This year, we have been in Texas, China twice, Israel (We were at the Garden Tomb on Easter Sunday) Guatemala, Vietnam, North Carolina, and New York to visit our youngest son who moved north with his family this summer.

Yes, we felt the earthquake on August 23rd whose epicenter was in Virginia.

While home, we have been working in Pamplin and also in Appomattox, Virginia on Sundays and Wednesdays.

As you can see, we try to keep busy, but we do want to send our best wishes your way and join you in celebrating the Incarnation.

Why is Jesus better than Santa Claus?

Santa lives at the North Pole …JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ..JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year …JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies …JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited …JESUS stands at your door and knocks,
and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa …JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap …JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is”Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?” ..
JESUS knew our name before we were born…Not only does He know our name, Read more »

Fortunately, James Jackson was at the airport to meet us as we arrived in St. Vincent and had no idea where we were staying and the address.  Immigration officials do not like that, but we did get through when they were assured we had friends in the country.
 
Yes, it was hot and sunny and humid….when it wasn’t raining occasionally. Christmas music seems out of place even in December.
 
Jim taught Sunday school and preached the morning and evening service at the Community Baptist Church on Sunday in Camden Park.  We have gotten to know Sharon Jackson and their almost two-year-old Joanna.
   Read more »

February 2010 Unbelievable

We have just received word that the shipping cost of the cardiac ultrasound machine we sent to Vietnam in January will not cost us as much as previously thought, due to the late arrival of the machine. We have already collected more than enough money to cover our costs for which we are extremely thankful. Some of the funds came from sources we are aware of and some we are not, but we are extremely grateful for all who have joined with us to send the machine to give better cardiac care to Vietnamese citizens.

July 6 2009

Hopefully, all you who pray for us and support us will forgive my four-day tardiness in briefing you on our ministries activities the state of Zacara, Guatemala. I enjoyed a small part of a ministry under Allow The Children and the Timberlake college group. We were connecting with Esperanza de Vida, a Guatemalan ministry committed to extending the gospel and help to needy citizens ranging from the new born to the aged. The NGO ministry, located on over a thousand acres three hours north of Guatemala City is superbly equipped for short term mission groups to come along side for 1 to 4 weeks and join them in their efforts in behalf of the needy. Read more »

As dawn lightens Ho Chi Minh City, Le Van Tam Park across the street from the Vietnamese hotel where we stay is teeming with people. By sunrise there are people walking around the inner perimeter of the park with others exercising individually or in groups in various places, badminton games in progress, hacky sack games going on, and a few people socializing on a park bench. Not only are men and women engaged in playing badminton, some are just batting the birdie back and forth. It may be a couple, two women or an older woman with a granddaughter. Read more »

In March of 2008, we, along with two American doctors and a nurse, met a group of about 35 or 40 people from a Church in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to travel to Vinh Long province in the Mekong Delta for medical clinics. We planned to help them by bringing in the state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound machine and the doctor to interpret findings as well as other medical personnel to treat indigent patients. Read more »

Labor Day Musings

We returned from England a week ago today on our 48th wedding anniversary and celebrated over the Atlantic Ocean by coming home.

We were able to help our son and daughter-in-law who was recovering from foot surgery by taking care of the children and finishing several projects around their house. Also, we spoke to a small group at the a Baptist Church about our mission work and Bible teaching. Though small, it was a blessing to meet with them.

Some have asked about the young 38-year-old mother of two in Vietnam who had a septal defect in her heart and needed surgery or she would die. The money was raised and wired to the church for her to have the operation there. She had the hole in her heart repaired in Ho Chi Minh City and is doing well. Read more »

July is our “catch up” month as we have no trips scheduled for this month. This is the time to prepare for what’s ahead and take care of household chores that need tending to. Mary Boyd began spring cleaning in May, but spent a few days at the beach with friends while Jim was in Uganda, so cleaning was finished later. Our garden gave us tomatoes as early as June 9th, but they are not big. With hot, sunny days, the grass needs to be cut and plants watered. The house still needs to be cleaned again and laundry done as well as meals prepared. Read more »

We wish a happy fourth of July for all who visit our web site. We do not take our freedom for granted when we see others who do not enjoy the liberty we do in other countries where we have ministered. Happy Fourth: Happy Fourth of July

Excerpt from Uganda
As the sun began to cast a ray or two through the clouds, we were beginning a 45 minute drive to the church deep in the mountains outside of Mbarara. If there is a road in this trip, I have not found it……nor has the driver.Uganda Truck Breakdown My devotion to the weary but excited team was from Ps. 126. We desire to see the captivity of these people turned around.

One day, we went to Hezekiah’s tunnel, walking in cold water in some places up to our knees. Israel 08: Hezekiah’s Tunnel This tunnel was built around 700 BC (II Kings 20:20 and II Chronicles 32:30) from the Gihon Springs to the city of Jerusalem to insure a water supply during a siege.

Another day, the late morning sun found us on a black top road traveling between two herd of sheep on one side and newly plowed ground (liberally sprinkled with small rocks) on the other. The sheep are the dirtiest I have witnessed, but they are well fed and their herder is drawing water by the time honored practice of using his hands and a rope.

Finally arriving home in the wee hours of Thursday morning after leaving Ho Chi Minh City 33 hours before, we were jet-lagged, but satisfied with a job well done. The two medical doctors and a nurse who accompanied us from the United States were great to work with.

By invitation Dr. Hoyt gave lectures for two days and hands-on learning experiences for cardiologists in the Nguyen Trai Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Dr. Hoyt carried a $100,000 echo machine which was lent by a major company to implement his teaching and diagnostic skills. Read more »

MOVING OUT February 25, 2008

It launch day minus 7 for our next series of Vietnam projects. We will touching some distinctly new bases in this country categorized as “closed.” Some of you may have read in the recent Gideon Magazine of a new camp opening in Ho Chi Minh City with eight members. This is a distinct move forward. (Though it may reflect tokenism).

Our team of two local medical doctors, one registered nurse, and the Alleys will be involved in four major areas. Chad Hoyt, cardiologist, will be giving lectures to medical staff in two major hospitals, teaching on a cutting edge area of cardiac therapy. He will be joined by Keith Metzler and Jen Vaughn as well as the Alleys as we participate with a locals in a two-day medical clinic in the Mekong Delta. Read more »

January
We left warm, sunny Mexico at 5 a.m. Saturday to return17 hours later to snow and cold of Central Virginia. No problem. With the predicted bad weather, we had great flights and no delays, except for two of our three bags, which arrived Monday. Even with a 24 hour bout of Montezuma’s revenge (Mary Boyd) and food poisoning (both), we had a great time with long-time friends and new acquaintances. Read more »