Jim, Brycie, Marina and Clare attended the Midwest Catholic Family Conference in Wichita, Kansas, August 7-9. What a tremendous blessing! We were accompanied by our dear friends, and Clare's Godparents, Kent and Paige Keithly and their children, Joe, Alice, Mary and Harris, from Enid. We heard a fabulous group of speakers. The primary reason we went was to see and hear Immaculee Ilibagiza. She is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide of 1994, where a million Tutsi people were slaughtered by Hutu tribesmen. She and seven other women hid for 91 days in a cramped bathroom of a local pastor's home. With the exception of one brother, who was studying out of the country at the time of the genocide, her entire family was savagely murdered. When most would have sought revenge, Immaculee turned to prayer, praying the Rosary her father had given her. As a result of her constant prayer she was able to forgive those who murdered her family. She is the author of three books. The first, Left to Tell, is her story of her experience. The second, Led By Faith, continues her story of prayer and forgiveness. Her third book, Our Lady of Kibeho, is the story of the appearances of Mother Mary to three school girls in a small Rwandan town. We have read her books and were so anxious to hear her and see her. What a remarkable woman!
We also had the privilege of seeing and hearing Tim Staples, a former Southern Baptist who attended Jimmy Swaggart Bible College. A Catholic friend he met in the Marines challenged Tim to study Catholicism. In an effort prove Catholicism wrong he spent the next six years discovering that they were right. He is a brilliant apologist and we were fortunate to hear him.
Johnnette Benkovic was also a guest speaker. She is known internationally for her Catholic evangelization, and has a weekly television program on EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network). She is an incredibly dynamic speaker.
Tony Melendez was the featured musician. He was a thalidomide baby born without arms. He plays his guitar with his feet. An amazing musician; an amazing study in perseverance. In 1987 he was asked to play for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles.
Please enjoy our photos of our weekend in Wichita.
We also had the privilege of seeing and hearing Tim Staples, a former Southern Baptist who attended Jimmy Swaggart Bible College. A Catholic friend he met in the Marines challenged Tim to study Catholicism. In an effort prove Catholicism wrong he spent the next six years discovering that they were right. He is a brilliant apologist and we were fortunate to hear him.
Johnnette Benkovic was also a guest speaker. She is known internationally for her Catholic evangelization, and has a weekly television program on EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network). She is an incredibly dynamic speaker.
Tony Melendez was the featured musician. He was a thalidomide baby born without arms. He plays his guitar with his feet. An amazing musician; an amazing study in perseverance. In 1987 he was asked to play for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles.
Please enjoy our photos of our weekend in Wichita.
Immaculee Ilibagiza, Featured Guest Speaker
Immaculee -- what an inspiration!!
Immaculee -- autographing our copy of her book, Our Lady Of Kibeho.
Tim Staples -- gifted apologist.
Tim Staples -- his gestures are still a bit "Pentecostal."
Johnnette Benkovic -- author and television personality.
Johnnette -- telling her story.
Tony Melendez -- artisan and musician.
Brycie, Marina, Kent and Paige Keithly, visiting between speakers.
Clare and Mary. Two Chinese beauties.
Mama wears Clare's cap.
Alice, Joe, and Clare. Joe was being too cool.
Clare in the midst of the kiddos.
Blessed Mother Teresa has it right.
Guest speaker, Sister Terese Auer, O.P.
Sunday Mass. We love the incense. 
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