Author: Anna Lee

Monday

“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4

Let’s pray for Mrs. Faye Price to be a little better than she was yesterday. Small “steps” in the right direction would be very welcomed. I’ll post an update later.

Majel Dean’s sister and brother-in-law are both doing well. Thank-you for your prayers for them.

Pray for those who will attend the grief seminar Thursday. Pray each speaker has the right words for those who are listening. Continue to pray for the many who have experienced the loss of a loved one lately. If you need more information, please contact Jan Hammons or FBC.

Pray for the children of FBC as they prepare to present “Miracle on Main Street” next Sunday night at 6 P.M. “Main Street” arrived at church yesterday afternoon. Thanks to Peggy Alford and others who created the scenery. Thanks to Wendy A. Fowler and others who had worked with the children to prepare for next week’s presentation. You are invited to attend next Sunday at 6 P.M.

Deacons for the week: Jimmy Tolar and Lloyd Hayden

Now that the Week of Prayer for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is officially over, I thought I would share some information about various missions in different parts of the world. I hope you enjoy learning more about international missions. Each one is supported through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. 100% of the money given goes directly to missions.

Drive-thru missions
When people line up for the car ferry from Europe to North Africa, they often get more than a boat ride. They can get a copy of the New Testament. When these Bible portions at $3 each are multiplied enough for a mass distribution, the cost can run between $15,725 and $17,550. It’s a price paid in full by the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and from other participating agencies.

Behind the scenes, project volunteers from several countries form an assembly line, boxing up packets for distribution to motorists. Each packet contains a copy of the New Testament, which motorists can choose in one of four languages: French, Kabyle Berber, Arabic and Chawic [shaw-wee] Berber. A copy of the JESUS film and other materials complete the packet.

Given this drive-thru ordering system, it wouldn’t be too unusual for someone to say, “I’ll have a Kabyle Berber Bible to go, please.”

Even without the window, many such orders are filled. Motorists who take these materials into North Africa can read about Jesus’ love for them and thus satisfy their hunger and thirst after righteousness.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Monday, December 8, 2008

“Now Jesus has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26b, HCSB).

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, praying with you for those who need to understand the true sacrifice.

Eid al-Adha, the Islamic Festival of Sacrifice, is celebrated on December 8 (or when the new moon is sighted) this year. Also known as Korbani Eid, Bakra Eid, or Eid Kbir, every Muslim who is financially able will sacrifice their best sheep, goat, cow or camel in commemoration of the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son for Allah. The sacrificial ritual is followed closely because Muslims believe it will atone for the sins of the people in their household.

The meat is divided into three portions, two of which are shared with the poor, and their neighbors or relatives. It is very important to share with the poor so that no impoverished Muslim is left without sacrificial food during this holiday. The third portion is for the immediate family.

Eid al-Adha provides one of the greatest redemptive analogies in Muslim culture. Scripture tells us,”Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham . . . and said, ‘By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD: Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son, I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. . . . And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed My command’” (Genesis 22:15-18, HCSB).

* Please pray for Muslims across Northern Africa and the Middle East, West Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Rim that their hearts will yearn for an explanation of true sacrifice.

* Ask God to open doors of opportunity for believers to explain that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for their sins.

* Bow in gratitude to Jesus who removes our sin and brings us abundant joy.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING?

There’s a Hasidic story about a rabbi who crossed a village square every morning on his way to the temple to pray. One morning, a large Russian Cossack soldier, who happened to be in a vile mood, accosted him, saying, “Hey, rabbi, where are you going?”

The rabbi simply said, “I don’t know.”

This infuriated the soldier. “What do you mean, you don’t know? Every morning for twenty-five years you have crossed the village square and gone to the temple to pray. Don’t fool with me. Why are you telling me you don’t know?” He grabbed the old rabbi by the coat and dragged him off to jail.

Just as the Cossack was about to push him into the cell, the rabbi turned to him, and softly said, “You see, I didn’t know.”

James taught those of us who are Christians to live in such a way that “we don’t know where we are going”. He put it this way:

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:13-14)

There’s nothing wrong with making plans, but we need to remember that there is much that may happen in the future that we don’t know about right now, and things may happen that we don’t have much control over. We have only to look back over our lives to see how things in the past often turned out very much different than we thought they would.

What James says is true — death could come at any moment. Or Christ could return. Or any of a hundred other things — good or bad — could happen to us shortly. So where am I going? I don’t know. But as long as God is with me, it doesn’t really matter.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

This devotional thought was very thought provoking for someone who likes to plan the month, week, and day like me. My written schedule seems necessary to accomplish what I see as important. Pray I will be more open to what God has for me. Pray for others who seem to function best with a planned out schedule.

Have a marvelous Monday!
Anna Lee

Sunday

Go, therefore, 12 and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 13 And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” – Matthew 28: 19-20

Continue to pray for Mrs. Faye Price, the medical staff, and the family. I’ll post an update before I go to Sunday School.

http://www.hope4cee.org/index.php
If you haven’t explored this site lately, you might want to.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions
2008 Theme – Go Tell the Story of Jesus

Watch this video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMDidl0WPMg

Day 8
Urban Poor of Brazil

It’s 9:20 P.M. when Eric Reese maneuvers his truck through the dirt roads of a slum in Rio de Janeiro. With frequent shootouts, prostitution, and drug trafficking in the streets, the favelas (slums) are a rough place to share the Gospel. He taps on the ceiling light of his Chevy pickup as he drives. It’s a signal to everyone outside the cab that he’s not a threat.

“In these communities, it’s an ugly evil you’ve got to deal with,” Eric says, “but you’ve got to deal with it. We can’t stand here and let these people shoot and kill each other without the Gospel being preached.”

Seeing past the violence and corruption is a challenge for the Reeses. But the self-destruction that keeps some from receiving Christ is precisely what compels the Georgia natives to share.

“Communicating the gospel with these folks cannot wait until tomorrow,” Eric says. “You’ve got to share it with them today because you don’t know what their tomorrow holds.”

Pray:
Ask God to use the difficult conditions in Rio de Janeiro’s slums to show people their need for a Savior. Pray for Eric and Ramona’s personal safety as they work to share the Gospel in this dangerous place.

For more information go to http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=5750&LanguageID=1709.

KneEmail
Catalog

TIS THE SEASON to receive catalogs in the mail….
Every trip to the mailbox ends with an armload of slick holiday catalogs. Each one claims to offer me something I need–immediately. “Don’t wait!” “Limited offer!” “Order now!”

The lure works. I open the pages to discover what I didn’t know I needed. Sure enough, I see things that suddenly seem essential, even though a few minutes earlier I didn’t know they existed. Manufacturers use catalog illustrations to create desire for their products.

In a way, Christians are God’s catalogs. We are His illustration to the world of what He has to offer. His work in our lives makes us a picture of qualities that people may not know they need or want until they see them at work in us.

As you browse holiday catalogs, consider what the “catalog” of your life says about God. Do people see qualities in you that make them long for God? (Julie Ackerman Link)

“You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men” ( 2 Cor. 3:2).

Posted by Mike Benson at November 14, 2008 11:34 AM

“You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men” ( 2 Cor. 3:2).
That’s why we have to “Go Tell the Story of Jesus” with our words and our actions.
Anna Lee

Saturday

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

It’s too early to get an update on Mrs. Faye Price. I’ll post something later.

Emily Panter: Emily continues to improve. She’s eating better and walking more. Keep praying.

Update on the Don and Diane Denton family:

Another amazing day in the Denton household today! Don arrived in Bolivar today at about 2pm.

It was a most beautiful sight to see. And to top it off, he did not get sick on the flight and on top of that was not sick at all today.

WE waited anxiously, Joshua jumping and squirming with joy. We actually saw the plane coming and the video started rolling. The pilot let us come out to the plane and we took many pictures of smiling faces and lots of tears. These are the most happy tears we have had in 2.5 months.

There was a time that we thought this day would not come. We were being told by the doctors that it would be a miracle if this day came for us. Back when Don was in ICU, one nurse asked me if I believed in God. He said that they would give Don all the tools to help his body to make it through this and then it was up to God. This nurse told me that I needed to pray and ask everyone to pray for Don. That was about 2 months ago. Many of these days where spent in a dark room waiting. As I have thought through this journey, it has been a journey of “waiting” Waiting for the headache to go away, waiting for Don to be able to talk again, waiting for test results, waiting for insurance decisions, waiting for housing, waiting for change, waiting for good news, waiting on God. Things we hope for, things we pour our heart out to God for sometimes don’t ever seem to come. There is great loss and grief. Loss of dreams, loss of time, loss of laughter and life together as we knew it. Waiting comes in many forms.

The other theme for me throughout this journey has been ” Believe”.

Believe that God is able. Believe even when the doctors are not hopeful. Believe in our God who says I will never leave you or forsake you. Even when there is no change. It is the waiting that is the hardest. It is in the waiting that darkness seems to overwhelm one. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is Believe when we can’t see. Even when our emotions are depleated and we are so discouraged, we can Believe, not in our ability but in God’s.

It is not an easy thing to wait. It is in that waiting that we need each other to hold onto. I have found in the waiting God’s people waiting too. WE pray and hope and wait. Thank you for waiting with us. Thank you for taking this journey with us. Thank you for your words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for your honesty and allowing me to be honest with my struggle.

And we continue to wait, waiting for further change of improvement, waiting and praying asking how are we going to get through this new phase of healing. WE will. That is the hope that we have not in us, but in Christ.

We are truly seeing a miracle today. The fact that Don is home and carries on conversations as if nothing ever happened is pretty amazing.

I felt compelled to share this with you all. I don’t know why.

I have more prayer requests.

* This one is for me. I have to confess that as happy as I am and I am elated at Don being home, I am exhausted as well. I have been a “single mom” for 2.5 months now. Please pray for me that I will have the wisdom and strength that I need and that I will be present with them both.
* Pray for Julia’s foot that she twisted.
* Pray that Don will continue improving.

Another thing I need to say is that in coming home and finding the nice surprises, I got so carried away in the emotion. Please know that during this very long journey, I have forgotten to say thank you to so many people who have reached out to us when we were in Springfield hospital for those 25 days. So please bear with me as my memory is not what it should be.

We have a very busy week this next week. I will keep you posted.

Visitation Times

I will post visitation days and times for those of you who would like to come and see Don. Once we get schedule for rehab. He would love see you.

Blessings to you our family and friends.

Diane

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

TONS OF PRAYER

The Xhosa (pronounced KOH-sah) people live in South Africa. They’re very traditional, they dress in certain ways, believe certain things…very strongly…and their language is one of the hardest to learn. So their culture and people are really hard to reach. They believe in a Creator God but also count on “shamans” (medicine men/women). The Xhosa will go talk to the shaman when they are sick or think they have been cursed.

Missionaries Mike and Amy Boone work with about 40 Xhosa children and youth. Several kids have accepted Jesus, but their moms and dads just aren’t interested.

The Boone’s daughter told us about the Xhosa people and said, “I ask for prayer for my family and their ministry. My brother and I go to a school where things are not very Christian. My school needs tons of prayer…so please pray for us, our ministry, and that God can continue to reach the Xhosa people. Thank you.” GRACE, age 14, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

My culture is normal like a typical American’s culture. Please pray for the youth of South Africa SARAH, age 13, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray that I may have an opportunity to tell the Good News to the people that live in my neighborhood. ANNDREA, age 11 (Pacific Rim)

I pray that all would hunger and thirst for Jesus Christ. NATHANIEL, age 10, (Central Asia)

My family and I are in language school for Kiswahili. After language school we will move to work with an unreached people group. Please pray that my family will adjust to life in Africa.

LINDY, age 12 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Dear God, please help my older sister in college in the U.S. Please help there be foreign children in my city that are my age. Please help my parents learn the language quickly. Please help the people in my city learn about God. Please help me in school. In Jesus’ name. Amen. HR, age 10 (East Asia)

I live in a very dirty place, with lots of people. Some may be nice and some may not be. Please pray for my Indian friend, Dove, who became a Christian when I told her. But she moved away. And please pray that my brothers and sisters will become Christians. TABI, age 9 (South Asia)

Please pray for: Open doors, wisdom in how to reach out, direction for me in choosing a college, good leadership for my class at Rift Valley Academy, unity for our class. MICAH, age 17 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Pray I’ll have strength in my walk with Christ as I go to school in an environment that is really sinful and worldly. Pray that the Bible studies that we have will grow and continue to lead to Christ. KAYLA, age 15, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
Day 7 – REAP North, Peru

Going into mountain and jungle villages, missionaries Larry and Nancy Jackson endure bumpy, unpaved roads and 10-hour boat rides to plant churches in Peru.

The Jacksons, from North Carolina, hold out hope that a Southern Baptist church will feel led to adopt each people group they research. Through REAP (Rapid Entry Advance Plan) North, the couple, in the International Mission Board’s Masters Program, helps churches connect with people groups in Peru and Bolivia. Masters missionaries are those 50 or older who commit to at least two or three years of overseas service.

Today more than 25 churches have promised to invest their efforts in approximately 15 areas with the Jacksons. Fanning out from the more evangelized city centers, Larry will continue researching and contacting people groups on the edges of darkness to connect Baptists with the lost of South America.

Because you give:
“You can see your money at work when you look at us because that’s how we’re funded,” Larry says. “When you give money, people’s lives are changed. If you want to come to Peru, I’ll show you.”

Calling an ‘Undeniable,
Irresistible’ Force
By Chris Watts

ROME (Baptist Press)

Calling, to me, is a funny thing.

In my experience, God’s call comes upon you with a furious intensity and drowns you in an incredible desire to do something huge and glorious, something that is completely beyond the measure of your own abilities.

It changes your path completely and thrusts you into a new and unknown world where utter reliance on the plan and providence of God is an absolute necessity. After a time, though, once the realities and routines of this new world have set in, some of that initial intensity fades a bit, and the calling evolves into the stabilizing foundation upon which every facet of your new life is built.

It never diminishes in its strength or importance, but rather than a sword with which to storm the walls of a lost world, calling becomes more of a compass for staying true to your path. I believe this evolution is necessitated by the fact that “the calling” serves two distinct roles.

People contentedly strolling along in an easy and comfortable life often need something violent and fierce to move them powerfully and awaken them to the harsh realities of a lost and dying world. Our Baptist cocoon often insulates us from the pain and hopelessness of a world without Christ.

Some of us, me included, need to be slapped pretty hard to see things clearly and hear the voice of God. Often it seems that change never comes to those who can stand to live without it. This initial calling causes us to be dissatisfied with anything else. It is undeniable and irresistible.

However, once you start down that path, you are confronted on a daily basis with these hard realities. You no longer need to be awakened; you need to be sustained. This life is incredibly difficult. A missionary must make the conscious decision every day that this lifestyle is still worth it. “The calling,” always lurking in the background, often gives you the strength to keep trudging forward.

This doesn’t mean the passion diminishes. On the contrary, the passion for the work grows as you witness with your own eyes the incredible ways in which God is at work in the world, as you see lives being transformed and you sense the intense pain in the hearts of those around you. You begin to understand the power of the Gospel and you long to see people receive the love of Christ.

I am convinced that this job to which I have been called is the greatest, hardest and most worthwhile way in which I could spend my life. And until I am called, kicking and screaming, to something else, there is nothing that could make me quit.

(Chris Watts and his wife, Colleen, serve as Southern Baptist missionaries in Rome. Originally from Georgia, they were appointed in 2000 and have a 1-year-old-son named Cotton.)

Rosalie Ranatza Capdeboscq
(February 24, 1915 – December 5, 2008)
Died at 4:15AM on Friday, December 5, 2008 at Landmark Nursing Home in Hammond, LA. She was a native of Plaquemine Parish, LA and a lifelong resident of Husser, LA. Age 93 years. Visitation at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Husser, from 9 a.m. on Tuesday until religious services at 11 a.m .Tuesday. Services conducted by Fr. Chris Romain. Interment St. Dominic Mausoleum, Husser, LA. Survived by Daughter, Gloria Capdeboscq St. Pe’, Dallas, TX, 4 sons, Camille B. Capdeboscq, Jr., DDS, Tickfaw, Henry A. Capdeboscq, Sr., Husser, James J. Capdeboscq, Sr., Hammond, Richard J. Capdeboscq, Husser, 1 sister, Marie DiMicelli, new Orleans, 15 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husband, Camille B. Capdeboscq, Sr., Sister, Camille Jennings. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

Coming in 7 days: Lottie Moon Christmas Tea @ New Zion Baptist Church @ 2 P.M.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Lottie Moon and the beginning of international missions focus in Southern Baptist Churches. It is also a time to teach our young girls and women more about missions while being entertained with young talent and enjoying special teas and Lottie’s special tea cakes. If you need more information, I can direct you to the proper people to talk with. The bottom line is: I hope you will attend!

Have a great weekend!
Anna Lee

Friday

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20, NKJV).

Pray for Holly K. as she completes her preparations for service in western Africa and returns home for a few weeks before leaving the States early next year. I think God has big plans for her as she serves Him.

God is so God! You’ve been praying for Don Denton who formerly served at First Baptist Church, Independence. Here is last night’s update:

We Made It HOME…… 🙂

Meaning Joshua, Don’s mom and myself…yeah!

Leaving Rochester today and saying goodbye to new friends – Arwin, Mike, Lydia, Ben, Anaka and Miles is the sad part. They took us in an befriended us and cared for us and just loved us. Dorothy, Arwin’s aunt who also is a very wise women and so giving I will miss too. I will also miss the incredible experience we had at Mayo. The nurses and doctors were wonderful. It is an amazing place to be when one is sick. Joshua will miss Lydia and the Nature Center and Lego Land.

WE started our trip this morning with a car packed to the ceiling. Forty-seven days – five people living life at Mayo – a very, very full car.

I might add snowing this morning and 12degrees. A few challenges before we started and the first two hours of our trip. Don’s mom slipped on the icy snow and twisted her ankle. Please pray for her. She is hurting this evening. She is an amazing women and I love her so much. Both Don’s mom and dad have been with us from the beginning and we are so grateful to them.

Well….snow kept falling to the point that many times along our route the first two hours this morning the conditions were almost “white out” conditions for driving. You could tell that I was not from that part of the country, but my brother Roger said that I would have driven home in 20 degree below zero and white out conditions. He was right. And then the sun begin to break through the clouds on into Iowa. We had a really good rest of the trip home.

Don and his dad will be leaving in the morning from Rochester and will arrive in Bolivar early afternoon. I expect Don to be exhausted and very tired from this trip. He will need to rest as soon as he gets home. Please pray for him.

I can’t end this journal entry without telling you about the most incredible experience we had upon arriving home this evening about 7:45pm. I hope I can do it justice for what we experienced. As I am sharing this with you even now, my emotions overcome me with the incredible gift of love that was awaiting us.

As we turned down our street and came closer to our home we realized that our front porch columns were wrapped in Christmas lights – Tim and Melissa Roberts doing. And upon driving into our driveway a big “Welcome Home” sign made by Barbara Smith was on our garage door. Then we were greeted by Tim, Melissa, Elijah and Ryan with happy tears. As we entered our house through our garage and walked up our new step made by Rick Barnhouse into our kitchen and a house that was spotlessly clean and sprinkled with precious Christmas decorations. And a refrigerator that was full of groceries and a yard that did not have one “fall” leaf in it- compliments of John Smashy. And Mary Ann Smashy had the best homemade soup and snacks waiting for and Barbara Smith had wonderful treats for us and Elijah had this sweet little gift on Joshua’s bed for him. Gail Roberts litterly dusted all of my greenery and cleaned my house along with two of Melissa’s friends- Rebecca. Two churches University Heights and Wellspring Fellowship donated money to help with groceries. And then Lisa Manis and Solomon came to give us hug and brought a very special ornament that Solomon made for our tree that they are going to provide for us. Lauren Drennon and Mike Novak have cared for our dog as well and they are so very special to us.

Can you see why I am so overwhelmed with tears. We have never in our life experienced such love, care, support and kindness in our life. We have been blessed beyond what we could ever have imagined. So many of you which I have not named have given and continue to do for us in a way through the SBU fund which has meet a real need.

As you can imagine with Don being at Cox South Hospital for 25 days and Mayo 47 days and our having to live in Rochester and my not working has been devastating. You, God’s people have poured out your love to us in ways that truly humble us.

We have the strength for this day and we are strengthened by God’s people. I hope to thank each one of you personally for what you have done for us.

Before I end this update, please pray for

* Don and his dad’s trip home tomorrow. Pray that Don will not get sick from traveling.
* Pray for Don’s mom and her ankle.
* Pray that we will be able to get all of Don’s appts for doctors here scheduled
* I will be starting back to work this next week. Don will not be able to keep Joshua. a I am looking for someone to come in a few times a week to take care of Joshua. If anyone knows of a student, etc., please call me at 417-399-8520. This will be a “paid” position.

Blessings to you our friends and family. I am going to sleep in my own bed tonight, yes!

love,

Diane

If you are not crying now, go to http://emilypanter.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-week-ago-today.html and read the latest updates on Emily Panter.

God has blessed those who serve him and answered many prayers on behalf of Don and Emily. I don’t know either family, just some connections, but an glad to had had the opportunity to stay updated and pray for these families.

Barbara Bennett Gaines of Roseland had surgery last month. Since then, she had had some complications and some additional concerns. Pray for her as these concerns are investigated.

Joanna Catalanotta Goynes, also of Roseland, developed some concerns in the course of pre-op medical tests. She and her family would appreciated your prayers for them.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
Week of Prayer – Day 6
REAP North, Peru

Going into mountain and jungle villages, missionaries Larry and Nancy Jackson endure bumpy, unpaved roads and 10-hour boat rides to plant churches in Peru.

The Jacksons, from North Carolina, hold out hope that a Southern Baptist church will feel led to adopt each people group they research. Through REAP (Rapid Entry Advance Plan) North, the couple, in the International Mission Board’s Masters Program, helps churches connect with people groups in Peru and Bolivia. Masters missionaries are those 50 or older who commit to at least two or three years of overseas service.

Today more than 25 churches have promised to invest their efforts in approximately 15 areas with the Jacksons. Fanning out from the more evangelized city centers, Larry will continue researching and contacting people groups on the edges of darkness to connect Baptists with the lost of South America.

Because you give:
“You can see your money at work when you look at us because that’s how we’re funded,” Larry says. “When you give money, people’s lives are changed. If you want to come to Peru, I’ll show you.”

For photos and additional information, please go to http://www.imb.org/main/pray/page.asp?StoryID=5748&LanguageID=1709.

Jacqueline Jacob Viola
(November 28, 1935 – December 3, 2008)
Jacqueline Jacob Viola, 73, a native Independence, passed away at her home in Independence, on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. She was born in LaPlace, LA on November 28, 1935. Survived by her husband, Casimo Russell Viola, Independence, 4 daughters, Marilyn Calcagno, Independence, Cheryl Santangelo, Independence, Karen Forrest, Hammond, and Julia Dephllips, Albany. 2 sons, Russell Viola, Independence, and Jerry Viola, Independence. 2 sisters, Audrey Lewis, Laurel, MS and Francis Edwards, Albany. 2 brothers, James Jacob, LaPlace and Jerry Jacob, LaPlace. Grandchildren, Vanessa Tallo, Vincent Calcagno, Jr., Julie Ponder, Jennifer and Johnnie Santangelo, Whitney and Courtney Viola, Jocelyn and David Forrest, Jeremy, Jacy, and Jared Viola, Joshua and Kristen DePhillips. Great-Grandchildren, Brady and Seth Tallo. She was loved by a very dear friend, Bea Rost. Preceded in death by mother, Ester Marie Granier Jacob, father, Rosemond Jacob, and a brother, Lloyd Jacob. Visitation at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, Independence, from 9:30 a.m. on Friday and until religious services at 11 a.m. Friday. Interment Colonial Mausoleum, Independence, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements.

David Robert “Caveman” Kashin, Sr.
(July 9, 1955 – December 3, 2008)
David Robert “Caveman” Kashin, Sr. was born on July 9, 1955 and passed away at 8:43AM, Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at his residence in Montpelier. He is a native of Norvelt, PA. David was a welder and handyman who could fix just about anything. He was the son of the late Andrew James & Ann Kashin.

David “Caveman” is survived by his companion of 20 years, Sandra “Sandy” Culbreath, Montpelier; 2 sons, David Robert Kashin, Jr., and Brandon Culbreath both of Greensburg, PA; a daughter, Cathy Lea Culbreath, Greensburg, PA; 3 brothers, James “Jim” Kashin, Monroe, PA, Robert “Bob” Kashin, Greensburg, PA and William “Bill” Kashin, New Station, PA; 4 grandchildren.

Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Friday, December 5, 2008 from 1:00PM until Religious Services at the Funeral Home Chapel at 3:00PM with Rev. Darryl Miller officiating. Interment in the Montpelier Cemetery.

An on-line guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N and Hwy 16W next to Coggins-Gentry Ford.

KneEmail
Willful

I HEARD THE screams long before I could see him, but as I wheeled my grocery cart around to the next aisle of the store, there he was…

With angry tears streaming out of squinty eyes, the little boy was shouting, “Gimme it!” His mom glanced at me for a moment. I won’t debate the merits of her actions, but, embarrassed and worn down, she grabbed the cheap trinket and tossed it into her cart.

I think I recognized that kid. He looked a lot like me. Yes, I’ve often been the willful child. And sometimes I’ve even pleaded with God, “Why not? Why can’t I have it?” On occasion, God’s given me what I wanted, but not because I wore Him down. No, I think He wanted me to see what happens when I put myself in charge.

THOUGHT: What we think is best is not necessarily the best that God desires for us. (Cindy Hess Kesper)

KneEmail: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” ( Isa. 55:8-9).

Posted by Mike Benson at November 17, 2008 4:22 PM

Have a fantastic Friday!
Anna Lee