Greetings,
It is September and here in Kansas, the sunflowers are sunny, the golden rods are gold, people are girded for the grid iron and the first few leaves are getting dry and starting to fall. The seasons are starting to change.  On a personal level, some seasons are changing as well so we wanted to bring you up to date.

At the end of August, the agreement with Central Seminary, International Ministries and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship that we have been working under was set to expire.  We considered a number of options for our next step including returning to Thailand.  However, for some years already, Marcia has been hampered by arthritis in a number of joints with her feet being particularly painful.  Whether Thailand or the US, our work has always involved a lot of travel and looking ahead, it is apparent we’d continue to have a heavy travel schedule.  With advice from International Ministries and medical professionals, Marcia finally applied for and was granted disability through the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board.  So, as of October 1, Marcia will no longer be working but will be on disability.  

Duane however, will continue as a missionary and we’re happy to say that International Ministries, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Central Baptist Theological Seminary have agreed to extend their memorandum of understanding under which Duane will work for an additional two years.  This means Duane will continue to organize and carry out the FOUNDATIONS Judson Communities church leadership training program that has been going on for the last few years.  Those of you who read our mailings regularly will know that this 14 class program was already completed in 5 locations with 213 graduates coming from 16 states and 36 cities/churches.  Currently, we have programs underway in Portland, OR and Oakland, CA so those numbers will increase by the end of the year.  The Oakland class is the first program being conducted in the Burmese language (all the other programs have been done in Karen).  Another first is that we are working on making video recordings of the classes in Oakland with the aim of making them available online.  It is a challenge to deal with the large files needed when trying to post 6 – 7 hours of video for each class.

On behalf of Marcia, we thank you for all your prayers, contributions and other support that have kept us both working for the past 28 years.  On behalf of Duane, we ask for your continued support.  Duane will still need to raise funds so your contributions will enable him to further the work Marcia helped to start.

Within the family we are excited that on September 20^th, Erin will marry Jon Oberheim in the Chicago area near Judson University where they met.  Duane is privileged to lead the ceremony so we are happy for that.  Sean has been in the US with less than three months left on his teacher certification program that also earns him a Masters in Education.  He is also teaching ESL part time at a local community college. Shannon is in Oklahoma working at an avian research center as an intern and hoping the internship leads to a full time position working with animals.  Shannon is planning a June 19, 2016 wedding to Luke Evans.

Thank you for your prayers and support.  Please pray for Marcia as she continues to deal with arthritis issues and a new way of life.  Please pray for Duane as he continues to do what both had been doing.  Pray the current classes will be of value to those attending and pray for guidance for where the next class sessions should be held.

Blessings to you all,

In Christ,

Duane & Marcia