From Our Window

Caribbean Missionary Retreat

2012-01-13T21:30:00.003-06:00

December 28-January 1, we had the privilege to attend the Caribbean Missionary Retreat in Waxahachie TX. Debbie and I shared in one of the sessions.

Our Winter 2011 Newsletter

2011-12-12T19:24:00.001-06:00

Our Winter 2011 Newsletter

2011-12-12T19:21:00.001-06:00

Summer 2011 Newsletter

2011-08-08T20:06:00.000-06:00

Here's our Summer 2011 Newsletter. We are now scheduling itineration services/meetings for July 2012 through July 2013. Message us if you would like to schedule.

Winter 2011 Newsletter

2011-02-14T19:41:00.002-06:00

Katie and Matt's Wedding - October 23, 2010

2010-11-05T19:03:00.003-06:00

This was the first time our whole family has been together in over three years. It was the first time that Christopher's family (Cynthia, Adam, Brandon and Bella) was able to meet the Hampton and Blake clans.

Fall 2010 Newsletter

2010-10-16T19:12:00.002-06:00

Grand Cayman Baptism

2010-10-11T10:15:00.005-06:00

On 10-10-10, I had my first baptism in the ocean. Although I have baptized many people in church baptistries, this was a different experience! Please go to our upload on to see the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA4UVquiZ9I.

Happy Birthday Blake and Bella!

2010-10-06T09:03:00.004-06:00

It's hard to believe that Blake and Bella are now 1 year old! Last October 5, Blake (son of Ryan and Meghaan) came into the world in Morgantown, WV ... and the very next day...there was Bella (daughter of Christopher and Cynthia) born in Killeen TX. We are blessed.

ENGAGEMENT!

2010-08-12T20:38:00.002-06:00

Our daughter Katie visited us here in Grand Cayman (along with her boyfriend Matt). While they were here, they got engaged ... on the beach ... at sunset ... while Dad and Mom watched. What a privilege!

Our growing family

2010-08-03T20:52:00.006-06:00

Christopher, Cynthia, Adam, Brandon and Bella

Ryan, Meghaan and Blake

Katie and Matt

First Assembly of God, George Town, GC

2010-07-30T13:51:00.003-06:00

Things are going well after our first 6 weeks on the island. The congregation seems to be growing. We are preparing for a VBS in August. Debbie and I will be ministering at the "mother church" - First Assembly of God in George Town this Sunday morning (August 1). One of our lay ministers, a pastor from Jamaica, will be taking care of the homefront while we are gone. Looking forward to the arrival of our daughter Katie and her boyfriend, Matt next week. Can't wait!

Our House

2010-07-09T19:46:00.002-06:00

This is our house in West Bay, Grand Cayman. It is a duplex - 2 BR and 2 B. We are officially settled in - we have cable, internet and a land line. We live about 2 miles from the beach (Caribbean) and about a mile from the North Sound.

Our New Speed-the-Light Vehicle

2010-07-03T09:13:00.002-06:00

We finally received our new STL vehicle - a 2010 Ford Escape. Thanks and deep appreciation to DYD Doug Sayers and the youth of the Pennsylvania-Delaware District.

We've Arrived!

2010-06-09T18:40:00.006-06:00

We are in Grand Cayman!
We arrived yesterday afternoon and were welcomed at the airport by Pastor Torrance Bobb and his family and by Pastor Charles Boucher. Today, we got our rental car - got our Cayman driver's licenses, went to West Bay Assembly and then to the grocery store. This may not sound very exciting but remember, for the first time in my life I drove on the LEFT side of the road.

We are looking forward to our first weekend at West Bay Assembly of God. Thanks to the support and prayers of all of our churches, family and friends.

Work Visas

2010-05-26T19:14:00.002-06:00

Good news! We received word today from Grand Cayman that our work visas have been approved. That means that we should be able to leave for our new field in about 7-10 days.

New Assignment ... Grand Cayman

2010-05-19T11:56:00.007-06:00

As many of you know, we have been patiently (and often impatiently) waiting for our work visa to be completed so we can serve as missionaries in Aruba. The process has been long and frustrating. After several months of waiting, we have finally come to realize this is a closed door for our ministry. BUT ... a new door has opened quickly. We have been asked to go to Grand Cayman, an island in the Western Caribbean to minister. Grand Cayman is a small island (similar in size to Aruba) with a population of about 52,000.

There are currently 2 Assemblies of God churches on the island, First Assembly of God (http://www.firstassembly.com.ky/) and West Bay Assembly of God. We have been asked to serve as interim missionary pastors of West Bay Assembly due to the recent sudden death of their pastor. West Bay Assembly is the "daughter" church of First Assembly. The good news is that, in addition to serving as pastor, we will also be working in the areas of ministry that are very close to our hearts: church planting, discipleship, leadership training and development.

Thanks and appreciation to each of you (our churches, families and friends) that have stood by us and supported us through your encouragement, love, finances and prayers.

Visit to Grand Cayman

2010-05-19T09:14:00.007-06:00

West Bay Assembly of God

In April we traveled to Grand Cayman Island in the Western Caribbean to met with the leadership of the islands. Rev. Torrance Bobb is an incredible pastor and leader. He is not only the General Superintendent of the islands, he is also senior pastor of First Assembly of God in George Town, Grand Cayman. The church has "mothered" another congregation, West Bay Assembly of God in the West Bay area of the island. We were asked to minister at both churches on April 25th. At the conclusion of the service, 3 people prayed and asked the Lord to come into their lives! Thank the Lord!

In Willemstad, Curacao

2009-12-18T14:58:00.003-06:00

We are currently living in Curacao (the "C" of the ABC islands in the Caribbean). We are awaiting the approval of our residency visa for Aruba. It has been good to spend time getting acquainted with the leadership of the Assemblies of God in the Netherlands Antilles. Note the beautiful Dutch architecture of the buildings along the harbor of the capital city of Willemstad.

Meet the newest additions to the Hampton family!

2009-11-07T11:02:00.007-06:00

Blake Michael Hampton

Born: October 5, 2009 in Morgantown, WV

Weight: 7 lb

Isabella ("Bella") Marie Hampton

Born: October 6, 2009 in Killeen, TX

Weight: 7 lb. 8 oz.

GRADUATION FROM LANGUAGE SCHOOL!!

2009-08-14T17:42:00.010-06:00

After 12 months of language studies, Debbie and I graduated from CINCEL today with our companeros. Tomorrow we will leave Costa Rica and go to Pennsylvania to spend some time with our kids and also get some legal issues worked out for our residency in the Netherlands Antilles. Thanks to all of you for your prayers, support and encouragement. We could not have done it without you!

Pictures from Costa Rica

2009-07-31T20:11:00.004-06:00

Here we are at the ruins of a Catholic church in Cartago.

Easter Sunday Dinner 2009 at CINCEL

First Sermon in Spanish!

2009-07-15T20:12:00.004-06:00

A Day of Celebration
Debbie here . . . just wanted to share with all of you that Mike did a wonderful job preaching today, in Spanish, for the first time. I am so very proud of him! It is amazing what God has done for us in the last 11 months of intense language study. Mike’s message was “Who Can Separate Us from the Love of Christ?” "¿Quién Nos Apartará del Amor de Cristo?"

Our time here in Costa Rica has been challenging . . . and I know we will face more challenges in the next 30 days . . . but what a privilege! The name of our school, “CINCEL” means chisel – and we have been chiseled profoundly during our studies. So many of you have sacrificed so much to allow us to fulfill the vision God has given us.
We will head to Aruba after graduation. Please continue to pray that God will open doors for ministry and that we will have favor as we attempt to reach the Spanish community on the island.
Thank you to ALL of you for your prayers, your sacrifices and your faithfulness.
Together for the harvest . . .

Katie in Costa Rica

2009-04-28T09:31:00.009-06:00

The past several weeks here in Costa Rica have been filled with projects and assignments, homework and exams. We just concluded our second trimester of studies at CINCEL. Now... just one more trimester to go! We are scheduled to graduate August 14.

Last week, 12 missionaries graduated from CINCEL ... dear friends who are now headed off to the fields of their calling.

Mike was honored to be asked to pray (in Spanish) the opening prayer of the celebration service . After 8 months of study, you would think it would come easy, but there was a bit of nervousness. Later in the trimester, he will preach (for the first time) in Spanish.

Our daughter Katie was able to visit us for a few days. it was so good to see her and to spend time with her. She joined us for the graduation service and afterward we spent a day or so at Jaco Beach on the Pacific coast. On the way we stopped at a bridge where we saw about 20 crocodiles (from a safe distance). Jaco is a beautiful black-sand beach. Upon returning to San Jose, we did some souvenir shopping in the Central Market.

We are looking forward as we are now heading into the "home stretch" of our language study experience. We ask for your prayers for this very intense time of studies. Also we will need to be finalizing details of our move to the Netherlands Antilles (Aruba) - including finding a home, securing residency visas and establishing relationships with the people and leadership of the church in Aruba.

Thank you so much for your prayers and your confidence in us!

CONGRATULATIONS TO US!

2009-02-25T15:13:00.010-06:00

We wanted to send an announcement to all our friends and family to let you all know that we are going to be grandparents ... AGAIN!

Over the last few days we have received phone calls from both our daughters-in-law, that they are expecting!

Ryan and Meghaan are due September 30th and Christopher and Cynthia are due October 10!

Katie is very excited to be an aunt again. We ask you to keep our family in prayer. We are G-R-O-W-I-N-G!

Trip to David, Panama

2009-02-24T21:35:00.006-06:00

Debbie and I just returned from a 4-day "visa trip" to David, Panama. Since we have tourist visas during our stay in Costa Rica, we are required to leave the country every 90 days in order to renew our visas. It is a 10-hour bus trip to the
"frontera" (border) and then on to the city of David. The bus was full with about 45 missionaries and their children. We did have a great time together. We stayed at a nice hotel, did some shopping (the prices for EVERYTHING are so-o-o-o inexpensive there - especially compared to the prices in Costa Rica). We enjoyed walking through downtown David - relaxing by the pool, reading and just spending time with our missionary friends. One of the highlights of the trip was for us all to get together at the TGI Friday's in David. Great food and wonderful fellowship. (During our visa trip in November 2008, we all shared our Thanksgiving meal at the same Friday's!) We will surely miss the camaraderie when we leave CINCEL!

Poasito Earthquake Pictures

2009-02-01T09:41:00.014-06:00

A 6.2 earthquake struck Costa Rica on January 8. Several missionaries and one of our professors from CINCEL (our language school in San Jose) traveled to Poasito, a community near the epicenter to distribute new clothing and coats. The town is in the mountains and it has been unusually there cold in the days following the earthquake. It was so sad to see the devastation of the homes and the conditions the people are living in.

Members of our team surveying some of the damage

A home hanging over the edge of a hillslide.

The home where a 1 1/2 year old girl was killed

Members of our group distributing clothing

A little boy in Poasito with a new coat

Please pray for Christopher.

2009-01-21T19:42:00.003-06:00

We are asking that all of our friends pray for our son Christopher and his family. He will be leaving to return to Iraq on Thursday, January 22. He is scheduled to be there until May or June. He is leaving behind his lovely wife Cynthia and two beautiful sons - Adam (almost 5) and Brandon (almost 2). Pray that the Lord would keep him safe as he serves his country and that he will return sound and healthy to his family.

EARTHQUAKE!

2009-01-12T17:54:00.003-06:00

Over the holidays, Debbie and I were able to spend a few days with our families in the States. On Thursday, January 8, two hours before our plane landed in Costa Rica, the country was struck by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake. We noticed a lot of unusual activity at the airport when our plane arrived. However, we didn't understand exactly what had happened until our taxi driver began to tell us. The earthquake caused a lot of structural and infra-structural damage. A number of people were killed and as of this writing, several are still missing. Please see the following website for additional photos: http://www.ticotimes.net/photoreports/photos.cfm?paid=66#26

Also, the English newspaper in Costa Rica is carrying up-to-date reports: www.ticotimes.net. We are safe and the students and the school are safe, although everyone was pretty shaken. Most of the damage occurred north and west of the city of San Jose. Please pray for the families who were affected by this disaster.

A Night of Celebration

2008-12-11T19:59:00.006-06:00

This is the last week of classes for the Fall trimester here at CINCEL (language school). We finished classes today. Tomorrow is graduation for the third trimester students! Wednesday evening, the students got together for a surprise anniversary celebration for Roger and Debbi Audorff (32 years of marriage!) Among the highlights of the evening were fireworks and a live Christian Mariachi band. Roger and Debbi will be serving in Mexico.

Dale and Patti Coad

2008-12-02T08:42:00.007-06:00

We were privileged to spend some time with our Area Directors (Caribbean), Dale and Patti Coad. The Coads were in San Jose for a visit this week. Dale spoke in chapel at CINCEL on Monday. They have been great friends and a wonderful encouragement to us during our missions process.

Visitors from the States

2008-11-21T20:05:00.009-06:00

It was so good for Debbie and me to once again see Roberto and Lorena Hernandez. Roberto and Lorena are from our home church, Full Gospel Assembly of God in Newport, KY. Roberto served on the church Board at FGA when I was pastor of the church (1992-1996). He served as interpreter for our Spanish-language congregation at the time. He and Lorena are originally from San Jose, Costa Rica, and were in the country visiting their families. We were able to get together and attend a worship service at Oasis de Esperanza, an incredible church of 10,000 people in San Jose (CLICK HERE for website). After the service, we were privileged to meet Roberto's family and have dinner in their home.

Roberto and Lorena Hernandez

Roberto and Norma Hernandez (Papi y Mami)

Debbie and I having dinner at the Hernandez' home in San Jose. Here we are eating a granadilla - a tropical fruit.

2008-11-09T12:58:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to newly promoted Staff Sergeant Christopher Hampton. We are so proud of you, son. We pray for you and the troops every day.

Our Grandkids

2008-10-31T21:24:00.001-06:00

Thought you might like to see a couple of updated pictures of our grandsons, Adam and Brandon (Christopher and Cynthia's boys).

Adam (age 4)

Brandon (age 1 1/2)

Happy 1st Anniversary Ryan and Meghaan!

2008-10-14T17:18:00.000-06:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Outreach to Elementary School

2008-10-09T17:24:00.000-06:00

Last Monday, we joined several of the other students from CINCEL in an outreach to one of the local LACC (Latin America ChildCare) schools. Most of the English-speaking students observed while the Spanish-speaking students participated in the dramas and skits. The program, called "Character Connex" - to view their website (CLICK HERE) - is a school assembly program developed specifically to teach good character traits to students. It is a high-energy program that features video, skits, puppets, games, illusions, and audience participation. Character Connex helps students leave with a better understanding of why honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility, as well as other good character traits are important to exercise and cherish. Below are some photos of the assembly.

The "auditorium" is a large concrete block room with a metal roof. Notice the kids carrying their classroom chairs to the assembly.

The program dealt with the character theme"Respeto" ("Respect").

Debbie with some of the young Costa Rican girls ("Ticas")

Very early in the morning ...

2008-09-24T20:44:00.000-06:00

The past fews days I have been working my way through the Gospels during my morning devotions. I finished Matthew and I am now starting The Gospel of Mark. Mark is known as a Gospel of action. It tells of the active ministry of Jesus. Yet once again in my reading, I rediscovered the power behind the action ... it was the prayer life of Jesus. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Mark 1:35.

In the preceding verses of this chapter I'm reminded that Jesus was at the beginning of a very active ministry. He "began to teach" (1:21); He cast out a devil (1:25); He healed Simon's mother-in-law (1:31); and at the end of a very "busy day" ... That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons... (1:32-34a). The way I see it, He certainly earned the right to "sleep in" the next morning. But He got up early while it was still dark ... and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. A note I had written sometime earlier in the margin of my Bible beside this verse says, "replenish spiritual strength"... What an incredible benefit of His presence!

I'm reminded of my weakness and the strength the presence of the Father gives.

Dia de Independencia Celebration

2008-09-15T15:30:00.000-06:00

On Friday, we celebrated "Dia de Independencia" - "Independence Day" - in Costa Rica. The teachers (las profesoras) of CINCEL treated us to a special program filled with music (including the Costa Rican national anthem and various folk songs), traditional dancing provided by a local children's dance group and a traditional Costa Rican meal. What a great time we had! Today (Monday) was the actual holiday. At 4:30 a.m. we were awakened by incredibly LOUD fireworks and a marching band in the street in our neighborhood. There were no classes today so we walked to Mall San Pedro and had arroz con pollo at the Food Court. Classes resume on Tuesday. (Please click on pictures to enlarge.)

Pork tamales wrapped and cooked in banana leaves.

Some of our faculty (las profesoras) in traditional dress.

Two of the American missionaries' children in Tico (Costa Rican) costume.

The children's dance group.

Some New Pictures

2008-09-07T20:46:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple of new pictures from the weekend.

This is a view of the mountains (surrounding San Jose) near our home. Because we are in the rainy season, it is one of those rare days when the sky has been blue.

This is the Assemblies of God church we have been attending. It is just 4-5 minutes from our apartment. Centro Evangelistico averages over 7,000 in attendance in 2 morning services each Sunday morning.

School has begun!

2008-09-03T16:35:00.000-06:00

We have been in Costa Rica for one week now. Language classes started yesterday (Tuesday). Our school is CINCEL, the Assemblies of God language school located in San Jose for the preparation of missionaries to Spanish-speaking cultures (see CINCEL's website at www.cincelcr.org.)

In class, the teachers (profesoras) speak Spanish only. Debbie and I take the same subjects (Conversation, Phonetics and Grammar), but are in separate classes with different teachers. The day begins with chapel (in English) at 7:45 a.m. Classes begin at 8:15 and are finished at 12:15. After spending some time with our friends, we walk home, have lunch and then do homework for about 2-3 hours. On Wednesdays, the chapel is in Spanish.

We are in the heart of the rainy season. It ALWAYS rains in the afternoon, usually for several hours! And sometimes it rains all day. On Monday we walked to the local supermarket, about one mile away ... UPHILL. While we were shopping, it began to rain ... hard. We caught a taxi after waiting in the rain for over 20 minutes. Although we had umbrellas, we were still soaked.

Today after classes, we walked about a mile and a half to Office Depot to purchase a mini-tape recorder for our Phonetics classes. We stopped at the mall for lunch and walked home DOWNHILL. It began to rain when we arrived safely home. Praise the Lord!

Saturday morning at the feria (produce market)

2008-08-30T10:55:00.001-06:00

Just a couple of pictures today. We visited the feria (open air market) with our group of missionaries. What a trip! There were so many varieties of ???? - we didn't recognize much of the produce at all. Note the photo of the "bounty" on our kitchen counter. Everything together (tomatoes, lettuce, cilantro, potatoes, watermelon, lemons, limes, celery, pineapple, carrots, eggplant, cabbage, bananas) cost us about U.S. $8.00.

Some Pictures from San Jose

2008-08-29T15:55:00.000-06:00

Below are some photos of our tour today of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica ...
(Click on the photos to enlarge)

Mike and Deb on downtown plaza in front of the Teatro Nacional - the National Theater

American chain restaurants in downtown San Jose

(Burger King, Papa John's Pizza and KFC)

Palm trees on downtown plaza

View of surrounding mountains near our home -

notice the cloudy sky - it is the rainy season

WE'RE HERE!

2008-08-28T11:36:00.001-06:00

Well, it's hard to believe that after almost 3 years of preparations (application and itineration), we are here in Costa Rica. We moved from our home on Tuesday - stayed at our daughter Katie's apartment that night - got up at 2am on Wednesday. Ryan and Meghaan took us to Pittsburgh International Airport. They helped us with the luggage and by 5am we were all checked in. We took off at 6am - short layover in Houston and we arrived in San Jose at 2pm, with everything in tact, including ourselves.

It was a very emotional flight, knowing we would not see our children for several months. Leaving them back in the States was the most difficult thing we have ever done. When you pray, please pray for God's grace and presence to surround the children. Following the will of the Lord is not always easy. Giving up our "things" never felt to be much of a sacrifice (As I have been saying, "We are free! We now own nothing and we owe nothing!") But our hearts are breaking at the thought of not seeing Ryan, Meghaan, Katie, Christopher, Cynthia and the grandchildren for some time.

Back to our move ... We cleared Customs with no problems and we were picked up by Missionary Associate Bob McKay.

Our new apartment is great (see picture) - and only 3-4 blocks away from the language school (CINCEL). We had dinner last night at the school with all the new students. This morning we walked to school (didn't get lost) and had our first interviews (in Spanish) and written tests (Spanish proficiency). Debbie just signed her test and handed it in. I took about 40 minutes on the written test ( and probably got all the answers wrong) I needed duct tape to keep my brains in tact.

Today we go grocery shopping at HiperMas (kind of like a WalMart). Tomorrow we learn how to take the bus in the city. Saturday we go to the large outdoor fruit and vegetable market. Sunday we go to church. Monday is orientation and classes begin on Tuesday.

We feel like kids again!

Saying "Goodbye"

2008-08-18T18:20:00.000-06:00

The past few days have been a season of saying our goodbyes to many dear friends before we leave for the mission field. Two weeks ago, we were back in our home town saying farewell to our families. That was tough ... not knowing when we might see them again. Then last Sunday, we spoke at First Assembly of God in Waynesburg, PA - the church we pastored for 14 years. They have been so kind and generous to our family through the years. We also have had dinners and lunches with a number of friends recently, again, saying "so long" to each of them. And then a couple of very difficult "goodbyes" within the last week. Two dear friends of ours for many years have finished their race here on earth and are now enjoying their eternal reward: Ruth Stickles, age 96, a member of First Assembly passed away last Sunday. I had the distinct honor of preaching her funeral. Ruth was a great prayer warrior and demonstrated true faithfulness throughout her long life ... and Pastor Tim Brower, a very special friend - Tim founded and pastored Truth Assembly Chapel in Wadestown, WV, one of our supporting churches. He went to be with the Lord last Friday at the very young age of 63. The funeral was today - and I was honored to participate in his funeral service.

Saying goodbye is not easy. But for the believer, life is eternal! The past few days, I have found myself humming the old Gospel song, If we never meet again this side of Heaven ... I will meet you on that beautiful shore.

It's Our Anniversary!

2008-08-11T11:37:00.001-06:00

Today is our 29th ANNIVERSARY!

For a special anniversary treat from US to YOU, Click here.

MOVING SALE

2008-08-09T17:57:00.000-06:00

We could not have asked for a better day! Surrounded and assisted by family and dear friends, we got off to an early start on Saturday morning. The "earlybirds" began to arrive shortly after 7:00 a.m. even though the sale was advertised to begin at 9:00 a.m.!

By the end of the day, every major item and most of the smaller items were gone. All that we have left are a few books and photographs and clothing. And the greatest "miracle" of all - nothing was left behind for us to have to try to get rid of (friends took the remainder of the items to sell for us at another garage sale - now THAT'S friendship!)

AIRLINE TICKETS
We have officially purchased our plane tickets. Debbie and I will be leaving Pittsburgh at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27. After a 3 1/2 hour layover in Houston, TX (where we will see our new daughter-in-law Cynthia and our two new grandsons, Brandon and Adam) it will be off to San Jose, Costa Rica to begin the new adventure of LANGUAGE SCHOOL!

Thanks for all your prayers, confidence, support and friendship. We could not have done this without you! Blessings to all of you.

CLEARANCE!

2008-08-07T04:55:00.000-06:00

The word "clearance" has a special meaning for us this week - actually there are 2 ways to define clearance for us ...

#1 We received official clearance by Assemblies of God World Missions to leave for the field. After 19 1/2 months of itineration (going to approximately 185 churches and talking to countless individuals about our heart for missions) we received approval to purchase our plane tickets. WE WILL BE LEAVING FOR LANGUAGE SCHOOL (in Costa Rica) ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27!

#2 This Saturday, August 9, we will have our Moving Sale ... and just like you see in the TV commercials ... EVERYTHING MUST GO! We are selling our car, our furniture, wall hangings, lamps, books, knick-knacks, clothing, tools, lawn tractor, lawn mower ... EVERYTHING! Everything that we will be taking to Costa Rica will be in a few suitcases - our clothing and a few photographs.

Last week we went to say good-bye to our families in the Cincinnati area. It was great to see everyone and share in family reunions for both the Hampton and the Blake families.

And the countdown begins ...

Family Reunions

2008-07-31T04:25:00.000-06:00

As far as we can tell, we are making final preparations to leave for language school (Costa Rica) on August 27. The last few weeks, since Debbie officially quit her job at the university, have been spent in packing and sorting our things.

This weekend we will be traveling to the Cincinnati area (our home town). On Saturday we will have a group photo taken of the Hampton clan and later in the day we will go to Indiana to have a reunion with Debbie's family. On Sunday morning we will share our missions burden at Christ's Chapel in Erlanger, KY. Following the services, we will have the Hampton family reunion in Fort Thomas, KY. It will be great to see everyone together again. Only the Lord knows when we will be gather again as a family.

FIRE!

2008-07-23T05:37:00.000-06:00

Of all of the hotels we have stayed in ... in all our travels - through the years - it was a first for us!
We were in a hotel this past Sunday night in Delaware. On Monday morning about 7:15, the fire alarm went off ... first there were 2-3 deafening blasts coming from the smoke detector in our room. I reached up to turn it off (a couple of times before in other hotel rooms the steam from my shower had set off the alarm). Then came the announcement through the smoke detector ... and in the hallways: A FIRE HAS BEEN REPORTED IN THE BUILDING! PLEASE EVACUATE THE HOTEL IMMEDIATELY! I looked out in the large atrium. Lights were flashing ... people were pouring out of their rooms and headed for the stairways. Within a couple of minutes we were in the parking lot with dozens of other guests. And within a few more minutes the fire trucks began arriving. Twenty minutes later, we were safely back in our room. Apparently there was an electrical fire in a light fixture in one of the meeting rooms. Everything was taken care of very quickly. Nothing like a little harmless excitement to start your day.

Ryan and Meghaan

2008-07-18T14:06:00.001-06:00

Most of you know that we are the proud parents of three incredible children: Christopher (married to Cynthia), Ryan (married to Meghaan) and Katie. We have pictures of Christopher and Katie on the blog, but Ryan and Meghaan were in one of our previous newsletters. Here are two photos of the couple (one before they were married and the other on their wedding day, with proud Dad smiling in the background).

Ryan and Meghaan were married on October 13, 2007. They live here in Waynesburg, PA with their two dogs, Indie (a pit bull) and Tazo (a Yorkie). R and M both work in Morgantown, WV.

Happy Birthday, Debbie

2008-07-17T12:00:00.000-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Debbie Hampton!

Born: July 19th, 19 _ _

"Stuff"

2008-07-10T13:19:00.000-06:00

We are now in the process of packing our things - actually more sorting than packing - in anticipation of our move to Costa Rica in August. We are giving away much of our "stuff" to our kids. (There was a sense of the finality of this process when we saw our sofa being carried out the front door!) I remember when we were moving from one church to another a few years ago. We were unloading the moving truck and one man was not as careful with our furniture as I would like. He bumped a coffee table against the side of the truck - put a nick in the leg of the table and said, "Oh well, it's only things!" My response was - "Yeah! MY things!"

We are now going through all of OUR THINGS! Our "stuff". Stuff we have accumulated through 29 years of marriage. Getting rid of some things was not too difficult. The last few days I have been going through my library - hundreds and hundreds of volumes. Some books I simply refuse to part with. Most I either have to give away or put up for sale. I wish I could make a list so I could get the word out to all my minister friends.

Debbie has been going through family photos, heirlooms, etc. There have been a few tears. We will be storing a few things, disposing of the rest. What the kids don't want will be part of our yard sale in August.

This is indeed a fresh start for us at this season of life. I suppose it would not be a new beginning if we continued to cling to all the old stuff.

"We're proud of you, son! (Sgt. Hampton)"

2008-07-03T11:31:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is July 4. It's a time to think about and to be thankful for the amazing freedoms we share as citizens of this great country.

We just want to take a moment and express to our son, Sgt. Christopher Hampton, that we are incredibly proud of him as he serves his country. He joined the military while Debbie and I were on a missions trip to Costa Rica. We were shocked at the timing but not surprised by his decision. When we asked him "why?" - he told us it was all about his family. He wanted to do his part in protecting us from foreign enemies. He served a 12-month tour in a war zone and then he came home safely to us, thank the Lord. Then, last Fall, he "re-upped" for another 6 years. He was married in May, becoming a husband to Cynthia and father to Adam and Brandon. Now he is back in the war, for a 15-month deployment.

Could I ask our friends and family to say a prayer of thanks and also a prayer of protection for him?

Is there a Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine in your life? Be sure to express your deep appreciation to him/her today for their sacrifice.

Settling in...Moving on...

2008-06-27T12:20:00.001-06:00

One of our greatest concerns in this process of getting ready to go to the field has been making sure our kids are "settled" and ready to live in the States without Mom and Dad.

Ryan and Meghaan were married last Fall. They live here in Waynesburg and are settling in to brand new jobs.

Christopher and Cynthia, of course, were married last month, and Christopher left 3 weeks later for his second tour in Iraq. Please continue to pray for them and the boys (Adam and Brandon).

That leaves Katie (pictured with her mother above). She is 22 and is a Junior at Waynesburg University majoring in Secondary Education. Tomorrow (Saturday) we will be moving her into her new apartment here in Waynesburg. It is a relief to Debbie and me that she has a nice place to live.

Today is Debbie's last day of work at Waynesburg University. For the past 7 years, she has been the Executive Secretary to the President of the University. It has been a great blessing. Each of our children has been able to attend college free! All we have had to pay for are the books! Praise the Lord for that great blessing!

On the Road

2008-06-25T15:28:00.001-06:00

I came across this picture online a few weeks ago when I was putting together our Summer Newsletter. The first thing that caught my eye was the road - you know, the white and yellow lines. Then I saw the rainbow. The road is the means to arrive at the rainbow - leading us to the promise!

For the past 18 months we have been "on the road" - 165 churches - 9 states - 50,000 miles. Last weekend we were in southern West Virginia. This weekend we will be in eastern Pennsylvania. The following weekend, back to West Virginia. We have enjoyed the process so much. We have met so many wonderful people - worshipped in many great churches.

At the front of our minds there are always statistics - 89% monthly support raised - 70% cash support raised ... numbers that have been accumulating each week, thank the Lord. We have prayed hard that we would not lose sight of the goal. I know that after the itineration is finished, the mission really begins. One year of language school in Costa Rica then onto the field of our calling ... ARUBA and the ABC Islands!

Each one of you is traveling this road with us. Your friendship ... your prayers for us ... your support for us ... your incredible encouragement to us ... your believing in us.

We are confident that God is with us ... and thank you for traveling with us also. How could we ever feel lonely?

"The Gospel of Job"

2008-06-21T07:37:00.000-06:00

The past few weeks I have been working my way through the Book of Job during my morning devotions. I have been able to rediscover the great, yet simple faith of a man who suffered as few have. Take a look at some of the the classic passages from Job - from the heart of a man who, though he has many questions, is still trusting God as he is walking through the dark valleys of shadows.

13:15 "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him."

14:14 "If a man dies, will he live again?"

19:25 "I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand upon the earth."

19:26,27 "And after my flesh has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes -- I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me."

Whatever we are going through, may we be able to see His hand in the trial and after the trial has finished. "Now my eyes have seen You" (42:5).

Congratulations Christopher and Cynthia!

2008-06-20T09:50:00.001-06:00

We are pleased to announce that our oldest son, Christopher was married to Cynthia Hernandez on May 23 in Houston Texas. Not only do we have another beautiful daughter-in-law (Ryan and Meghaan were married last October), but we are now GRANDPARENTS for the first time! Adam is 4 years old and Brandon is 18 months old!

We ask you to please pray for Christopher and his new family. Having been married only 3 weeks, he returned to Iraq for his second military tour. He will be away from home for the next 15 months.