Month: July 2009

Monday Evening

 

Church bus crashes; 1 killed, 6 in hospital
Posted on Jul 13, 2009 | by Erin Roach
MERIDIAN, Miss. (BP)–A teenage boy was killed, six people remained hospitalized and several others suffered broken bones after a church bus crashed involving students from First Baptist Church in Shreveport, La.
The bus was carrying more than 20 teenagers and adults on their way to Passport youth camp in Macon, Ga., July 12 when a tire blew out and caused the bus to roll over on Interstate 20 near Meridian, Miss.
Elane Blackwell, an administrative assistant at First Baptist Shreveport, told Baptist Press the church’s youth pastor, Jason Matlack, remained in intensive care at a Meridian hospital on Monday. He was expected to recover.
Two girls, including the daughter of the church’s associate pastor for emerging ministries, were pinned under the bus when it rolled over, Blackwell said.
“Pray for our children. We had a family that lost a little boy. He was going to be a freshman in high school,” Blackwell said. Among the injured he noted that “Our associate pastor’s daughter is the one that is so bad, and it’s just touch and go. She needs brain surgery, and they can’t even do that because she’s not stable enough.”
The church identified the boy who was killed as Brandon Ugarte, and his funeral mass will be July 15 at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in Shreveport. The other girl who was pinned under the bus appears to be recovering, Blackwell said.
When the crash occurred, a unit from the Alabama National Guard happened to be traveling nearby, and the soldiers were able to upright the bus and provide immediate medical care.
Churches in the Meridian area rushed to help, including some members of First Baptist Church in Meridian.
“We had the chief deputy of the county sheriff’s department in our church, and he stopped me right after the service because he got texted during the service,” Matt Snowden, associate pastor at First Baptist Meridian, told BP. “We were able to call the pastor in Shreveport and get on it immediately.”
Some of the victims were taken to hospitals in Meridian, and some went to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
“We initially helped the church in Shreveport find where everybody was,” Snowden said. “Everybody was scattered. Then yesterday afternoon we helped with some small logistical things, moving bags around and helping people get to the airport. It’s mainly stuff like that — picking up lunch and getting supper lined up and things like that. Buying socks for ladies who need socks — just little small things.”
Because the victims were from a church youth group, Snowden said there wasn’t much need for his church to provide counseling.
“You have built-in counseling mechanisms there already. They’re really kind of leaning on each other,” he said. “I think the role of the Meridian churches has not been so much direct pastoral care but handling all the junk that has to be handled — the small, practical things.”
Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church in Meridian was close to the crash site, so people from that church retrieved scattered luggage and took it to their building until it could be claimed.
Snowden also mentioned Highland Baptist Church and Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian as well as a local Methodist church and a Catholic church that were on hand to help.
“I think most of the Baptist churches probably did feel a special kinship, but really all the churches in our community have felt the blow of this,” Snowden said.
Blackwell of First Baptist Shreveport expressed gratitude for those in Meridian and at the hospital in Jackson who showed up to help in the aftermath of the crash.
“It’s been an incredible outpouring of Christian love,” she said.
Besides the six people who remain hospitalized, a statement on the church’s website said the others who were injured had returned to Shreveport Sunday night with “broken bones, fractured collar bones and lots of bruises.”
The congregation had received word of the accident shortly before the morning worship service, and they rallied in prayer for the victims. That evening, a hymn service included prayer and periodic updates on the injured.
“Our congregation is leaning on our faith and confidence in God, balancing direct action with reliance on the goodness and power of God,” Greg Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Shreveport, said on the church’s website, commending volunteers for their “heroic support.”
Wayne Smith, pastor of Fifteenth Avenue Baptist, said people from his church were quick to help because “that’s what you do.”

Church bus crashes; 1 killed, 6 in hospital

Baptist Press

Posted on Jul 13, 2009 | by Erin Roach

 

MERIDIAN, Miss. (BP)–A teenage boy was killed, six people remained hospitalized and several others suffered broken bones after a church bus crashed involving students from First Baptist Church in Shreveport, La.

The bus was carrying more than 20 teenagers and adults on their way to Passport youth camp in Macon, Ga., July 12 when a tire blew out and caused the bus to roll over on Interstate 20 near Meridian, Miss.

Elane Blackwell, an administrative assistant at First Baptist Shreveport, told Baptist Press the church’s youth pastor, Jason Matlack, remained in intensive care at a Meridian hospital on Monday. He was expected to recover.

Two girls, including the daughter of the church’s associate pastor for emerging ministries, were pinned under the bus when it rolled over, Blackwell said.

“Pray for our children. We had a family that lost a little boy. He was going to be a freshman in high school,” Blackwell said. Among the injured he noted that “Our associate pastor’s daughter is the one that is so bad, and it’s just touch and go. She needs brain surgery, and they can’t even do that because she’s not stable enough.”

The church identified the boy who was killed as Brandon Ugarte, and his funeral mass will be July 15 at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in Shreveport. The other girl who was pinned under the bus appears to be recovering, Blackwell said.

When the crash occurred, a unit from the Alabama National Guard happened to be traveling nearby, and the soldiers were able to upright the bus and provide immediate medical care.

Churches in the Meridian area rushed to help, including some members of First Baptist Church in Meridian.

“We had the chief deputy of the county sheriff’s department in our church, and he stopped me right after the service because he got texted during the service,” Matt Snowden, associate pastor at First Baptist Meridian, told BP. “We were able to call the pastor in Shreveport and get on it immediately.”

Some of the victims were taken to hospitals in Meridian, and some went to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

“We initially helped the church in Shreveport find where everybody was,” Snowden said. “Everybody was scattered. Then yesterday afternoon we helped with some small logistical things, moving bags around and helping people get to the airport. It’s mainly stuff like that — picking up lunch and getting supper lined up and things like that. Buying socks for ladies who need socks — just little small things.”

Because the victims were from a church youth group, Snowden said there wasn’t much need for his church to provide counseling.

“You have built-in counseling mechanisms there already. They’re really kind of leaning on each other,” he said. “I think the role of the Meridian churches has not been so much direct pastoral care but handling all the junk that has to be handled — the small, practical things.”

Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church in Meridian was close to the crash site, so people from that church retrieved scattered luggage and took it to their building until it could be claimed.

Snowden also mentioned Highland Baptist Church and Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian as well as a local Methodist church and a Catholic church that were on hand to help.

“I think most of the Baptist churches probably did feel a special kinship, but really all the churches in our community have felt the blow of this,” Snowden said.

Blackwell of First Baptist Shreveport expressed gratitude for those in Meridian and at the hospital in Jackson who showed up to help in the aftermath of the crash.

“It’s been an incredible outpouring of Christian love,” she said.

Besides the six people who remain hospitalized, a statement on the church’s website said the others who were injured had returned to Shreveport Sunday night with “broken bones, fractured collar bones and lots of bruises.”

The congregation had received word of the accident shortly before the morning worship service, and they rallied in prayer for the victims. That evening, a hymn service included prayer and periodic updates on the injured.

“Our congregation is leaning on our faith and confidence in God, balancing direct action with reliance on the goodness and power of God,” Greg Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Shreveport, said on the church’s website, commending volunteers for their “heroic support.”

Wayne Smith, pastor of Fifteenth Avenue Baptist, said people from his church were quick to help because “that’s what you do.”

 

 

From Jimmy Dukes

Retia is having a very sleepy day. She seems to be doing well physically, although still somewhat confused. The neurologist seems to think medication is the main cause. They are changing her muscle relaxant to another to see if it will make her less confused. We hope and pray to that end. She needs the muscle relaxant for the tone problem in her left arm and leg, but it would be great to see the confusion lessened. We will take what we can get.

We do have some good news today. The neuro surgeon at Ochsner has agreed to replace the cranium piece for her. We also found out today the bone can be transported to Ochsner, so it can be done at the Big O. That is a relief for us. We are waiting for a date for the surgery.

It may be possible to transfer her to Orlando after the recuperation from the surgery. We also hope and pray to that end. While we love all our New Orleans family and friends and appreciate all they have done for us, we are ready to get home. Since that home is now Orlando, we are ready to get there.

We continue to appreciate the posts you all are making on Caringbridge. It is a blessing each morning for me to go there and hear from friends and family who care enough to visit the site and pray for us. 

Please continue to lift Retia to the Father. We are trusting her to him and we know he cares more for her than all of us do. Let’s keep communicating with him about her, not so that he will know we care, he already knows that. Let’s do it because he gives us the privilege of communicating with him about some one we love nearly as much as he does.

blessings

jdukes

Monday

Technology delays this morning!


“Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law,

show that they know His law when they instinctively obey it,

even without having heard it.”

~Romans 2:14 NLT~

 

Pray for

  • Mrs. Nadine Council – hip surgery this morning 
  • Mrs. Betty Bethel – cataract surgery this morning
  • Mrs. Faye Price – short visits home from nursing home
  • Ashby Reeves – open-heart surgery today
  • FBC, Kentwood children – leaving for camp this afternoon
  • FBC, Shreveport youth and church families – youth  involved in a bus accident yesterday in Meridian as they were going to a church camp.  One youth was killed.  One youth (daughter of a pastor who is a friend of Jason’s) in life threatening condition.

 

 

Vicky Conn Cavaretta

(October 15, 1957 – July 12, 2009)

VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE

 

Vicky Conn Cavaretta, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother was born on October 15, 1957 and passed away at 8:40 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at her residence. She was 51, a native of West Palm Beach, FL and a resident of Amite.

Vicky is survived by her husband, Vincent Cavaretta, Jr., Amite; a son, Vincent “Trey” Cavaretta, III and wife, Heather, Amite; a sister, Kathy Alford, Amite; a brother, Tom Conn and wife, Ruth, Lexington, KY; a grandson, Vincent “Corey” Cavaretta, Amite; a granddaughter, Samantha Mire, Amite; 3 sisters-in-law, Sarah Lee, Zachary, Jo Ann Booty and husband, Lindsey, Amite, and Judy Cavaretta, Amite; also numerous nieces, nephews and a great nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis M. and Ellen Lynch Conn.

In celebration of Vicky’s Life the family request donations be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 (888) 773-9958 or Chimp Haven, Keithville, LA, 318-925-5630, http://www.chimphaven.org

An on-line Guestbook and to view a Memorial Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

 

 

 
Obituaries
Vicky Conn Cavaretta
(October 15, 1957 – July 12, 2009)
Sign Guest Book
Vicky Conn Cavaretta
VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE
Vicky Conn Cavaretta, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother was born on October 15, 1957 and passed away at 8:40 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at her residence. She was 51, a native of West Palm Beach, FL and a resident of Amite.
Vicky is survived by her husband, Vincent Cavaretta, Jr., Amite; a son, Vincent “Trey” Cavaretta, III and wife, Heather, Amite; a sister, Kathy Alford, Amite; a brother, Tom Conn and wife, Ruth, Lexington, KY; a grandson, Vincent “Corey” Cavaretta, Amite; a granddaughter, Samantha Mire, Amite; 3 sisters-in-law, Sarah Lee, Zachary, Jo Ann Booty and husband, Lindsey, Amite, and Judy Cavaretta, Amite; also numerous nieces, nephews and a great nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis M. and Ellen Lynch Conn.
In celebration of Vicky’s Life the family request donations be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 (888) 773-9958 or Chimp Haven, Keithville, LA, 318-925-5630, http://www.chimphaven.org
An on-line Guestbook and to view a Memorial Video Tribute is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

 

 

 

 

Sunday Evening

William “Bill” F. Hughes
(May 31, 1933 – July 12, 2009)


William

U.S. Veteran Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather succumbed to his courageous battle with cancer on July 12, 2009 at the age of 76. He was a native of Roseland, a resident of Amite and a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Camilla Ammons Davidson Hughes; daughters, Ann Marie Hughes Banos and husband, Orlando, Austin, TX, and Brenda Darlene Hughes, Walker, LA; sons, Johnny Lamar Hughes and wife, Gaisha, Tickfaw, LA and Michael Wayne Hughes and wife, Tracey, Walker, LA; stepdaughter, Ann Davidson Wax, Denham Springs, LA and stepson, Thomas H. Davidson, Sr. and wife, Judy, Denham Springs, LA; brothers, Jesse Edward Hughes, Baton Rouge, LA and Gary F. Hughes and wife, Shirley, Killian, LA; sisters, Faye Breeland and husband Carl, Amite, LA, Betty McMichael and husband, Leonard, Brenda Phillips and husband, James, and Linda Sands and husband, Donald, all of Roseland, LA; 17 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar R. Hughes and Inez Jones Odom Hughes and stepmother, Nina K. Hughes. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home of Amite and Kentwood,Inc. 110 E. Factory St., Amite, LA on Monday, July 13, 2009 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and from 9 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, conducted by Pastor Larry Blades and Rev. James Phillips. Interment in Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA. Pallbearers will be Benjamin T. Wax, Thomas H. Davidson, Jr., Trey Banos, Alex Banos, Clint Sands and Brandon Phillips. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Richard Murphy Hospice Foundation, 16013 Halbert Lane, Hammond, LA 70403 or Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, 64671 Hwy. 1054, Roseland, LA 70456. The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the staff of the Richard Murphy Hospice House for their very special care and comfort and to the E. R. “Bud” Glasgow family for their love and support.

Zellee Holmes Oliphant
(September 2, 1913 – July 11, 2009)

Zellee Holmes Oliphant

Mrs. Oliphant was born on September 2, 1913 and passed away on July 11, 2009 at 7:15 p.m. She retired from B.B. Bennett Sewing Factory in New Orleans, LA. Zellee also worked for a drug store. Zellee Oliphant was a graduate of Kentwood High School. During World War II, Zellee and her sister, Gladys Young, worked at Delta Ship Yard. The company honored them for their efforts and dedication through the war. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilton Oliphant; mother, Lottie Holmes; father, Joseph Kirby Holmes; 2 sisters, Gladys Young and Beulah Ramsey; 3 brothers, Odell Holmes, Edison Holmes and J. C. Holmes; 2 brother-in-laws, John Ramsey and J. W. Young. She is survived by Katie Jones, Johnie Booty and his family, Tracie Luper and her family, Alton Booty and his family, Tommy Seiger and his family, Heather Yeager, Rachael Booty, Oliver Young and his family, Scott Jones and his family, David Young and his family. Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home of Amite and Kentwood, 501 Ave. G, Kentwood, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Services will be conducted by Rev. Percy Mac Frazier, Rev. Clay Spinks and Rev. Gibbie McMillan. Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood. Pallbearers will be Johnie Booty, Alton Booty, Keith Luper, Jonathon Booty, Brad Yarbrough, Oliver Young, Tommy Seiger and Scott Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Yarbrough, Richie Yarbrough, Jordan Luper, Jimmy Luper, Davin Booty, Jacob Booty, Jace Booty, Jay Young and Tommy Seiger, Jr.

Sunday Afternoon

Please continue to pray for Judy Easley’s family.  Doctors at Ochsner said Shaun Bodin needs neck surgery.  He will be seeing someone a a second opinion this week.

Please continue to pray for Chuck Pittman.  He began more treatment this past week.

Vicky Conn Cavaretta

(October 15, 1957 – July 12, 2009)

Vicky Conn Cavaretta was born on October 15, 1957 and passed away at 8:40 a.m. on Sunday, July 12, 2009 at her residence. She was 51, a native of West Palm Beach, FL and a resident of Amite.

Sunday

“All Scripture is inspired by God

and is useful to teach us what is true

and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.

It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

~2 Timothy 3:16 NLT~

R.S.V.P.

As the story goes, some prominent scientists were invited to a party, and this is how they replied (warning!  only avid science students will understand every reference):

*  Ampere was worried he wasn’t current.

*  Audobon said he’d have to wing it.

*  Boyle said he was under too much pressure.

*  Darwin waited to see what evolved.

*  Descartes said he’d think about it.

*  Dr Jekyll declined — he hadn’t been feeling himself lately.

*  Edison thought it would be illuminating.

*  Einstein thought it would be relatively easy to attend.

*  Gauss was asked to attend because of his magnetic personality.

*  Hertz said in the future he planned to attend with greater frequency.

*  Morse’s reply: “I’ll be there on the dot. Can’t stop now, must dash.”

*  Newton planned to drop in.

*  Ohm resisted the idea.

*  Pavlov was drooling at the thought.

*  Pierre and Marie Curie were radiating enthusiasm.

*  Volta was electrified, and Archimedes buoyant at the thought.

*  Watt reckoned it would be a good way to let off steam.

*  Wilbur Wright accepted, provided he and Orville could get a flight.

I think it’s significant that Jesus often compared his kingdom to a feast or a banquet.  Being a part of God’s kingdom is like going to a party.  It’s a festive occasion, a time of fellowship, a time of joy.  I think Jesus wanted us to understand that the greatest joys this life has to offer are found in his kingdom.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding…and they were not willing to come.  Again, he sent out other serv ants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready.  Come to the wedding.”‘  But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his business.” (Matthew 22:2-5).

The king sent out his servants to tell everyone to come join the party, but those who had been invited wouldn’t come. So he tried again, sending out his messengers to say, “Look, it’s going to be a great party — lots of food and fun!”  But they said, “We’ve got other things to do. Sorry, can’t make it.  We’d love to, but we’re just too busy.  You know how it is.”

And you know how the king felt, don’t you?  We’ve all had that happen to us at some time or another.  You work like a dog getting ready for something — a party, a get-together in your home.  You spend hours and hours getting everything ready. You work hard and you’re excited about what you’ve got planned.

The big day comes. You planned for twenty and three show up. You planned for thirty and you get eight. You know how it feels.  You want to cry.  It makes you angry and frustrated and depressed.  You know how the king in this parable felt.  And if you know how the king in this parable felt, then in some small way, you know how God feels whenever one of us rejects his invitation to be a part of the kingdom that he has prepared for us.

The banquet has been prepared.  You have received an invitation from God.  He is waiting for an R.S.V.P. Have you made your plans to attend?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday Afternoon

Dukes

Well, it is Saturday morning, July 11. Jason is in North Carolina doing a wedding, and Erik is at home in Booneville. Erin and all his boys but one have had viruses this week, and he stayed home to help with them. This is my first weekend without them, and I miss them. One of the really good things that has come out of this tragedy is the time I have had with Erik and Jason. We have shared some good times and some good conversatio

ns.

I am doing fine this weekend. It helps to have some good friends and a good brother around that I could call on if I need help. Dan and our friends have shared a lot of good meals with us. I appreciate the sharing we have experienced during the last three months.

Retia is doing some better with the dementia. The doctors have stopped one of the medicines that affect that. It does cause her arm and leg to be stiffer, but they are talking about what they can do that would help the limbs and yet not cause the dementia. We are praying for success in that area.

She continues to do well in therapy, but the process is slow. Her bedsore is also healing, and the doctor told us it should be well in a few weeks. We are also praying for that.

We have gotten some word on the replacement of the cranium piece. We hope to have final plans early next week. The current antibiotic round will be completed July 15, and we hope and are praying they will proceed with haste to get the surgery done.

God has been so good to us in this process. He is sufficient to meet all our needs. He makes us aware of his presence with us daily. As I reflected on this last night, I could not help but thank him for what he is doing.

I am so glad that God gives his people the privilege of asking whatever we will, and that in his wisdom he gives us the things we really need at the time we need them. I can trust him with that. I am trying to make my prayer what Jesus would pray for Retia because I know he loves her the most and he will give her what she really needs. I also know God is working out his purpose and is bringing glory to himself. When I am in my right mind, that is what I want as well.

Please continue to join us in asking for complete healing in every way for Retia. But, also keep in mind that our prayer is to be “in Jesus’ name.” I think that ultimately means that we want to pray like Jesus prays.

Thanks for praying with us. We all love all of you. We could not make it through this without your support.

blessings
jdukes

Don Denton

Remember when I said it would take a miracle for Don to get this medication he needs;

It happened!!!!!!!!!

The NPA – National Pharmacuetical Assoc. that I filed a formal complaint with invested my claim.  I got a call from the corporate office with Medco and they had no real answer as to why they would not approve this drug.  So for the first time now, Don is gettting his medication.

Although, we got a call from the company with a recording saying this is a “one time” thing.  So I have to get back on the phone Monday to find out why they have done this.  I have never seen anything quite like this.  But the good news is that he has the medication now.

Second, Don will cut down physical therapy to 3 days a week, which means he is getting stronger.

We have not heard results from the CAT Scan on Thursday, as we suspected that is good news too.

We finished vacation Bible School this week.  It was so good for Joshua and me.  I so needed to be there.  I have so missed our church.  As I have said before, they are precious people.  We have been so ministered to by them and loved by them in a way that has changed us.  WE are so grateful to God and to them.

Joshua had a sleepover last night with his best buddy and I, well, lets just say I am a little sleep deprived.

Please continue to pray for us, we so need it.

I will post soon.

Diane

Earlier this week, Steve Bennett told David his mother-in-law was not doing well.  She passed away since then.  Please pray for her husband, three daughters, and their families.

Latru Chequita Lord Davis

//


Davis, Latru Chequita Lord Greensburg Baptist Church at 5 p.m.

Saturday

“Ask of Me,

and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance,

and the ends of the earth for Your possession.”

~Psalm 2:8~

Landon Estay said, “preliminary results show no genetic defects. we appreciate your thoughts and prayers.”

World Changers Celebrates Work on 20,000th Home

By Mike Ebert
Baptist Press

SAVANNAH, Ga. (BP)–There’s something special about Eleanor Williams’ home.

Hers is the 20,000th home World Changers has worked on since the Southern Baptist ministry began as a pilot project in 1990.

Each year when the City of Savannah Department of Housing notifies homeowners they have been approved for government-funded home improvements, several respond with a special request: “Please put me on the list of homes to be worked on by the World Changers students.”

Williams is one of those residents, having qualified for funds to replace her leaky roof this summer.

Word has spread through the Savannah area over the years as more than 12,000 students since 1992 have given a week of their summer to help replace roofs, apply a fresh coat of paint and renovate homes while sharing Christ with homeowners and residents.

“I had the World Changers come in 2005 and paint my house,” Williams recounted amid the sound of hammers pounding on the roof and the buzz of activity in her yard.

“It’s been like a fence of love surrounding me this week,” Williams said of the World Changers’ presence.

Every home World Changers students work on is special because the point of the week is not only to work on houses but to connect with homeowners and share the love of Christ and the salvation story. But on July 3, Williams’ home became especially significant because it marked the 20,000th renovation completed by World Changers over the years.

“We have mobilized more than a quarter of a million students and adult leaders since 1990,” said John Bailey, student volunteer mobilization team leader with the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. “We’re here as a response to our faith,” Bailey said during a brief ceremony in Williams’ backyard. “We’re answering God’s call to go and serve.”

This summer more than 23,000 middle and high school students will participate in 98 World Changers projects in 91 cities throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. World Changers provides the tools and volunteer labor while local governments provide the funding, often utilizing federal government housing dollars.

In addition to working on homes, World Changers participants share their faith with homeowners and others in surrounding neighborhoods. In 2008, participants in World Changers and PowerPlant, a sister ministry geared toward assisting in church planting efforts, made 14,757 presentations of the Gospel resulting in 997 recorded professions of faith.

While World Changers is impacting homeowners and other residents, participating students say World Changers is changing their lives at the same time.

“God has been using this week to show me I’m a lot more fortunate than some people are and I can use my abilities to help people who need it,” said 11th-grader Broderick Turner, a member of First Baptist Church in Eufaula, Ala. “I will definitely come back and do this again.”

Meredith Johnson, a high school junior who attends Florence (Ky.) Baptist Church just south of Cincinnati, said the week had reconfirmed her call to missions.

“It’s been a good experience. I want to do missions when I grow up. I would like to go to Africa or a place like that. This is good practice. God has shown me I can do whatever I can put my mind to with His help. I didn’t really think I could come out here and shingle a roof. I’ve never been on a roof before!” Johnson said she may want to go on an international World Changers mission trip next year.

The practical side of World Changers is what has made the partnership with the city of Savannah and so many other municipalities a success over the years.

Cynthia Holly, loan officer with the city’s housing department, said World Changers helps stretch housing dollars. Holly has worked with World Changers each of the 13 years she has been with Savannah’s housing office.

“It allows us to help out many more homeowners. We wouldn’t be able to do as many houses each year without the free labor. We would have to pay contractors,” Holly said.

NAMB President Geoff Hammond visited with students who were working at the construction site, describing them as “the heroes of World Changers. Think of the time, the effort, the leadership this takes. But they are doing it because of something greater than themselves. They’ve experienced the love of God in their hearts and they want to share that with these families here in Savannah.”

To the students who made up the construction crew working on Williams’ home, NAMB’s John Bailey said, “This is just the beginning for you. You can be a part of the next 20,000 homeowners we’re going to minister to.

“As I look around today, I might be looking at the next Geoff Hammond who will lead the North American Mission Board or the next Jerry Rankin who will lead the International Mission Board,” Bailey said. “That’s one of the things World Changers is about: a beginning point to serve and to minister because of what God has done in our lives.”

(Mike Ebert is publications and media relations coordinator for the North American Mission Board.)

KneEmail

Free

free.jpgJESUS DOESN’T FORCE us to be His disciples…

Never does He coerce anyone into His service. His invitation is free, His offer of eternal life is free, the opportunity to serve Him is free. He freely took the initiative in giving His life as the substutionary payment for our sin. In obedience to the Father, He gave everything, setting aside His heavenly state to be robed in human flesh. He lived perfectly, died sacrificially, rose again triumphantly and ascended back to heaven gloriously. And He didn’t charge us a thing, which is good because we couldn’t pay the price anyway. However, what we can do is serve Him out of grateful hearts and loving devotion. He has given beyond measure, all at His personal initiative. How can we not as stewards choose willingly to give our all for Him? (Dave Sutherland and Kirk Nowery)

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’

And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’

And let him who thirsts come.

And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Revelation 22:17

Posted by Mike Benson at July 10, 2009

Have a wonderful day of preparation for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Friday Afternoon

The family of Sandra Birch Lee would like to thank everyone for the cards, telephone calls, food, money, words of condolences, but most of all for the prayers.  We still need your prayers to help us at this heartbreaking time.

Floyce Bates Harrell
(January 11, 1922 – July 10, 2009)

Floyce Bates Harrell

Died at 8:00AM on Friday, July 10, 2009 at her residence in Kentwood, LA. Age 87 years. Mrs. Harrell was born Jan. 11, 1922 in Amite County, the daughter of Calvin Monroe and Molly Frances Fluker Bates. She was a member of Osyka Baptist Church. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from at Osyka Baptist Church, Osyka, MS from 10 a.m. Saturday until religious services at 4 p.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Revs. Milton Kliesch, Merlin McCon, and Amos Ezell. Interment Osyka Cemetery, Osyka, MS. Survivors include three daughters, Helen Louise Ezell and her husband Amos of Leesville, LA, Bennie Mae Ezell and her husband Claudus of Walker, LA, Julia Anna “Judy” Jett and her husband John, of Hornbeck, LA, Also 12 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren. 5 great-great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ben Harrell, two sons, Ben Junior Harrell and Robert Wiley Harrell, granddaughter, Mary Anna Harrell, daughter-in-law, Joyce Harrell Felder, three brothers, Claude L. Bates, James Calvin “JC” Bates, and Sitman Stewart Bates, two sisters, Bertha Jane Bates and Daisy Belle Varnado. Pallbearers will be Tim Ezell, Mike Ezell, Robert Harrell, John D. Jett, Joseph Jett, Rick Wentzel, and Philip Jackson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles “Deacon” Autrey, Chuck Autrey, Benje Autrey, Chase Ezell, Cody Ezell, Matthew Harrell and Blake Rainwater.

Friday

“Carefully consider the path for your feet,

and all your ways will be established.”

~Proverbs 4:26 HCSB~

Today’s focus will be on children.  Pray for children who have attended/will attend VBS this summer.  Pray for children who have attended/will attend a church camp this summer.  Pray for children who do not have these opportunities.  What can/will you do about this?

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

Prayer requests

“Let the little children come to Me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” Luke 18:16b

Happy and sad Have you ever been happy and sad at the same time? Maybe you are going to move to a new house. You get your own room and there is a great playground in the neighborhood. But moving means you won’t see some of your good friends as often as you used to. A move like that can make you happy and sad at the same time.   One grandmother is both happy and sad. Her grown children live in China, so their children are her grandkids.    She said: “Our love not only for the Lord, but for them, keeps us going. We support them in every way we can . . . prayer, care packages, and taking care of things here in the States for them. We never discourage them, and try to make things as easy as possible for them.”   She loves what they are doing and knows how very important it is. She’s just sad sometimes when she doesn’t see her grandchildren as often as she would like. Please pray for grandmothers and grandfathers who are living in the US while their family members are halfway around the world. Ask God to help them think of ways to stay connected—maybe twitter, Facebook, Skype, or sending videos to each other about what they are doing during the week.   Thank the Lord for all the grandchildren who are living in far away countries and sharing the love of Jesus.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Dad teaches at the seminary, mom work with the immigrants that end up without proper jobs such as parking cars.  You can pray that we will be able to reach these people.  Also their living areas are often junk metal put together for shelter.  They leak and often catch on fire.  So please pray for their homes/housing.  Also pray that my brothers and I will be able to reach the children in our school.  They are well off children, they don’t really see the need for a God.  My family is prone to sickness, so pray for our health.  SIDNEY, age 14 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

Twice a week, I ride on the back of my mommy’s bicycle and we go to my preschool. I don’t always understand my teachers since they speak Dutch but I like to play puzzles, play cars with my friends and sing songs that my teachers teach us.   Sometimes mommy invites my friends and their mommies over for coffee and cookies and that is a lot of fun. We eat cookies and lemonade and I’m learning to share my toys with them. Pray I will feel comfortable speaking Dutch with my teachers. JESIAH, age 3 (European peoples)

My grandpa is not a Christian. Pray for him. Pray too that year/grade 6 will be good for me. RACHEL, age 11 (Southeast Asian peoples)

Please pray for the Mozambiquan people that they would get to know about Jesus and obey him. BETHANY, age 10 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

Pray for me to adjust back to school and for me to stay stronger/get stronger in my relationship with God. KK, age 13 (Southeast Asian peoples)

Please help Angola because there are a lot of robbers and many people are getting robbed and there are many gunshots. Please pray for the many Angolans who don’t know Jesus. ALEXANDRIA, age 11 (Sub-Saharan African peoples)

KneEmail

Lost

lost2.jpgSEVERAL YEARS AGO, my family was camping in the mountains of Colorado…

We have arrived there late in the afternoon, and we picked out a nice spot close to a beautiful river. While I was attending to the chores of setting up and organizing our camp, the children went off to play.

As the sun began to set, we started rounding up the children and hustling them back into our campground before it got completely dark. Our four-year-old son, Scott, was missing. The river was making so much noise that my calls were drowned out, and its roar was a constant reminder of danger.

Panic began to build. Where was he? Had he wandered out of the campground? Had he wandered up or down the river? The last time I saw him, he was playing at the edge of the water with a little boat he had made.

By now you could barely distinguish the camp as the rays of the setting sun were further blocked by the forest. A chilling reality gripped me. I only had a few minutes before darkness made my search nearly impossible.

What should I do?

First, I want to tell you some of the things I did not do.

I did not organize any classes on how to find lost children.
I did not hold any rallies to enlist volunteers to help me.
I did not wait until someone came along with was better qualified than I to search.
I did not fail to do anything for fear of doing the wrong thing.

Now, I want to tell you what I did do.

I acted immediately.
I ran around the campground.
I dashed up and down the river.
I called Scott’s name, in spite of the roaring river.
I searched the churning waters.
I stopped total strangers to describe him, and they joined in the search.

Nothing else mattered for that period of time. Finding him was my top priority.

After running all over the campground and up and down the river, I still could not find him. Not knowing what else to do, I decided to go back to camp to figure out what to do next. Scott and I arrived at the same time. He was walking nonchalantly into our campground, oblivious to everything; I was still on a dead run.

An old preacher once said, “If a man has a soul, and he has, and if that soul can be won or lost for eternity, and it can, then the most important thing in the world is to bring a man to Jesus Christ.” (Don Humphrey)

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” ( Luke 19:10).

Posted by Mike Benson at April 13, 2009

Have a fantastic Friday as you think about and pray for children around the world.

Anna Lee

Thursday Afternoon

Please continue to pray for Landon and Alisha Estay.  Alisha has been admitted to the hospital.  Pray for God’s will with their unborn son and for strength for the family as they face an uncertain future.

Dukes

< forgetfulness. >
There are events in life you never forget. That trip with Dad when I was 11 to Cleveland, MS to see where I was born and where he went to college (we moved from there when I was two). Picking up pecans from the front of Seminary campus with Mom, so that we could make a fresh pecan pie. Playing basketball with Erik on mission in the Czech Republic in January of 95. I threw him an alley-oop. The day I overheard Jen tell her dad that she had found the man she wanted to marry. The day we were engaged. The day we married.

The day I held my newborn son. The day I held my 2nd child, my daughter Katey. The day I held my 3rd, Abby. The day I held my 4th, Ella. Wow. The day I thought, “Oh my word. I have to pay for three weddings.”

The first night we met as a brand new core group when we helped start Westpoint Church. There are many other events. And then there’s April 4th.

That night stands out. On the drive home down I-75 just over three months ago, two events happened. I had a “download” of sorts from the Lord about Westpoint that will likely shape some soon decisions. I had it while I was praying and driving and keeping quiet during a kids’ nap time. I shared it with Jen. We dreamed and imagined. We’ll see of the Lord brings it to fruition.

I also got a phone call. It said Mom’s cell, but it wasn’t Mom. It was her friend, using Mom’s cell to tell us Mom and Dad were struck by a car while walking across the street in front of the Seminary campus. She didn’t know what their condition was, but it was serious. I’ll never forget that night.

Or the next day. When, after having driven all night to New Orleans, I saw Mom and Dad. When I looked at my disfigured, tubed-up, swollen, unconscious mother in an ICU holding on to life. When Erik arrived, and we just held each other in Mom’s room weeping and wondering, not fully realizing what would lie ahead, not even knowing if Mom would make it. I’ll never forget.

At least I don’t think I will forget it. I am sure Mom felt the same way before the accident about those memorable events in her life. A brain injury changes everything.

Since she has been talking more, the evidence of an onset of forgetfulness is becoming more and more apparent. It is unclear whether the issue is purely neurological or whether her medicine is playing a heavy part. Either way, in the last three days, Mom has seemed more confused than clear and is seeing stuff that’s not there. The therapists are noticing the same thing. The doctor wrote the orders for a neurological consult yesterday.

Mom answers questions about family and her recent life and her not-so-recent life with about 60% accuracy. That’s down from last week a good bit. We understand there will be good days and bad days and good weeks and bad weeks, but this supposed dimensia worries both the therapists and us. We are hoping that it is just a heavy fog from the medicine they are giving her to help her left arm and left leg be more flexible. That combined with some slight confusion she already had shown makes sense. But we’ll see.

The plan right now is to put Mom’s skull cap back on sometime soon after July 15th, which is when her current strand of antibiotics runs it’s course. A neuro-surgeon from Ochsner is supposed to tell us any day now whether he will do it or whether we will send Mom back to University Hospital for the surgery. Once that happens and she recovers, the plan is to move her to Orlando to a long-term hospital there that will transition her toward the brain injury rehab center.

About Dad – he really is dealing with a lot of pain. Especially in his knees. I am wondering if he messed up his cartilege in his knees. A violent leg injury lIke he had can certainly cause that. Just speculation on my part, but I told him he should ask about it.

Other than that, he seems to be doing well. His spirits are holding up, mainly because of the trust he has in the Spirit of the One who came near to show us His love and restore us into daily love relationship with Him and each other. I am so proud of my dad.

He has fought hard and recovered well and been real about this whole thing. No super-spiritual I-have-it-all-together junk. He’s acted more like what the New Testament highlights about the life of someone who found that treasure of the Kingdom in a field and sold everything to burly that field. When I am weak, God is strong. I am completely dependent, in need of the great love of our great God. I am content in Christ alone and therefore can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, regardless of the circumstance. Those have been his banners. He has been an example to us all.

Thank y’all for your continued prayers and support. I am heading to do a wedding in North Carolina this weekend and will be back Sunday. Jen and Ella are going with me. We are excited about the time.

Love y’all. I’ll post at you later.
-jason