"Interesting" trip back to India

Many of you probably know that Brian has traveled back to India for 3 weeks.  When you have a ministry and life established in a country, it is very difficult to leave it for months at a time!  On the way to India, he had a layover in Amsterdam.  When he went to check-in for his flight, they wanted to see his old, expired passport.  Well, he didn't have it with him.  Why? you ask...it's expired..and we've never been asked for it before.  They didn't even ask for it when he boarded a plane in Chicago.
So, they wouldn't let him board a plane to India.  What were our options???
1. He could fly back to the US to get the passport.  Not very feasible or affordable.
2. I could fly to Amsterdam to hand the passport over.  Hmmm...while an interesting idea..not possible.
3.  I could overnight the passport to him.   Sounds a little scary, and we weren't sure where mail would get sent in such a large, and busy airport.
4.  The immigration office in Amsterdam told him to visit the Indian embassy there for help, because this had to do with a stamp for his visa.  Visit the Indian embassy for....help?  This person has obviously never visited the Indian embassy!  Anyway...that seemed like the only option that was possible.  So, he stayed overnight in Amsterdam and went to the embassy.  I don't know how helpful they were (doubtful), but he was able to get the visa he needed to get to India.
You never know what new regulations foreign governments will come up with to throw you off, even when you think you know what you are doing!   He says that when he gets back to the US, he will staple his expired passport to the new one.  Are you allowed to do that?  He doesn't care..he said for the price of 2 staples he can keep a small part of his sanity!  HA!
He is on the plane to India now, please pray for his 3 week stay there.  He will be visiting the churches, checking out our house, teaching a pastor's class, and visiting a new orphanage.
Thanks to everyone who is praying for his travels.  I will try to update you when I can.

Life on the Road

The last couple months have been busy ones for our family.  We spent June in the Maryland/Pennsylvania/Delaware area.  We reported to supporting churches there, and visited a few new ones.

The first week of July, we traveled back to Maine, to celebrate Kara's birthday with family, and to spend a couple days camping. 

After a great week, it was back to the road.  We spent a couple days in PA.  This was an exciting meeting for the kids (all of us really), because we were able to visit with Pastor and Mrs. Dubish, and Bro. Eddie, who had all just arrived back from Mohali.  They are like family to us, and it was nice to be able to hear first hand about what had been going on in India during our months away.
Next, it was on to Minnesota.  We enjoyed our first missions conference of this furlough at one of our supporting churches.  It was a blessing to be at the same church for more than one service!  The Pastor's family made us feel right at home, and didn't blink an eye when Brian got sick and lay half dead (nearly) on their couch for 3 days!  We really pushed the limits of hospitality, but they were wonderful, and we were actually sorry to leave.  Our kids became instant friends with theirs, and were sad to leave them behind!

We spent the next 2 weeks in Wisconsin, visiting Brian's family, and having meetings in that area.  Our kids (especially Ethan) loved life on the farm!
Now, we are back at our home church in Indiana for a few weeks, while Brian takes a quick trip back to India.
Kind of a quick summary of the last couple months, with many details left out, but you get the idea!