Simi Valley California

Hi, everyone! Reporting from Centerpoint Church in Simi Valley, California, also from the office of the Gold Coast Baptist Association where Tim & Carolyn Logerquist minister. These are wonderful friends from the past, when Karen & I were church planters in Yuma, Arizona in the summer of 1983. We were the only married couple on the team of 8, four went to Phoenix that summer and four went to Yuma, Arizona. Tim was the Director of Missions and our supervisor there. It has been great to renew friendships and I have enjoyed my visit here totally. This past Monday, we got to visit with Matt, Dean of Students at Eternity Bible College where Alden Arakaki and Jason Peterson(Ronald & Lei's grandson) will be second-year ministerial students. He was very gracious to show us the property and we talked for about 30 minutes as to the founder Francis Chan's vision of establishing a solid bible foundation for the students there, preparing them to minister wherever God will lead, whether in vocational ministry or otherwise. It was not fancy but very practical, pouring the money into quality teaching rather than building. I must admit I was very impressed with what I saw--I know that both Alden and Jason are blessed to be here! Simi Valley is quite beautiful, the mountains and valleys are so incredibly a declaration of God's creative hand. If time permits, I will get to see the Ronald Reagan's library here in Simi Valley later this afternoon. The weather has been hot but it has been nice to enjoy air conditioning and staying indoors; however, the weatherman promises cooler temperatures for the next several days. I have enjoyed dialogue with Tim as to how churches in his association address church health, growth and mission and it has been wonderful to listen and share our journey at Kinoole the past seven and fourteen years since Karen and I first came to Kinoole. I have received much affirmation that we are on the right path and need to continue seeking God to fulfill His good work in us. Yesterday I got to talk on the cellphone with our new interim Associational Director of Missions Bill Abbott who came on the field July 1st; I welcomed him to the Big Island where he is busy trying to reconnect with the pastors and churches of the Big Island Baptist Association; I will look forward to spending some time in dialogue with him after I return Sept 1st. I have heard that the three services are going well, and our interns are working hard preaching, teaching, leading, and serving. Thank you for the support you give to Pastor Ken and Gail in my absence; I am blessed to know that you are continuing in faith and service this summer! May God bless each of you richly! I miss you all and are praying that what God is showing me this summer will benefit our church for years to come. Thank you for keeping me and my family in your prayers! I love you! Daniel