakar Deckers,
We are going to be doing our future Decker blogging here. Please join us!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Decker Dispatch - September 2010
THE DECKER DISPATCH
September 2010
Transitions
Does it seem to you like the word “transition” shows up in our letters pretty frequently? A search of our prayer letters over the years would certainly bear that out, and this one is no exception. One transition is to an empty nest. Jacob, our youngest, has just gone off to college, and all three of our boys are in the U.S. You’ll see a quick update on each of them down below.
Beyond that, we have also accepted a new assignment with SIM. In January 2011 we will take up residence in Charlotte, NC, and we will also take up new positions at the SIM USA office. At this point we are committed to two years in Charlotte.
September 2010
Transitions
Does it seem to you like the word “transition” shows up in our letters pretty frequently? A search of our prayer letters over the years would certainly bear that out, and this one is no exception. One transition is to an empty nest. Jacob, our youngest, has just gone off to college, and all three of our boys are in the U.S. You’ll see a quick update on each of them down below.
Beyond that, we have also accepted a new assignment with SIM. In January 2011 we will take up residence in Charlotte, NC, and we will also take up new positions at the SIM USA office. At this point we are committed to two years in Charlotte.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Joey at OCS
Dear family and friends,
We'd love for you to join us in praying for Joey this week! He is in his fourth week of Naval Officer Candidate School (OCS), and this week Thursday will be a very intense inspection. Passing this will move them to the next phase, and failing will hold them back significantly. His classmates at OCS are working very hard preparing, and are feeling a lot of stress and pressure. We know that God is with Joey and will strengthen him and give him endurance day by day, and we ask you to join us in praying for him, and all of them. We feel privileged to support these young men and women who desire to serve God and their country by becoming Naval Officers.
If you'd like more info about Joey's journey through OCS, and more updates with prayer requests, please join the "praying for Joey at OCS" group on facebook.
Thanks for your prayers for our family, and especially for Joey this week!
Blessings,
Mary
for the Deckers
We'd love for you to join us in praying for Joey this week! He is in his fourth week of Naval Officer Candidate School (OCS), and this week Thursday will be a very intense inspection. Passing this will move them to the next phase, and failing will hold them back significantly. His classmates at OCS are working very hard preparing, and are feeling a lot of stress and pressure. We know that God is with Joey and will strengthen him and give him endurance day by day, and we ask you to join us in praying for him, and all of them. We feel privileged to support these young men and women who desire to serve God and their country by becoming Naval Officers.
If you'd like more info about Joey's journey through OCS, and more updates with prayer requests, please join the "praying for Joey at OCS" group on facebook.
Thanks for your prayers for our family, and especially for Joey this week!
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
(Colossians 1:11-12 ESV)
Blessings,
Mary
for the Deckers
Sunday, August 22, 2010
August 22: Joey to OCS
For many years, Joey has dreamed of serving God and his country as on officer in the U.S. Navy. Today he begins his 12 weeks of Officer Candidate School. It’s an intense time of physical, mental and emotional training for the Candidates.
Please join us in praying for Joey’ s health, strength and endurance during these very challenging weeks!
These pictures were taken earlier in the summer, by one of Joey’s friends (thanks Dan A.) when he was sworn in by his recruiter.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
May 30: graduation open house
We are thankful for the community of friends who helped us celebrate with our three graduating SIM kids! One family hosted the open house. Three families provided food. The punch bowl was loaned by another family. The crock-pot loaned by another. Siblings helped decorate while the graduating students visited other open houses that started earlier. Friends from around the country joined us... all ages hung out, munched, and enjoyed one another's company... it was a fun celebration!
Monday, May 31, 2010
May 29:Junior-Senior Banquet
Monday, May 10, 2010
DeckerUpdate May 10
Dear family and friends,
Greetings once again from Senegal!
We are thankful for your prayers and your encouragement to us as we transition from field leadership in West Africa. We have loved living in Africa, and though we're looking forward to home assignment and time with family and friends, we will miss so much about life here! Once in Minnesota, we will be living in the same Apple Valley house that has been home during each of our two previous home assignments. Meanwhile, much needs to happen before we leave Dakar in one month, and we'd appreciate your prayers for us as we finish work-related projects, spend time with the people we've grown to love in this country, and sell/give away all our household things that won't fit in our airplane baggage allowance!
Greetings once again from Senegal!
We are thankful for your prayers and your encouragement to us as we transition from field leadership in West Africa. We have loved living in Africa, and though we're looking forward to home assignment and time with family and friends, we will miss so much about life here! Once in Minnesota, we will be living in the same Apple Valley house that has been home during each of our two previous home assignments. Meanwhile, much needs to happen before we leave Dakar in one month, and we'd appreciate your prayers for us as we finish work-related projects, spend time with the people we've grown to love in this country, and sell/give away all our household things that won't fit in our airplane baggage allowance!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday, April 05, 2010
Decker Update April 5
Dear friends and family, Easter greetings to you: The LORD is risen! We are so thankful that we serve a Savior who is alive and active today! Serving Him (through serving missionaries by offering quality leadership and administrative support) with SIM in W.Africa has been our privilege since 1989, and we look forward to serving Him with SIM in other locations in the future.
We have kept busy with ministry and family life. Last week we participated in the SIM-Senegal Spiritual Life Conference. Dave and I each facilitated a session, and I was involved with program planning and program evaluation as well. It was a great joy to gather with SIM'ers from several places in Senegal, and join them in worship, rest, fun and enjoying one another's company over meals and free time.
We enjoyed a visit from our friend Anika from our home church, who spent her vacation here and helped out with the children’s program at the SLC. We also managed to visit some interesting places in Dakar while she was here.
Family update
We are thankful for so many answers to prayer. Danny has started a good job in Miami, and is learning a lot and enjoying the process. Please pray for him as he balances his time between work and his family.
We are thankful for so many answers to prayer. Danny has started a good job in Miami, and is learning a lot and enjoying the process. Please pray for him as he balances his time between work and his family.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
February 25: sights and sounds of Dakar
A friend of ours found this video on YouTube and I thought you might enjoy seeing a few minutes of Dakar life.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
February 12: W.A.I.S.T. preview!
If two of the DA-related teams make it to the finals which are played on Monday, DA will declare a school holiday to allow staff and students to play in the last game... and fans to cheer... fan tension is high on Saturday and Sunday hoping the teams will win them a free day on Monday!
Here's one picture from last year, and links to photo-sets from the two years before that if you'd like to get a sense of what the next few days might be like!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
January 26: DeckerUpdate - Liberia report
Dear friends and family,
We are so thankful for your prayers as we work with SIM's Western Africa Area, which includes the countries of Guinea, Senegal, Cote d'Ivore and Liberia. Our purpose is to serve missionaries by offering quality leadership and administrative support. Many of you have been involved in our life and ministry since our very earliest days of living in Liberia, and you know how special that country is to us. Last week Dave returned from a trip to Liberia, and here is his report. God is clearly at work, and the need for prayer is very great. Please join us in praying, as this week and this season is very significant for the ministries there.
With thankfulness for your partnership and your prayers,
Mary for the DakarDeckers
We are so thankful for your prayers as we work with SIM's Western Africa Area, which includes the countries of Guinea, Senegal, Cote d'Ivore and Liberia. Our purpose is to serve missionaries by offering quality leadership and administrative support. Many of you have been involved in our life and ministry since our very earliest days of living in Liberia, and you know how special that country is to us. Last week Dave returned from a trip to Liberia, and here is his report. God is clearly at work, and the need for prayer is very great. Please join us in praying, as this week and this season is very significant for the ministries there.
With thankfulness for your partnership and your prayers,
Mary for the DakarDeckers
Dave's Liberia Report
Last week I returned from a visit to Liberia, where rebuilding following the devastation of an extended civil war continues. Signs of progress are visible all over, as are obstacles to progress. This is true on the national level, and also in the church, and at ELWA, where SIM partners with Liberians ministering through radio, health care, and education.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
