One
of the biggest events in our lives this year has been the arrival of
Rachel’s and Stella’s highly mobile and intrepid Grandma and
Granddaddy! That’s right. My Parent’s, Phil and Bobbie Smith, made the
momentous odyssey from Virginia to Long Island in their home, which
happens to also be a 50’ sailboat, the “Rose of Sharon.” They
arrived after 45 days of very difficult weather, mechanical troubles, and
innumerable obstacles. They
are the perfect grandparents for a maritime missionary family—they come
out to the mission field in their own boat! (We are so proud of
them.)
They joined in seamlessly with all of our ministry
efforts here, and they have greatly increased the fruitfulness of the
programs. It has been so wonderful to have family here with us, which is a
blessing that most missionaries don’t get. Rachel and Stella have been
so blessed to have over four months of Grandparent time, and vice versa.
We have also been happy about the fact that they have used their home “Rose
of Sharon” as a ministry vessel here for training islanders in sailing
skills.
One
of the biggest events in our lives this year has been the arrival of
Rachel’s and Stella’s highly mobile and intrepid Grandma and
Granddaddy! That’s right. My Parent’s, Phil and Bobbie Smith, made the
momentous odyssey from Virginia to Long Island in their home, which
happens to also be a 50’ sailboat, the “Rose of Sharon.” They
arrived after 45 days of very difficult weather, mechanical troubles, and
innumerable obstacles. They
are the perfect grandparents for a maritime missionary family—they come
out to the mission field in their own boat! (We are so proud of
them.) 
They joined in seamlessly with all of our ministry
efforts here, and they have greatly increased the fruitfulness of the
programs. It has been so wonderful to have family here with us, which is a
blessing that most missionaries don’t get. Rachel and Stella have been
so blessed to have over four months of Grandparent time, and vice versa.
We have also been happy about the fact that they have used their home “Rose
of Sharon” as a ministry vessel here for training islanders in sailing
skills.
