A break in Europe with the Omi and Opi before Liberia

Well, thank you God Almighty for the chance to finally have a bit of a break before we get to Liberia.

What a logistical challenge in preparing for our trip to Germany to visit Claudia’s parents.

So many things needed to be packed for the visit - all the items needed for our visit while in Germany (cold weather clothing, etc, etc) and the needs for our arrival in Liberia (very warm weather clothing and essentials for at least a month – basic housing items plus local items like mosquito nets).

I have to thank God for my wonderful partner in life, my bride and love - Claudia. She has done so much in the logistics and prep for our move to Liberia. Thank you honey.

Below are some pictures of our journey to Germany and some of Opi and Omi's neck of the woods.

Enjoy

In Houston Intercontinental Airport

On the plane to Deutschland

Frankfurt Ariport

Omi und Opi greeting the kids

Claudia's hometown of Ansbach

Out to eat - Yum

Out in town for a walk

On the train to Nuremburg

The castle wall

City center

Siblings in the Hofgarten for a walk

Farewell friends - Thank you for your prayers

Before leaving we had a chance to meet with many many friends and family and we thank you for the time and well wishes. Felicia our friend was the inspiration and coordinator of our gathering at the Stadium - Thank you Felicia.

I would like to put so many more photos but hope you enjoy the few selections that were made. Thank you all again for being friends.

Friends and family

Preparing to get out of country. - November thru Dec 2, 2007

Thank you to the many individuals that assisted us on our preparation for our move to Liberia. Below are some pictures of some of the moving and farewell gatherings. We will miss all of you and cherish the many memories of our times in the USA.

We hope you enjoy the short snap shot show of some memories.

Packing - packing - & more packing

Prepping for the trip to Liberia W. Africa - including the dogs -

but first ,a visit to the in-laws in Europe (Brrrrrrr).

Prepping to load the containers - get your garages ready.

Container #1 ready to be loaded

Douglas was an incredible blessing - Thank you Doug.

Special thanks to Douglas Whiddon of Whiddon Masonry in Dripping Springs TX for the use and help with his Load-All fork lift equip.

A true God-sent angel was his assistant Patrick Dougherty who assisted with the loading of heavy equipment into both containers. He and I worked well into two nights worth of loading and tying down items in the containers. Thanks.

Patrick Dougherty assisting

My friends Patrick and Shelby, thank you for being there and Shelby, thank you for all the help in so many ways (loading, land, truck & trailer lending, meals etc, etc ). We will continue to pray for you all.

Shelby

Pat-O

Let the loading begin. Bring it on!!!!!!

I think this load is topped off.

One down - one to go.

Praises and Thanks to our God for his perfect timing

YES ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

We have been blessed by God Almighty with the perfect family for our home here in Sawyer Ranch. We are here until end of November before we depart in early December - God willing - for our new location in Liberia, West Africa.

We want to thank you all for your kind thoughts and words and especially for your prayers. We give all glory to God and anticipate his fulfilling of his purpose in our lives. We will be updating more often now with what will be transpiring until departure. If you would like to have updates please send me an email.

Thank you again for the prayers and encouragement. We will have a get together at our home in late October if you are interested in visiting. Please contact us if you would like details.

P.S. If, and only if, you are interested in assisting in any other way prior to our departure in December we are in the process of looking for and acquiring the following equipment items to bring on cargo container(s). If you know of any good used equip outlets or dealers, or can donate equip or donate monies towards equip please advise with a reply or call. Thank you.

Again we look forward to spending time with you at the get together if you can make it.

Tractor(s) 25HP or higher (looking into Kubota)
Tractor Implements
Irrigation systems
Welding equip
Trailer for hauling anything (big or small)
Many manual garden tools (rugged wheel barrows, shovels, hoes, pruning tools, etc)
Chainsaws and spare parts

The LORD is with you when you are with him, If you seek him, he will be found by you. 2 Chronicles 15:2

For the Kingdom of God and the way of Christ Jesus,

David Felando & Family

Jesus said "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." Luke 4:43

Growing in the Lord

We continue to prepare and to wait on the Lord as we grow deeper in Him with His Word.

Thank you for your prayers and concern for our calling. We are hopeful that the Lord's will be done in our life and calling and that we walk humbly with Him as His servants in Christ. We are so thankful everyday for the tremendous blessing we have had in our life to date and we strive to better our relationship with Jesus through continuous communication with Him through His Word.

We must push out the clutter, chatter and distractions of the world in our lives and breath in the life giving almighty Word of God. We should make it the guide for every second of our life.

- the B-I-B-L-E - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth

2007

Wishing you all a blessed and favorable new year. We had great celebrations over the past month and we have wonderful memories of the past year. Praise to God for our health and for the growth we are gaining in the knowledge of Jesus.

We look forward to the blessings that will come to us as we get to the land of Liberia. We ask that you keep us in prayer as we wait on the Lord's timing for the sale of our home. I believe that once that happens it will be a wild ride as we make our way out of country. We ask your prayers for strength and patience now and especially as we get going.

Thank you for your love and support. Until our next post I leave you with a couple of things, a quote from Paul that is a goal for our life, and a great gospel message web link.

"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ." Philippians 3:8 NLT