Tim and Pam Darling - Leaving Venezela

October 14, 2009
Dear Praying Friends,

Over twenty-eight years ago, we arrived in Venezuela to begin missionary service with Baptist Mid-Missions. While at candidate seminar in Cedarville, Ohio in 1977, God made it plain to us through a missionary presentation that Venezuela was the place where He wanted us. The one thing that most touched our hearts was the amount of churches without trained national pastors. Our desire was to train men and women and thus provide this much needed leadership. We thank God that we were able to see the birth of a Bible Institute in 1993. We have thirty graduates, including eight indigenous believers who serve in their villages. Eleven churches have been established of which twenty-three current and former professors and graduates are involved. A Christian camp has been established in the state of Sucre with a national heading it up. We are thrilled to look back over the years and see what God has accomplished.
Over the past several years we have been troubled by the many changes that have taken place in Venezuela on many fronts. In 2003, most of the Venezuela team left for three months because of uncertain political changes. By God’s grace, we were able to return and continue the ministry. During this past year many new issues have arisen that have put much pressure upon us as foreigners living here. The Venezuelan political climate, the Venezuelan national economy, and the increased difficulty of obtaining legal documents and money have caused us to have to re-assess our continued stay here. Just weeks ago we had to put Daniel and Karrah (our son and his wife) back on a plane to the States because they could not obtain the documents to stay here in a right way. We now have confirmation that no visas are being granted in our part of the country.
After having discussed our current situation here in Venezuela with our field administrator at Baptist Mid-Missions and asking the Lord for His direction, we have decided to leave the ministry here in Venezuela at the end of this semester (December 13).
We are encouraged to know that we are leaving some very capable Venezuelan men and women well prepared to take over the responsibilities of ministry and administrate them well. They may not believe this, but most likely Jesus’ disciples didn’t think they were ready to be left yet either.
We are excited to see what God will do in Venezuela through these special men and women. It grieves us to leave behind men and women we have come to regard as brothers and sisters…not just people, however, it is time for us to go.
Please be assured that we have no intentions of leaving the ministry altogether. Although our location of ministry is about to change, we are looking forward to seeing where the Lord will lead us next. Please pray for us; we need the wisdom from on high that God has promised to those who seek it. We are looking forward to sharing with each of you personally in the near future.

Your partners in Christ’s service,
Tim and Pam Darling

See Darling Missionary Page

Missionary Update - Chris & Diane Marine

Subject: Marine email update October 3, 2009

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” Psalm 23: 1-3

During the first three weeks of September we were afforded the opportunity to take a “mini sabbatical”. Colleagues at EBM home office graciously agreed to take over our ministry responsibilities for us during that time. We did not check email or make phone calls. We stepped back from ministry. The first two weeks we were in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. We stayed at a Christian Retreat Center called Canaan Land. We were the only guests for the first week and a half. We slept (lots), took naps, read a book together, sat in front of the fire place, enjoyed extra time with each other and especially with God, read several books individually and reflected on God’s goodness and working in our lives. There was no TV and no schedules. We hiked to the top of the mountain and enjoyed breathtaking views of the Smokey Mountains. We hiked down into the valleys and sat at the foot of beautiful waterfalls. At the foot of one waterfall we picked up garnets in the sand. Our time at Canaan Land was a kin to the “green pastures and still waters” that David talks about in the 23rd Psalm. God began to restore our weary souls.

The third week of our “sabbatical” we spent with our son Lance and his family at Camp LeJeune, N.C. Lance was able to take the week off so it was even more special. They rented a beach house for a few days and we enjoyed relaxing at the sea side, cool ocean breezes and falling asleep to the sound of the waves. We celebrated Shelby Diane’s third birthday, walked five year old Alex to school each morning and even went back two different days to eat lunch with her. We also enjoyed happy little 9 month old Zack who acts like he may walk soon. It was fun to be Granddaddy and Grandma without other responsibilities.

Since leaving North Carolina and heading back to Florida we have been struggling with sickness. We have both had severe head/chest colds for two and half weeks now. We have been to the doctor (several times) and just can’t seem to kick it. On Thursday of this past week Chris noticed blood in his urine. He was also having severe lower back pain. This did happen during our time at Lance’s but cleared up and we had forgotten about it. So, back to the doctor on Friday. They ruled out a kidney infection. He will be having a test to see if he has kidney stones on Tuesday the 6th. Please pray for complete healing and renewed strength and energy for both of us.

Please continue to pray for the political situation in both Niger and Mali. There will be elections in Niger during the month of October. There are many who oppose the Presidents attempt to retain power. Pray for safety for our missionaries and the nationals living in Niger and for God’s will to be accomplished through this election. We are not yet ready to send any of our missionaries back into the Tombouctou, Mali region. Pray for wisdom in making those decisions.

We have a busy schedule coming up and ask that you pray for God to enable us with his strength and to use us for His glory.

October 10-14th- Missions conference Southside Baptist Church-Sebring, Fl
October 16-17th – Chris performs the marriage ceremony of our niece-St. Augustine, FL
October 21st – leave for Illinois and Indiana
October 25th – First Baptist Church, Silvis, Illinois
November 1st – Wawasee Baptist Church, Syracuse, Indiana
November 1st – Calvary Baptist Church, Valparaiso, Indiana
November 6-7-8th – Missions conference Evangel Baptist Church, Bradenton, Fl
November 9th and the 12th – Diane has two more suspicious moles removed surgically November 15th- Whispering Pines Baptist Church – Sebring, Fl
November 18th-19th – Maranatha Baptist Church, Sebring, Fl

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support on our behalf.

Resting in Him,
Chris & Diane
3327 Bristol St.
Sebring, Fl 33872
Cell: 863-273-1464

Chris & Diane Marine
Evangelical Baptist Mission
W. Africa Regional Coordinator
B.P. 11324
Niamey, Niger
Home & Office Ph: 227-20-75-46-27

See Marine Missionary Page

Totman Family Note

From: Dave Totman - 54tcks@gmail.com
Subject: Totman Family Note - October 09
Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 9:50 AM

How do you get 40 something year-old men and 18 year-old guys to jump up and down, laugh hysterically and hug each other?

Put them on the same softball team and watch them win a tournament together!(Infield celebration)

(Sahel Suns & Nomads – final score)

What a wild weekend it has been in Niamey, Niger!

The softball tournament (Niamey Universal Tournament of Softball: NUTS) is a phenom for Niamey each year. This year there were 15 teams that entered the tournament in two divisions (9 social teams and 6 competitive teams). Sahel Academy entered 2 social teams and one competitive team. The social teams were comprised of primarily students with one or two staff members to help coach and pitch. The competitive team was a mixture of students, staff and one father. In the end, the two social teams played well, but bowed out in the semis. The competitive team made it all the way to the finals and vanquished a team comprised of Niamey missionaries – a couple of them dads of students on our team. It was an exhausting, but fun ride!

1st quarter is now officially in the books at Sahel. It has been a great, albeit very full beginning to the school year. Life is full of conversations with students and the calendar is full of events, so we’re doing our best to focus on quality time with teens and not let programs run the show!

Our family continues to grow up as well. Ereina has now lost two of her front teeth! Trey is at a Christian Nigerien (French) preschool as I type. And Zoe is getting bigger, faster, louder and messier by the day!















Thank you so much for your prayers for our family and ministry here in Niger. There are some specific items of prayer that we would like to highlight for your attention.
· Please continue to pray for the spiritual growth of our students
· Please also pray for peace in Niger during this election season
· Please pray for staffing needs at Sahel Academy

We have some particularly significant needs for staff for second semester of this year. Will you join us in praying for these needs? Would you consider filling a need yourself? We are sending out a separate letter to highlight these needs and for ease of printing. Please post these needs in your Sunday School classes, small groups, etc. Please join us in asking God to bring the right people to join our team at Sahel.

Thank you!

David & Anora Totman
Ereina, Trey & Zoe

Go to Totman Missionary Page

Excerpt about the needs for Sahel Academy:

Sahel Academy is earnestly seeking more staff.

We have some significant needs for second semester this year (January 2010-June 2010):

1. Physical Science Teacher (Grade 9, 2 x47 minute periods per day plus labs)
2. Economics Teacher (Grades 11-12, 1 x47 minute period per day)
3. Bible Teacher (Grades 9-12, 4 x47 minute periods per day)
4. Social Studies Teacher (Grades 7-8, 1 x47 minute period per day)
5. Systems Manager (This is comprised of operating our technological infrastructure (maintaining our computer lab, servers, network, satellite/DSL internet connection, etc.)

All five of these needs are vital to the operation of the school and we are praying for God’s provision.
Will you pray with us? Would you consider filling one or more of these roles yourself?
For more information, please contact us at: 54tcks@gmail.com or contact Sahel Academy directly at: info@sahelacademy.com.
Feel free to visit Sahel's site as well - a link to their site can be found here: http://www.sahelacademy.com/
We appreciate your prayers for God’s provision!

Missionary Update - Kent & Kelly Craig

Kent & Kelly Craig
ABWE Asia/Pacific Regional Administrator Board- ABWE

• A total of 57 new missionaries were appointed in 2009. 31 in March Candidate Seminar and 26 in the July Candidate Seminar.
• Kent returned to Asia on September 24 for ministry with their field teams in Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong. Returned to US on October 13th.
• At Bible Baptist Church in Harrisburg, PA, Kent continues to team teach an Adult Bible Fellowship class and serves on a 5 member pulpit team while the church pursues a search process and waits upon the Lord to provide their next pastoral shepherd.
• Kelly teaches English as a Second Language as an outreach to international members of their community, sings in the choir, serves in AWANA, leads a ladies Bible study, and has adopted a new, exciting cross-cultural challenge.
• Kari returned to Word of Life Bible Institute (this time in New York) on September 17th. She continues to work toward her Graphic Design degree at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
• Had the memorial and burial of cremated remains or Kelly’s sister in Kansas on October 17th. She was a Master Sergeant in Air National Guard.
• Continue to pray for the Thai Christian workers and their work on the Romphrakhum Baptist Center Project. The building will be used as a local church ministry center including worship services and educational ministries, ESL classes, a Bible institute, and community events.

See the Craig Missionary Page

Missionary Update - Bobby & Karen Williams

Bobby & Karen Williams
North Carolina - Board- CBM

• They had 354 overnight campers and 86 day campers. 67 children made professions of faith in Jesus Christ.
• Released Time classes have begun and they are expecting to be teaching over 4,000 children each month. These classes offer an opportunity for public and private school students to leave their normal schedule once a month to participate in a Bible class.
• The fishing/boating lake is gorgeous and has been stocked with very small fish. Next phase includes landscaping and building docks.
• Progress is constantly being made on the dining hall too.
• On October 17th they had a Classic Camp night with a hayride, bonfire, praise & worship, and marshmallow roast.
• November 20th-22nd is a Teen Retreat for grades 7-12. Lots of activities, music, worship and Bible study.
• December 4th-5th is an Elementary Retreat for grades 3-6. Full of great games, Bible time and fun.
• Family News: Hayley is a junior at North Greenville University. Dustin graduated from high school and is in Costa Rica to study at The Spanish Language Institute. He is taking a 7 week intensive program and will stay a couple weeks beyond that to do some volunteer work, hopefully in a medical clinic. Lacey is in the first grade and Karen is homeschooling her. She has a tender heart for spiritual things and has a genuine concern for others.

See the Williams Missionary Page

Birds of the Bible - More Value

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

We have mentioned the sparrow many times in the blog and about how God takes care of them, as in the following articles:

Birds of the Bible - God's Care for Birds - Sparrow II - Sparrow I and Eye of the Beholder - House Sparrows

This time, I would like point out the part about being of "more value." In Matthew 10:29-33, the two sparrows are mentioned as being sold for a farthing, a very small amount. According to A. Barnes’ Notes, “The argument is, that if He takes care of birds of the least value, if He regards so small a thing as the hair of the head, and numbers it, He will certainly protect and provide for you. You need not, therefore, fear what man can do to you.”

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.(Matthew 10:29-33 KJV)

Northern Raven (Corvus corax)

Also: "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." (Luke 12:7 NASB); "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?" (Luke 12:24 NKJV) and He said to them, "What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? "How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:11-12 NASB)

We see then that "man" has more value than sparrows, ravens, birds, and sheep just from these few verses. Yet, each of them are greatly valued by their creator. Where else are things of value mentioned in Scripture?

David had the opportunity to kill King Saul, but he valued the life of the king more.

May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD's anointed. And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation." (1 Samuel 26:23-24 NKJV)

Wisdom and understanding have great value and Job mentions it in Job 28.

But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? "Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. (Job 28:12-13 NASB)

Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? "Thus it is hidden from the eyes of all living And concealed from the birds of the sky. (Job 28:20-21 NASB)

Zechariah in his prophecy of the future, tells about the price of Christ the Lord as 30 shekels (pieces) of silver.

Then the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them." So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zechariah 11:13 NASB)

We are of great value to the Lord, so much so, that He gave His Life for our salvation. If you know the Lord as Savior, then, that "knowing Christ Jesus," has tremendous value.

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:8 NASB)

We trust you do know the Lord and realize how much He loves you and cares for you. Much more than the critters, whom he cares for tremendously.

See also Gospel Message

Congratulations to Eddie Harrell

We would like to congratulate Eddie Harrell, one of our church members, for being chosen as Teacher of the Year for Traviss Career Center.

Mr. Harrell has taught secondary and post-secondary students in the Welding program for 14 years and is originally from Tifton, Georgia. He was previously chosen as Teacher of the Year in the 1999-2000 school year. Mr. Harrell is a member of the American Welding Society and he is a Certified Welding Inspector. He has also served as a bus driver/chaperon for Traviss field trips and SkillsUSA competitions. He is active in his church functions. Mr. Harrell that his "desire to pass on a skill that could make life-long changes in someone's life" influenced him to become a teacher. He also said that "a teacher must be 100% committed to the students." His advice to first year teachers is "patience, patience, patience." Mr. Harrell enjoys fishing and golfing in his free time. (from the Traviss Times, a publication of Traviss Career Center)

Congratulations Eddie!

Listen to Dr. Charles Petitt

Dr. Charles Petitt, President of Piedmont Baptist College, was with us this past Sunday evening. He brought a challenging message from the book Ecclesiastes. In his message he made the following statement.

"I'm hoping that you will leave here a little afraid of something you may have never been afraid of before. Most of us are fearful of failure. I'm hoping you will be extremely afraid of becoming a smashing success at something that doesn't matter."

To listen to or download his message, visit our website.

Born into Death but Adopted for Life

This afternoon I finally had the opportunity to sit down and finish Russell Moore's excellent book, Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches.

It was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I recommend it to everyone. It will change the way you think about adoption. Throughout the book Dr. Moore connected adoption with the gospel. Adoption is all about the gospel. Notice how he closes his book:

"The reality, though, is that in most ways parenting is parenting, and growing up is growing up. It's always hard. Some unique challenges go along with adoption - challenges related to finding a sense of belonging, to discipline and discipleship, to answering questions about origins. Count these as all joy. They point all of us - not just kids who were adopted - to the gospel. The gospel welcomes us and receives us as loved children. The gospel disciplines us and prepares us for eternity as heirs. The gospel speaks truth to us and shows us our misery in Adam and our glory in Christ. The gospel shows us that we were born into death and then shows us, by free grace, that we're adopted for life." (p. 214)

Seriously, I strongly recommend that you read this book. You are welcome to borrow my copy of the book if you like. Just ask.

Other Posts from the Adopted for Life series:

1. Our Birth Father Has Fangs
2. Develop an Orphan-Protecting Culture
3. All of Us Are Called to Remember the Fatherless
4. Adoption and Communion
5. Born into Death but Adopted for Life

Links

It's been a while since I posted anything. Sorry about that. Here are some links that I've been meaning to share with you.

• Door of Hope Orphanage - This is the orphanage in South Africa where Hannah Osborne is going to serve.
• Voice of the Martyrs - Pastor mentioned this organization in his message Wednesday night. Voice of the Martyrs has the following mission statement "Serving the persecuted church through practical and spiritual assistance while leading Christians in the free world into fellowship with them."
  
• WORLD Magazine - Pastor mentioned this magazine in his message Wednesday night. "WORLD tries to be salt, not sugar."
  

Birds in Hymns - Go Out, My Heart, and Seek Delight

Words: Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! (Psalms 105:2-3 NKJV)

An alternative version

Click to Hear Hymn

Go out, my heart, and seek delight

in golden sunshine, summer bright;

rejoice in God's gifts daily.
See all of nature's bright display;
it clothes itself in fine array
for you and me so gaily
for you and me so gaily.

The trees with foliage green are blest,
the earth her dusty face has dressed
in herbage young and tender.
The desert rose and wattle fair
are clothed in raiment far more rare

than Solomon in splendour

than Solomon in splendour.

The wedge-tailed eagle in the sky
surveys the world with questing eye,
in lofty circles winging.
The roaring lark with trilling song
sets mountain gorge and billabong
and all the bushland ringing
and all the bushland ringing.

The strutting emu tends his chicks,

the bower-bird gathers twigs and sticks

to arch his glittering treasure.

The flute-call of the butcher-bird

from towering gum tree may be heard

to voice his morning pleasure

to voice his morning pleasure.

From rock-o'ershaded, rippling pool
the waters trickle, soft and cool,
among the ferns and creepers.
While dragon-flies dart here and there,
cicadas' droning fills the air
and stirs all insect-sleepers
and stirs all insect-sleepers.

The swarming, busy, tireless bees
in zig-zag flight on summer breeze
seek honey-dew so tender,
as scented shrubs and sugared flowers
lift up their petalled heads for hours
their sweetness to surrender
their sweetness to surrender.

The desert quandong, orange, plum,
the passion-fruit to ripeness come;
they urge our glad thanksgiving
to him who all these gifts bestows,
and from whom such abandance flows
to gratify our living
to gratify our living.

I cannot, mighty God, be still,
for all your mighty actions fill
my being with elation.
I too must sing when all things sing,
let praises to the Highest ring
which voice my adoration
which voice my adoration.

What a delightful and fantastic hymn. Paul Gerhardt has several more that will be posted later. The last verse is how I also feel about God's mighty creation and His Love for the critters and especially us.

I cannot, mighty God, be still,
for all your mighty actions fill
my being with elation.
I too must sing when all things sing,
let praises to the Highest ring
which voice my adoration

Photos - Wedge-tailed Eagle ©Wikipedia, Oriental Skylark by Nikhil, Strutting Emu by Ian, Great Bowerbird by Ian

Pied Butcherbird singing and preening


more about "A bird preening and singing softly | ...", posted with vodpod

Attack of the Social Media

Has communication changed? Look at this!

What a Creator!

Some great pictures from the world of medicine point to our Creator and how He has blessed man with intelligence to preserve life.

Dr. Charles Petitt - Piedmont Baptist College

Dr. Charles Petitt, President of Piedmont Baptist College, will be speaking at FBC on Sunday evening, October 25th. Dr. Petitt will also be speaking at the Sunshine Baptist Fellowship Fall Conference at Tri County Church in Lady Lakes on October 26-27. He has spoken at FBC several times before and we look forward to welcoming him back.

Birds of the Bible - Storks II

Wood Storks in Top of Tree by Lee

Yesterday, Dan and I went out to the Circle B Bar Reserve for some birdwatchng. I think I would have to call it, "Stork Day." From our photos, I have counted well over 100 Wood Storks and that doesn't count the ones we didn't photograph. It is time to find out some more about the stork.

From the first Birds of the Bible - Stork article,we found out that the stork is on the unclean list of birds that were not to be eaten by the Israelites. (Leviticus 11:19 and Deuteronomy 14:18). Jeremiah 8:7, tells of "her appointed times" (migration) and Zechariah 5:9 mentions the "wings of a stork."

Psalms is going to provide our thoughts for today.

The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. (Psalms 104:16-17)

The Whole Tree

As you can tell from the photos, the storks like to hang out in the trees. The trees were loaded with them. We were out there recently (September 18th) and I did not see any on that visit. Jeremiah was correct, "Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times;" Migration has been underway and these are either resting while on their trip or they are going to be here for the winter.

"Storks (family Ciconiidae) make their nests of sticks, reeds and grass, in tall trees. When the chicks hatch, their thin, featherless skin is extremely vulnerable to the direct rays of the sun. The parent bird has two responses to the high temperature problem — if water is nearby, the stork fills its large beak, returns to the nest, and douses the tiny chicks with cooling water. If this is not sufficient, the parent then performs a most remarkable feat — it stands over the young and spreads its large wings over the entire nest, thus shading the chicks from the sun’s rays! Often it will do this for hours at a time." from "Birdbrains?" at Answers in Genesis

Storks Shadowing Baby in Lakeland by Dan

When the Lord created the Stork, the knowledge to protect their babies was put in them. Our God and Savior has promised to meet our needs. If He cares about the birds, how much more does he care about us?

"Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills, belonging to the family Ciconiidae. They occur in most of the warmer regions of the world and tend to live in drier habitats than the related herons, spoonbills and ibises; they also lack the powder down that those groups use to clean off fish slime. Storks have no syrinx and are mute, giving no bird call; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Many species are migratory. Most storks eat frogs, fish, insects, earthworms, and small birds or mammals. There are 19 living species of storks in six genera.

Storks tend to use soaring, gliding flight, which conserves energy. Soaring requires thermal air currents. Ottomar Ansch??tz's famous 1884 album of photographs of storks inspired the design of Otto Lilienthal's experimental gliders of the late 19th century. Storks are heavy with wide wingspans, and the Marabou Stork, with a wingspan of 3.2 m (10.5 feet), shares the distinction of "longest wingspan of any land bird" with the Andean Condor.

Their nests are often very large and may be used for many years. Some have been known to grow to over 2 m (6 feet) in diameter and about 3 m (10 feet) in depth. Storks were once thought to be monogamous, but this is only true to a limited extent. They may change mates after migrations, and migrate without them. They tend to be attached to nests as much as partners.

Storks' size, serial monogamy, and faithfulness to an established nesting site contribute to their prominence in mythology and culture." (From Wikipedia with editing)

See the Slideshow of Storks - Click Here

Listen to Pastor's Sermons Anytime

You may (or may not) have noticed that we have begun putting Pastor Osborne's sermons on our website. Each sermon is available to listen to or to download. Also, many sermons have pdf versions of the powerpoint notes that Pastor used during his message. Enjoy and help us spread the word.

Missionary Update - Walter & Beverly McDonald

Missionary: Walter & Beverly McDonald – Tallahassee
Board- EBM
• Walter had thyroid surgery on the 9th. Pray for healing.
• Pray for the building plans, that the Lord will provide. Their hope is to start on the site plan in the next couple of months.
• Beverly’s grand-daughter is with them due to the child’s mother (Jessica) having stomach cancer. Please pray for her.

Seethe McDonald's Missionary Page

Missionary Update - Pete & Mary Lou Jenks

Missionary: Pete & Mary Lou Jenks – Nebraska
Board- BCP
• They participated in the Bennington Daze parade in June. Also traveled to Ohio for the GARBC Annual Conference.
• In July a youth group came and helped them do VBS. They had it in two locations. Later in the month they went to the BCP Family Camp in Iowa.
• August saw them participating in a friends memorial service and visiting family and friends in New York.
• In September, they started two new programs. Joy Club and a Parenting Class. They are hoping to reach the families of the VBS children

See the Jenks' Missionary Page

Missionary Update - Frank Jertberg

Missionary: Frank Jertberg – retired in Lakeland

• Doris went home to be with the Lord on July 21st. She had undergone a surgical repair of her left hip, and was starting to progress. Then she became suddenly ill from an infection that spread rapidly. He is thankful for the God honoring and uplifting tribute.
• He says his health and strength are waning slowly, but he is still living at home by himself. He appreciates the help of all his children.
• Continue to pray for him in his loss and for his health.

See Frank Jertberg's Missionary Page

Missionary Update - Spotos

Latest Update 09-26-2009
Dear Prayer Partners,
As Gene Autry used to sing (we know that we are dating ourselves), we are back in the saddle again.

We arrived back to Italy last Thursday afternoon, the 17th, at 4 pm, and on Sunday already back preaching in the pulpit, our men's bible study on Tuesday evening and our church bible study last evening. So we are full swing back in the ministry here in Italy and thanking the Lord for allowing us the opportunity to serve Him in this way and looking forward to new souls being saved and the believers maturing in their faith. It was wonderful this past summer, being able to see all of our northern supporters, renewing relationships with our supporting churches, and bringing them up to date as to what God is doing in the ministry in Italy. We praise the Lord for safety as we traveled over more than 7,000 miles and slept in many different beds! The Lord was good and truly blessed and we are thankful for our time there.

Also since arriving back, we have already met with our accountant, and the director of Casa della Bibbia (House of the Bible), Giancarlo Farina in regards to getting our soon to be open Christian bookstore. We need to jump through some legal hoops for the accounting side, but should have everything in place by the end of October so that we can start bringing in inventory. The plan is to get the store set up the month of November, so that we can be open before Christmas. This is our goal and for what we are shooting for.
That is where you all come in. In talking with Giancarlo, we found out that about 80% of their inventory will be put on consignment to our store and every 3 months we have to give an accounting for what has been sold and not sold. We will only pay for that inventory as we sell it.

Now there is another 20% of their inventory that has to be purchased. This 20% consists of Christian literature and books that are not a part of Casa della Bibbia publishing, Christian DVD's, Christian objects like key rings, stickers, pencils, etc... According to what Giancarlo was telling us we will need, with the exchange of the euro to the dollar, $5,000 to round off our inventory. The expense for these products must be paid up front when they are delivered.

We are also going to have to change the blinds on all the windows in the store. We have vertical side to side blinds right now which are pretty well worn and we want to replace them with vertical - up and down blinds. The blinds are going to run us $3,000. We already have $1,400 in the bookstore account which will pay for the cash register that we need and for other office incidentals that we are going to need to set up. So overall we will need $8,000 to finish setting up the store. Will you please pray about this need and see what you can do to help us in purchasing the inventory and the blinds? Gifts can be sent directly to:
ABWE
PO Box 8585
Harrisburg PA 17105.
Account Bookstore - #755033.

We are going to continue to walk by faith knowing what an impact this store will have in our town. Now that we have come back, the work that the town was doing in front of our store is now finished. There are benches, and plants and trees, and people hanging around everywhere in front because it is now totally a pedestrian area. We have the train station right next door with two restaurants that serve lunch and after the folks eat they go walking looking at the store fronts killing time for their work to restart. It has almost become the center of town right in front of the place God gave us now 9 years ago. Who would have ever thought or known it! (except the Lord!!)

So please pray for this project. Pray also because there is the possibility of the wife of one of our young families to give us a hand on a permanent basis at least part time to begin with. She just found out that she is losing her part time job October 5th and needs to find another position. She would be a great asset to the store.

Thank you again for your part and your faithfulness to us here in this ministry. We are expecting some great things from the Lord as we move forward with this project.

Lord bless you!
Until next time...
In Christ, Jim, Lori and Jonathan "those from Italy greet you"
Heb. 13:24

See Spoto's Missionary Page

An Update and a Thank You

Many have asked and so I thought this would be a good way to provide an update. On Tuesday, my wife left the hospital after a five night stay. She is pregnant with our third child and has suffered from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) with each of her pregnancies. So far, this pregnancy has been the hardest. We are currently about 11 weeks along in this pregnancy.


Hyperemesis Gravidarum
The basic gist of HG is severe nausea & vomiting. With our first two children the sickness lasted up to and during their births. As soon as they were born, the nausea was gone. The constant sickness naturally leads to dehydration which is what ultimately caused the hospital stay. This time our doctor ordered a PICC line. He then prescribed TPN & Zofran through the PICC line. The TPN is a 12-hour feeding that provides the necessary fluids and nutrients. Zofran is a anti-nausea medication that seems to provide some relief. Fortunately we are able to continue these treatments at home with the help of home healthcare nurses. They are teaching Nicki how to do these treatments and we are almost independent of the nurses.

HG is a strange disease. As recently as 15-20 years ago the widespread opinion was that HG was a mental or psychological illness. The common response by doctors and nurses was "just get over it." Sadly, this only made things worse for women suffering from HG. Nicki and I have read many stories of women who felt hopeless throughout their pregnancy because they could find no one in the medical profession who would take it seriously. Fortunately, things have changed. Most people now recognize HG as a serious physical illness. (for more information about HG visit the Hyperemsis Education & Research Foundation website.)

We are so grateful for the care that we have received. Our doctor has been wonderful. He has patiently listened to our concerns and has been proactive in his treatment. The nurses that took care of Nicki at The Regency were fabulous. They were kind and provided excellent care.


Thank You
Most of all, we would like to say thank you to all of you, our church family. It is hard to communicate how encouraging you all have been to us. It has been very humbling to have so many people offer to help us. We appreciate all of the meals, phone calls, visits, cards, and babysitting that you have provided. Most importantly, your prayer on our behalf has strengthened and encouraged us. Thank you for your continued prayer support as we travel through the upcoming weeks and months.

Theological Triage - Al Mohler

Al Mohler has written a great article dealing with the importance of theological truth. It's a bit lengthy, but well worth the time.


"We are charged to embrace and to teach the comprehensive truthfulness of the Christian faith as revealed in the Holy Scriptures." - Al Mohler

When I Consider! - Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture Tree at Saddle Creek by Lee

We get to see lots of Turkey Vultures in this area. I have seen trees just loaded with them. They are ugly to look at, but are very useful.

The following is the October 6th's "Evidence from Biology" article from A Closer Look at the Evidence, by Richard and Tina Kleis:

"The Turkey Vulture has incredible farsighted vision capable of seeing dead or dying objects several miles beyond what the human eye can detect. Yet it is designed with dull, weak, talons and a thin beak, forcing it to eek out an existence eating rotting flesh or decaying vegetables. Since the vulture eats the remains of animals that have died of disease, it has a digestive tract designed to destroy deadly bacteria (including anthrax!). The Turkey Vulture also has the ability to sanitize itself and its surroundings using a special disinfectant found in its own excrement. The same chemicals which kill the deadly bacteria in its stomach continue to kill the germs outside its body!



Because the vulture's head is usually covered in blood, pieces of rotten flesh, and bacteria, it is especially vulnerable to disease. Therefore, this particular bird was created without feathers from the neck up. As the turkey vulture stands in the sun, the ultraviolet radiation kills any remaining bacteria.

By removing the carcasses of decaying animals, the turkey vulture serves an important purpose of limiting the spread of disease and preventing potential epidemics among both man and beast. One  wonders how the turkey vulture could have evolved all of the specialized characteristics. The creation solution is that they were created with the original vulture-type bird. The survival characteristics needed for our fallen world were either given after the Fall or developed from originally created abilities."

Character Sketches, Vol. III, p. 121-124

The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. (Psalms 145:17 KJV)

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Lee's Extras:
We have mentioned the Vulture many times on the blog and especially in the places below. After all, they are one of the unclean birds that the Jewish people were not allowed to eat. After reading the above article, you can understand why they were off the "menu."

There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: (Job 28:7 KJV)

Birds of the Bible - Vulture
Vulture
Vulture Photos
Vulture Videos
Accipitridae – Kites, Hawks & Eagles
More When I Consider! articles

Adoption and Communion

Here are some more excerpts from Russell Moore's book, Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches.

Dr. Moore points out that to foster an adoption culture, a church needs to create "a vision of the church as a household." (p. 175) His point is that when we go to church we should see brothers and sisters. We should see spiritual fathers and mothers. In a sense, these are all 'adopted' family members. A church that views itself in this way will naturally have an inclination towards furthering adoption.

In developing these thoughts Dr. Moore shares some interesting ideas about how the church should observe the ordinance of communion.

"Our concept of the church as household necessarily entails a recovery of the meaning of the Lord's Table in many of our churches. The Supper that Jesus gave us is itself a living sign of adoption. Table fellowship, after all, is a familial activity. This is why Jesus was so revolutionary when he announced, "Many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 8:11). Why do our Lord's Supper services so often look like the clinical, communal rinse-and-spit of fluoride at an elementary school than like a loving family gathered around a feast table?

Often I'll preach in churches about the Lord's Supper and will call on congregations to go back to using a common loaf and a common cup, with the bread being torn, not daintily picked up in pre-fabricated bits, and with each person drinking the wine and passing the cup along. I don't mind folks disagreeing with me on this. I'm just stunned by the reason they most often give for dismissing this ancient Christian practice: germs. The common cup is, well, gross to many Christians because they don't like the idea of drinking after strangers. That's just the point, though. You're not drinking after strangers. You're drinking after your own flesh and blood, your family." (p. 178)

Other Posts from the Adopted for Life series:

1. Our Birth Father Has Fangs
2. Develop an Orphan-Protecting Culture
3. All of Us Are Called to Remember the Fatherless
4. Adoption and Communion
5. Born into Death but Adopted for Life

Birds of the Bible - Migration 2009

Radar 9-30-09 image at 12:30 AM .

I know that I have written about the migration of the birds before, but this is really interesting. They have been posting radar images of the Florida peninsula on BRDBRAIN, a bird-listing service. Here are the images for September 28th and 30th. The dark spots are the birds in migration being picked up on radar. It is amazing. I have been reading the updates for about a week and the birds are ON THE MOVE!

Even the stork in the sky Knows her seasons; And the turtledove and the swift and the thrush Observe the time of their migration; But My people do not know The ordinance of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 NASB)

9-28-2009 Bird Radar
When the Lord created the birds, he put within them the instinct to migrate. They go for various reasons, but that desire is there and off they go. Some do not make it across the open waters, but most do. As you can see by the radar, they know to fly around the bad weather and go where it is clear. I know here in Polk county, Florida, that the Bald Eagles have been arriving back. I have seen a Bald Eagle on 7 of the last 9 days. I was in different places in the county when they were spotted. Prior to that, I had not spotted any eagles since they left on their northern migration other than the few resident ones.

Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, And spread its wings toward the south? (Job 39:26 NKJV)

"Stretch her wings toward the south? - Most of the falcon tribe pass their spring and summer in cold climates; and wing their way toward warmer regions on the approach of winter. This is what is here meant by stretching her wings toward the south. Is it through thy teaching that this or any other bird of passage knows the precise time for taking flight, and the direction in which she is to go in order to come to a warmer climate? There is much of the wisdom and providence of God to be seen in the migration of birds of passage. This has been remarked before. There is a beautiful passage in Jeremiah, Jer. 8:7, on the same subject:" From the Adam Clarke's Commentary.

A few links to check out are:

http://badbirdz2.wordpress.com/
http://badbirdz2.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/more-migration-over-florida-2/
http://badbirdz2.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/more-migrants-on-their-way/
http://badbirdz2.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/major-migrant-movement-last-night/

See Also:
Birds of the Bible - Migration
Bird Migration Mistakes
Interesting - Migration and Mechanics of Flight
Interesting Things – Amazing Bird Migration
Birds of the Bible – Hawk Migration
Interesting Thing - Lesson from the Stork