Paul Niswander Gone Missing

Since Paul has not blogged in, oh, let's see...7 months, I have decided to hack into his blog and post on his behalf. We fear that this native Kentuckian has been lost somewhere in the northern metropolis of Philadelphia. If you have seen a bald redneck in a brightly colored polo anywhere in the southeastern Pennsylvania area, please contact New Hope International Ministries or the American Red Cross. Warning: he may be disoriented and/or unshaven.

First meeting with Josiah Beall

Well folks there are a lot of you who have not met or seen too much of Carlton and Taryn's boy. I am on my way to Florida for a ministry weekend and I decided to come through and see the Beall fam on the way. It is crazy to think that Taryn was pregnant last time I saw these guys and this is the result of that. Could someone please give me the birds and the bees to me again??? I don't remember the part where it ends in a miracle!!!

Here Today.....Guatemala

I am challenged today as I sit and attempt to write an overview of how God worked in Guatemala during my time there. I was the leader of a group of college kids from Asbury College that traveled to New Life Children's Home.
Going into the week there were a lot of questions that surrounded the departure. One of my students was without passport(it came a day late so Lori flew in a day late, no big deal!!!), Daniel and Kara my friends and missionaries that we would be working with had just suffered the miscarriage of their first child, and well.....I was traveling with several kids that had never been on a plane much less out of the country.
Another blessing and adjustment that presented itself was the presence of my little brother Tim as a team member. This would be the first time I had ministered to and with someone in my family. I knew that it would present new challenges as I would still need to lead my brother but would also need to let him experience this trip in his own way........as this type of trip is what propelled me into now being in full time ministry.
I must say that the trip was more than I could have expected. God did amazing things in my brothers life. Not just seeing God work but watching Him work in your own little brother is hard to describe.
Being with Daniel and Kara was a huge blessing and just seeing God working in their situation was a bit overwhelming. It was also indescribable watching God use them as they minister to the kids at New Life and build lasting relationships.
Life is good. God is good. The team was great.
Watching God work in the lives of the team, my friends, and my family..........UNREAL.

Pictures from Orlando Missions

Youth Missions in O-Town with Brother E

I have been meaning to post for quite a while now but, surprise-surprise, I have been a little busy. About a month ago, I spent a week or so in Orlando working with my good friend Eric Moulton, I served as the Bible Teacher for the event that had around 400 students in attendance. The theme of the conference was "Answering the Missions Bell"!
I was so blessed by all that happened throughout my time there. I began my time by hanging out with the Shaws and Graysons in Winter Springs and that was a great time of fellowship and encouragement with some good friends!
The conference itself allowed me to meet some new people as well a work with old friends. Trent Sheppard, was the keynote speaker in all the way from Ireland, and his messages were amazing. There is something about a man of God bringing the word no matter the text!!
Many lives were changed and God showed Himself to me in yet another setting.
It would be hard for me not to mention my time with the Moulton Clan as well. Serinda, Trent, Reese, Morgan, Ruby, and the new one on the way. They continue to serve as may family there in Orlando.

Mountain Mommas

I recently took a trip to Pennsylvania in order to pick up a truck of farm equipment for a missionary to Kenya. As most of you know this month has been quite cold and West Virginia mountains are always a little colder than everywhere else. As I was driving down the highway I came upon this strange happening. These two ladies enjoying a nice Wednesday afternoon drive. This has to be one of the funniest things I have seen in my life. By the way the cab of the truck was appropriately filled with three very snug and warm looking men. Thank the Lord for W. Va.!!!!

Jamaica Pics

Jamaica Secrets

Many times in my life I go into experiences not knowing exactly what I am getting myself into. My last trip to Jamaica was another example of just that. I was only aware of my role on this team about six weeks prior to leaving, that gave me two meetings with the team and about 5 weeks back in the country before headed out of the country once again. As the tea prepared it was immediately evident that this team brought a different element to the table. It seemed that every time we had to switch plans or change times, or whatever it might be they were all more than WILLING to go with the flow.
Upon arrival to Jamaica we went to the church(otherwise known as Plan C) that we would be working with. We were told immediately that the external wall that we had planned on building was actually going to be around ten walls that included the exterior wall as well as another.......oh...ten walls that would allow for several bathrooms/an office/ a veranda/ and a baptismal.
In addition we would be painting the interior of the church. That was a fun task as we would paint and feel good about our day, just to show up the next day and see that someone had decided to sand a few spots out and improve/ruin our paint job. Day two we decided to go ahead and put another coat on and make things all pretty again....mission accomplished! Day three, the electricians show up and decide they need to make a few holes in our freshly painted walls in order to fix a problem. Day four, you guessed it.... we painted the walls again, and this time they stayed painted, at least until after we left when I am sure something else needed to be done.
All of this to say, that at no point did I hear one complaint. At no point did anyone decide that they were going to give up. At no point did anyone ever even question what they were being asked to do. The teams ability to dismiss all expectations and their willingness to do anything they were asked to do, allowed God to do some amazing things through them.
So my secret that I learned in Jamaica was a secret that I have (learned)???? many times before: If we are willing and and allow don't cloud our vision with our expectations, God will amaze us every time.