Happy Birthday Angie!

We had a wonderful surprise last week. Our close friends from home, Gordy and Renee McDonald, called to say that they were rolling into town to do some teaching on the YWAM campus. Gordy and Renee ran the Montana YWAM base for almost twenty years and have become very close and dear friends of ours over the last couple years when they came on staff at our church. They arrived on Friday afternoon and it was great to see them and catch up.

Saturday was Angie's birthday. Her birthday wish was to have some time to herself. So, she and Renee hit the Starbucks in the morning and then spent most of the day by the pool at the home of Loren and Darlene Cunningham, the founders of YWAM, where Gordy and Renee are staying during their time here. Angie had always admired Darlene Cunningham after reading the book "Is That Really You God?" which tells the story of Loren and Darlene and the beginning years of YWAM. Not only did Angie get to hang out with them at their home, but Darlene fixed them lunch and brought out some ice cream and sang happy birthday to her. It was very memorable for Ang.

Later that evening, our Korean friends in our class prepared a Korean barbecue feast at the home of Bobby and Jean Norment, our Fiji outreach leaders. We had mass quantities of barbecued beef and kimchi. Then, we surprised Angie (not really) with a birthday cake. The Koreans had prepared a traditional song of blessing for Angie and taught it to us as a group. Then, we all sang it to her. Here is the English translation:

From time to time in your life
There are pains and sufferings
But you are strong
And you fix your eyes on Jesus
When we see you, we see your soul
Oh, how beautiful and precious
And we know through your life
God will be glorified
We praise the Lord our God
Oh Hallelujah

This was the first birthday that Angie has been away from her family. So, to have such a memorable day was very special for her. Gordy and Renee will be here teaching through the end of the week, so we will try to squeeze as much time in with them as possible.

Four more weeks until Fiji!!!

Here are some pictures of the Korean barbecue evening and Angie's birthday celebration:


Some of our chefs for the evening: Heinz, Jin, Will, KB, and Yeji (from left to right)













Angie and Renee McDonald














Ben and Gordy McDonald














Sam playing with some of the "big kids"














Angie and her small group leader, Rebecca














Part of the group singing the Korean blessing to Angie

Happy Birthday Angie!