Arriving in Mississippi for Training and Orientation

This is the lovely house where we are staying. Our host family, John and Vicki, have opened up their home to us for the two weeks that we are here at Pre-Field Orientation (PFO). We have the whole upstairs with a family room, three bedrooms, bathroom, and refrigerator. It is nice getting to unpack a little and wash clothes when needed.

After church today, Vicki made BBQ Nachoes (a Memphis specialty), pork barbeque, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, and her famous homemade cheesecake. It was so delicious!

Kaitlyn got real spoiled when they let her drive their 2008 Mazda Miata! She had so much fun! I think Vicki had just as much fun letting her drive!

Southhaven, Mississippi, is the headquarters for the home office of NICS (Network of International Christian Schools). We have been in a full week of training and preparation for life overseas. We have learned many things and been reminded about things we needed to hear again. They have made it interesting with lectures, groups, and games. We are learning about the kids that we are raising (third-culture kids), transition, the correct way to handle culture stress, just to name a few of the topics. There are around 160 new missionaries plus their children going to 21 different countries all over the world. Please be in prayer for us as we leave for our new place of ministry. Most of us have sold everything, please pray for those still needing to sell houses and cars. All of us are leaving family and friends that we love. Pray that God would give His grace and peace to all these relationships.

Reaching the world through international Christian education. Some will serve as teachers, business administrators, school councelors, principals, directors, and administrative assistants.

James, Daniel, Kaitlyn, Dianne, Tracy, Andrew, Jonathan, Samuel, Faith, and Ethan

The two families meet again. Who would have thought our paths would have crossed again in this way? They were just youth when we first met them in 1995. We will both be serving in Singapore at the International Christian School.

Happy Birthday Samuel!

Samuel celebrated his 4th birthday with some family and friends at Chuck E. Cheese. Everyone had a great time.

A Time to Celebrate

For the Teafatiller family, June symbolizes a month of celebration. Indeed, we have much to celebrate and for which to give God thanks. On June 4, James and I celebrated our 20^th wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe it has been that long since we said those famous words, “I do.”

On June 6, James and Dianne finished teaching school; Dianne finished her 1st year teaching and is now a certified Business Education teacher. (I could have never done this without God’s grace, James’ help and support, and the wonderful staff at my school.) Our children also finished the school year well. Can you imagine that we will have a Junior in high school, an 8^th grader, a 6^th grader, and a four year-old when the next school year starts? Wow! How time flies!!!

On June 10, we will celebrate Samuel's 4th birthday with our family and friends enjoying good food and fun games at Chuck E. Cheese. He has been talking about "Chuckie" for weeks now.

On June 23, we will celebrate again as we travel to Southaven, Mississippi, for our Pre-Field Orientation. We will join 200+ new NICS's missionaries including teens and children for a two-week training and preparation. This time symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter in our lives and yet another reason to celebrate.

Thank you for journeying with us through your love, support, and prayers. We have such wonderful friends and family and are so thankful to have you in our hearts and lives!! For all this, we say, "Thank you!" Yet another reason to celebrate.

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven”
Ecclesiastes 3:1