Sam and Brittany in Minnesota, while in the USA, on their 17-State Tour.
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17 States!
Yes, that’s right! We just finished traveling 17 States, in the USA, from July to December. We traveled over 7,342 miles. (That is not including the Inner City Driving and International Flights). And, we did this with two small children (ages 3 and 1). In case you didn’t hear from us, for a while, we got a little busy! We had meant to get this Newsletter out, sooner, but we did the best we could, managing our intense speaking schedule while managing a young family.
In Addition to over 7,342 miles traveled, we spoke in…
17 Churches 3 Christian Camps (One of them was a conference) 3 Bible Studies 2 Bible Colleges 1 Bible College Class 1 Bible College Mission Meeting 1 WA State Retirees Association Meeting 1 Newspaper Article/Interview 2 Christian Organizations 1 Men’s Prison (Sam) 1 Concert (Brittany sang) 1 Church Singing Engagement (Brittany) The Creation Museum (Kentucky)
The states we visited were: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.
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A Big Thank You…
On this stateside visit… two of the biggest obstacles that we were seeing ahead of us, before we even started our journey in the U.S., was housing and transportation. That was not an easy problem to solve. We were praying for that, and God answered our prayers through these special people. We really can tell you that our speaking trip goals would not have been achieved if it weren’t for these people. We are so thankful to God, first, and then to all of these people, mentioned below.
Secondly, we are also thankful to all of our friends who have helped us to get connected with the Churches for speaking. We feel honored to mention their names, below, also.
May God Bless these people, richly, fervently, and abundantly.
Friends and Family who provided Vehicles and/or Residences:
Kirk and Charlotte Hoff Kraig and Tami Hoff Stephen and Jacquie Johnson Mark and Rhonda Tevis Brad Brenner Gayle Mitchell Wendy Haley Nick and Beth Duffel Jack and Carol Miller Lee and Ivye Johnson Stewart and Gail Brown Marvin and Jan Bullock Clinton First Christian Church Mark and Susan Kinkel Floyd and Gayle Dowell Bob and Alyce Park Travis and Anna Marie Edwards Steven and Bonnie Williams Tom and Claire Muller John and Arlene McCann
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Friends and Family who provided a way for us to present in their Churches, Home Groups, Functions, etc.:
Charles Dailey and Family Mike and Stephanie Kennedy Stephen and Jacquie Johnson Anna Seley Kyle Moffitt David Davolt John and Merrily Jones Jéff Adams Wendy Haley Dale and Janine Cornett Jack and Carol Miller Danny Harrod Lee and Ivye Johnson Danah Nelson Marvin and Jan Bullock Nancy Jackson Willie Coop Dwain and Rhonda Weil Randy and Sharon Meacham Charles Simpson Chris Roulet Mark and Susan Kinkel Julie Holloway Travis and Anna Marie Edwards Steven and Bonnie Williams Wayne Hoff (Music and Concert) Olivia Hoff (Music and Concert) Mattithiah Friedman Heather Brittain Mark and Carol Sparks Dwight and Patrice Gillespie Mark and Cheryl McConnell John and Jeanette Kersey Dr. Jack Cottrell Marina Jenkins Tim and Amy Russell Brad Shunn Mark Looy Tom Carrow Jim Webster
(We’re pretty sure that we got all of the names listed, here. We hope that we didn’t forget anyone!)
Trip Highlights!
Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp: Oregon
Sam, Brittany, Amelia and Savannah at the Winema Beach, at Winema Christian Camp, in Cloverdale, Oregon. From July 30 – August 4th, Sam was one of the main speakers. There were hundreds in attendance.
Our whole group at Winema (From L to R): Rachel, Sadiq (Sam’s dad), Sam, Amelia (our 3-year-old), Savannah (our 1-year-old), Brittany, and Kirk Hoff (Brittany’s dad).
Washington
Newspaper Article all over Washington State:
Sam and Brittany were interviewed for “The Chronicle,” which is the Newspaper for Brittany’s hometown. This Newspaper covers the Lewis and Thurston Counties for Washington State. After Brittany had spoken for the WA State Retirees Association, in Centralia, there was much interest, and one person had contacted the Chronicle to do a story on our family. This article came out on October 4th, 2017. Click down below, on the picture, to read.
WA State Retirees Association Meeting
On September 18th, 2017, Brittany was asked to speak in her hometown for the Washington State Retirees Association. Her presentation was received with great interest, to the point where the local Newspaper (The Chronicle, covering the Lewis and Thurston County areas) contacted us to do a story on our family!
Pleasant Valley Christian Camp
We were very blessed to have been invited twice to speak at Pleasant Valley Christian Camp, in Mineral, WA. The first camp was the Family Camp. The second camp was the Senior Saints Camp. Here is a picture from one of those speaking engagements.
Our “crew” in front of the Columbia River Gorge
Idaho
Here is Sam speaking in Idaho. Sam spoke at three Churches, and was also welcomed, greatly, at Boise Bible College.
Nevada and California
Sam was warmly welcomed into a Church in Nevada. We also drove over the border into California and spoke at a Church, there. While visiting Nevada and California, our friends took us to a nice visit at the Zoo, and a ride in a small airplane! At the Church in California, many people came up to Brittany and told her that they knew her late Grandfather, Doyle Farnsworth (Brittany’s Mom’s Father). Brittany never knew her Grandpa Doyle, because he passed away before she was born. They told her how much of an impact that Doyle had on their lives, and they were so blessed and honored to meet “his Granddaughter.” Brittany was very touched to hear this. By the way, Brittany’s Grandpa Doyle had visited Pakistan in 1969, with Brittany’s Grandma, Margaret Anna (Brittany’s Mom’s parents). What a legacy!
Down below, here, we didn’t end up getting any pictures of Sam speaking in the Church (because Brittany was busy chasing and taking care of the kids), but we did get a picture from the zoo, and our friends’ small airplane.
Arizona
Christ’s Church of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ
In Phoenix, Arizona, Sam was invited to speak at Christ’s Church of the Valley, which averages 25,000 in attendance. Sam spoke in the Senior Class and was well received. Unfortunately, Brittany was so busy with her kids, that she was unable to take a picture of Sam speaking, in the class. However, here is a picture of the main auditorium, during the worship service. Our Sunday School Class that we spoke in agreed to help sponsor the salaries of two of our Pastors.
The two pictures, down below, are two pictures of our friends, who hosted us, in Phoenix.
