Somehow, Bob just doesn’t look like himself wearing a cowboy hat. And I could bearly recognize him in the Smokey the Bear costume. I wasn’t sure I wanted a hug from Smokey. I suppose I should be grateful that he wasn’t asked to wear the frog suit at the Frog Level Fall Festival! During these last three months of home ministry we’ve experienced a bit of what it means to become all things to all men and do all things for the sake of the gospel. As we’ve connected with the churches who partner with us in ministry in the Dominican Republic, we’ve enjoyed participating with you in outreach to your communities. At local Fall festivals we helped with a cowboy ministry that teaches kids to lasso a calf (so much easier when it’s wooden and doesn’t move!), and talks to them about Jesus while they brand a board with the initials JC. It was at one of these Fall festivals that Bob also got roped into being Smokey the Bear. At an All Hallows’ Eve party, Bob greeted and talked to the parents. He had opportunities to share the good news of Christ in both English and Spanish, while I manned the bowling for candy game. The ingenious creators of this game used 2-liter bottles, half-filled with water, for bowling pins and a pumpkin for the bowling ball. However, before you try this, let me say that pumpkins do not last long when bounced! We love God’s family—the church. It’s a privilege to help build up the Dominican church through leadership training. And although it’s difficult to be away from our church family in Santiago, these months in the states have encouraged us. We get to fellowship with many local churches. As Bob has shared the lessons we’ve learned from God’s Word about how to respond when life is not fair, many of you have told us your own stories. We were touched by one man’s example who taught Sunday School the day after his truck was totally destroyed by fire and was able to praise God in the midst of loss. God continues to provide resolution for our apartment situation—thanks for your prayers! The construction company has made more payments on their mortgage, and has been ordered by the court to finish paying it off this month. We are grateful that we have not had to return to the DR to testify in court. We’ll be spending December and January in Texas, before heading back to the DR on Feb. 2. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, we thank God for you— instruments of God’s grace in our lives.