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HEART TO HEART
By Dave Gentry
April 21, 2005
Dear
Friends,
Greetings! This is a unique letter I write to you this month. I enjoy
sharing my heart with you each month and updating you concerning what the
Lord is doing through his
‘kingdom
team’
called Westwood! I am excited about the next twelve months even though it
will be unique.
The
Board of Directors has granted Norma and I a sabbatical for the next year.
After 15 years with Westwood, we feel the affects of being a part of God’s
birthing process of this ministry. We train others to practice sabbatical
and restoration so we are putting into practice what Westwood stands for.
We
are still excited about the vision God has for Westwood and look forward
to returning for a new chapter of ministry. Through the graciousness and
‘Kingdom
mindedness’
of Westwood’s
Board and staff, we will be able to rest our bodies, minds and souls. We
will not be ‘away’
for all of the year but
will be on ‘off’
from our duties at
Westwood with the exception of taking part in several teaching retreats in
Belize and Mexico.
We are looking forward to this year as a refreshing time in the Lord! I
will be reading, writing and resting. I will spend some time in Spanish
language school in Guatemala and Mexico. Also I will be spending some time
in study with Dallas Willard through Fuller Seminary in Pasadena,
California. The topic of this study will be to
‘experience
the spiritual disciplines’.
I desire to journal for my own health during this time and write so that
it may be helpful to others as well.
Norma will spend some much needed time in her nest doing some things that
she has not had time to do. She will also be doing some in-depth bible
study, research in nutrition and fitness, and writing some as well. We
will be away and off campus much of the time so that we will be
unavailable for ministry.
The Board and staff are also looking forward to this time (sometimes I
wonder why they are so anxious for us to go!). They have been very
sensitive and actually encouraged us to take this time. I am grateful to
them and you for this investment in me for the future. I pray for your
strong prayers and support during this special year. I rest in the fact
that God will use you, the board and staff to lead Westwood during this
year. Jim Morris, one of our Westwood board members, will be serving as
‘board
liaison’
for this year. He will function
as an interim director. I am excited that Jim has agreed to this task. I
begin this year confident that everything is taken care of and in good
hands.
I
appreciate your prayers for the ministry of Westwood and for Norma and I
during these days.
In
His Grace,
Dave Gentry
Executive Director
daveg@westwoodministries.org
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