Another Q&A

So I've been having some more fun conversations with people that include a lot of new questions. With my travels to Georgia ahead of me, I've decided to do another Q&A. Feel free to post them in the comment section or by e-mailing, Facebook, etc. They can be about the ministry, what I'll be doing at Victory, what I have been doing in PA, life, activities, etc. Be creative, have fun. Question away.

- Daryl

Little Bits of Encouragement

Lately, God has been showering me with a plethora ("Hefe, do you even know what a plethora is?") of verses pertaining to the path He has set me on. What is even scarier is that my fortune cookies from my last few visits to my frequented Chinese restaurant say the same. For example:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
I fear calling strangers. So when my plans started to shift and I had to try a new approach of making connections, this was a huge encouragement.

"What are you waiting for? Start moving now." Fortune Cookie

The fortune cookie didn't make it any easier.

"What you will do matters. All you need is to do it." Fortune Cookie

If this wasn't a push, I don't know what was.

"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
To go with the first part, there has been a lot of discouragement. But it is reassuring to know that God tells us not to be discouraged. Here Joshua is getting reassured by God that the path into the promised land is laid out for them. After 40 years of wandering in the desert, God tells Joshua "Don't be afraid or discouraged." I would probably need to hear this too if I had to invade a strange land that was full of mighty nations. Then again, God did the heavy work, they just needed to follow and know His palns would work.

"You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21 NLT

Exactly. Have some faith in God's plans.

"Smile if you like this fortune cookie." Fortune Cookie
Ok, so I threw that last one in there just for the sake of the chuckles we got reading it. But in all seriousness, God has been sharing a lot with me. It is extremely encouraging, and it builds up my faith in His plan. God can be sharing something to you too. It can be as simple as a verse in your devotions, a radio message, a song, and yes... even a fortune cookie.

- Daryl J. Howard

A lil November Update

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving has passed and that Christmas is right around the corner. Looking at the date of my last post, it’s even harder to believe that it has been almost a month since my last posting. November has been full of small trips, get-togethers with family, and making new connections.

Early in the month, Warren Center Baptist Church (my home church) decided to start up a youth group. With my experience of working with youth at Victory and helping with the local youth ministry (ROCC), I was asked to help out with the group. The group is still small; and being teens, their minds aren’t always fixed on the task set for them. But they are learning and growing. When it seems like they aren’t listening, they will rattle off the answer to you. Reminds me of when I was a teen.

During the last month, a few trips have been made down to visit my grandmother in Lehighton PA. The latest trip revolved around our family getting together with her for Thanksgiving. Besides getting a meal ready, keeping ourselves entertained and texting  holiday greetings to relatives, my grandmother and I talked about the trip we are taking to Georgia for Christmas (I forgot how close that trip was).

Support raising for Victory still continues to be slow. Very little response has been seen through the contacts I have been trying to make. Continue to pray that God opens doors, and directs me as to where to share my burden and offer individuals a chance to join Victory financially, through prayer, or by serving.
I do plan on sending out another batch of letters and making many calls before I head down to Georgia on December 17th. If you want me to make contact with your church, feel free to get me some information so I can get in touch with them.

- Daryl J. Howard

Be on the look out. Hope to post some fun things during the next month. Also hope to do a little Victory update, post some more film, and share some more of what God is teaching me.

A Brief Update

Last September I flew back into the area just after the Northeast got hammered by high winds and flooding. So naturally everyone braced for the worse. Other than a few bits of downed branches, you would not be able to tell that a hurricane passed through the area. Praise God nothing sever happened at the Howard household. Even though my hilltop wasn't hit as bad, be thinking and praying for those hit hard by this storm.

On the support front, I have been making new contacts with local churches. Instead of just sending letters out, I've been handing them out in person. It is a very time consuming process, but it creates a more genuine connection than just receiving a letter from a missionary. I won't be able to get to everyone (since my basic list of churches is over 60 churches long). So, the process of creating packets and sending them out continues as well.

Continue to pray that God stir the hearts of those receiving the letters. Many people show interest in the work God is doing through Victory. And even though I personally am not seeing the results in the support end of things, I know it is planting seeds in the hearts of those I am sharing the ministry of Victory with.

Other than support raising, there are some fun plans in the future. For the first time since I was in 4th grade (about 16 years ago), I will be venturing down to Georgia for Christmas! My Grandma wants to be with family for Christmas, and since I have an open schedule, I will be accompanying her as she travels to be with family. Last year some speaking engagements hindered me from driving down. But this year, things worked out for me to venture down. I feel like a kid getting reading for Disney World or something. It's still over a month away, and I am anxious. This will be a great time of catching up, celebrating Christmas, and taking some time to get away and reflect on the support raising process.

Adirondacks Trip

For those that come here or check Facebook for info would have seen a little post about the latest newsletter coming out after a trip to the Adirondacks. Many of you know that I had been helping out with ROCC (Reaching Our Community for Christ) over the last few years. Though I am trying to make sure I am focused on support raising, I had some teens ask me if I could go along on this mens/young mens hiking trip with ROCC. So I decided to make an effort to go.

On Sunday the 7th, our group headed out for Blue Mountain Lake, NY. After setting up camp at Lake Durant, and get geared up, our group (minus the cooks) went to hike Chimney Mountain. This hour or so hike gave a spectacular view with amazing rock formations to explore. The drive there and back, as well as the hike, gave an opportunity to talk and encourage the teens that were in my little hiking group.

The view from Chimney Mountain

Back at the campsite, we were greeted by our cooks, deep fried turkeys and rain. Sadly, due to hungry teens, some of us leaders resorted to cleaning off what was left on the bones.. But the earlier hike did as it was supposed to do. My camping site was asleep early, and I was in my sleeping bag by 9:30pm.

Chimney Mountain (Blue Mountain on the horizon)

Monday was just as amazing as the day before. After an early breakfast, we were off on the trail and hiking. The year before, it rained for most of the hike. This made the hiking slick and long (2hrs and some odd minutes). This year was a brisk and clear fall day. Mid way up Blue Mountain, our group was greeted by snow topped trees. The warm sun was causing the snow to drip or drop on us. The young men that hiked with me enjoyed some fun conversations about life, sports, and the creation that God had set around us.

Trees topped with snow

After an hour and twenty five minutes of hiking, we reached the top. Snow ball fights, a climb up an old fire town, grabbing a quick snack and spectacular views kept our group busy as we waited for everyone to make it to the top. Unlike last year, we were able to sit down and have an amazing devotional with a time of praying with the youth. Being able to do this in a public place allowed complete strangers to listen in as we shared the gospel and encouraged the teens in with their spiritual growth. The trip down was a little rough on a few. And the trip home was smooth.

View from on top the Blue Mountain fire tower

There were a few close calls during the hikes where I slightly twisted an ankle or slipped on a wet rock. But nothing serious. It was during unloading after the trip that I had my injury (tearing muscles and pulling tendons in my ankle)... leaving me with a very swollen and hematoma covered foot/ankle.

These outings are a lot of fun. You can't help but be awestruck by the creation that God has placed around us. It is also an amazing time to encourage the youth that accompanied us adults, as well as spiritually building up the other leaders that were on the trip. Makes me miss the time spent with staff and campers in Alaska.

After a quick break, this guy is ready to head down

Until next time...


Grace and Peace,
Daryl J. Howard

 ^"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. 

Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God."

Romans 1:20 NLT

HMUpdate 013 Mailing News

Working out some kinks in my system. Since replacing wiping my previous hard drive, then replacing it with a new one, some information with newsletter, photos and addresses went missing. Luckily, a previous back-up had the updated files that went missing. Some of the update letters that were mailed out might be slightly delayed as I had to double check the mailing list I had.

Thank you for your interest and support. Hope to add some more posts soon.

- Daryl

P.S.- If you are not on the mailing list (e-mail or physical newsletter), and wish to receive it personally in the future, please contact me so you can be added to the list.

The HM Update Newsletter 013

Hey everyone, here is the newest update that recently hit the inboxes and mailboxes. If you are on the mailing list, be on the lookout. If not, click to view and sign yourself up to receive the update each time it comes out.

The HM Update 013
(click to view or download)

Enjoy.
- Daryl