Tuppers' newsletter

Here's the newest edition of the email newsletter from Mike and Lori Tupper.

Michael's Journal

I've been blessed with children, youth and seniors this month.

Henderson Settlement hosts about 150 work campers every week in the summer. Most of the work campers are youth. I have the privilege of meeting with them every morning at 7:00 at Vesper Point. We watch the cows become visible through the mist in the valley below as we share in Morning Devotions. God's presence is felt in the beauty of creation which surrounds us. I lead the Closing Worship on Friday nights. We hear testimonies every week to the ways God is at work. Last Friday a pastor shared about his experience of baptizing an elderly lady who lived at the home where they were working that week.

Henderson Settlement ministers to about 75 children and youth every week in the summer. This Day Camp type program includes recreation and reading activities. I've been reading a novel to the older children and reading one-on-one with the younger children. I also have fun with them out on the playground and in the swimming pool. I push the kids high on the swings. (Only one has fallen off.) I let the kids jump off my shoulders in the pool. I'm known as Mr. T.

Henderson Settlement also sponsors baseball for the community children. There are over fifty kids involved. I get the chance to cheer, umpire, and pitch to the children. It's amazing how well they are able to hit the ball (even five year olds!). I was pitching well the other day until the end of the game. My pitches became erratic, causing the children to strike out. So when Chenoa came up to bat, I called for a "reliever". Chenoa's dad replaced me at the pitching mound. Unfortunately, Chenoa's dad struck her out. She was crushed and cried for a while. Later I told Chenoa I used to be called the "Strikeout King" because I would always strike out as a child. She said, "I'm going to just keep trying. My mama always says, 'practice makes perfect.'"

My ministry to children has also involved playing with the children in the swimming pool. Most of the parents do not get in the pool with their children. Some children are left at the pool for many hours. It gives me a chance to have fun with them – throwing a ball back and forth, watching them learn to swim, and letting them swim around on my back. Thank God for children!!

This month I performed another wedding. The wedding couple, Margy and Billy Ray had visited the church recently. They are in their sixties with spouses who have been gone for many years. Margy called me up and asked if I would perform a wedding ceremony. I asked about the date. She said, "Tomorrow." I told her that was fine but she needed to bring at least one witness.

The next day, Margy, Billy Ray, and Margy's 88 year old aunt arrived at the church for the wedding. I picked up a tulip tree blossom off the ground and teasingly gave it to Margy. She actually pinned it on her jacket. It was her corsage for the special day.

We had a brief service up in front of the sanctuary. Afterwards, I took six pictures of the wedding couple with her disposable camera. Then we signed the wedding license. Margy's aunt said, "I won't sign. I'm not going to be a witness." But she was just teasing. She signed it and they were officially married.

The newlyweds have been coming to church every Sunday since that day. Margy has been singing for our special music with her two cousins.

Thank you God for blessing me with children, youth and seniors this month.

Thanks for your prayers.

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Lori's Journal

It has been an interesting month of reminders of how different it is up north compared to the beautiful mountains where my home is now. I miss our church people, Michael, and my dog, Jezabel. But it is exciting to see how God is working in all parts of the world and how he has sent me an entire host of traveling angels. Our daughter, Sarah, traveled with me the first week of June and we faced several trials—the biggest being making sure she got her visa for her six months of work in South Africa. With Michael managing things from the Kentucky front and the help of a Wheaton professor, she finally received it the day before she left from O'Hare. We also faced, car problems, a lost credit card, an accidentally canceled debit card, 3 people in a very small 1 bedroom apartment, and 3 rainy nights at a campground. But on Tuesday, June 10th, our package was delivered safely to Chicago's O'Hare airport and she had a beautiful smile on her face as she walked through security, ready to change the world one child at a time in South Africa.

My talks have gone well and I feel like awareness has been raised of issues that are faced in Appalachia.

My first stop was at the very first church we were appointed to in Hammond, IN. I was amazed at the onslaught of memories as I greeted people that were still there from the 1980s.

As I greeted one couple, I felt overcome with emotion. My mind went back to a time when I went with Michael to the hospital to visit them and their young daughter, Katie. Katie had suddenly lost her sight and Lynn, her mother was laying in the bed talking to her softly when we entered the dark room. Bob, Katie's father, was standing at the end of the bed looking on as his wife and small daughter cuddled. We talked quietly for a bit, learning that the doctor was confused by Katie's sudden blindness. As we talked, Katie suddenly paniked when she couldn't find her stuffed toy in the bed. Lynn comforted her and helped her find the stuffed toy. I watched Bob as he suddenly broke down sobbing without making a sound. It appeared his heart was literally breaking in two at the helplessness of his daughter. I remember trying to hold my own tears back and thinking how God must feel the same heartbreak when we, His children, are suffering. Whenever I saw Bob and Lynn after that experience, I could sense their pure, intense love for their two children. Now as I greeted them on my first day of speaking, I was transported back to that hospital room and felt intense emotion. I was happy to hear Katie is now a mother herself. She had eventually regained her sight and was fine. It is just one example of how God used so many people to shape my life.

As I travel, God is challenging me not to worry about where I will be next school year. In my talk, I emphasize how God has it all under control—and with His subtle humor intact, he is requiring me to live that message.

Please continue to pray for us. It is the best gift you can give us.

I am looking forward to meeting Michael on Sunday, the 22nd and then leaving with him for 10 days on Prince Edward Island to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Pray that this will be a time of fun and renewal for both of us.

Peace to y'all.