Missionary at Refuge Ministries
It is interesting to be on the other side of the missionary/host church equation. This time, we received the missionary instead of being the missionary. Nathan Schmidt visited Copperas Cove, Texas, and stayed in our home for a week in May. He and his wife, Amy, along with their three girls, are preparing to return to Bolivia. It was a great time to catch up with a Bolivia missionary coworker. He shared about their (Schmidt family) ministry in Bolivia in several of the Refuge Ministries campuses. It was a challenge for believers in the churches to understand the importance of being a part of missions through giving, praying, and/or taking trips.
Topsey Refuge Ministries Church
We, David and Rachel, pastor Topsey Refuge Ministries Church. It is located about 10 miles from Copperas Cove. We have a fluctuation in attendance, but it is always encouraging to welcome local visitors. One of the unique features of this ministry includes a garden that is flourishing. It is exciting to have fresh garden produce to give away. Another feature is Topsey Trade Day, which is a community activity where people can come to buy or sell organic vegetables, handcrafted items, garage sale items, or other products. This is held the fourth Saturday of each month.
Kerney Family
David keeps busy with ministry, gardening, construction projects, and learning about beekeeping. David’s biological father, David O. Kerney, recently moved from Illinois to Texas to live with us. He is at a point in his life where he needs some assistance, but he likes helping out with projects around the house. Rachel completed a course in phlebotomy and is presently looking for job openings. Leah came home to Texas (yes, you read correctly, our home is now in Texas) after finishing her freshmen year at Indian Wesleyan University. She is working as summer staff at Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose, Texas. Micah is an intern at the University of North Dakota this summer.
Prayer Items
- Opportunities to encourage and promote international missions on Refuge Ministries campuses
- Missions trip to Sucre, Bolivia, that David is planning for October with some men from Copperas Cove
