Thank you Emerywood Baptist Church!

Mere words don't seem to convey our heartfelt thanks to the staff and congregation of Emerywood Baptist Church. During this off-field assignment time they agreed to allow Ralph to serve his seminary required internship under their pastor, Bob Ferguson. However, it was much, much more than that. Emerywood provided for us physically with a place to live and a car to drive. They provided for us spiritually and emotionally by welcoming us into their midst warmly and wholeheartedly. We made some good friends and enjoyed a lot of good fellowship. We are very grateful for all the love and support that was given to us. Thank you Emerywood!

Until We Met Again... Craigs Complete Assignment

Tomorrow, June 15th, Wes and Susan Craig, serving as Global Service Corps workers to Project Ruth in Bucharest, Romania, board the plane marking an end to their three years of ministry there. Susan and Wes jumped boldly into their assignment despite a new language, different culture, and without knowing anyone there. They embraced all that was new and different, forging new friendships, and making a difference among those around them. Relationship building is key to a good ministry and the Craigs were excellent at it, leaving behind many sad friends as they say good-bye.

Wes and Susan strengthened the ministry partnership CBF has with Project Ruth through increasing and improving communication with other partners. They expanded the networks throughout the USA and among the Romanian Romany. They facilitated great experiences for volunteers coming to work among the neglected. The Craigs eagerly grasped new opportunities.

Through Susan's administrative skills the office of Project Ruth was strengthened and organized. Wes stepped in to network and recruit teachers and students for the Gypsy Smith Leadership Training School. He followed up to encourage the students in the new knowledge they had obtained. It is not possible to list all the wonderful things they did while serving in Bucharest.

For the CBF Gypsy Team they were a breath of fresh air. Their youthful enthusiasm added to our discussion and strategy sessions. To say nothing of the late night card games! We all enjoyed their easy-going personalities and curiosity to explore new places. Wes and Susan will be greatly missed by our team.

As Wes and Susan make their way to Texas, closing this chapter in their lives and opening the next, please join us in praying that they will see clearly the next step God has for them. Ask Him to provide employment opportunities and meet their daily needs. Offer praise for their willingness to serve Him and the outstanding job they did.

The Craigs are eager and willing to share their stories of life at Project Ruth. Please contact them to come and be with your church, SS class, missions group, or anyone else interested in Romany ministry.

Wes and Susan, thank you for serving among the unreached of the world.

Additional Note: Ralph and I have personally enjoyed our friendship with Wes and Susan. We shared holidays and team meetings with them. We enjoyed visits to their home. They are fun and delightful to be around. It has been educational to hear the insights of another generation, especially learning about blogs, ipods, and Starbucks. We will miss them greatly.

Ralph Graduates!

CBF greatly encourages life-long learning. In 1998 while on our first off-field assignment Ralph began a journey of completing his Masters of Divinity degree through the Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond. BTSR was willing to accommodate Ralph's need to study long distance (a very long distance!) and his inability to be on-campus regularly. The administration at CBF supported the idea and enabled Ralph to be at BTSR when required. It was a long journey and Ralph persevered. We fondly recall the Hymnology class requiring him to join the hymn sings via phone. This meant getting up at 1AM and singing in the pantry so he wouldn't disturb the rest of the family. What did the neighbors, security guards coming and going at odd hours, think when they heard that??

The Stocks family made their way to Richmond along with friends to whoop and holler when Ralph's name was called. The night before graduation a towel service was held. Each graduate receives a towel as a symbol of serving as Christ did, humbly. We laughed later when our good friends, Laura (Virginia's WMU executive director and commencement keynote speaker) and Henry McDaniel presented Ralph with a BIG towel! They decided after 11 years of study he needed it.

We would like to thank all of you that supported Ralph through this journey. We appreciate the prayers, words of encouragement, loaning of books, the use of vehicles to make the trips to Richmond, and the many other gestures of kindness during this time. To God Be the Glory!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today Ralph and I celebrate 24 years of marriage! Has it really been that long? We celebrated by going with our children to Busch Gardens and having a great time as a family.

Amy Graduates!

Graduation! How can we suddenly be the parents of a college graduate? Amy's graduation from Campbell University has been one our most anticipated activities for this off-field assignment. What a celebration it was!

Family and friends joined us for a graduation supper the Friday night before. Since Ralph also graduates the end of this month (more on that in two weeks) we had a huge party for both of them. We had family from Missouri that brought the famous Earnhardt ribs, friends from everywhere including South Carolina, and our CBF supervisors from Atlanta (They have been very supportive of Ralph's journey to get his degree for all these years!) The rain held off so we could be outside. We put together puzzles of old pictures of Amy and Ralph and then played "How Well Do You Know Amy & Ralph?" It was surprising to see how many people actually knew so many details! Everyone had a fun time.

Graduation day began with the baccalaureate service in which Ralph had been asked to read scripture. So he, Amy, and Tyler got invitations to the VIP luncheon. The rest of us joining them in the afternoon for the commencement service. With over 500 graduates it took 25 (!) minutes for them to process in! We stood proudly when the name, "Amy Lee Stocks, Magna Cum Laude" was announced. Then before we could blink, Amy was a college graduate.

After a light supper at Amy's apartment, we all made our way back home. What a day! We were tired but Ralph and I could only grin from ear to ear with pride! Amy Lee Stocks, Campbell University, Class of 2009.

Mom & Me Girls In Action Weekend

I grew up in a traditional Southern Baptist Church learning about missions and missionaries through the GAs. That stood for Girl's Auxiliary when I was young but today it stands for Girls In Action. I credit this program for giving me my first glimpse of missions and sparking an interest in all things "foreign".

This past weekend I was privileged to be one of the missionary speakers at the Virginia WMU's annual Mom & Me weekend. Nearly 1000 GAs in grades 1-5 came with their moms to have a great time and learn about missions. The theme was Magnificent Moldova, the offering collected will be sent to the Ruth School for Gypsy children in Romania, and the mission action project was to bring school items for native American Indian children on the Sioux reservations in North/South Dakota. The weekend was full.

I spoke 10 times in three days telling the girls about Romany (Gypsies) and helping them see through slides what their life is like. I used many pictures of life for the children so the girls could imagine what it would be like if they were there. I had a great time being there.

I met the sisters and mother of Pedro, one of the young men who came with the Virginia Latino Youth team last summer. I met young girls who say they pray for the Romany during their meeting time. I heard from many that participate in the Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoebox program. We receive those boxes in Hungary. I became acquainted with a staff and volunteers that worked tirelessly to make this a memorable weekend for the girls and their moms.

It was my privilege to be a part of it all. Thank you WMU of Virginia!

New Gypsy Ministry Blog for CBF

The CBF Gypsy Team has its own blog now. Different members of the team will be posting updates from their areas of the world. Take a look and check back often. Pray for the Gypsies, especially in eastern Europe as prejudice rears its ugly head.

CBF Gypsy Ministry Blog:
www.cbfgypsyministries.blogspot.com