Luttmann family update August ‘22

Dear friends,

Last week we finished up our last week of summer ministry. The past several weeks have included ministry and vacation travels as well as teaching opportunities. In July our family travelled to the Midwest making our first stop at Waterman Baptist Church in Kingman, Indiana. We enjoyed the hospitality of John and Jennifer Goldfuss and a visit to their world famous garden. It was encouraging to see how the Goldfusses used the fruit of this garden to connect with their rural community. Planting Gospel seeds can include literal seeds.

From Indiana we continued west to First Baptist Church in Rochelle, Illinois. This congregation was our home church twelve years ago just before we packed up and headed east to serve with Bible Visuals International. We loved reconnecting and sharing updates about BVI’s partnerships around the world.

Goldfuss Garden bounty

Twins posing at the St. Louis World’s Fair pavilion

The following week we took some time to visit friends and to head to St. Louis for a day at the zoo and the Muny, a huge outdoor musical theater! Betsy’s family made several trips here in her childhood, so it was sweet to create some family memories in the same place. Heading back north we spent time with Betsy’s family and stayed a few days at her brother’s beautiful home in Winnebago. One of BVI’s board members, Matt Black, pastors a church in the Chicagoland area, so on Saturday we journeyed there early for a men’s breakfast where I shared on the topic of family worship. It was encouraging to see such a strong response by these men who desire to lead their families well.

Uncle David’s giving working orders

Lunch with the Black family

Next, we made our way north to Holmen Baptist Church in Wisconsin. However, part way there our van’s alternator decided it had had enough. As we waited for a tow and a ride, we thanked the Lord for the beautiful weather and the shade. There are definitely worse places to break down than the parking lot of the world’s largest Culver’s restaurant😀.

Pastor Ben Vahle ended up being our Uber driver to and from Holmen where we enjoyed fellowship with the church and the Vahle family. We look forward to seeing these friends again soon. With our van back in action, we made the long trek back to Lancaster just in time to take part in the rest of our church’s VBS. David reprised his role as Rodot the robot puppet from Missions Command.

Stranded . . . for a bit

Vahle & Luttmann kiddos

A week and a half later both David and Samuel joined me for a weeklong CEF daycamp at Grace Baptist in York, PA. We modified the missions puppet scripts to add Jellybones, Rodot’s friend, so I got to sit back and watch the twins handle all the dialogue. This was a special week for me as I shared our new mission story for the first time! The children and adults loved hearing Elinor Young’s testimony.

Last week I was able to share the story again as I taught at another CEF daycamp in Snyder-Union county. This time, instead of the twins joining me, Jesse and Ginger came along as campers. We had a great week together and enjoyed the hospitality of many folks who provided us meals during our stay in the area. At the end of the week, we had a very special surprise as Elinor joined the campers through a video call! I was reminded that God continues to use Elinor in many ways to testify of His strength and grace.

Campers, Jesse & Ginger

Elinor visiting the campers

Please be in prayer for our upcoming trip to Mongolia. We are looking forward to meeting brothers and sisters on the other side of the world who are evangelizing and discipling children. Thank you for your prayers and support which help undergird this work in places near and far.

Upcoming Itinerary