Dear Friends and Family, Fall 2008
We come to you with this letter of praise. Praise for the HOPE that lies within because of Jesus Christ. The chalk drawing that we are doing presently is called “HOPE QUIETS THE STORM.” We have three opportunities to use this program this fall. Below is a short statement by Joe Stowell (Moody Monthly Magazine1992) which we have included in that narration:
“Hope is really a matter of focus. When we focus our attention on the world, its unsettled conditions have a traumatizing effect on us. But when we focus on the Lord, we will sense a stilling of the storm. That hope provides personal internal stability and direction, regardless of how tumultuous the environment may become.” We are so undeserving of the grace of our loving Heavenly Father.
At the beginning of the summer, we had great expectations of the things we planned to accomplish while the teams were out on the road. Shirley was to make a file of all her original scripts from the past 36 years, begin an outline for the 2009 series, and communicate with the children who made a decision during the summer tour. Bob had his forever pile of puppets to repair and new ones to make. He just kept plugging away and felt he was gaining. Then the teams came home this fall and brought him a new pile of repairs from the summer’s well used puppets.
 Shirley’s sole project became corresponding with lots of eager children who made decisions during the summer. There were 106 decisions and to date there are 36 children actively involved in the MailBox lessons. The kids are returning the lessons so quickly that her desk is constantly cluttered with mail to answer. Along with returning the quiz pages, there have been many questions and prayer requests. Questions like; “What is heaven like?” “What does it mean to have God’s spirit living inside of me?” “Does it hurt to die?” “Please help me, I’m always afraid” “Pray for my Daddy with MS. He doesn’t know Jesus.” “Pray for my sister, she’s going to college. Ask God to keep her safe.” “I don’t have any questions but would you please write me a letter. I like to get mail.” “Could I pay enough to be a Christian?” “If I open my eyes during prayer to see who is looking around, will it break the prayer?” Pray for Shirley as she answers these letters. When the children complete a series of lessons we send them a certificate of completion and a small gift. A great effort is made to find an affordable and meaningful gift. Recently we were at a flea market and found a Christian bookstore booth. They were selling out Christian books, puzzle books and even videos for $.99. Shirley was so excited! It was a definite “God thing!”
In this day of extremely high fuel prices, GHH did something a little different this year. To help cover fuel expenses we asked several churches if they would consider being part of a loose change campaign. We sent them one-gallon gas cans and asked if they would ask their people to put their loose change into the cans to help with that expense. The response was overwhelming. The ENTIRE fuel expense for the summer was met by the involvement of the people of these churches. An additional praise is that none of the teams had any major vehicle expenses. (That never seemed to be the case when we were traveling. Hmmm.)
As soon as the teams were back in the area, we began to work on the 2009 series. Chris, Rhonda and Shirley have had their first meeting and plans are beginning to form. With having more than just Shirley involved in writing the series, they have set February as the date to finish the series giving more time for developing staging, props and puppets. Please pray for the Lord’s leading so that once again His Word will be understood and accepted by many children.
We are looking forward to two Missions Conferences this fall. First, we will be attending a few days with Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois. This is the church where we raised our children until our move to Michigan in 1972. They have always been very supportive of us. We are very grateful for them.
When we return home, our home church here in Michigan will be having their conference. Merson Bible Church has been with us from the beginning of the establishment of GHH and all the challenges that have followed. Their involvement has been such that we consider GHH to be an arm of their outreach.
 Being home for the summer and feeling so much better than a year ago, has allowed us to do some fun things in the yard. We may not be traveling to Maine with a tour but Bob has put a little bit of our love for the area in our yard. Bob has become very interested in gardening and we both love bird watching. We have lots of wild life in our yard including deer and turkeys. We have a feeder outside our sliding glass door. It is constantly busy with humming birds and gold finch. Now that it’s fall, the noisy Sand Hill Cranes are visiting the recently harvested cornfield across the road from our home. We can hear them coming from great distances each evening. We sit at our dining room table and just enjoy the works of our Creator.
One of the very special gifts that God has given to us over the years is your friendship and prayers on our behalf and for the ministry of GHH. Thank you so much.
Because of Jesus,
 
Bob and Shirley Friedl
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