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Jun, '03 #15

Dear friends,

Well, we made it. There were some wild weeks before the trip and some wild hours during the trip but we are here. In addition to the 3 weddings (our first) and a baptism and the normal ministry and household shut-down, (and move) I decided to take on a building project. There was a need for furlough storage and in spite of my impending furlough I was best suited for the job. It turned out to be more time consuming than I thought (as always), but when we left it was finished except outside paint and tile. This building would have been a great blessing last furlough and would have avoided the break-in and loss of important documents we suffered and will help others in the future. Please pray for the school complex which is having difficulty getting exemption from property taxes. I was unable to finish the legal process and a fair sum is involved for the region.

The trip went well for traveling 24 hours with 3 small children. Even our luggage made it. We were well sent and well received by friends and family and went straight to another blessing - our new home. In the past we've stayed in Winston Salem which has been "home" since college. This time we are in the nearby town of Reidsville, NC. It is fairly close to Winston, in the center of our supporting churches and a local call to Granny Atha's house. It is a beautiful house owned by a supporting church.

We are adjusting and getting settled in. The boys miss the dog, who still has an uncertain destiny, and our "real" house. We were unsuccessful in selling the house until we were getting ready to go to the airport and then the calls started pouring in. The transition has been easier overall than last furlough, but some things here – the green and the wonderful roads and drivers, for example -- impress us.

Our new address is listed at the end of the letter. I've not been successful in reaching all our supporters but scheduling has gone well with those I have reached. If you'd like to see us, get in touch soon, as time is short. By the end of the month, the schedule should be on the web site. By the way, if your address changes make sure you let our printer know. Third class mail isn’t always treated well and some who want our letter don’t receive it because the address was never updated. I have know way of getting it or even knowing who got dropped.

People often talk of the sacrifices of missions, but don't often talk of the benefits. For example, most missionaries are able to spend more time with their children than parents here. It is also easier to control their environment. We were shocked when one of our boys let loose a curse word just 24 hours after arriving. He had no idea what it meant or that it was bad, but said it with great gusto. When I asked what he said he repeated it without fear. I told him not to say it any more and to ask us about any new words he hears. It reminded me of another American paradox that impressed us upon our return. Around here at least, there's a church on every corner, and we were amazed at how close Americans are to a church, and how far they are from God. TV, the Texas sodomy ruling: they are all indications that we want the comfort of spirituality without the commitment of a relationship. We just want to "shack up" with God, not marry Him. I don't want to be a John the Baptist, wandering in from the cultural desert of the mission field to bewail the sins of modern America -- beseeching all to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. I do feel the need to share with you an observation from an "outsider" and a warning from one who loves this great nation. There is much more on my heart, but this is not the appropriate forum.

We look forward to seeing you in the weeks ahead and sharing in detail how the Lord blessed during our second term and what we believe he has in store for our third. Until then we may be reached at the addresses below.

Byron & Michele Atha (336) 616-1826
2349 Wentworth St. 324-7136 (cel)
Reidsville, NC 27320 bwaii@yahoo.com
www.theathas.org

Yours in Him,
Byron, Michele, William, Dalton, Greyson Atha


	Dear friends, Well, we made it. There were some wild weeks before the trip and some wild hours during the trip but we are here. In addition to the 3 weddings (our first) and a baptism and the normal ministry and household shut-down, (and move) I decided to take on a building project. There was a need for furlough storage and in spite of my impending furlough I was best suited for the job. It turned out to be more time consuming than I thought (as always), but when we left it was finished except outside paint and tile. This building would have been a great blessing last furlough and would have avoided the break-in and loss of important documents we suffered and will help others in the future. Please pray for the school complex which is having difficulty getting exemption from property taxes. I was unable to finish the legal process and a fair sum is involved for the region. The trip went well for traveling 24 hours with 3 small children. Even our luggage made it. We were well sent and well received by friends and family and went straight to another blessing - our new home. In the past we've stayed in Winston Salem which has been "home" since college. This time we are in the nearby town of Reidsville, NC. It is fairly close to Winston, in the center of our supporting churches and a local call to Granny Atha's house. It is a beautiful house owned by a supporting church. We are adjusting and getting settled in. The boys miss the dog, who still has an uncertain destiny, and our "real" house. We were unsuccessful in selling the house until we were getting ready to go to the airport and then the calls started pouring in. The transition has been easier overall than last furlough, but some things here – the green and the wonderful roads and drivers, for example -- impress us. Our new address is listed at the end of the letter. I've not been successful in reaching all our supporters but scheduling has gone well with those I have reached. If you'd like to see us, get in touch soon, as time is short. By the end of the month, the schedule should be on the web site. By the way, if your address changes make sure you let our printer know. Third class mail isn’t always treated well and some who want our letter don’t receive it because the address was never updated. I have know way of getting it or even knowing who got dropped. People often talk of the sacrifices of missions, but don't often talk of the benefits. For example, most missionaries are able to spend more time with their children than parents here. It is also easier to control their environment. We were shocked when one of our boys let loose a curse word just 24 hours after arriving. He had no idea what it meant or that it was bad, but said it with great gusto. When I asked what he said he repeated it without fear. I told him not to say it any more and to ask us about any new words he hears. It reminded me of another American paradox that impressed us upon our return. Around here at least, there's a church on every corner, and we were amazed at how close Americans are to a church, and how far they are from God. TV, the Texas sodomy ruling: they are all indications that we want the comfort of spirituality without the commitment of a relationship. We just want to "shack up" with God, not marry Him. I don't want to be a John the Baptist, wandering in from the cultural desert of the mission field to bewail the sins of modern America -- beseeching all to repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. I do feel the need to share with you an observation from an "outsider" and a warning from one who loves this great nation. There is much more on my heart, but this is not the appropriate forum. We look forward to seeing you in the weeks ahead and sharing in detail how the Lord blessed during our second term and what we believe he has in store for our third. Until then we may be reached at the addresses below. Byron & Michele Atha (336) 616-1826 2349 Wentworth St. 324-7136 (cel) Reidsville, NC 27320 bwaii@yahoo.com www.theathas.org Yours in Him, Byron, Michele, William, Dalton, Greyson Atha