* Furlough - Iowa

During our last week of the furlough (July 5-10) we were in Doon, Iowa where the calling church for the Philippines mission field, Doon PRC, is located.  We enjoyed the quiet countryside of beautiful farmland and crops. 

The corn was much taller than "knee high by the 4th of July"

We enjoyed a potluck lunch fellowship in Hull Park with the area ministers (5 of them) and their families on Friday, July 6. 

Friday night Rev. Kleyn did a presentation in Edgerton PRC (about an hour's drive from Doon).  Edgerton was excited, because after 2 years of vacancy their new pastor, Rev. Doug Kuiper and his family, had arrived that week.  Also, Edgerton PRC was our first pastorate, so it was wonderful to see the Kuipers as well as to catch up with old friends. The temperature was reminiscent of the Philippines that day, although the humidity wasn't as high.

Temperature on our car thermometer.

Edgerton PRC Church Building

 

Presentation in the church

Saturday, Doon PRC had its annual church picnic.  We enjoyed lots of good food and fellowship, and Rev. Kleyn also did the presentation on the work in the Philippines.

Ready to eat

Rev. Overway getting ready to open with prayer

Rev. Kleyn giving the presentation on the Philippines

Visiting with the ladies

On Sunday Rev. Kleyn preached in Edgerton PRC in the morning and installed their new pastor, Rev. Doug Kuiper.  In the evening he preached in Doon PRC and then we made the 15 minute drive to Hull and he gave the presentation to a full church there.

Hull PRC with some visitors from Heritage PRC and Calvary PRC

Monday we had time to enjoy some further fellowship with some of the saints in the area.  Tuesday we had to head back to Grand Rapids in order to catch our flights home on Wednesday.  We appreciated very much once again the interest shown in the work and the encouragement given.  

* Furlough - Camping

In the middle of the busyness of our furlough, we did have a couple of weeks to relax with family.  We camped with the Hankos in Potato Creek State Park in Indiana. 

Eating breakfast

Playing in the lake

Lots of places to ride bikes

Cooking hotdogs over the fire

A walk with the girls

Wild blackberries - delicious!

 Giving Tyler a ride

With the Kleyns, we camped at VanBuren State Park in South Haven, by Lake Michigan.

Supper time!

Lots of time for visiting

Picking blueberries at a nearby farm.  Yum!

The Kleyn boys riding "Filipino style"!

A train!

A walk on the beach

 

We enjoyed the times we had with our family.  It was good to catch up with them all again.

* Furlough - Wingham PRC, Canada

The weekend after Crete, Illinois (June 23 - 25) we travelled to Wingham PRC across the border into Canada, about a 6 hour drive from Grand Rapids, Michigan. 
 

Crossing the bridge into Canada (notice the two flags)

We stayed with Rev. Martin and Tricia VanderWal, the pastor of Wingham PRC.  Rev. VanderWal was in the same class in seminary as Rev. Kleyn, so it was great to catch up with them again.  It had been a long time since we had a chance to visit with them!

The VanderWals (minus their daughter Catherine)

Cameron and Olivia

We also had time for a meal with our friends, the Kikkerts.  Wingham is a small town in the middle of farmland, so we also enjoyed a walk down the country road the Kikkerts live on.

Harv and Cindy Kikkert

A stroll in the country

Rev. Kleyn preached once on Sunday and also gave the presentation on the work in the Philippines.

Preparing for preaching

Waiting for the presentation to begin

Waving good-bye

* Furlough - Synod and Presentation in Illinois

We attended the pre-synodical prayer service on Monday, June 11.  The service was held in Crete PRC where synod would be held.  Rev. Slopsema preached the sermon.  On Tuesday and Wednesday Seminarian Vernon Ibe was examined by synod.

The first part of the exam consisted of preaching a sermon to the delegates of synod.

This was followed by several hours of oral examination in the areas of Dogmatics, Church History, Confessions, Bible knowledge, Church government, etc.

  

Synod and the observers

At the end of the examination synod approved Seminarian Ibe's examination and will inform the Berean PRC that they judge him to be worthy of being declared eligible for a call.

Announcement of the passing of the exam

Congratulations

Rev. Kleyn also had opportunity to address synod regarding the mission work in the Philippines.

The Sunday evening following the week of synod, Rev. Kleyn did a presentation in Crete PRC on the work in the Philippines. 

We rejoice and give thanks to God for His gift of another pastor to labor in the Philippines and for the interest, and support and encouragement shown by synod and fellow saints for the cause of Christ's church and missions there.