It's been a long time since we published a newsletter.  That's not to say there's been no news.  It's been more like trying to type a newsletter in a tornado.

As some of you know, we're now in the USA on furlough.  What that means in real life is, we've moved out, in, out, and in again.  (Think transcontinental!)  Since arriving this past summer, we've traveled over 18,000 miles (and 4 oil changes) hitting the road speaking to churches in the Northwest (Washington and Idaho) plus Missouri, Kansas, and Texas.  We attended the Assemblies of God reentry program and School of Missions.  Oh, I think I failed to mention that we sold our house and bought another, as well.

Reverse Culture Shock
"Reverse culture shock" is a term I'd had known about.  We had read about it in our required missions reading.  I thought I had a good grasp on what it would be like.  WHAM!  I felt like I was trying to ride a bicycle down the middle of the freeway.  I was "shocked" at how out-of-practice I was with the US style of life.  The buying/selling, choice-overload, the off-ramps in new places, renewing driver's licenses, starting up a high-speed household from a dead stop.  It was truly overwhelming.  Our only comfort was that we KNOW THE LANGUAGE.  Perhaps I can barely relate with what it must be like for an immigrant to arrive in America.  I took three months before I started to feel like I was getting "in stride" with life.

Itineration
Thanks to Dawn Marie's extraordinary efforts with correspondence and emails, we arrived with a full schedule of services and churches booked for several months.  That has been our "saving grace" through the storm.  Props to Dawn Marie.  We have a few open dates if your church would like to schedule a service.  

Contact us at:  michael.helin@agmd.org

As we speak to churches, we tell of the amazing things we have witnessed and preach the vision that God has given us for our next term.  I won't give all the details here, but we are moving fast on a strategy to establish indigenous media teams in remote places around the world where national broadcast television opportunities are huge. 

We desire to be back in Spain next summer, August 2007.  In order for that to happen we need to raise $2500 in monthly support and raise $50,000 in cash.  Impossible?  Heavens, no.  Did you catch that?  What I really mean is, "this is a total God thing."  To say, "heaven help us" is an extreme understatement.  God alone can do this!  So we turn to Him daily for the steps, the connections, the appointments to see this vision through.

We welcome your help and partnership in this vision.  We need you on the team.  Download a pledge form.  You can even make donations online.

Hearth and Home
The whole family is coming together for Christmas in Everett, Washington.  How fun to be spending our first USA Christmas in 4 years with our extended family.  Michael’s brother and family are coming from Arizona and Dawn Marie’s brother and family from Idaho.  Our sisters and parents who live close by will all be in on the action.  What a blessing!

New CD recording
We were so thrilled to complete a CD recording project this fall.  The CD is entitled - My Home is Where His Heart is.  We wrote the title song to communicate our heart and passion for God’s mission.  The CD has 13 songs we’ve recorded including many original songs that have inspired our missions journey.  To purchase a CD go to the main menu and click "order our CD."

THANK YOU
We’ll close saying “thank you” to the over 100 churches and individuals that keep our life and ministry in motion.  Your faithful support during our first term overseas has never ceased to inspire and encourage us.  As we work this year to broaden and increase our monthly support and report on the great works of the Lord, we are doing everything in our power to get back to the field.  We invite you to pray with us.

God Bless you.  Merry Christmas.

The Helins

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