Greetings from Astana, Kazakhstan

May the joy of our Lord Jesus Christgive you peace! As we have settled here, we are learning more and more about our newfield of service. One fact that is quickly learned is that Kazakhstan issuch a large country with her cities far and few between that travelingbetween them is proving to be very interesting. This week, our companycolleague, Joe and I, traveled from Astana to Povladar for an importantmeeting. We traveled the 900 kilometer (630 miles) round trip in 12 hoursdue to the severity of the road conditions of the main highways here,which are only two lane roads full of potholes, dropoffs, and longexpanses of missing blacktop. Our travel there and back took place bygoing to the train station and asking around for anyone traveling toPovladar and negotiating the fee to "rent" their back seat for Joe and I.(Traveling by car is much quicker than by train - the round trip trainride is 16 hours) Our long and bumpy journey was well worth it, in that the meeting whichwas held in Povladar, holds the exciting promise of seeing another newchurch there in the next few weeks. This year's Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is fast approaching. The focusthis year is upon the former Soviet Union where there are still thousandsand thousands of cities and towns where no evangelical witness is takingplace. Gifts through the LMCO are helping start new churches across theformer Soviet Union. You can check out available resources and stories atwww.imb.org and read how God is working among the 15 countries which madeup this former union of Communist countries. Check out especially the twocover stories about Ukrainian students and a Ukrainian missionary namedRoman (row-MAHN) who is working alongside of us here in Poladar,Kazakhstan. Our company colleague, Joe is closely involved with this workof bringing Ukrainians here on mission. Last year, Southern Baptist's gave a record $150 million to the LMCO.These gifts are allowing for the expansion of ministry among unreachedpeople groups across the globe and in the former Soviet Union. Our movingto Astana is part of this expansion as we are engaging the Russians ofKazakhstan with the promises of the gospel. Gifts from last year's LMCOhave provided for our relocation to Astana and as things continue, a carfor ministry mobility within the next couple of months. We pray thatyour LMCO goal for this year will be challenging and exceeded. Finally, we pray that perhaps one day, some folk from Immanuel inHighland, CA will come to Astana, Kazakhstan to partner with us inexpanding the kingdom work here. We have found a wonderful airline foryou to travel on (check out the attatched photo). Just kidding!!! Keep looking UPDon and Diane CombsAstana, Kazakhstanwww.Hope4Astana.comHope for every Russian heart in Kazakhstan, a church planting movementfor Astana and beyond!"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me. I was found by thosewho did not seek me.To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here amI.'" - Isaiah 65:1

Ukrainians carry Gospel from their homeland to Kazakhstan

Posted on Oct 4, 2007 | by Kristen Hiller PAVLODAR, Kazakhstan (BP)

Roman Gopanchuk gestures with his left hand and leans forward to explain a Scripture passage to his home Bible study group in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan.

Just outside the living room door, Gopanchuk's 8-year-old son Timofey plays with Russian-speaking children. After a year of repeated asthma attacks, Timofey can finally breathe freely. And with their son's health restored, so can Roman and his wife Viktoria.

The Gopanchuks first considered serving as missionaries in Kazakhstan after reading an article about Pavlodar in a quarterly magazine published by the Ukrainian Baptist Union. As they learned about the need for missionaries there, Viktoria says her son's asthma played a significant role in their decision to move from their home in Lutsk, Ukraine.

"We were thinking and praying a lot about what to do because treating him and the medicine, they didn't help," Roman says. "Some people advised us to move from where we had lived."

Roman and Viktoria contacted Franz Tissen, president of the Baptist Union of Kazakhstan, who invited the Gopanchuks to serve in Pavlodar.

"Living in the Ukraine, we were absolutely sure God wanted us in Kazakhstan," Roman says. "And when we arrived here, one of the brightest examples is that our son has not had an asthma attack since we came here."

Because of Ukraine's wealth of religious freedom and its strategic geographic location connecting Russia to the West, Ukraine is commonly considered the "bread basket" of Christianity in the former Soviet Union.

In fact, since the collapse of communism 15 years ago, the Ukrainian Baptist Union has planted 1,900 churches. But despite the growing number of church plants, Bible institutes and theological education programs in Ukraine, fewer than 2 percent of Ukrainians profess to be evangelical believers.

"We still have a lot to do here," says Mick Stockwell, International Mission Board strategy associate for Ukraine, Belarus and satellite regions. Until now, he explains, Ukraine has been a receiving culture. "Everything's been about what people bring to them; what people do for them. They are just now working on what it means to go on mission trips, to be called, to search and know God's will."

Since July 2005, IMB missionary Joe Ragan has partnered with both Ukraine and Kazakhstan Baptist leaders to recruit Ukrainian believers like the Gopanchuks to serve as missionaries to Kazakhstan.

Because of Kazakhstan's diverse population, Ragan explains, missionaries have a unique opportunity to reach a wide range of people groups with the Gospel. Just over half of the Central Asian nation's population is ethnically Kazakh, while the remaining inhabitants are comprised of Russians, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Germans and various other ethnic groups.

"For me, the important thing is for Ukrainians to discover there's a world outside of Ukraine, and that they can be a part of that work," Ragan says. "Many of them have probably seen American missionaries come to their country and do mission work. And so they never thought that they, themselves, could be a part of something like that and go to another country."

The Gopanchuks are only one of several Ukrainian families who have spoken with Ragan about the possibility of relocating to Kazakhstan to serve as long-term missionaries. As Ukrainian believers begin to leave their homeland to share Christ in other parts of the former Soviet Union, Stockwell and Ragan agree Ukrainians have access to places where Americans might have difficulty serving.

"An American passport is not always welcome in every country simply because they know we're a 'Christian' nation," Ragan says. "But Ukrainians don't have that history. So they have more opportunities to go all around this world, especially in countries closed to the Gospel."

Although the Kazakh government has placed some restrictions on missionary work in the country, Ragan says believers can work within the context of those restrictions and still complete their missionary task of planting churches.

For the Gopanchuks, the primary goal is to plant churches in a city of 350,000 people, where only one Baptist church exists.

"If God wants us to create another church here in Pavlodar," Roman says, "I don't know how much time it will take, but I know it's all in God's hands, and He can do everything."

Watch Your Words

Then there was brought to Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb, and He healed him, so that the dumb man spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and began to say, "This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?" But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of demons." And knowing their thoughts He said to them, "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then shall his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? Consequently they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder the house. He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

Background Passage: Matthew 11:1 - 12:50

Lesson Passages: Matthew 12:22-37

На Пути! Na Putee! (Pronounced: nah pooh-TEA and means: "On the Path!")

Volume 5; Edition I

September 20, 2007

Think about this...

You and your family are in America traveling outside of your home state on vacation and while waiting for a table at a restaurant far from home you strike up a conversation with a family who is also waiting for a table and you discover that they are also from your home state. What happens next?

You are overseas, traveling in a foreign culture, surrounded by conversations in languages that you don't understand, when suddenly, somewhere around you, you hear English being spoken! What do you find yourself wanting to do?

In both situations above, would you agree that it is possible that you would feel an almost instant sense of "community" with those to whom you discover that you have something in common?

In the first scenario in the restaurant somewhere away from home in America, what might be a possible outcome of meeting someone from your home state? Perhaps you might invite the other family to join your family for dinner (dutch treat of course), or at the least, you would most likely wave at each other as you depart from the restaurant after dinner, right? Why? Because you discovered that you have something in common with them that joins you to them in a brief sense of "community."

In the second scenario somewhere overseas, what do you want to do when you hear English, perhaps even American English, being spoken somewhere in the crowd around you? Don't you feel drawn to want to at least walk over closer to the conversation, or perhaps even want to join in the conversation and meet the people talking your heart language? Why? Because you have discovered that you have something in common with an absolute stranger who suddenly doesn't seem as much of a stranger to you anymore because you share the same language and perhaps the same cultural identity. You discover, even for a brief time, a sense of "community" with this new friend you have met while far from home.

In Kazakhstan today, many different nationalities and people groups are seeking to live side by side. There are Kazakhs, Kyrgeze, Turkmen, Uzbeks, and Tajks. There are also Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Germans, and Poles. Some of these people groups have been here for several generations or even for a few centuries. Others were forced here, exiled to this place far from their homeland during the days of the former Soviet Union. Regardless how each of these people groups arrived here, all of them have certain things in common, they all feel drawn to those with whom they feel a sense of "community."

When Diane and I arrived in Kazakhstan 3 months ago, our focus was to engage the Russian people of Kazakhstan with the gospel of Jesus Christ. What we are discovering is that our focus is widening to encompass all of the people groups that identify themselves through a common sense of "community" with Russian culture and language! Our focus is broadening to include not only Russians, but Ukrainians, Belarusians, Poles, and yes, even Germans, all of whom identify themselves together within a common culture and language - which is Russian.

This is an exciting discovery for us as we are preparing to seek to reach these Slavic peoples of Kazakhstan who, when in their own country would most likely identify with their historical culture, but here, far from "home" they identify with the larger group for social and economic reasons.

Please join us in prayer for the Slavic people of Kazakhstan. Pray that God would prepare their hearts for the message of the gospel. Pray that God will help us identify where in Astana various groupings of Slavic people are living to target for Bible studies. Pray, that as the Slavic people of Kazakhstan receive Jesus Christ, they will desire to not only reach others like themselves, but that they will desire to bridge the gap to other people groups in this land with the life changing message of the gospel!

Announcing the birth of our second grandchild!

Our son-in-love, Anders and our daughter, Jessica, are thrilled to announce that on Friday, August 24, their second child, Boden Edward Snyder, was born. Boden weighed 8lbs 1 oz and was 20 inches long. Boden's two year old sister, Addi, was really excited to finally get to hold her baby brother! Of course, we're pretty thrilled to be grandparents again too!

Because of some training that I was sent to in Idaho for the last two weeks of August, I was able to take two weeks of vacation and extend my stay in the states to travel to Denver to see our new grandson. Diane remained behind in Astana while I was in Idaho, but was able to join me in Denver for two weeks vacation as well. Do you really think Grandma would settle only for photos of baby Boden instead of traveling back to Denver and being there too? No way!!!

Although our time in Denver flew by, we appreciate so much the opportunity to spend those brief few days with our family in Denver. We are grateful that the company we serve with and the people like you who support us, understand the importance of family which allowed us to be in Denver for such an important occasion.

Back home in Astana.

We arrived back home in Astana at 5:00 AM on Tuesday, September 18 after almost 1 1/2 days of travel through Munich and Moscow on our way home. All went well and PTL all of our luggage arrived as well!

We were asleep by 7:30 that morning and slept all the way through to 6:00 PM before getting up for our "day." When trying to take a shower, we discovered that our water pressure was really low, and thinking that the water valves we had shut needed to be opened further, I reached inside of the wall in our bathroom to turn the shut off valve more open. Suddenly, the handle of the valve stem broke off and high pressure water began to gush inside the wall and out onto the floor! I was able to use one hand to almost squeeze shut the opening and keep the amount of water escaping somewhat under control for the several minutes as I franticly searched inside the wall with my other hand for the valve handle which had fallen inside the wall! After several exciting minutes and perhaps a gallon or two of water, I located the handle and was able to replace it successfully slowing the leak down to a steady drip.

Within a few moments, our door bell rang and we were given the chance to meet the neighbors who live below us who said that it was "raining" from the ceiling in their bathroom! To sum it all up, the steady drip was contained by diverting it into a bucket which we emptied every few hours during the night until the next day when two repairmen came to replace the valve with the rusted out valve stem. All is fine now and God has given us the opportunity to meet some neighbors on the floor below us. We'll stop by their place soon and check to see if all is ok and who knows what this "chance encounter" might lead to?!

By the way, Autumn is in full swing here. We've already had our first frost and the leaves are turning and falling quickly. Jackets and sweaters are the norm every day.

Visa Renewal.

When preparing to come to Kazakhstan, we applied for a one year visa, but only received visas for three months. We are currently working with leaders with the Baptist Union here to renew our visas before our current visas expire on October 5th. All seems to be going well and we hope to report soon that we have received new 1 year, multi-entry visas. Please join us in prayer about this.

Web site under construction, but available.

Please check out our new web site at www.Hope4Astana.com and let us know what you think. Remember that it is still under construction, but we would appreciate your input and suggestions as we seek to communicate God's vision for reaching the Slavic people of Kazakhstan. Thanks again for our friends Carl and Arline Ryan who are managing the web site for us.

Keep looking UP
Don and Diane Combs

Passage for Sept. 23rd, 2007

And when He hadcome down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came to Him, and bowed down to Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." And He stretched out His hand and touched him saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:1-3)

And when He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm in the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves; but He Himself was asleep. And they came to Him, and awoke Him saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" And He said to them, "Why are you timid, you men of little faith?" Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and it became perfectly calm. And the men marveled, saying, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:23-27)

And getting into a boat, He crossed over, and came to His own city. And behold, they were bringingto Him a paralytic, lying on a bed; and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, "Take courage, My son, your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, "This fellow blasphemes." And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, and walk'? But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - then He said th the paralytic - "Rise, take up your bed, and go home." And he rose, and went home. But when the multitudes saw this, they were filled with awe, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Matthew 9:1-8)


Background Passage: Matthew 8:1-9:34

Lesson Passages: Matthew 8:1-3, 23-27; 9:1-8

Passage for September 16th, 2007

"For I say to you, That unless your rightousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shal not enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not commit murder' and 'Whoever comits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angery with his brother shall be quilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the firey hell. If therefore you are presenting your offering at the alter, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the alter, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, in order that your opponent may not deliver you to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Truly I say to you, you shall not come out of there, until you have paid the last cent."
(Matthew 5:20-26)

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you , love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the rightous and the unrightous. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
(Matthew 5:38-48)

Background Passage: Matthew 4:17-7:29

Lesson Passages: Matthew 5:20-26, 38-48

Words to live by

"Wish not so much to live long as to live well."

-- Benjamin Franklin (Poor Richard's Almanack, June 1746)

Passage for August 26th, 2007

In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD. Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. (Zechariah 1:1-6)


Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. 13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. (Zechariah 2:7-13)

Background Passage: Zechariah 1:1 - 3:10

Lesson Passages: Zecheriah 1:1 - 6; 2:7 - 13

For Christ's sake, stop!

Posted on Aug 22, 2007 | by Frank Page
EDITORS' NOTE: A statement by International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin follows this article by Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page.


TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--Do we love one another? Do we love our pastors? Do we genuinely care one for another? Do we care for the lost? Obviously, the list could go on and on, but the question remains, "do we love and care for one another?"

I have been greatly burdened in recent days. Our lost world, our lost continent, hurting churches and hurting pastors are crying out. A few days ago I had the opportunity to share Christ with a young man on an airplane. At that very moment, I had to decide whether to continue writing this article or talk to this young man. Obviously, I put the writing material down and spoke with this young man who is in desperate need of Christ. He, like our world, is looking for authenticity and for love. I point this out because I believe we often are making the wrong choice.

Our witness is being diluted and energies expended on other activities, especially on internecine conflict.

Church conflict is rampant. Seldom does a day go by that I do not receive a call for help from either a church, a pastor or staff member. Recently I received three in one day. And, there seems to be a new way to deal with church conflict. These days, increasing numbers of church members launch websites detailing allegations, accusations and complaints. I ask church members this question: Do you think lost people see this? When newspaper reporters are called and church conflict becomes known in the newspaper, either locally or nationally, what do you think this does when lost people read it? For Christ's sake, for the sake of the lost, stop!

Personal attacks are on the rise. I recently removed my endorsement (as did David Dockery, Thom Rainer and others) when a hoped-for and needed place for dialogue on the Internet degenerated quickly into a place of personal attack against denominational leaders as well as those who are advocating reform. For Christ's sake, stop!

Phone calls, e-mails, and hallway conversations continue to take place with the bottom line being character assassination. For Christ's sake, stop!

Yes, as you can tell, I am sick and tired of all of this. But guess what? What I think or feel matters little, if at all. However, what does matter is what our Lord Jesus thinks. He states his heart in John 17:21, where he prays, "May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me." He also states in Galatians 5:20 that the works of the flesh are "strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions and factions.

What must we do?

1) We must beg God for forgiveness. We have spoken ill of brothers and sisters of Christ in ways that should never occur.

2) We must pledge to avoid personal attacks in the future and not to support an activity or conversation in which this occurs. By the way, there is an individual in our convention with whom I have disagreed and have done so publicly. I personally think that is fine. However, I will not be a part of a personal attack of any brother of sister in our convention.

3) We must learn to disagree using the biblical mandates in Matthew 18, Ephesians 4:15, etc. Most church problems and convention problems could have been overcome if we would have followed these biblical mandates.

4) We must learn to listen to one another. This applies to all of us. It is time for leaders, trustees, pastors and people in the pew to listen to the concerns of others, even those with whom we have serious disagreement. The pattern of totally ignoring others with whom we disagree has led to a stone walling and given many the encouragement to become extreme.

5) We must learn to talk to each other, not just about each other. I challenge you to do this. I also promise to you that you will find new friends in so doing.

What is at stake? Certainly I am concerned about the future of our convention, its great mission work, and the educational work in which we are involved. However, even more importantly, I am concerned about lost souls and new believers. Lost people are seeing the deep division and sometimes hatred that is flowing forth among churches and among those who are involved in convention discussions. For Christ's sake, stop!
--30--

Grace & respect
needed in dialogue
By Jerry Rankin


RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--Within the diversity of the Southern Baptist Convention, we desperately need dialogue to take place in which we can listen and learn from each other, even to the extent of respecting differing viewpoints. However, the Bible gives us clear instruction of how we are to deal with disagreements with others.

As a leader of a Southern Baptist entity, I find there is no lack of those who have disagreements with the work of the International Mission Board and issues with me personally or my leadership.

I welcome direct communication that is intended to result in understanding or corrective actions. But discussion of such issues publicly without making every effort to deal with me or the individual involved is inappropriate and unbiblical. There can never be justification for communicating, even areas of serious concern, without grace, respect and a Christ-like spirit.

I regret that SBCOutpost.com, which I and others earlier endorsed, has not fulfilled its intended purpose. This had the potential of being a forum for an objective interchange of ideas and opinions that would contribute in a constructive way to the Southern Baptist Convention. While I continue to endorse and advocate the value of open communication and understanding that comes from a free exchange of ideas, I am retracting my endorsement of SBCOutpost as the place for that to happen.

Prayer Requests, August 12th, 2007, Archive

August 12th, 2007

Prayers for the Faith program and the participants and those who will hear God's Word.

Prayers for Trey and Kitty; If anyone hears from them, please let us know.

Prayers for Rich's friend, David Bower and family. David's mother has suffered a serious injury related to family concerns and developments. Peace, healing and God's guidance.

Please pray that Carol and Clark's son will get a job soon.

Welcome to Troy and Mei Rachael Hill and their children visiting the Bible Study Class.

Please pray for Mei's mother, Sioelan, who is suffering from bronchitis and a heart condition. Pray that the mother's son, Leo, can/will stop smoking in the home, since the smoke aggravates the mother's health condition. God's healing, peace and guidance.

Pray for the brother of Dan's friend who suffered a several story fall and injuries, perhaps somewhere back east. Dan, the brother and friends had an immediate prayer session on their job site. Praises that the man seems to have come out of it with minimal injuries and has had a miraculous recovery such that he will be going back to work this next week.
Praise the Lord and thank you, Jesus, for answered prayer.

Pray for repentance for Debbie's daughter, Jessica.

Prayers for Joyce Jones and the family in the accidental injury and death of husband Floyd.

Continued prayers for Nora and the family, the Stones and all of their family, Mary and Jerry Foster, Kitty and Trey Smith and all of their families.

John & Lisa - that their final home study would go well so their adoption could continue to go forward.

Crystal & Tammy- That all would go as planned with their baptism next Sunday night.

Tanner - traveling mercies as he travels to Texas with family to visit family.

Passage for Aug 19th, 2007

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. (Haggai 1:7-9)

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD. Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD. And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king. (Haggai 1:12-15)


And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD: Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty. I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD. Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it. Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you. (Haggai 2:15-19)

Background Passage: Haggai 1:1 - 2:23

Lesson Passages: Haggai 1:7-9, 12-15; 2:15-19

Prayer Requests - 8/5/2007 - Archive

August 5th, 2007
Prayers for the Faith program and the participants and those who will hear God's Word.
Pray for Alex & Nick and all of the children as they begin their new school years.
Pray for healing for Alex's hand and God's will for Jessica.
Healing for Dan and others: flu and other symptoms.
Prayers for Maxi as he and Tammi work through his medications.
Praises for the activities and results of the Game Wagon sessions.
Continued prayers for Nora and the family, the Stones and all of their family, Mary and Jerry Foster, Kitty and Trey Smith and all of their families.
John & Lisa - that their final home study would go well so their adoption could continue to go forward.Crystal - That she would be able to come and be in the new baptism class next week.Tanner - traveling mercies as he travels to Texas with family to visit family.

Passage for August 12th, 2007

"At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, 'The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.' Their goods shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them." The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness..." (Zep. 1:12-15)Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect --before the day passes away like chaff-- before there comes upon you the burning anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the LORD. Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD. (Zep. 2:1-3)"On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD..." (Zep. 3:11-12)Background Passage: Zephaniah 1:1 - 3:20Lesson Passages: Zephaniah 1:12-15; 2:1-3; 3:11-12

Passage for Aug 5th, 2007

The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. (Hab 1:1-3)

"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own. (Hab 1:5-6)

You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and are silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he? (Hab 1:13)

And the LORD answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. (Hab 2:2-4)

I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. (Hab 3:16-19)

Background Passage: Habakkuk 1:1 - 3:19

Lesson Passages: Habakkuk 1:2-3, 5-6, 13; 2:2-4; 3:16-19

Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton (Federalist No. 29, 10 January 1788)

"If a well-regulated militia be the most natural defense of a free country, it ought certainly to be under the regulation and at the disposal of that body which is constituted the guardian of the national security. If standing armies are dangerous to liberty, an efficacious power over the militia in the same body ought, as far as possible, to take away the inducement and the pretext to such unfriendly institutions. If the federal government can command the aid of the militia in those emergencies which call for the military arm in support of the civil magistrate, it can the better dispense with the employment of a different kind of force. If it cannot avail itself of the former, it will be obliged to recur to the latter. To render an army unnecessary will be a more certain method of preventing its existence than a thousand prohibitions upon paper." -- Alexander Hamilton (Federalist No. 29, 10 January 1788)

Alexander Hamilton (Federalist No. 34, 4 January 1788)

"Constitutions of civil government are not to be framed upon a calculation of existing exigencies, but upon a combination of these with the probable exigencies of ages, according to the natural and tried course of human affairs. Nothing, therefore, can be more fallacious than to infer the extent of any power, proper to be lodged in the national government, from an estimate of its immediate necessities."

Alexander Hamilton (Federalist No. 70, 14 March 1788)

"The ingredients which constitute energy in the Executive are, first, unity; secondly, duration; thirdly, an adequate provision for its support; fourthly, competent powers. ... The ingredients which constitute safety in the republican sense are, first, a due dependence on the people, secondly, a due responsibility."-- Alexander Hamilton (Federalist No. 70, 14 March 1788)

Alexander Hamilton (Report on Manufactures, 1790)

"The tendency of a national bank is to increase public and private credit. The former gives power to the state, for the protection of its rights and interests: and the latter facilitates and extends the operations of commerce among individuals. Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state."

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (Motion for Prayers in the Constitutional Convention, 28 June 1787)

"And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need its assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this Truth, that God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?"

Benjamin Franklin (Motion for Prayers in the Constitutional Convention, 28 June 1787)

"I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this Truth, that God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?" -- Benjamin Franklin (Motion for Prayers in the Constitutional Convention, 28 June 1787)

VBS - Game 4 & 5

The weekend got crazy and I didn't finish my updates on VBS. Thursday went very well and during the service, 40 or 50 kids came forward to either pray, be baptized or answer the call to some sort of ministry. My son, Tanner, was among them. I am always proud of him when he makes that kind of bold decision without wanting my "permission". God is slowly shaping him into the man He wants him to be.

Game 5, Friday, was the most exciting. After a long week, lack of sleep, body aches and everything else that goes with this kind of work, I was feeling a little down that I hadn't seen more fruit from our labors. (note my selfish focus) Well, when we got to the service at the end of the night, I knew there were going to be a couple of baptisms, but when they announced that there were going to be 41 I was floored!! Being privileged to see 41 people get baptized made every thing else worth the price that had been paid. I especially got overwhelmed when Tanner was announced and was cheered for by most of those in attendance. Then his friend that came with us the whole week was baptized and I just gave up trying not to cry tears of joy.

So, was all the work worth it? Absolutely!!

I am looking forward to next years VBS already!!

Praise be to God!!

Passage for July 29th, 2007

An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh. The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (Nahum 1:1-3, ESV)

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. (Nahum 1:7-8, ESV)

Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder-- no end to the prey! The crack of the whip, and rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! Horsemen charging, flashing sword and glittering spear, hosts of slain, heaps of corpses, dead bodies without end-- they stumble over the bodies! And all for the countless whorings of the prostitute, graceful and of deadly charms, who betrays nations with her whorings, and peoples with her charms. Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and will lift up your skirts over your face; and I will make nations look at your nakedness and kingdoms at your shame. I will throw filth at you and treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle. And all who look at you will shrink from you and say, Wasted is Nineveh; who will grieve for her? Where shall I seek comforters for you? (Nahum 3:1-7, ESV)

There is no easing your hurt; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil? (Nahum 3:19, ESV)

Background Passage: Nahum 1:-3:19

Lesson Passage: Nahum 1:1-3, 7-8; 3:1-7, 19

VBS Game 3

I've been in FAITH now for the last 4 years. In those 4 years, I have gone out on visitation more than 80 times, I have shared Christ with as many as would allow me to, ministered to several families and even with all of that, I have never seen so many want to receive Jesus as I did tonight. To my untrained eye, I would say over 150 children went forward tonight after praying to receive Christ. Before VBS started tonight, God reminded me of the urgency of having to reach this generation for Christ.

After such a wonderful night, I hate to have a sad note, but I believe I must. First, I have a guy at work who was a witness to a suicide of a teenage girl just a couple of weeks ago. Apparently, his neighbor came from work and when she opened the garage door, her daughter had hung herself in the garage. Second, just this past Monday, one of the single moms at my shop had to leave work early because her daughter had attempted to overdose on pills and was in the hospital. Both of these kids viewed their lives as so hopeless that they decided it would be easier to just end it instead of continuing on.

I believe that the reason God made sure to remind me of these instances just before VBS got started tonight was to make the victory I saw in Christ tonight that much sweeter. I mentioned last night how exciting it was to see the kids "get it". Tonight, I cried tears of joy as I listened to an auditorium filled with children pray the sinners prayer out loud. For those around us, we need to show them that there is hope and that hope is Jesus. With out Him, this world is a hopeless place but with Him, it is a never ending adventure.

On that note, I want to thank Pastor Todd for stepping up and filling Pastor Jeff's place on short notice. Tonight, we taught on the arrest, trial, crucification, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It tied in great with the rest of the night, but try to cover all of that in 17 minutes, three times. Continue to pray for us as we cover Jesus' appearance's after His resurrection.

God bless

VBS Game 2

Well we just got home from Game 2 of VBS and I am just amazed at how well our classes are going. The kids are attentive, eager and excited to be there.



During a Q&A period with Pastor Anthony Vines, the kids were asking some great questions. I am also amazed at how much the world has influenced there view of Christ, the Church and Christianity in general. Some of the questions were as simple as how old are you and where do you live but some were very thought out. Like one of them had a two parter, first can you be born a Christian. Obvious answer, no. Second, then how do you become a question. I loved how the kids were able to analyze a statement and then take it to the next level. Of course, Pastor Anthony told him that he need to have a personal relationship w/ Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Savior and Lord.

Please continue to pray for these little ones and know that the word of God is being preach in Highland, Ca. without any reservation.


God Bless

Pictures from K-stan

VBS - Game 1

VBS was great last night. I was put in charge of the bible stories for 5th grade. We get to be in the Bible Study Locker Room and share truths from the Bible with these smart, young children. Many of the kids there I know because Tanner is in that age group, but it was very refreshing to see LOTS of new faces.

I kinda cheated on setting up the Bible stories. I was able to request a different Pastor each night this week. Pastor Todd Barnett did a great job of getting the kids to laugh and really be engaged in the lesson. Last night was the story of how Mary and Joseph were heroes because they did what was right in God's eyes even though it wasn't easy. It was exciting to see the kids "get it" as they realized how it would have been easier to follow the worlds way but they choose to go God's way.

Tonight should be just as exciting!! Tonight we get to look at how John the Baptist played his position in God's plan and humbled himself to make sure that everyone saw that he was just being the messenger, Jesus was to be the focus!!!

From the sounds of it, we had the largest group of all the grades, 76 in attendance not including helpers!! If we did, they get the high attendance trophy and bragging rights until tomorrow!!

God bless!!

Passage for July 22nd, 2007

The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the LORD, and a messenger has been sent among the nations: "Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!"

Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised.

The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, "Who will bring me down to the ground?"

Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD.

If thieves came to you, if plunderers came by night-- how you have been destroyed!-- would they not steal only enough for themselves? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings?

How Esau has been pillaged, his treasures sought out!
All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you-- you have no understanding.

Will I not on that day, declares the LORD, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of Mount Esau?

And your mighty men shall be dismayed, O Teman, so that every man from Mount Esau will be cut off by slaughter.

Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.

On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.

But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.

Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; do not gloat over his disaster in the day of his calamity; do not loot his wealth in the day of his calamity.

Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress.
For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.

For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually; they shall drink and swallow, and shall be as though they had never been.

But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.

The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken.

Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau, and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines; they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb.

Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.

Obadiah 1:1-21 (ESV)

James Madison Quotes

"The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse."

-- James Madison (speech in the Virginia constitutional convention, 2 December 1829)

-----------------------------------------------------------------
"The apportionment of taxes on the various descriptions of property is an act which seems to require the most exact impartiality; yet there is, perhaps, no legislative act in which greater opportunity and temptation are given to a predominant party to trample on the rules of justice. Every shilling which they overburden the inferior number is a shilling saved to their own pockets."

-- James Madison (Federalist No. 10, 23 November 1787)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"In the first place, it is to be remembered, that the general government is not to be charged with the whole power of making and administering laws: its jurisdiction is limited to certain enumerated objects, which concern all the members of the republic, but which are not to be attained by the separate provisions of any."

-- James Madison (Federalist No. 14, 30 November 1787) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"But ambitious encroachments of the federal government, on the authority of the State governments, would not excite the opposition of a single State, or of a few States only. They would be signals of general alarm... But what degree of madness could ever drive
the federal government to such an extremity."

-- James Madison (Federalist No. 46, 29 January 1788) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit."

-- James Madison (Federalist No. 51, 8 February 1788)

Founders' Quote Daily‎

"Nevertheless, to the persecution and tyranny of his cruel ministry
we will not tamely submit - appealing to Heaven for the justice
of our cause, we determine to die or be free...."

-- Joseph Warren (American account of the Battle of Lexington,
26 April 1775)

Summer Missionaries Report from the Field

Amanda Wilkinson, NAMB Summer Missionary,
Cleveland Hope, Cleveland, Ohio

Our activities have changed each day. We've worked on community projects with painting & clean-up of elderly and disabled people's homes. We've helped churches with their VBS. We worked at a decathlon as volunteers for the local event in order to build relationships in that area for the Church of the Hills, which is a church plant that will launch next year. We've also been a part of doing door to door surveys in order to help the Bridge Church, which is also a church plant. We helped run and facilitate three block parties. Two were hosted by established churches while the third was to build relationships with the community for Gateway Church, which is a church plant.

Every Saturday my partner & I work with a local church, Cuyahoga Valley Church (CVC) to feed the homeless at the downtown square in Cleveland. We also prepare and clean-up for each Saturday with the ladies in the church. Every night we also go to Trader Joe's (a gourmet grocery store) to pick up the food that has expired in order to use for the homeless ministries on Saturday & Wednesday. I think that pretty well covers our activities thus far. Oh wait, we've also helped with Upward Basketball and Cheerleading camps as well as passed out many, many fliers for various ministry activities. Okay, that's it.

Meaningful Experience: While we were prayer walking, surveying, and building relationships with people in downtown Cleveland, we had an opportunity to pray for a lady working in a parking garage. After we prayed we went to a Chinese restaurant. As we sat down, a man came up beside our table and told us he was paying for our meal because "it's a good thing" what we were doing. I asked him if we could pray for him for anything. He said he had a relationship with God, but just wanted a more intimate one.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brandon Ratliff, NAMB Sojourner Missionary,
Mission Arlington, Arlington, Texas

During my first two weeks at Mission Arlington, I've done a multitude of activities. I have helped lead 2-3 summer programs a day, taught small groups of children at revivals, worked Rainbow Express (a sort of VBS), moved furniture, handed out food, sorted donations, and worked the front room, which is where people are counseled before they receive material assistance. The days are long, but fulfilling, and the stamina and attitude of the full-time staff is amazing.

The most meaningful experience of these first two weeks had very little to do with me. I was counseling in the front room, where someone comes to the Mission, fills out an application for assistance, and is then met by a counselor to see how we can help them.

Well, I got a woman who seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown. I introduced myself and took her to a counseling room. She was at the Mission seeking help to pay her rent. As it turned out, her husband had recently passed away, and the government check she used to pay her rent had been lost in the mail, so she was facing eviction at midnight.

At the end of the session, I asked if I could pray with her, as we do with everyone who comes through the Mission. She said yes, and then said that the Lord had been faithful for 21 years (she was in her 40's).

It amazed me how a woman who was having such a rough time was still so solid in her faith, which is far greater than mine. Even though I was supposed to encourage her, I came out of the session more inspired than she was. It's easy to believe in the faithfulness of God when there are few trials; so much harder for that woman, yet her faith is so much more established than mine.

---

Lindsay Stanford, NAMB Summer Missionary (from MS BCM),
Tahoe City Baptist Church, Tahoe City, California

Our group has been in orientation since we arrived in Tahoe City. We had meetings all day for the first week or so. Once we learned how most of the things around here work, we began working the A+ before and after school program.

Before school, we watch the kids and learn a Bible verse before the school bus comes so their parents can go to work. After school, we helped them with their homework, sing songs and teach them a Bible story until their parents get off of work. It has been a great time to get to know the kids and their parents. We have had several opportunities to see the area of Lake Tahoe by taking a tour around the lake and by going on a few hikes. The area is absolutely beautiful!

The people of this area are searching for anything. The New Age stuff is pretty big. One day I was teaching a group of kids grade kindergarten to sixth grade. As we were outside playing, I told the kids that in just a few minutes we would go back inside and do our Bible story. A little girl who just finished the second grade looked at me and said "What's a Bible Story?" It caught me off guard. But I explained to her what is.

A couple of days later, one of my partners told me that the same little girl and her younger brother said that they had never heard about God until they came to our program a couple of weeks ago. Whenever I brought my group inside for the Bible story that day, we made a craft with a Bible reference under a verse on the craft.

Jaylynn, the little girl, asked me what the numbers were for. So, I sat down with her and showed her how to use a Bible. It was a very exciting day for me and an eye opening one as well.

The kids are so curious about everything. They are at a very teachable age which is definitely a great opportunity for us as summer missionaries.

Justin, one of our preschool kids, has attached himself to me for some reason. He comes from a good family. Every time I see him, he runs and gives me a hug. As I was babysitting him and his older brother Alex, I realized for the first time how hard it is going to be for me to leave these kids on August 4th. The children of Tahoe City, CA have stolen my heart. They are truly a gift from God!

---

Kendal Frazier, NAMB Summer Missionary,
High Country Church, Colorado

Since I have arrived, I have felt God's guidance in two particular ways.

The first and foremost thing God has been teaching me and reminding me is that my own resources, energy, and lover for these people is insufficient. God continually has been showing me the Christian's obligation to rely on the LORD for His divine power to provide all that we need. I am seeing more and more when I am tire and have little steam left in - God is my strength and my victory.

Another thing God has been showing me is how very important it is for one to practice interceding on others' behalf. Our pastor had to make a decision to forego working with another local ministry because of "integrity issues." Sarah & I hit our knees. After praying really hard for brokenness and reconciliation, God broke down barriers. He is continuing to bring our ministries to a point of renewal and righteousness.

---

Angie McDonald, NAMB Sojourner Missionary,
Baptist Mission Centers, Houston, Texas

My first week of ministry was absolutely incredible. Joy Mission Center has food and clothing ministry, teen, pre-teen, Kid's club and a senior adult ministry. Because I teach preschoolers on Sunday mornings at my home church, a friend and I were put in charge of teaching the preschoolers at Kids club the Bible lesson.

Kids club runs from Monday to Thursday, and by club time on Thursday, I was worn out. I went into the prayer room and asked God to reveal to me the real need of the preschoolers and that they are not "just preschoolers." Well, God showed me just that.

That day, we had close to 30 preschoolers in a room about the size of my bedroom, and I was overwhelmed. I found out that these kids did not know what the Bible was or how it was important, exactly who Jesus is and what He did for us, or exactly what prayer is and how to do it.

When God revealed this to me, my heart broke in two pieces. These preschoolers are one of the main missions God had has now given me for the summer. I am going to begin incorporating these truths about the Bible, Jesus and prayer into the daily Bible stories that I get to share with these kids. Without the basics of Christianity, these kids are not going to fully understand salvation, and I believe God has placed me here in Houston in order to teach truths to the preschoolers!!

---

Ashley Fish, NAMB Summer Missionary,
The Haven Fellowship, Pen Yan, New York

Most of my time here so far has been spent planning VBS and a five week summer program to follow that. Both of these ministries are being viewed as outreach projects because so much of the area is unchurched and a lot of the families are single parent. So, quality activities for the children to do while mom and/or dad are at work is a huge need. This will be a way to reach the parents as well as the kids with the message that Jesus loves them.

A meaningful experience has been the reminders from God that it all means nothing if I'm not listening to Him and doing what He wants to have done this summer. It's been really hard being out of school and not having a very set schedule to keep up with prayer and devotional times.

Once again I have come to a place in my Christian walk where I have to go all the way to obedience and surrender or give up and go home. There is too much at stake to be half hearted.

Pray for me that I would find encouragement to stay in the Word and stay strong. I am very excited to see what God will do with the summer program!

---

Joy Doriety, NAMB Sojourner Missionary,
Mission Arlington, Arlington, Texas

I am completely blown away by the perspective that everyone carries here at Mission Arlington. Bringing the church to the people is something that I had never considered before. I feel a call in my heart and soul here. I feel that God has given me a taste of his will and of his plans for me. Living solely for the purpose of winning people to Christ (when I say solely, I mean every detail, every moment, 24-7) has been made very real to me.

I was working in the front room one day and a Spanish-speaking lady came in. She knew about the same amount of English as I did Spanish, which is not very much at all. She began to speak in English. Suddenly, she started to speak rapidly in Spanish as tears streamed down her face. It is amazing that I understood everything that she was saying. There is absolutely no way that happened based on my own abilities. God allowed me to hear what she told me. When she stopped talking, we held hands as we prayed, she in her language and I in my own.

Thought for the Day

Consider it pure joy... whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:2,3

Passage for July 15th, 2007

Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty. Has not food been cut off before our eyes, Gladness and joy from the house of our God?(1:15-16 NASB)

"Yet even now," declares the Lord, "Return to Me with all your heart, and fasting, weeping and mourning; And rend your heart and not your garments." Now return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in the lovingkindness and relenting of evil. (2:12-13 NASB)

Then the Lord will be zealous for His land and will have pity on His people. (2:18 NASB)

"Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust and the gnawing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall have plenty to eat and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame. Thus you will know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other; and my people will never be put to shame. It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, blood fire and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls." (2:25-32 NASB)

Background Passage Joel 1:1-3:21

Lesson Passage: Joel 1:15-16; 2:12-13, 18, 25-32

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Receive God’s Mercy

How did God make you aware that you needed to repent of your sins and receive His mercy? _____________________________________________

In Joel's day the people of ________ did not take seriously God's attitude toward _____.

Being cut off from the temple was __________ God was not pleased with the people. They had lost the joy and ____________ they usually experienced in the temple festivities. They were learning that God brings certain ____________ on His people's sins.

Why do we need to consider if adverse conditions may be the Lord's way of warning us to turn back to Him? ___________________________

_____________________________________________________________

God is still ____________ and calling for His people to _______________.

Why do you think hard times often bring us closer to God? __________

_____________________________________________________________

God's ___________ would produce three important results. First, the people would have their physical needs __________. Next, God's people would __________ the name of their God, Yahweh, for dealing so mercifully and so wondrously with them. Also, God's people never again would be put to ________. They had been shamed by their belief that God had abandoned them, and thus they felt they needed to look elsewhere for food instead of looking to God. Also, they were shamed in the face of other nations whose people thought God had forsaken Judah.

Prayer Requests from July 8th

Miller Family - Pray they finish the house quickly and that it sells quickly.

Shupe Family - Pray the adoption process continues to go smoothly.

Tammy's friend Brian that he would be able to reconcile with his wife, and her friend John who is serving overseas.

Tammie's eye surgery, and that her husband and son would see the need to be involved in Church & Sunday School.

Crystal's job possibility and that her husband would also see the need to be involved in Church & Sunday School.

Birnbaums - unspoken

Continue to keep Nora in prayer: some better days; some bad days; still perhaps no real change or improvement in treatment. Staff and deacons were to pray over her Sunday evening, anointing for healing. Pray that God would allow the healing for His Glory.

Kitty reports that Trey continues to do well and that he will get the next scan results soon: Pray for healing results to the newest treatment and God's healing. Trey and Cathy will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this next week and Kitty will go there for the celebration and visit. Pray for travel mercies, health and all of the detail of travel and the celebration.

Molly continues to undergo treatment for her bladder and kidneys: 6 courses of antibiotic treatment so far and not much change in the condition. Pray for God's healing touch.

Praises that Rich's elbow is healing up well.

Praises for the safe return of all of the travelers and the successes in San Antonio.

Ed, Dorothy & grandson; Stan & Joy; Kitty; Ray & Marcie; all the others.

Prayers for the Stone family and the safety of their son as he continues in the military.

Prayers for Dan's son as he continues his tech training in Texas in the Air Force.

Prayers for the Zinn's and the newest child in the family.

Claudia in the loss of Tom. Pray for comfort and guidance.

George Washington Quotes

"And you will, by the dignity of your Conduct, afford occasion for Posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to Mankind, had this day been wanting, the World had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining."

--George Washington (The Newburgh Address, 2 January 1783)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Tis folly in one Nation to look for disinterested favors from
another; that it must pay with a portion of its Independence
for whatever it may accept under that character; that by such
acceptance, it may place itself in the condition of having given
equivalents for nominal favours and yet of being reproached with
ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than
to expect, or calculate upon real favours from Nation to Nation.
'Tis an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride
ought to discard."

-- George Washington (Farewell Address, 19 September 1796)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations."

-- George Washington (Farewell Address, 1796)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Praise!!

Praise be to God!! Georgy was released from the hospital this morning. Surgery was done late Monday night and everything went well. The Curtis' say thank you for all the prayers.

Thought for the Day

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will read a harvest if we do not give up.
-Galatians 6:9

This morning, thinking about all that lies ahead for the next few weeks, with VBS, Team Kid, and finishing things up @ home before school starts again, I was starting to get weary just thinking about all of it. Then I saw this verse and it reminded me that I can't give up. I know that God will continue to give me strength to carry on. What I do, I do for His glory and His honor. I am but a tool for Him to use.

Our God is an awesome God!!

Scripture for July 8th

1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

He tells the godly that God's long patience will hasten their repentance

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

and exhorts them to holiness of life

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:1-18 KJV