If you could package our weather for resort hotels in northern climates, you could make a lot of money for mission. Brilliant morning sunshine glistens the colors of our world as temperatures and humidity build to perfect sauna conditions. By late afternoon, thunderheads have assembled, jockeying for position, until the fireworks of thunder and lightening electrify the heavens and unleash often torrential rain showers at night fall. Night temperatures are "cooler", and the cycle begins again the next morning. I love it. Who needs snow?!

With this email, Wayne and I want to let you know that we will be in the US this fall (Aug. - Dec. 2008) for deputation, or US/PR assignment. Our headquarters will be at the ECHO agricultural center in Ft. Myers, FL. While we are in the US, we would love to visit your church to share about our ministry in God's Kingdom in the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you would like us to visit, please feel free to contact us directly (keeping in mind our access to cyberspace is regularly challenged by power outages and internet glitches), or contact the World Mission support office in your region, or contact American Baptist International Ministries directly!

We hope to be available to begin deputation the weekend of Aug 22. Our schedule is relatively open at this point. We are scheduled to attend three conferences (Mission Outreach Opportunity in Green Lake, WI Sept. 3 - 6, Katherine at the World Mission Conference in Suffield, CT Sept. 19 - 21, and Wayne at the World Mission Conference in Marshalltown, IA Oct 3 - 5). Wayne will not be available from September 14 - 28 and neither of us will be available from December 9 - 11. When considering when to schedule a visit, coordinating with different churches or groups in your area is so helpful in making efficient use of time and resources. Keep in mind that gatherings other than the Sunday morning worship service are often the most productive for sharing our story and touching bases with those who have a heart for mission and overseas ministry. We're open to meet with any age group ... but beware, we recruit without apology!

This feels like an important year of transitions for our family. Wayne's father, Rev. Donald Niles, missionary to DRC for 35 years, went to be with the Lord March 29. As I write, Wayne is with his mother in North Florida. Our oldest son Christopher graduates from the American School of Kinshasa, and when we return to resume our ministry in DRC at the end of US/PR assignment, he will remain in the US, in college. Wayne and I are both MK's (missionary kids) and leaving our visa country (DRC) to "settle" in our passport country (USA) is easily one of the biggest transitions we've made. We covet your prayers for Christopher. We are also seeking the best option for school for Jonathan during the 6 months we will be in the US. He will be a junior in high school. Pray with us that we'll get with God's program.

God bless you. We'd love to hear from you.

Katherine