Silver bell greetings from the city sidewalks, busy sidewalks of Cleveland…it’s Christmas time in the city! We have definitely entered our busy urban living phase. Bustling traffic, visits to little local shops and restaurants, impromptu conversations with neighbors, and, of course, lake effect snow all fill our daily lives.
2008 was our most extensive year of travel. We drove over 20000 miles, presenting in 50 churches and ministries throughout OH, PA, MI, IN, FL, MN, NY and WV. Our kids were glad to spread out in our 12-passenger van instead of enduring 7 of us in a 7-passenger van as in years past. It was also exciting to see them have the opportunity to increase their involvement in our missions presentations. God blessed us with increased support from churches already supporting our ministry and new support from both individuals and churches. We expect to end of the year at a 60% support level.
In September we moved into our home in Cleveland which we had purchased in August. In October we turned on our heat to check it, and then called a repairman when it wouldn’t turn off. Hearing the repairman say, “Ma’am, there’s no use repairing or cleaning this system” was the beginning of an extensive heating system renovation (so much for the money we paid our home inspector!). We were so thankful we had decided to purchase a home well within our means. The cushion we allowed ourselves has definitely shrunk and caused us to rely heavily on volunteer labor for other construction projects…a boys’ bedroom in the attic and a semi-finished basement are to be completed soon. We appreciate several volunteers from area churches who have helped us due to our limited construction skills. We hope that by the end of this month or next, we will all be sleeping in beds in close-to-finished bedrooms. God faithfully continues to provide for our every need, and we praise Him; however, we sense the spiritual aspects of the battle before us.
We have begun building initial relationships in our city neighborhood. We handed out 180 candy bags with gospel tracts for Halloween and followed this up with a porch party two weeks later. Fourteen neighbors came out in cold, pouring rain to visit with us and enjoy some refreshments. Julia and Kayla have been enjoying friends in the community, bringing new families into our lives. Our teenage son, Ben, has received Child Evangelism Fellowship training, as will Andrew this year. We look forward to putting their training into practice this summer to reach out to neighborhood youth. Our youngest, Nathaniel (2), just loves the fact that we live a few blocks from the zoo and that we receive free admission one day a week. He told us on a recent Sunday night, “I go to the zoo on Mondays.”
Our CBM field directors join us in Cleveland in January to map out plans for 2009. We are excited for new Bible studies and pray that our support level is soon high enough that we can stop traveling on Sunday mornings and hold services in the city instead. Bill continues to supplement our support with part-time work as a principal, but it is our expectation that that will end this school year. Since our summer update, we have received an additional 21, $25 units of monthly support of the original 50 we listed as needed. We will look to revise our needs as expenses and employment variables change.
As for all of you, how could we press on without your love, prayers and support? We know we could not. Thank you for the part you share on our team. We wish for you a meaningful Christmas season full of the blessings that money cannot buy. We love you all.
The Taylors
Dear Family and Friends, December, 2008
Merry Christmas! This greeting is one that we don’t take for granted now that we live in the city. In an age of political correctness, each event, whether the downtown tree lighting and carriage parade, a child’s public school “winter” concert, or greetings in the store, these words are purposefully absent. Now more than ever, we appreciate hearing and saying, “Merry Christmas.”
2008 was a year that we had eagerly anticipated with hopefully wrapping up our “pre-field ministry” and moving to Cleveland to begin our ministry of church planting. Our deputation meeting schedule was quite intense. God gave us meetings in Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and Ohio. The Taylor family and our family traveled over 25,000 miles and spoke in many sweet churches. Several of these churches are considering taking us on for support.
After spending countless hours house shopping we were able to close on our house
August 22. Moving and making the necessary repairs to the house filled most of August, September, and October. We are so grateful for a comfortable home.
As we begin to be woven into the fabric of Cleveland, we have made acquaintances with our neighbors; teachers, students and parents at the children’s schools; co-workers at Ken’s part-time job at UPS; workers at the bank and grocery store; and, amazingly, with people from whom we purchased materials or furnishings on craigslist. One interesting example of meeting people occurred when we purchased basement furniture from a Cleveland Browns player.
Our particular area of Cleveland has a high percentage of the population coming to the United States from Eastern Europe. Ken had an opportunity to work for a few days in a Russian/Turkish restaurant. The staff and customer base spoke little or no English. What an exciting possibility to have openings to share the gospel with those who have only recently come to our country!
Our children are adjusting well to all of the changes in school, neighborhood, racial diversity, and even dialect. They have picked up some interesting slang that I won’t elaborate on here. Their school leadership is purposefully positive, and we appreciate their teachers and administrators.
As 2008 comes to a close, we wish to thank you for your prayers and wish you all the best for 2009. May you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
In Christ,
The Dockery Family
