Saturday, December 31, 2011

Ten Questions to ask at the start of the New Year

A friend recently shared this with us:

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9.What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in 10 year? In eternity?

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Woodyard News Thursday October 6, 2011

PRAY

Pray for our workers serving in difficult places in North Africa Middle East.

Pray for those serving in Senegal seeking to plant churches there.

Pray for Ruth and Susanne's fight against cancer.

North Africa Middle East Conference

We just wanted to let you know that our time at the North Africa and Middle East conference went really well. We were able to meet with about 60 people either as couples or individuals as well as just to connect with people that are serving in that area of the world. This is the area that was impacted with the merger this past year. It was great to see how God has been at work in this region.


Senegal Trip


Patty’s trip to Senegal for the North West Africa conference was amazing as well. This time Patty was actually able to go to the towns where people are working and see more of their lives and ministry. It was exciting to see where people live, meet people they are working with, be a part of their lives briefly and to have their newsletters come to life. To get to each place she was placed in a taxi and taken to the next town. Whenever you entered a village along the way, there would be people standing on the side of the road ready to sell you anything, phone cards, reading glasses, sunshades, peanuts, food, fruit, material, tools, whatever you could think of was offered just outside the cab window! If that was not enough entertainment, watching the busses loading sheep, double bed mattresses, suitcases, furniture, whatever someone may need for the trip on the very top and then taking off packed full of people with always room for at least one more!

The conference was held in Dakar , Senegal and this was a great time of meeting others from that area including Nigeria, Guinea, and Mauritania. It includes other areas as well, but no one from those countries was able to attend the conference. One of the great things about Pioneers is that we are very much a multicultural organization now and it is great to interact with our leaders and members serving cross culturally as well at both of these conferences. Patty connected with people from Nigeria, Togo, Kenya, Senegal, Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, England, Canada, Scotland, Brazil, South Africa and many others. It is amazing to see God at work and using people from all over the world to reach the unreached!

Pray for Ruth Woods

We have two friends that are going through a battle with cancer that we would like you to be in prayer for over the next few months as they take on this challenge. One is Ruth Woods, a New Zealander, who worked with us in our early years in PNG. Ruth encouraged Patty as a young wife learning to live in PNG in many ways. She has a real servant’s heart and is usually taking care of everyone else. She has stomach cancer with a tumor that will be removed and then go through treatment. She also had a blood clot in her lungs that needed a stint put in.

Pray for Susanne Price


Our other friend is Susanne Price, who has served in Kenya with Pioneers and recently transferred to Senegal to begin language and culture learning. Soon after her arrival she found out that she has breast cancer and is now in the US going through all the poking and prodding to decide the best treatment. Her mother is also going through cancer at the same time.

Both Ruth and Susanne love and serve the Lord. They know that God is in control of all things. Although our hearts want them to have complete healing, we know that cancer is never an easy road so would ask you to pray for Him to meet their needs as they walk through this with Him.

We are blessed to have so many faithful prayer partners! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

Blessings,

Patty and Vance

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Impressions of our Middle East trip:
New Beginnings:
A few months back when we realized that there was a possibility of a trip to the ME my mind went flying in all sorts of directions. I was excited because I firmly believe in face to face contact with people. I often say I see with my hands! The communication world that we live in today is great for the day to day things needing to be done or quick yes and no answers, and even just fun bantering. However, to really get to know someone and put a personality and face together is more the way I operate! I am more of a relational person so being able to actually get my feet on the ground and connect with real people allowed me to take ownership to what we were entering into with the merger between our two organizations.
We covered four countries in 10 days and there is a lot to share. I thought I would break it into four different entries so that you could stop/start where you wanted to.
Our bags were packed, our checklists as completed as they would get, Mary Ann was well situated with lots of options, emergency contact info, money, and food. We set off for the airport in excitement for many reasons. There were going to be a lot of firsts ahead for us! That is always exciting. Thanks to a generous donor, we were both going! What a blessing! I really was not looking forward to a trip through the Middle East without my husband. Plus the next day was our 31st wedding anniversary as well as having been exactly 30 years since we first entered Papua New Guinea. We arrived on our first year anniversary. So it was interesting that we arrived for the first time into the Middle East on our 31st anniversary. I guess you can either look at it as “some things never change” or “even after all these years there is still lots of newness in our relationship!”
We connected with the rest of our team in Frankfurt, Germany. We were called the FOT (field orientation team). We really tried to come up with a better name, but never could settle on anything different, but had fun trying! These were the people we would be spending the next ten days with in four different countries. We had a great time together and worked well as a team. By the end I think we could have shared each other’s stories and passions as well as each other’s presentation. They were all great teammates and travel buddies!

First Country:
After settling into the plane in Frankfurt we took off heading to our first country! I had heard lots of stories, read about the country and people tried to prepare myself in a variety of ways for our time there. I was writing in my journal as they announced our arrival and remember looking out of the window into the darkness and wrote “we are beginning our journey into the darkness.” I knew that this would be a spiritually dark country. We found our way to our luggage, through customs and out into the parking lot of the airport, where we were met. There were no women to be seen and many of the men had either guns or huge knives in their waistband. There were military men around with guns as well. I have never been a fan of guns and to see them everywhere was a little disarming. But it looked like it was just part of life there! I began to wonder if they were just standard issue such as cell phones in the US! Should we try to rent one while we are there???!! I did buy one of those awesome knives that we later found out that they were just part of the dress and distinguished tribes by them.
We had not made it to the car before we had someone begging. Just the few hundred feet we walked was enough to tell you that this was a poor country and begging was a big part of the life style here. However, I have to admit that they were the gentlest beggars I have ever met in my life. I did not feel threatened or scared when approached. It was never demanding or pushy or like they expected and deserved it. It was a sweet gentle touch and then a look into some of the most lost eyes I had ever seen. It was very hard not to give something. I had been told to bring candy to hand out to kids but was not prepared for this.
Driving into the darkness began one of many interesting rides we had. You really need to do some defensive driving training before going overseas to drive. Our drivers were all well experienced and seemed to really connect well to the culture when it came to maneuvering the roads! Exiting the airport there were military trucks with 50 caliber guns in the back every so often which seemed to be aimed right at us! There were decorations and colored lights as well as many flags of the country all throughout the streets. They were celebrating our arrival!!! Just kidding! It was a celebration of 20 years of unity between the North and South. I really think it was just a reason for a party because they did attempt to kill their president while we were there!
We had our day of meetings and all went really well. Discussions were great, questions were answered and relationships were developed. It was great to hear the stories of those living there. Unfortunately, for their protection, I cannot tell you much about this here, but would be happy to talk with you. It was amazing at how well things went! There seemed to be a sense of excitement about the merger there as well as acceptance. Of course there are details to be worked out and things that need to fall into place, but the time we had with the people was awesome. We ended the evening with a traditional meal from the country. The food was great! We had our own private room upstairs and just enjoyed relaxing and getting to know each other better.
The next day we split into two groups. One went to the old city and walked around doing shopping and getting a feel of life there. The other half of us spent the day going out into the country to visit a home that was build on a rock with some parts beginning in the 7th century. The wise man did build his house upon a rock and it is still standing! Before arriving we stopped to look out over a valley to see the house from above. It was interesting to have people coming up to you with guns, begging and not feel threatened or unsafe. I did not feel like they were going to rob us or demand anything. Just gently ask for money. They even offered to let us hold the guns and take pictures with them. One guy wanted Vance to do some target shooting!
The house on the rocks was interesting and gave an overview of what life is like with separate rooms for a variety of things. Men and women were often separated and even had separate living rooms in the home. I think that most of the women we saw wore long black cloaks and had all but their eyes covered. We did see many cute little girls in dresses and full of life and laughter. Their dads seemed to hold their hands, carry them and looked like sweet families. At our room we saw the little girls swimming with their daddy’s and brothers. But at some point they are taken away from that and dressed from head to toe in black and move into the woman’s world. I know I do not understand the whole thing, but my heart went out to these laughing little girls that were enjoying their father’s attention, knowing there will possibly come a time when she will not be allowed to interact with him.
That evening at dinner, we heard two loud booms. Those that live in the country did not react, they simply said, “this could be a good thing or a bad thing.” Another one calmly said, “It’s either bombs or fireworks.” I was rooting for the fireworks! Which it was in celebration of their 20 years!
After riding through the city, visiting the countryside, and listening to the stories of those serving there, I came away from the country feeling a bit sad and overwhelmed with how hard life would be there. Not so much in the physical sense, but emotionally, and spiritually. In order to serve there, it would mean a long term commitment, without much fruit if any. It would be out of obedience to Him rather than a burden.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Going to a wedding October 16th!

Engagement Pictures

Check out this link to pictures of two love birds and a dog!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

CLARION CONSULTING

Later this month we will host a Pre-Field Connection for those preparing to go overseas soon. We will assist in helping people understand the Clarion instruments and how they are wired so they and then go through some team building exercises to prepare them for teamwork in the future. Check out the web link above. This is what others are saying:

"The Clarion model of team development has proven very helpful. As team members come to understand themselves and each other better, teamwork is greatly enhanced -- individual strengths of each person are maximized and weaknesses minimized in the context of building far more complementary relationships."
Steve Richardson
President, Pioneers

"I have commissioned many team assessments over the last 15 years but have found this one to be, by far, the most practical and helpful. I'm excited about...taking our team through it."
Pete Kelly
National Director of Leadership Development, Campus Crusade for Christ

"I brought Jay in on two occasions to be part of our Wildfoote Leadership Weeks, focused on the development of high capacity leaders. Jay demonstrated a remarkable ability to help these leaders discover their gifts, passions, personality, and abilities and to discern where the convergence of these characteristics could lead to effectiveness. Many leaders referenced this as a defining moment for them. I would highly recommend the services of Jay Galligher and Clarion Consulting for your organization, business, and/or team."
Tim Barnes
Executive Pastor, Richwoods Christian Church

"I've read the Seven Habits and other such books, but never really made progress. The Clarion approach helped me in three important ways: I better understand myself, I better understand how I interact with others in team settings, and the coaching helped me follow through and begin executing my plan for personal growth."
Dave McClure
Siemens Corporation
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Welcome to another decade!! It is Hard to believe that 2010 is already here. We have so much to look forward to this year and the years ahead. In May, we will celebrate 30 years with PIONEERS. As we reflect back to May 1980, when we first left for Papua New Guinea, we are so thankful for all He has allowed us to experience through the years.
CONNECT
In February, our team is hosting CONNECT, a one week conference for our missionaries. We will spend our time listening to their stories as a group (after we kick it off with a super bowl party), small groups and individuals. It is also a great time for them to connect with God and other missionaries serving with PIONEERS. Pray for us as we focus on those coming from our areas of the world. We have a family with 5 kids coming from Chad. There are two people coming who are preparing to go to North Africa and a single lady from Senegal. Missionaries that came to CONNECT in the past said, “I had no idea what God had for me here." "At CONNECT, I learned that I am not alone." "I appreciated the honesty and how personal it was." Please pray for us during this week February 7-12.
Trips in 2010
What else is happening in 2010? So far, we know that, We will be going to Colorado to receive training in debriefing missionaries. In the fall we are planning to go to Thailand for the International Leadership Conference, where all of PIONEERS field leaders will come together for a week of meetings. This will be a great opportunity for us to get to know PIONEERS field leaders from Africa, The Middle East, India and surrounding countries.
Family Update
Our kids are also facing lots of challenges and changes this year and we would appreciate your prayers as they move forward in what the Lord has for them. Jessica’s husband, John, joined the army and is now at his training school in AZ. In April they will receive their orders and they will be moving from Orlando. Jessica has done a great job at keeping things going for their home and family while John has been away. We are going to miss having them close by and hanging out with our grandsons! Thanks for praying for them.
Jonathan is moving back to Germany in February. Through a variety of circumstances and situations he believes this is the best thing for him and his family. We are disappointed they will not be living nearby, but we are excited that they will be back together as a family! We would appreciate your prayers for them.
Randy recently moved to Washington from California and plans to go to school there. The cost of living is much better for him there and he has found a part time job and housing. Pray for him to find a good church and that he will be able to settle down in his new town - Bellingham.
We are thankful that we still have Mary Ann around for a while still! She keeps us young and excited about life. She loves her life and is growing in Him as she has to trust Him in many areas!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Answered Prayer


Thanks for Praying!

We have been asking people to pray for Randy since he moved to California on July 2nd. Today he begins working part time at a local coffee shop and he is excited! Please pray that he can find another part time job or that this will become full time. They told him that the work load increases when college students start returning for school.

God is Good!
Last week I called him on his cell phone while he was riding his bike. He said, "let me stop so I can talk." While we were talking he said, "hey, there's $11.00 on the sidewalk, I'm making money out here!" His phone rang right at the moment when he was at the money! I was calling him to see how he was doing and to say we are praying for him and he said he had just interviewed for a job. Later that afternoon he called and said they wanted him to come in over the week-end for orientation.

Woodyards in France Slide Show