Missions Conference, Cades Cove, Bears

We attended a missions conference in Maryville, TN Thursday, June 12th - Sunday, June 15th. It was at a tiny church outside of Knoxville, TN. We love mission conferences. We met several missionary families that we have not seen before. Two of the missionaries were nationals going back to their home country. It was such an encouragement to see people who were saved under a missionary's ministry and are going back to reach their own people. One missionary is going back to the Ukraine, and the other is going back to Australia.

Brother Stinnett Ballew preached the conference. This is the second conference we have been in with him. He is one of the best speakers we have ever heard on Faith Promise Missions.

On Monday, June 16th, we left Knoxville and drove over to Cades Cove. We hiked to Abrams Falls. It is a long hike (5 miles total), but the waterfall is worth the walk. Once we reached the falls, we all got in the stream and swam. Rodney & Katie jumped off one of the rocks at the falls, but Josie & I just stayed in the waist deep water. We saw one crazy teenage boy jump from the top of the falls. Now that was just stupid! After the hike, we were driving out of Cades Cove, and we saw a black mama bear with her cub. That was so neat! I will post pictures next time.