"For my name will be great among the nations, from the rising of the sun to its setting." Malachi 1:11

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Blessings overflow ...
















A special thank-you to the Euto Brotherhood for giving of their time, talents and love today as they came out early this Saturday morning to build a wheelchair ramp for our home. We can't thank you enough, what a blessing!!! As soon as the rain was over, Daddy was ready to come outside and try it out!!!!!!!!

Thank you again, we love you all!!!!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Warren Family Update - September

Hello prayer partners, friends and family ...

Can you believe it's been ONE month since we landed back in Charlotte .... time is flying! It has been quite a busy month to say the least. We are moved back into our home in New Salem and would like to thank each of you personally for holding us close in your hearts and prayers, to everyone who gave of themselves and their time to help prepare our house for our arrival, and to each of you for all your love, support, and gifts! We just continue to be so overwhelmed by all of your love for our family. A simple "thank you" you just does not say enough what we feel ...

Where we are TODAY, and PRAYER REQUESTS ....

~ There was a delay in moving my parents due to Dad starting his next round of rehab therapy before we could arrive and settle back in. They would like this session to be completed before him moving, so we are waiting to hear back on a specific date, but it looks as if they may be moving in the next 2 weeks (hopefully). Thank you for continuing to remember them in your prayers also!

~ Bert and I are seeking and praying through employment and ministry opportunities, please continue praying for direction and discernment as we have begun "knocking" on doors to see what God has in store.

~ Jessie, Matthew and Sarah are all enrolled back in school. Jessie has began 8th grade, Matthew moved to the Middle School to begin 6th grade, and Sarah is starting out in Kindergarten!! The kids are adjusting well to being back in the States, and are enjoying school, so far (lol!). Jessie just celebrated his 14th birthday yesterday too ... how quickly they grow up!

~ We do have a special prayer request to share concerning Sarah. During her kindergarten assessment her pediatrician noticed that there was a weakness in her right eye. She was referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist, and went for her appointment this past Tuesday. She was prescribed eyeglasses, and will be doing "pirate" patch therapy for 6 hours a day for the next 6 weeks, in hopes of strengthening her right eye. There is no history of this in our family, and her doctor showed some concern as to where this problem may be originating. She has now been scheduled to have a MRI next Friday, September 11th. They have told us it will be at least 3 days before the test results are available to her doctor, and then relayed to us. She is scheduled for a follow-up visit on October 12 in Charlotte as well. Please pray for Sarah as she begins this patch therapy. When we cover her good eye everything is so blurry and she cannot see well at all, which is proving to be very frustrating for her. Please pray for God's will in this situation, and that He will be glorified through it all.


We love you all, and thank you for continuing to remember our family in your prayers as we continue to "settle" back into life here in the States. We will continue to post updates on the family blog too ... we'd love to stay in touch and continue hearing from YOU too !!!!

Please also continue to remember our Swazi Team in your prayers as well, and be sure to check out their blog for updates and prayer requests ... www.swaziprayerbytes.blogspot.com or www.swazimissions.org.


May you all have a beautiful Labor Day weekend!
Serving Him together,

~ The Warren Family ~
bert, lisa, jessie, matthew & sarah


US Mailing Address:
Bert & Lisa Warren
6612 Pleasant Hill Church Road
Marshville, NC 28103

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Happy 14th Birthday Jessie !!!!



It's hard to believe, but my baby is 14 today, where does time go???
Jessie, we love you so much and hope you have the best birthday ever!!

Friday, August 28, 2009

First day of Kindergarten ...




Today was another one of those BIG days ... Sarah's first day of Kindergarten here in the States. She was so excited this morning, and couldn't wait to get to her school!!!

Now, if only my boys were that excited :) They are back in school too and doing well ... but wouldn't agree to their picture being taken! What happened to those days of enjoying that????? Oh, they grow up too fast!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Welcome Back ...


We are safe and sound back here in Charlotte, NC ... uneventful flights and ALL our luggage arrived too!!!! Thank you for all the many, many prayers for our family during this time of transition ... we love you all!

These beautiful pink flamingos flew in especially for our homecoming ... don't you just love them?!?! BUT, unfortunately they didn't stay long,they had to move on to "flock" another home!

We will update more in the coming weeks ... please know how much we appreciate you remembering us in prayer, and for all your love and support!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Warren Family Update - August 2009


These last few weeks have flown by so quickly, and now the time has come. Our bags are packed sitting in the hall waiting to be loaded, and hard goodbyes have been said. We will leave Swaziland this Wednesday to travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, and will stay overnight there with one of our dear colleagues before leaving. Our flight will depart Jo'burg on Thursday, August 6th, 6pm (our time), arriving in Charlotte, NC, on Friday, August 7th, 10 am (EST).

We can't put into words just how much we appreciate all of your love and prayers throughout this past year. Your calls and emails have meant so much to us ... thank you for pouring into our lives and encouraging us as we begin this next chapter. As you all know, goodbyes are never easy, but we are so thankful that God has granted us such sweet times with our mission family and Swazi friends before leaving.

As we come to mind, please remember these special requests:

* Travel safety to Jo'burg, and our return flights to the States (Johannesburg, SA to Washington, DC; Washington, DC to Charlotte, NC)

* Sweet goodbyes with our mission family in Johannesburg

* Our Swaziland mission family, The Myers and the Allens ... pray for strength and direction as they continue to serve the Lord throughout this beautiful country. Also, pray for the Lord to call others to join them here in sharing the Gospel, the fields ARE truly white and ready for harvest.

* Direction on employment/ministry opportunities for us as we return back to the States

* My parents as they adjust to moving into our home, and for Dad's continued improvement and rehabilitation

* Smooth transitions for Jessie, Matthew and Sarah as they return home and enroll back into their schools beginning August 25th



We look forward to staying in touch with you all, and cherish your friendship. Again, thank you for all the many, many ways you have ministered to our family ... we love you!

In Christ,
~ The Warren Family ~
bert, lisa, jessie, matthew & sarah

US Mailing Address:
Bert & Lisa Warren
6612 Pleasant Hill Church Road
Marshville, NC 28103
warrensinafrica@gmail.com

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Happy 6th Birthday Sarah!!!

August the 1 (as Sarah says) is finally here, the BIG DAY she has been waiting a long time for ...

We had a "birthday braii" (cookout) here at the house, played games, and enjoyed just being together. It was a great day celebrating with family and friends!!!

Thank you for all of Sarah's birthday wishes, cards, emails, goodies and gifts ... you made it such a special day, we love you!!!!



The birthday girl tree, sporting a sassy scarf and rainboots ... it's what all the birthday trees are wearing, lol!









A special gift from Daddy, home-made bamboo vase with pink roses from our yard!
















The faithful birthday cooks :)










Mmmmmm .... cheez-its, thanks Grandma!










Make a wish and blow out those candles!












Sarah and Lacie, awwwwwwww!

















A special gift from Jessie, her very own slingshot and walking stick















Don't be mad boys ... we have more cake really!