Check Out The New Memorial Cards   

Dear Friends and Joy Family,

 

I am deeply humbled and profoundly thankful to all of you in helping me make my transition to a new beginning. This past year has been one of the most challenging years of my life and I simply would not have been able to experience these life changes without the incredible warmth, generosity, and loving care and support from so many of you. Your support for me is a loving witness to God's Grace for all of us. I cannot express my gratitude enough for your kindness and help. I have needed to lean on some of you many times, and every time I've asked, you have shown such grace and generosity. Your hugs, handshakes, and warm words have been my sustenance. My Joy family is my team. Thank You. Thank you all so much.

 

I hesitate to begin listing the ways that some have stepped up to help me because I risk leaving out someone. Still, I must let you know some of the ways my church family has helped me out: Invitations for dinners or drinks, evenings away from the loneliness at my empty house. Hauling, lifting furniture, packing boxes, and cleaning to prepare for the house showings. Hours of painting, mowing the prairie, renting equipment to mow the prairie. My big sale: you bought many things and shopped often to lighten my burden. I hope I gave you a good deal. Loaning tools, trailers. A going away gift and gathering. Phone calls to say you are thinking of me. Storing my few precious belongings until I return. Friendship, smiles and hugs, words of love and support. Advice on so many things: keeping the right focus, managing stress, relationships, and more. Offers for a seat at a table or a place to rest my weary bones anytime I need it. Accepting my meager thanks as payment. Accepting my shortcomings, imperfections, forgetfulness and tears with grace. My church family is such a precious gift to me. I am deeply grateful and tearfully humbled by you all. Thanks be to God.

 

I am heading to Casablanca Morocco on the 11th of August and will be arriving on the 12th after a layover in NY, JFK International. I have an apartment in the city center in a neighborhood near the sea port called Gauthier on a street named "Rue Taha Hussein". It is near at least two European Embassies, a Hotel/Spa or two, many restaurants and shops. It is a short walk from the seashore, maybe 10 minutes, and about 15 -20 minutes by car to my new school, Casablanca American School. I won't need a car since I will be transported each day to and from school on a coach bus provided by my school. I'll be experiencing urban living, not something this country boy is used to. I'll have to adjust to new languages-French is the primary language for younger Moroccans, and Arabic. No signs are in English. Few speak it.  I'll be teaching middle school science, as I have here, so I hope that piece will not be such a big adjustment. The school is taught in English and is a college prep school for students to prepare to attend American Universities. The excitement is finally here. I signed a 2 year contract to teach, however if things are going well and I am not too homesick, I may stay up to 4 years, but not more.

I will have an opportunity to return home at Christmas or during July and early August each year for a summer break. I am not certain if or when I will return for a visit. First I must get settled, and I hope to travel while there. A search online for my school will show a school calendar, indicating when my breaks are. They occur a few days each month, and are the best times to visit, if that is your plan. You are certainly welcome if you are inclined to travel.

 

I will have internet access soon after arrival and will send a note when I arrive. I have a Facebook account for those that wish to follow me. Please send a "friend request" and you will see updates and photos as I am able to post them. I have a personal email and for those without Facebook, please send a note if you are inspired. The church office and Pastor Steve have that address for you. Some have suggested I write a web log (blog) and I may, if I have time. I will use WordPress, which is free and will send a link if it happens.

 

I look forward to the day I return. Without a place to land, I will need help and support on the other end of this adventure and many have already expressed willingness to give me a bed for the night. I have no idea what the next few years will bring, or where I'll settle when I return, but Joy Lutheran Church is my home and always will be. I look forward to the day I am back in the driver's seat at the sound board and camera on Sundays. It's been a treat to serve in this small way, for so long.

 

I bid you Merci beau coup, Au revoir, a la prochaine! Which means: Thank you very much, Good bye, See You Again!

 

In Christ's love and God's Grace we remain,

 

Doug Keyport

The church is not a building, it is the people of God,
wherever they are.  For many of us, our lives are more mobile and family commitments may find us traveling on the weekend. So we have collected some resources to help you worship and be the church where you find yourself.

If you have access to WiFi the lots of resources available at your fingertips.  If you are trying to unplug and get away from electronics you just need to prepare a bit ahead of time to print some resources.

One size does not fit all.  If will be different if you have young kids or are on your own, so use what is helpful and adapt.  Worship doesn't have to be an hour on a Sunday morning, it can happen when you are gathered around a meal table, or around a campfire at the end of the day, but a few minutes of focused attention can make a big difference.

Pastor Steve's  Church-to-Go Podcast (still under development)
Click here for a short worship guide (will be available by Sunday)...they are themed but not linked to any particular day or order, use them as you find helpful.

God's Story/Our Story home devotions a weekly home devotion guide that you can use anytime for worship.  It will be tied in to the scripture and themes we are exploring at Joy each week.

The Faith Five Share-Read-Talk-Pray-Bless format works anywhere

Electronic resources:
Don't have a Bible with check out  Bible Gateway
Devotional thoughts: There are lots of them.  
Some favorites are  Faith Lens , Lutheran Hour,  God Pause
(if you have others you like let us know so we can add them to the list)

All kinds of  worship music can be found on  YouTube

We have had a very generous response to our capital appeal which exceeded our goal of $30,000 in just a few weeks. Thank you. Thank you.  Unfortunately our giving for our general, day to day operating of our ministry has not been able to keep up with the challenging budget we set for ourselves.  Since the beginning of the year we have had about $1000 more expense than income each month, which is starting to add up.  If each of us do a little we can meet the need.  If you are on the go this summer and not able to be with us, remember we still need your support. Thank you.