The Hall's 2009
Dear Family & Friends,
It’s the End of the Year, and once again I’m trying my best to be the very last card everyone receives. Did I win? The holidays go by so quickly. Seems like yesterday Mark & I were buying our 1st Christmas Tree from Piggly Wiggly in Graceville, FL (It was dead and spray-painted green). Now here we are 19 years later in McDonough, GA and few people here have even heard of Piggly Wiggly. Oh well, their loss. Anyway…
The year started off with some quiet time at home with family, though Mark spent the weekends in Nashville in the studio working on the recent album “Until the Whole World Hears.”
In April, we returned to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota w/about 150 people from our church – Eagles Landing FBC. Survived a blizzard, snow, extensive flight delays and cancellations, mud, porta potties, tents and below freezing temps. We went to minister to Native American people in great need, but we are the ones that ended up with the blessing. God moved. Mark baptized 2 ladies in a dumpster while it snowed. It was an amazing sight to see the Body of Christ serving in unity with each other using their gifts and talents. There were many families that went and were able to serve together. There are so many hurting people there, and their need is great. They have great physical needs, but their greatest need is for HOPE. The Hope that only Jesus can offer.
The next week we left with Crowns for a return trip to DPRK (North Korea). We were privileged to receive another invitation from them to participate in their Spring Arts Festival through Global Resource Services (GRS). After much prayer and consideration, we decided to take the children and it turns out it was a “God thing.” They were a big hit and helped us make friends. We enjoyed the trip and were treated with great hospitality. We were able to perform several times and won an award for our performance of Lifesong and we have a standing invitation to return to perform in the festival. Please pray for the people of DPRK, they are hardworking, dedicated to excellence in everything, loyal to their leadership, and yet there is no joy in their faces, seems to be an absence of Hope. Our prayer is that through our visits we might build a bridge in the relationship that would allow us to share the reason for our HOPE.
In July, John Michael and I went to Nairobi, Kenya. I went as a chaperone for our youth mission trip and JM made his debut in a youth drama ministry. We were able to lead a week long “youth camp” at 2 different schools. It was my 2nd trip, but I am still amazed. Keyans are special people. They have an infectious smile that warms your heart. I’m always amazed at the joy they seem to have even though most of them don’t have even basics for living (clean water, clothes & food). And many endure very dire situations that leave them feeling hopeless at times. Our Kenyan friends, Moses & Emily Odhiambo, with Teens for Christ, and Matt & Kelly Elmore (from US), with Global Youth Ministry, are diligently serving God and faithfully sharing Christ with thousands of Kenyans every month. It is an honor to partner with these faithful servants.
Until the Whole World Hears Fall Tour with Matt Redman began in September, although the long awaited album didn’t release til November (It has already certified Gold). The album title song comes from the life and message of John the Baptist. John declared a black and white truth in a very grey world and it cost him his life. He said, “I am a voice crying out in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord” and “[Jesus] must increase and I must decrease.” His words were evidence of a life lived with purpose and calling. We are reminded that we too must always be ready to give a reason for the hope we have. Whatever we do in word or deed, doing it all for the glory of the Lord – To know Him and to make Him known until the whole world hears. This is the message we take to the church in our music and in our concert tours. We travelled 60,000 miles to 24 states and did 41 concerts for over 150,000 people. There were 4476 World Vision children sponsored along the way, and the Gospel was shared every night. The Spring Tour starts in February.
Our family returned to Singapore a few weeks ago for Mark to speak at a conference at Evangel Family Church. I spoke with an interpreter for the 1st time, didn’t do so well. But at least we could laugh about it. They took great care of us and spoiled our kids immensely. They are Kingdom friends – special people with big generous hearts for God and His people.
Reagan (9yrs) also had her 1st “non-radio song” solo in the Children’s Christmas Program this year and was very excited about it. She has become a great helper to me this year. She enjoys reading and playing with her cat. She earned her 1st green stripe on her yellow belt in karate. Her favourite place we went this year was Singapore.
John Michael (11yrs) has officially entered the “youth ministry”. He is handling it fine, but his parents are still a little shell-shocked. Seems he was starting Awana Cubbies just yesterday. He had found his niche’ in the youth drama ministry and is doing quite well. Still taking karate and advanced one level this year to Green Belt. He is doing well in school, though it’s not his favourite thing to do. His favourite place he went this year was Nairobi, Kenya and his favourite thing he did this year was ride the Incredible Hulk at Universal Studios Orlando.
Mark (40 :)) had a very busy year. Crowns took some time off at the beginning of the year so that Mark could work on writing songs for the new album, so he spent a lot of time in Nashville during that time. Mark finished his 2nd book, “Your Own Jesus” and it released in August. It’s also been busy year in Youth Ministry. Mark has been doing a lot of one-on-one discipleship with students this year and has enjoyed that very much. He is still very much a Youth Pastor. We are still at Eagles Landing FBC Sunday thru Wednesday. Normally, we leave out on the buses on Wednesday Night after Refuge and come in on Sunday Morning in time for church. It’s a crazy life, but it’s our life as God has designed it for this season. His favourite place we went this year was New Zealand (Lord of the Rings territory). He said his biggest adrenaline rush this year was singing the words “.. Jesus is the Voice of Truth” at the National Prayer Breakfast while our new President and also Senior Clinton listened.
Me? (don’t ask) Well, a lot of the same. Homeschool and Crowns takes up most of my time (although my heart for teenagers (esp girls) beats just as strong as ever). I love teaching my kids at home and I highly recommended it. If you are praying about it, and have opportunity, just do it. I have lots of great people at home in McDonough and in Nashville that keep this Crowns Ministry machine rolling. My job is just to make sure that we all stay on the track that God has mapped out for us. I still try to plan several events every year for our youth ministry girls. Meanwhile, I do the same stuff as every other mom – laundry, manage house, and feed the family and pets. I just have a “Don’t Forget to Pack” list every week.
As most of you know, we have been waiting for more than 3 years to adopt a little China girl and bring Hope to her life. Many of you asked about it. Yes, we are still waiting and praying and trusting in God’s timing. We had the chance to spend a couple days in Beijing, China, this year, during our trip to DPRK. While we were there, I wondered several times whether the next time we were there, it would be to meet our little girl. We appreciate your prayers for her, and for us, as we continue to wait.
I know that many of you have a difficult year. Some of you have lost jobs, some have struggled financially, and some are fighting desperately for your marriage. Some of you have lost loved ones and some have watched loved ones in great pain. Some of you have separated from loved ones overseas in the war and some of you are trying to desperately to keep your head above water in more than one way. I pray that even in the midst of your present circumstances that may seem hopeless, that you are able to look up to the Author, Perfector, and Finisher of our Faith for a Peace that only He can give. He wrote the beginning, he is here in the middle of it and He knows how it all ends. Jesus is not just an idea, or a book, or a building, or life enhancement. In the middle of some dark times in the lives of several families around us, God put these words on Mark’s heart, “All our hearts, all our strength, with all our minds we are at your feet. Let your Kingdom come in our hearts and lives. Let your church arise. If we’ve ever needed you, Lord it’s now.” We pray that you will place your life, your family, your marriage, your job, and your ministry at the feet of Jesus. It is only then that we can know full well the PEACE and HOPE He gives. It is the same that is needed by the natives in South Dakota, the Koreans, the Kenyans and the orphans in China. It is the PEACE and HOPE that Only Jesus can give! It is not the Peace that the world gives. It is only found when we put our Faith and Trust in Jesus! We pray that 2010 will be a year of abundant blessings for you and your family.
Until the Whole World Hears!
