In our weekly meeting with several other families, the current focus of our attention is heaven.  We're following a study guide prepared by a well-known pastor.  He rightly observes that Christians don't spend enough time thinking about heaven, especially since they expect to go and live there forever upon death in this world.  A person in our group asked us, "I bet you guys are doing a lot of research on Peru, right?"  "Yes!" we responded, "We're daily seeking out information from books, the internet, people who have been there, etc.  It's on our minds constantly!"  Since we're pilgrims on this earth, shouldn't we be anxious for our eternal home in heaven, too?

We have been busy gathering information on Peru, making arrangements, sorting through our things, and studying Spanish.  One of the biggest issues right now is how to most economically get to Haiti and retrieve the belongings we will need for Peru.

We have a big need that we'd like to share with you.  When we arrive in Peru in mid-November we'll need a vehicle for family travel and ministry use.  It will have to be four-wheel drive in order to handle the rougher mountain roads.  The estimated cost is $18,000.  The E. Otto Free Methodist Church is already getting behind this project and launching a can drive to help out.  If you or others would like to help with this need, what a blessing that would be!  See the bottom of this letter for more details.

Alena is on the move!  She started crawling about two weeks ago.  No stopping her now!  Marissa is almost finished with her year of kindergarten.  My, she has grown up a lot in a year!

Here's a neat thing I've been able to be a part of:  Back in April, I had the privilege of helping a young boy named Drew (who attends Marissa's school) pray a prayer of faith and invite Jesus to come into his life.  Since then I've been meeting with Drew twice a week at school to do schoolwork, read the Bible, and just talk about life and what it means to follow Jesus.  Drew is a kid that just craves attention, as he does not have much influence from older males.  Pray for Drew as the school year will be finished very soon and our meetings will be less frequent.

This Sunday marks my last "official" Sunday as interim pastor at the East Otto church.  It has been a wonderful experience that has grown my faith and leadership skills.  And we've made a lot of new friends.  I would not trade it for anything.  God has answered prayer for a new pastor!  Patrick Sheedy has a heart for the small rural church.  I know he will work well with the folks at E. Otto.  Pray for Patrick and his wife as they grab the baton on June 18th.

Prayer Requests
1)  wisdom in figuring out how to best make the trip to Haiti to retrieve our things and say good-bye
2)  Drew
3)  my grandfather, Bob, recovering from some strokes and surgery
4)  funds for a vehicle to use in Peru

Checks should be made out to:  Free Methodist World Missions
*Make sure to designate your funds for:  Extra Mile/Peru/Crouse Vehicle
Send to:  PO Box 535002, Indianapolis, IN  46253-5002

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for our family during this time of transition.

In His service,
J.R., Becky, Marissa, and Alena Crouse