Accident update

We are saddened this morning to tell you that the other AIM missionary in the plane, mechanic Ryan Williams, went home to heaven yesterday. This has been an incredibly hard week for the AIM community in Nairobi, and especially these families. There are now two wives and eight little children mourning the loss of their husbands and fathers. Please continue to pray for these families. The update is here.

AIM AIR accident

On August 1, there was an accident involving an Africa Inland Mission AIR (AIM's aviation ministry) pilot and mechanic, as well as two filmmakers not associated with AIM. The pilot tragically did not survive the crash. The AIM community is greatly saddened by this loss. We would encourage you to visit this website AIM has set up, as well as to pray for the family and community that Frank Toews left behind.

A month and a half in pictures...

Summer vacation, as always, has gone by quickly. We haven't kept up on the blog too well, and here's why:

Week one:

Helping out with the farming in Paonia, Colorado, where Jim grew up.

I even gave tractor-driving a shot!
Week two:
Happy Fourth of July! Jim, as usual, was a clown in the band. I think I need to do his makeup next time!

Week three:

We drove out to Portland to visit more family. Happy birthday Jim!

Then we headed to the Oregon coast. Joel could dig in the sand ALL DAY LONG!

The view of Twin Rocks is always beautiful.

Clamming: messy AND yummy.

Faith surprised us all by keeping up with the clammers. She had a great time!

We collected mussels as well. The fruits of our labor:

Week four:

Some great cousin time!

And family time.

Tried some boogie boarding: best $14 ever spent!

Goodbye beach!

Week five:

We celebrate a milestone...

We spent a few days (ALONE!) in Frisco, Colorado. Did some biking, hiking, canoeing, picnicking, and reflecting on the past five years.

And we enjoyed cooking for each other...

Week six:

Vacation took an unexpected turn when Grandma was diagnosed with cancer. A special thing we will always remember is the time we spent with Grandpa this last week and a half. And him spending time with our kids.

Update

Thanks to all who have been praying for our family during this difficult time. Grandma passed away yesterday. We are comforted that she was not in a lot of pain, remained lucid until the end, and was at peace. Grandma has left an incredible legacy... We'll all miss her, but know that she's in a much better place now. I (Jim) am grateful for her loving involvement in my childhood... all the books and crafts she always had ready for us, but most of all, there was always time to spend time with us. I'm also grateful for the example of a godly marriage that she and Grandpa lived out for the past 63 years. Thank you all again for your prayers and also for your continued prayer for my Grandpa as he adjusts to life without her.