Confessions
First, let me confess. I know that I have been bad about keeping up with my blog over the past year. Social networking like Facebook and Twitter have allowed me to post snippets of information throughout the day and consequently I have been reluctant to take the time to write detailed blog entries about my experiences. With that being said, I am trying to renew my commitment to blogging on a regular basis. However, in the meantime, if you are not friends with me on Facebook or if you do not follow me on Twitter, let me encourage you to do that because I communicate more using those tools than any others.
Our time in the States has been fantastic so far. We have been able to visit with family and friends, and are slowly starting to readjust to life in America. Sarah Beth is in her freshman year at John Brown University in Arkansas. The kids are in school and loving it. Kellye is teaching at Fleming Island High School for the year we are home and I am working on getting some seminary hours and continuing to work on some of my projects from Russia.
We are also using this time in the States to speak with as many churches as we can. We have a pretty rigorous schedule in December and January and many of you have asked when and where we will be. So, I will post our schedule at the end of this entry.
How can you pray for us?
One of the great things about being called as a missionary is that God changes your heart so that you come to love the people and places you are called to serve. This has certainly happened to us and there are many days we are homesick -- not for our old lives here, but for the crowded, snowy streets of Moscow; our small Russian-speaking church which met in a rented room; our group of Russian English students that came to our home every week; or the corner fruit stand that we would visit on our nightly walks. So please pray that our time in the States will be what we need it to be. Pray that it will be restful, filled with chances to spend time with family and old friends. Pray for Kellye as she works and for myself as I complete classwork. And pray for the children as they continue to experience the many things that make their lives in America different from their lives in Europe.
Please pray for strength and stamina as we travel and speak with churches. Also pray that we effectively share the Good news about what God is doing in Central and Eastern Europe.
And pray for God to return us to the places and to the people we have been called to serve. In the midst of all these other things we are doing, we must complete the mountain of paperwork that will allow us to return to the field as career missionaries. This is no small task. Pray also for our IMB consultant, Bonnie, as she shepherds us through the process of returning to the field. If we are able to complete all of the things we need to this year, we plan to return to Europe in the fall of 2011.
As always, thank you for your continued prayers, support, and gifts. It is because of your faithfulness that we have been able to fulfill our calling.
Blessings,
Marc
Our Speaking Schedule (December & January)
Wednesday, December 1
FBC Bushnell (Marc Only)
Bushnell, Florida
5pm
Friday, December 3
Cresthill Baptist Church
Savannah, Gorgia
5 pm
Sunday, December 5
Amelia Baptist Church (Marc Only)
Fernindina Beach, Florida
9 am
Salt Springs Baptist Church (Kellye Only)
Salt Springs, Florida
10:15 am
FBC Maxville
Jacksonville, Florida
6 pm
Sunday, December 12
FBC Middleburg (Kellye Only)
Middleburg, FL
9 & 10:30 am
FBC Interlochen (Marc Only)
Interlochen, Florida
10:45 am
Monday, December 13
Kellye & Hannah Mini-Concert for Seniors
FBC Middleburg
6 pm
Sunday, December 19
Forest Heights Baptist Church (Marc Only)
Tallahassee, Florida
9 am
Sunday, December 26
FBC Palatka
Palatka, FL
9 am
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Long Branch Baptist Church
Jacksonville, Florida
11 am
Tuesday, February 8
FBC Glenn St. Mary’s
McClenny, Florida
11 am
Contact Information
Stateside Address:
Marc Ira Hooks
2234 Parsonage Street
Middleburg, FL
Email: Marc@EngageRussia.org
Office Phone: 904-371-4269
Mobile Phone: 904-495-3737
Twitter: hoomar
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mhooks
Blog: www.marcirahooks.blogspot.com/
