We miss Texas…and Delaware…and Michigan. No, rather…it's more that we miss the people. We are enjoying Gainesville, GA…much of that is due to the community here at AIM that have become family. If you or someone you know is interested in experiencing community life, an internship with AIM…there is a new program. Check it out at -  www.adventures.org 

Above: Last night...at the Cinco de Mayo party with some of the AIM community.

I digress. Due to unforeseen events, we weren't able to make a few of the trips to see those we miss as we had originally intended. We still hope to get over and see you all before 2008 comes and goes. 

To the best of our knowledge, here is our travel schedule:

-I (Connie) may be spending 1-2 weeks in Belize as support staff (with my father, Gary Lengkeek thelengkeeks.myadventures.org) on a youth mission trip for 2 different churches.  June 16-22 or 27^th?

-Both Don and I will be with the Ambassador team heading to the highlands in Peru from July 1-12^th. Training for all the Real Life and Ambassador teams that Don is involved with is - June 11-30^th.

-Sometime this September, we hope to return to Guatemala and scout out/set up for an Ambassador team next year. We love Guatemala and are excited about adding this as one of the Ambassador locations for 2009.

-End of October, beginning of November, Kenya! God willing…and our AIM staff are able to return to Kenya, we will be taking a team to support them in whatever way possible.  If you are interested in participating in this…please email me. Length of time is not determined yet. No shorter than a week and no longer than two.

In August, we have dear friends (Chad Mustain chadmustain.myadventures.organd Heather Beard heatherbeard.myadventures.org) who we met through AIM, that will be married in Boulder, Colorado. Don is the best man…and wouldn't miss this opportunity. If our finances and schedule should allow…I hope to attend as well. 

On another note: Laura is doing really well!  To read more, visit www.lovinglaurarock.wordpress.com 

Mom and dad are preparing for a trip to debrief the FYM students in Mexico, then on to Costa Rica where they will join the World Racers for a time. www.theworldrace.org    

We are back in Detroit, MI. Laura is doing so well. Doctors and nurses are amazed at her progress. She is awake, talking and eating. If you would like to follow her daily updates, please check out her new website at www.lovinglaurarock.wordpress.com. Leave your comments for her at the link above. 

We know that it is only through God… that Laura is with us today!  We are so thankful for family, friends, body of Christ and life!  AIM has been extremely support of us all… and has given us the time needed to be with family. Thank you! At this time we are not sure the date we will return to GA. 

Us with...Dad Rock, Mom Rock, sister Shelly and nieces Mikayla and Shelby. (Not in picture...Ashliegh, Kelsey and Joel)

Sister Patti, Dave, nephews Jake, Joe and niece Rachel. 

Shelby...

Shelly, Don, Patti and Mom and Dad Rock.

For those of you following Laura's progress, check out her new website at www.lovinglaurarock.wordpress.com  

APRIL 2008 PRAYER LETTER

PRAYER
Often we think it's who prays, the numbers of prayers said, quality of prayers, frequency of prayers…or even the words spoken when praying that makes a difference. But, what matters the most, is to whom we pray.

•Scripture gives us models for prayers. [Matt 6:9-13, Matt 6:9]
•We are to approach God boldly through Jesus. [Heb 4:14-16]
•We are told to pray for our daily needs. [Matt 6:11]
•We are to pray for forgiveness of sins. [Matt 6:12, 11:28-30, Ps. 32 & 51, Jer. 29:12-13, Rom. 10:13, 1 John 1:7-9]
•In prayer, give our cares to the Lord. [1 Peter 5:6-7]
•Pray about everything [Phil 4:6-7], continually and giving thanks in all circumstances. [1 Thess. 5:17-18]
•Pray in faith. [James 1:6] In times of sickness and trouble. [James 5:14-16, Ps. 50:15]
•We are told that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful. [James 5:16]
•We are to pray for great things as Elijah did. [James 5:17-18]
•We are to acknowledge God [Prov. 3:5-6] and seek the Him [Isa. 55:6]
•In [Ps. 34:15-18] it tells us that God hears and answers prayer; He is near to His children.
•He answers intercessory prayer. [Acts 12]
•We see we are to thank God for His grace and mercy and praise Him! [Ps. 66: 13-20, 17-20, Ps. 105:1-4]

In addition, we recommend reading The Art of Listening Prayer by Seth Barnes. Upon choosing to talk to God, be ready to listen. God does and will speak to you. Last month after dinner with my sister-in-law Laura Rock, we exchanged business cards. We were going to go to Kenya on a mission's trip together this fall! I was going to email her all the details. I went back to my laptop and taped her card to it…thinking, I want to send her the perfect email. The month got busy and I didn't. Every time I opened my laptop…there it was staring at me...and I heard that gentle whisper. I should email her. At least to remind her I loved her and hadn't forgotten about our trip. But I soon found out…I was too late. When God whispers to do something, don't hesitate.

The past couple of weeks we've spent fervently praying for Don's little sister… 32 year old Laura Rock. On April 1st, she was admitted into the hospital with unexpected liver failure. As of today, she has a new liver, is doing well…and has actually opened her eyes. This is a miracle…but a long and hard road to recovery lies ahead for her. To read more details of Laura's journey, check out our blog at www.donrock.myadventures.org Soon she will have her own website. We want to thank you all for your prayers, friendship and support during this difficult time. This is just the beginning…please continue to intercede for her. We love her dearly and trust that God has great plans for her and will use this for His glory!

AMBASSADOR UPDATE from Don Rock
Last weekend was the first of two training camps for the leaders of the Ambassador trips. These dedicated leaders spent four days diving into the details of what it takes to lead an Ambassador trip. There were many hours spent on team building, building community among the leaders, logistical information, and seminars. The main thrust of the leader training is to develop our leaders. We understand that if we can develop great leaders who are sold out committed to Christ, we will then have great teams.

As many of you know my sister had to have a liver transplant due to liver failure. But what you may not know is that her liver failure and transplant all took place at the same time as this leader training in Gainesville, GA. Naturally I was not able to be at the training because I needed to be with my family. However, I was able to stay connected with the leaders and trainers to make sure that I was still in contact with what was going on. One of the great things about working at AIM has been working with a team of very competent, compassionate, gracious and merciful people. I was able to miss the training and know that the leaders that I had recruited would be well cared for and poured into so they will be equipped for this summer. They have also reached out to Connie and me and our families during this time.

We will have another training time with our leaders three days prior to each of their team's training camps (when the participants arrive) this June. Leading up to this, I will have weekly correspondence with the leaders. We will be taking every opportunity to make sure that each of the leaders has what they need to pour into their teams and point them to Christ. Looking forward, this is what our summer with Ambassadors looks like: Starting in May… we will be leading or assisting with leading three different training camps, the last one ending the last week of June. Once the final training camp is complete, we will accompany the Ambassador team going to the Highlands in Peru for two weeks. After those two weeks, we head back to Georgia so that we can welcome and debrief the earlier Ambassador teams. Once all the debriefing is complete we will spend time wrapping up and evaluating the entire Ambassador teams trips and begin preparing for next year.

Please keep my sister Laura in your prayers, as well as all the Ambassador leaders, teams, and the people that we will be ministering alongside of and to.

PRAYER REQUEST AND PRAISES!
● Continued healing for both Laura and my brother, Kevin. Praising God for the miracles that have taken place in both of their bodies!
● For the Ambassador and Real Life teams as they prepare to leave this summer. We have a great group of leaders!
● The new Community Life program AIM will be starting come fall. www.adventures.org/leadership
● Our tentative upcoming trips to Peru, Kenya and Guatemala.
● Our financial support.
● On April 15th, Don will turn 37. He's in great health.
● I have a few minor health issues I will need to address in the near future, including a mouth full of dental work.

SUPPORT UPDATE
Many of you may already know this, but for those of you who don't… here at AIM, we serve as missionaries on support. What does that mean? It means people like you, who have a heart for people and missions but who can't do mission work full time, or can't travel overseas … partner with people like us to fulfill God's call on our lives. Together we share His love with a dying world. What does that mean financially? It means you are used as a vessel by God. You pray, and then you commit to supporting us financially with whatever amount you can give - either a one time gift or a monthly gift- so that we can take care of our needs and serve others.
We have many wonderful people who have partnered with us annually or monthly. Thank you! You are partners with us in this ministry and are making it possible for us to continue doing full-time missions. But now, we still need to raise the remainder of the amount AIM set for us to raise each month. Please pray about partnering with us if you do not already. If not financially…through PRAYER! Thank you.

To partner with us financially, click on the "SUPPORT US" to the left of the screen or email us.

In Christ,
Connie and Don Rock

Matthew 28:18-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and surely I am with you always, even to the end of

April 13, 2008

[Laura's Update]

9:35 a.m. Laura is awake, numbers are stabilizing. The Doctor says he is amazed at her progress! However, she still has a long ways to go and is not out of the woods yet. Laura is talking but is very confused.  With Laura's best interest in mind…visitors are still not permitted to visit with her. We hope that soon, that time will come when she can see all the people who love her dearly.  Until then, use the following information to support and love her, the family and one another.  If you would like to help in another way, please ask Mom and Dad Rock before doing so.   

Here is Laura's new website!  www.lovinglaurarock.wordpress.com  Thank you…Tim for setting this up! Although we appreciated the offer, you may notice that we will not be using the account set up by her friends. Instead, we've opted to do something different. We want to handle this in the way that would benefit Laura the best.  For those of you who have asked how they can help, please check it out at Laura's new site. Thank you.  

We loved what our friend Dianne had to say just recently…so, here it is again. "Many of us are good at responding to crises, but not so good at staying in for the long haul (myself included). I want to encourage all who have been reading these updates to stick with it on the new blog as well. Write Laura and the Rock family IN INK on your prayer list. And continue writing comments...besides encouraging Laura and family...they are encouraging to those of us who have never even met Laura, but have come to care deeply for her."

We'd love for you all to continue to follow our blog (this blog). God is doing great and amazing things with and in people around the world! If you'd like to partner with us or hear more, please contact us through the email to the left or the "Support Me" link. Tomorrow we will post our April news/prayer letter.   As they say often around AIM (Adventures In Missions)…We are "WRECKED" for Christ! - Connie and Don Rock  

April 12, 2008

Her first words were "Juice"  Laura is now with an oxygen mask…and doing well.  She nods her head to communicate. The liver and kidneys appear to be stable. Doctors are not sure if they will do more dialysis. Right now they are holding off.

Tomorrow I will post Laura's new website in addition to the site friends have set up - in which you can donate money towards Laura's medical expenses.  The new website wil include all the old postings, pictures sent to me by her many friends...updates and your comments.  Keep them coming.

Don and I are currently making plans for our return trip to Michigan…which will mostly likely be sometime at the beginning of the week.

April 11, 2008

10:00 a.m. Laura is stable…and breathing on her own, although still on the ventilator. She still has not woken up. Yesterday she opened her eyes briefly for the nurse. Laura is showing improvement but still has a long road ahead of her.

11:13 a.m. Dad Rock just called! She is awake! She will open her eyes as you talk to her. Laura won't be able to talk until the ventilator is out. She's begun to feel pain. Swelling has gone done and is more responsive.

Psalm 118

 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
       his love endures forever.

 2 Let Israel say:
       "His love endures forever."

 3 Let the house of Aaron say:
       "His love endures forever."

 4 Let those who fear the LORD say:
       "His love endures forever."

 5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
       and he answered by setting me free.

 6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
       What can man do to me?

 7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
       I will look in triumph on my enemies.

 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
       than to trust in man.

 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
       than to trust in princes.

 10 All the nations surrounded me,
       but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

 11 They surrounded me on every side,
       but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

 12 They swarmed around me like bees,
       but they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
       in the name of the LORD I cut them off.

 13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
       but the LORD helped me.

 14 The LORD is my strength and my song;
       he has become my salvation.

 15 Shouts of joy and victory
       resound in the tents of the righteous:
       "The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!

 16 The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
       the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"

 17 I will not die but live,
       and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

 18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
       but he has not given me over to death.

 19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
       I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

 20 This is the gate of the LORD
       through which the righteous may enter.

 21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
       you have become my salvation.

 22 The stone the builders rejected
       has become the capstone;

 23 the LORD has done this,
       and it is marvelous in our eyes.

 24 This is the day the LORD has made;
       let us rejoice and be glad in it.

 25 O LORD, save us;
       O LORD, grant us success.

 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
       From the house of the LORD we bless you. ^[a]

 27 The LORD is God,
       and he has made his light shine upon us.
       With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
       up ^[b] to the horns of the altar.

 28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
       you are my God, and I will exalt you.

 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
       his love endures forever.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Its 9:12 a.m… and last night was a rough night. We were on our way home from the airport after a week in Detroit where Laura lays in ICU...when we got the phone call saying, Pray! Apparently the Doctors where suddenly concerned about her brain once again. They rushed a Cat Scan and we all waited…claiming healing, another miracle. While driving down the road, I thought of the many times God has spoken to me and my family through the appearance of deer. Yes, deer. So I said out loud…"God, it would be really cool if I could see a deer." No sooner did I say that, there were 4 deer on the road. Thank you God. At that moment I had peace…Laura would be ok, no matter what happened. It was just before midnight when Don's dad called telling us that the results came back. The results from her Cat Scan of her brain was BETTER than had been since her surgery! Praise God!  We slept great.

This morning's update from Dad Rock is this…

The liver Doctor said that her liver test where back to normal ranges! She tried to open her eyes this morning. Her kidney test are coming back to normal ranges. The dialysis was done to help get rid of the toxins while her liver was recovering. She has increased respiration, due to her breathing on her own.  All are good signs. Doctors have no idea why she had the episode last night or what even happened. (That's because miracles can't be explained!)

Hold on, cause it's not over yet. (We have no plans of stopping the postings...but will evidetually have a different website for Laura. Hopefully sooner than later). 

Thank you for sharing in this time with us! We can't thank you all enough for interceding on behalf of Laura and the Rock family.

Wednesday April 9, 2008

[Laura's Update]

11:31 a.m. She yawned, kicked her foot and moved her arm! They are hooking her up again to dialysis…and going to remove the tube from her neck. She continues to rest and recover. Some of the liver test are starting to come down and others are remaining elevated.  Potassium was low so they have given her an IV of potassium.

Our hope is to soon create a blog designated to Laura and her journey to recovery. We will manage it until Laura is able to do so herself. On it we'll be able to post more photos…and give updates. Please continue to support and encourage her, the rest of the family and each other through your comments. However, this blog will not always include information on Laura…but hope you continue to stay in touch with Don and I. Once the other website is set up, we will post the address here. So, the time has come for us to head back to Georgia where we have the privilege to serve God and others while working with Adventures In Missions. www.adventures.org. Once Laura wakes…which could be today or 4 weeks from now, we will jump in our car and drive back. It's important that we are all there to support her in her long recovery. Life after a liver transplant dramatically changes ones lifestyle.  

Don's parents will remain close to Laura's room, as will Shelly, the girls and Patti and her kids. Please keep them in your prayers as some need to go back to work and school. The Rock's have many friends who have helped out with food, laundry etc… Thank you!  If you would like to help or bring something, please call ahead. We've been showered with more food than we can eat!   

Blessings! -Crock

Tuesday April 8, 2008

Last week, Laura's liver had quit working. It soon became apparent to all, that for Laura to live… someone else would have to die and donate their liver.  That individual was a 65 year old woman from Michigan.  Laura is alive today because of her death and sacrifice. We are saddened by the loss her family is currently experiencing and yet so appreciative and joyous for the life of Laura!

To many of us, this reminds us of the life another gave many years ago so that we may all have eternal life. As Don and I processed this together, we've come up with some similarities and some differences. If you have any thoughts, we'd like to hear them as well. Thank you.

With Laura's new liver there are conditions and expectations.  First, there was the pre-transplant process.  Laura had to "earn" her right to have this liver. Livers are few and the need is great.  Second, the timing had to be "right"…her kidneys, brain, lungs had to be stable enough to endure the transplant. Third, there is the possibility of rejection and a liver is certainly not free.  She will have to work hard to keep this gift of life. It limits you… so, everything changes.

And now, about the other life sacrificed.  God gave His only son, Jesus Christ…who was perfect, to die for our sins so we can have eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [John 3:16] How amazing! What makes this even more mind-blowing is that there are no conditions. It's free, not earned, not bought. It's given with immeasurable joy and love. You don't earn it, there's no rejection and it's free for all to take, whenever. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. [Matthew 7:7-8] This salvation frees you and… everything changes!

-Sister-in-law, Crock

Monday, April 7, 2008

12:41 p.m. They started dialysis again to clean out the kidneys. The brain pressure is stable. Blood pressure is stable. She looks less jaundice and swollen. Liver test are still high but that is expected… new liver should kick in today! Her fever is down…and she is on antibiotics for the pneumonia. Looks positive! We are encouraged! Thank you for your prayers and joining us in rejoicing and praising God!

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.