October 2026 - The Downey Family

Dear Pastors and Praying Friends,

Once again, we greet you from a very sunny, dry Wales! In the 29 years since arriving in Wales we can say with certainty that we have never had weather this dry and sunny for this long. We even had temperatures near 100 in June...without the benefit of air conditioning! We have had a very busy ministry schedule these last few months, so there is a lot to share.

As we write this letter (on August 4th), we look back over the last year with gratitude. From the date of Tennille's dad's surgery one year ago today to the stacks of paperwork needed to arrange her mum's care...God has provided for every need...even if some of them took months to complete. We are thankful for dad's recovery and for the provision of a safe space for mum's care. We are grateful for every need supplied and for your prayers for our family.

May started off with ladies retreat which we told you about in our last letter and then was swiftly followed by our annual Sankey hymn service. It is typically our biggest service of the year. We enjoyed a time of fellowship around many of our favourite hymns. Quick on the heels of that service was the annual Fortify the Faithful conference in England which I was able to attend. It was a great time of refreshment with many friends in the ministry here in the UK. We ended the month of May with VBS! We made some new contacts and look forward to starting some new kids ministries in the near future.

In June, we were able to take a few days away as a family. We celebrated Tennille's birthday with a trip to Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. After returning home, we finished preparing for our prophecy conference as well as our planned community event. The conference went well with quite a few new faces. It is always great to see people understand more about God's Word. Swiftly following that event was our 2nd annual Chilli Cook Off & Cornhole Tournament. We host these events to make connections within our community that we might not otherwise make. Both events went well and we look forward to seeing how they grow over the coming years.

July was significantly quieter...with mostly just the normal ministry schedule. We remain thankful for each opportunity given for us to serve those around us. From luncheon club to hospital drives to home visits...each one is a welcome opportunity. The end of July completed with a week at summer camp. With 117 in attendance, wonderful fellowship and 6 senior campers accepting Christ...we all agree it was a great blessing!

Occasionally we get emails, cards or letters from the different churches that support us. We would like to say a huge thank you. In June, we were even able to participate in a VBS in Alaska at one of our supporting churches...albeit through technology! We are grateful for each person that takes the time to reach out to us. It really does a lot to bolster a missionary's spirit.

As we begin the plans for the autumn...we ask that you pray that each ministry opportunity yields fruit. There are many things we are asking God for in the days to come. Would you please pray for open doors and clear direction?

Praying for your ministry as we work together for the Glory to our Lord.

Once again, we thank you for all the prayers and support!

May God bless you,

Ronald & Tennille Downey