Trauma Healing Workshop 

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings from sunny Colorado. We are well into our 6 week road trip visiting friends and churches to catch up with one another and bring updates on the ministry experiences we've had the past year. 

With the recent passing of my dad (Steve) and the corresponding schedule adjustments we had to make, we weren't sure I could follow through on a previous plan for me to attend a Trauma Healing workshop in Charlotte NC on April 4-8. However, I was able to follow through and so glad I did. I learned so much that was not only relevant for me but for others also as we minister. 

When trauma occurs there are very natural reactions which we, or well meaning others, try to silence or subvert. Anger, denial and hopelessness are stages every person will face because losses are real and they really upset us. Losing a loved one should not happen! It was not God's intended plan. He purposed life, growth and blessing. Yet sin has brought brokenness, poor choices and the resulting trauma to all of our lives. In a nutshell, healing from trauma comes from a willingness to walk through the stages of grief and loss with one another, comforting and encouraging one another - not getting stuck in anger, denial and hopelessness. If you expand the diagram pictured above you will see that the outcome of properly processed trauma is "new beginnings". Thanks for your prayers for our family as we have processed the loss of my dad. We are experiencing some 'new beginnings' in our lives as extended family.

Prayer Requests: 

1. Pray for us as we continue to travel and bring fresh perspective to friends, family and churches - about the ministry of pastoral care for overseas Christian workers.

2. Pray for Alberta as she travels to participate in her second course of her master's program in ministry care - this one an intensive that will take place in Atlanta GA June 13 to 18. 

3. Pray for Heather and Krista as the final results come in from their applications for their masters at a variety of schools in the US and the UK. Pray for godly wisdom in their choice of schools and the lining up of resources for these studies. 

Serving Christ with You, Steve and Alberta