Chess4life

Last week I had the privilege of spending a couple of hours with Elliott Neff, National Chess Master, at his place of business. He owns Chess4Life, a business that teaches life skills and principles by teaching chess. He has over 1200 students with whom he helps develop life skills by analyzing the game of chess. He recently hosted a tournament in the Seattle area with well over 1000 participants and over 7000 in attendance. I never knew that chess could be so popular, but most of all, had never analyzed the important life skills that can be taught through games. We are hoping to get him down to Ecuador to help our Awana leaders learn how to teach skills from Chess or other games.
I was so impressed with his organization that I am placing a link to them at the top right of my page. Check it out.

FAMILY TIME

The last weekend in April we were able to get away with the children and grand children for a brief "retreat". For all of us it was a family bonding time. For the grandchildren, I think they enjoyed exploring the beach (that is fun for all of us). It was an opportunity for some to experience clam digging for the first time. There were oyster beds and "nests"of sand dollars. Dan, who works at Seattle Aquarium, can give guided tours of beach life so we had a learning time there as well.

Trip to British Colombia

Randy and David (our second son) were able to spend two days fishing with Ed Trainer, of International Fishing Ministries in the Vedder River in British Colombia. This was a great opportunity for Father/son outing, and to be in God's creation. Only hatchery origin fish may be kept, all natives/wild must be released to build the natural runs. Alliance Pastor Irv Bergeman joined us, shown here with a steelhead from the Vedder river. He lives by the river and gets to fish daily.

If you want a wonderful spiritual fishing retreat, contact International Fishing Ministries. Their link is at the top right of our Blog. They give special care to pastors and missionaries. A time with them is refreshing and uplifting.

Above, a view up the Vedder river, a native steelhead that Randy caught and released David and Randy with David's 12 lb 2 oz steelhead that was a legal keeper.

POLITICAL CRISIS EN ECUADOR

In the last few days, serious conflicts have developed between Colombia and Ecuador and Venezuela. You can find daily updates in a google search so I am not going to try to do that here.

Colombia invaded Ecuador targeting one of the top guerilla leaders, killing him and some of his people. Ecuador protests the invasion and has sent over 3000 troops to the border. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has said that he will protect his country also, and is ready for war. He has sent troops to his border as well.

Pray for a calming of this crisis and keep yourselves informed by searching Google.


Thanks for your prayers

Ministering in the Pacific Northwest

Joy and I have been traveling to Oregon regularly as well as ministering in the Seattle area in the last few weeks. We spent a wonderful weekend with the Portland (OR) Chinese Alliance church and Pastor Jim Sellers.

Pray for our frequent travels (and that the gas prices do not keep climbing so much).

Here is our schedule for the next 30 days.
March 7-9 Dallas, Oregon C&MA church
March 13-15 Hillsboro, Oregon C&MA church
March 19-31 - Travel to Indiana to visit Randy's mother and family

Pray for our travels.

We are in the Seattle Area

January 9-10 we traveled to Seattle where we will make our home for the next 6 months. Some friends have allowed us to live in their log house until our apartment is ready. We will be visiting churches and Awana clubs around this area until July 08. We would love to see you, especially if you are in this area. Write us at: rnewburn@gmail.com for phone numbers and other information.

We have received word that Tungurahua, an active volcano in Ecuador, about 60 miles S. of Quito is in full eruption.

6 Month Assignment in Seattle

Yes, Joy and I are headed to Seattle for a 6 month home assignment. This is why we have not posted lately. We have been packing, closing down, cleaning out, planning, and saying good bye. We will be in Seattle for 6 months of deputation and fund raising for our ministry.

We hope to see many of our friends on this trip, as well as visit their churches.

We are hoping that we have found someone to live in our house (to watch it) while we are gone. An empty house--gets emptied! We have found housing in Seattle now and that is a great blessing.

Wednesday, Jan 9 we leave on Delta Airlines and arrive around noon on Thursday in Seattle.

Drop us an e-mail. We would love to make contact.