Author: Anna Lee

Wednesday

Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,

so walk in Him.

~Colossians 2:6 (NIV/NKJV)~

What a celebration in honor of Mr. “Bully” Schwartz! I’m glad I was there.

Please continue to pray for all those who are undergoing tests or treatment.

Baptist Press

June 24, 2008

WASHINGTON–Land: Candidates should be free, not forced, to share their faith. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28351

COLORADO–Obama distorts Scripture, Dobson says. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28352

WISCONSIN–Disaster relief chaplains bond with flood victims. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28353

GEORGIA–Post-flood mud-out: Dirty, yet rewarding. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28354

TENNESSEE–Balanced worship envisioned at LifeWay conference. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28355

LOUISIANA–Conference highlights ‘Music as Ministry.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28356

TENNESSEE–EDITORIAL (Will Hall): Dobson is right, Obama distorts the Bible & presents a ‘confused theology.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28357

LOUISIANA–FIRST-PERSON (Keith Manuel): Revival begins with me. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28358


Vivian Womack
(November 20, 1908 – June 24, 2008)

Mrs. Womack passed away at her residence in Greensburg, LA on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at the age of 99. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Mildred Matthews Johnson
(November 9, 1917 – June 23, 2008)

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7 She went to be with the Lord on Monday morning, June 23, 2008 at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, McComb, MS. She was at peace and ready to claim her mansion in heaven. Affectionately known as Aunt Mil to those who knew and loved her, she was born on November 9, 1917 in Tangipahoa Parish, LA and was the youngest of six children born to Lewis Moak Matthews and Mary Dean Matthews. Aunt Mil loved the outdoors, gardening, and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with her husband, family, and friends. She loved her church, Line Creek Baptist Church. She frequently visited with the sick and bereaved, also reached out to those in need. She was an excellent cook whose cookies and pies were favorites of many in the surrounding area. She is survived by her step-daughter, Sylvia Johnson Reagan, niece, Frances Harrell Wilson, nephew, James Silton Lambert, special nephew and caretaker, Robert E. Phillips, Jr., great-nieces, Linda Price Alford and husband Ronald, Linda Sue Matthews McKinley and husband Bill, great-nephews, Dr. Paschal Wilson and wife, Julie and children Paschal and Caroline Rose, James Curtis Lambert and family, David Wayne Lambert and family, William Lewis Matthews and family, Hal Price and wife Tonia and children, Caroline and Tristan. Preceded in death by her husband, James M. Johnson, parents, Lewis and Mary Dean Matthews, step-grandson, David Leslie Milam, sisters, Bernice Matthews Harrell, Deanie Matthews Lambert, and Pinkie Matthews McDaniel, brothers, Tommy Matthews and William Matthews, niece, Helen McDaniel Price, nephew, Nelson McDaniel. Visitation will be at Line Creek Baptist Church from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2008. Religious Services at 1 p.m. Services conducted by Rev. Bobby Holder, Rev. Jimmy Dukes, and Rev. Ken Irvin. Interment at Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. Pallbearers will be Ronald Alford, David Conerly, Paschal Wilson, James Hamilton, Bill Brown, and Willis “Sonny” Addison. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert E. Phillips, Jr., Mason Simmons, Dr. Harry Frye, and Dr. Lucas Lampton. Special thanks to McComb Extended Care and Brenda and James Hamilton for all their love and special care given. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor


I ONCE HEARD interviews with survivors from World War II…

The soldiers recalled how they spent a particular day. One sat in a foxhole; once or twice, a German tank drove by and he shot at it. Others played cards and frittered away the time. A few got involved in furious firefights. Mostly, the day passed like any other. Later, they learned they had just participated in one of the largest, most decisive engagements of the war, the Battle of the Bulge. It didn’t feel decisive at the time because none had the big picture.

Great victories are won when ordinary people execute their assigned tasks.

Perhaps you sense you’re in a spiritual rut. Stay at your assigned task! Obedience to God offers the way out of our futility. (Philip Yancey)

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justly,

to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God.”

~Micah 6:8~

Blessings,

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Pray for the students throughout the state who will be taking the LEAP test in the next few days.

 

 

The funeral service for Mr. “Bully” will be at 10 A.M. at the funeral home.

 

 

 

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
YOU’RE LAZILY FLIPPING through the channels on your new flat screen TV…

Despite the vast array of viewing options, there’s nothing worth watching, at least for the moment. Your thumb stops on a random station. It’s a half-hour long commercial for “Feed the Children.”The broadcast depicts a hungry African child. His arms and legs exhibit no muscle at all. He’s a veritable skeleton with dark brown skin stretched over the bones. Green bottle flies encircle his eyes and ears. His belly is unnaturally distended and swollen. He’s weak, pale, sickly, and frail. He’s had one “meal” in the past seven days. A small cup of rice.

A phone number flashes at the bottom of the television. You’re being asked to donate. Just the change out of your pocket. For the price of a cheap cup of coffee you could support this poor, starving child. You could put food in his growling belly. Your heart and emotions are aroused by this under-nourished youth. “How in the world does he make it?” you ask yourself. “He can’t live on one meal a week.” Determined to help, you pick up the phone and punch in the 800 number.

Stay with me for just a moment.

We all recognize that to be healthy, we must maintain a steady, balanced diet. We can’t skip meals for days on end. We certainly can’t live off of a single meal once a week. And yet, isn’t that exactly what we’re doing when our only source of spiritual nourishment comes from the Sunday morning sermon? When we habitually skip Sunday morning Bible class, aren’t we saying that we can be healthy and strong by eating just one meal a week? When we miss the Sunday evening and Wednesday night assemblies at church, and the only time we take in real, biblical sustenance is the 11 o’clock Lord’s Day message, aren’t we saying — at least by our actions — that a child of God only has to eat one meal every seven days? When we fail to open our Bibles at home and pour through the sacred Word each day, but then manage to “squeak in” at the last minute for that one hour worship assembly on the first day of the week, aren’t we communicating that a Christian requires little food for the soul? A small cup of rice, indeed. What we acknowledge in the physical realm, we tend to forget in the spiritual. Some of us are starving ourselves to death (Hosea 4:6) and we don’t even realize it!

When we go to the New Testament book of Acts, we find a group of folks who understood the correlation between regular Scripture “meals” and a strong, maturing faith. The text says, “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11 NIV). Did you catch that? The Bereans were more nobly disposed than the Thessalonians because 1) they received the spoken Word with great eagerness (A. T. Robertson says “eagerness” carries the idea of rushing forward/1), and because 2) they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Watch it! The Berean Jews were commended because they personally investigated the Old Testament prophecies to which Paul appealed on a DAILY basis. You might say the Thessalonians had a cup of rice once a week, while the Bereans ate “three squares” a day.

Dear Christian, if the Word is food (Matthew 4:4; cf. Psalm 19:9,10; Jeremiah 15:16; John 6:26,63), and it is, shouldn’t we “pull up to the table” and fill our plates every day? If we can make time for television, sports, shopping at the mall, going to the movies, and a myriad of other fleshly pursuits, we certainly can make time to read and study God’s Word.

When would be the best time for you to delve into your Bible? At the breakfast table? During break at work? Before you go to bed after the kids are asleep? Pick a time that’s best for you and then enjoy the meal! (Mike Benson)

_______
1/ Word Pictures in the New Testament, p. 274.

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Monday Afternoon

Mrs. Irma Mae Will and Mrs. Irma Diamond were involved in a one-vehicle accident this morning near Greensburg. Mrs. Diamond was checked out and released from Hood Memorial. Mrs. Will was sent from Greensburg to Baton Rouge by helicopter because of a fractured neck. She will problably be in Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. Please keep these two ladies and their families in your prayers.

Monday

I was released from the hospital late yesterday (June 21). Please continue to pray for me as I as I adjust to new medicines & gain strenth.

Your prayers have sent doctors, nurses, and staff to help me during this time. Things don’t always go as we plan but God is always there & has a plan for our life.

Friday, Connie & Krista took Riley to the VA Home in Jennings. We prayed for sometime & feel that he will be taken care of better while I am recovering.

Thank you for praying
Frann Smith Clark


Christina Cox, great-granddaughter of Mrs. Hellen Morris, has been in Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. She has an infection that is being treated. If all goes well today, she may be able to come home today. Please pray for Christina and her family.

Joan Hagan needs prayer for health issues she’s dealing with. She has an appointment on July 7th to address these needs. She always appreciates prayers on her behalf.

Gary Schiro is having a heart valve replacement in Hammond today. Please continue to pray for Gary and his family.

Jesse Dean and his sisters continue to improve. Patsy and Theresa are both home. Theresa continues to have tests done. Please continue to pray for this family.

Sunday

 

 

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the LORD,

the Creator of the ends of the earth,

neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak,

and to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

and the young men shall utterly fall,

but those who wait on the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

they shall walk and not faint.”

~Isa. 40:28-31~

Please don’t forget to bring toiletries for Kelly Schneeweiss’ mission trip to Honduras. Money will be acceptable too if you forgot to get toiletries. You may give your donations to a member of the Schneeweiss family or to me. Thank-you for supporting this young lady as she goes on a medical mission trip. Please pray for live-changing decision to be made as medical needs are addressed.

Katie Weiburg and her dad, Bro. Gary Weiburg formerly of Roseland Baptist Church, will be going on a mission trip to Central America this week. Please pray for their ministry as lives as touched.

Bro. Chip Sloan, another former pastor at Roseland Baptist Church, will be taking a mission trip to work with the Roma (Gypsies) in Romania during July. Included in those going on the trip will be Bro. Chip’s wife, Martha, and their older daughter, Jennifer and her husband. Again, pray for lives of those going to be touched and for lives of those to whom they minister to be forever changed.

Pray for the mission team from Parkway Baptist Church in McKinney, Texas as they minister to the Roma in Romania this week.

Pray for a search committee from Georgia as they are in Texas this weekend to consider a candidate for worship leader. Our daughter-in-law, Becki, is a member of this team that flew from Georgia yesterday and will fly back home later today.

Don’t forget to pray for Gary Schiro, husband of Peggy Hendry Schiro of Chesbrough. Gary will have a heart valve replacement in the morning at North Oaks.

Pray for the students who attended summer LEAP remediation and who will be testing this week.

The Hatchels and others have safely returned from their Annual General Meeting (AGM). Thank God for the opportunities provided by volunteers from the States who so freely gave of themselves to minister to the needs of our missionaries and MK’s. Jennie always tells me of he Lottie Moon Christmas Offering given at the meeting. I’ll report that later.

Today is Adopt an Annuitant Sunday in Southern Baptist Churches. Donations will be accepted to assist retired ministers and their wives or widows who are having financial needs.

There’s a number of people undergoing tests and treatment for cancer. Please continue to remember each of them daily even when I do not list each one individually.

 

 

Jason Tate “Bully” Schwartz
(October 1, 1911 – June 18, 2008)

Died at 12:05 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg. He was a native of Kentwood and a resident of Greensburg. Age 96 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Kentwood and Kentwood Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his son, James Charles Schwartz, Sr. and wife, Ruby, Kentwood; daughter, Lois “Chee Chee” Dunn and husband, Bubba, Greensburg; grandchildren, Sherry Dunn Schivers and husband, Robert, Greensburg, Brenda Dunn Miller and husband, Randy, Roseland, Maj. James Charles Schwartz, Jr. and wife, Maryanna, Ft. Hood, TX, Michael Collins Schwartz and wife, Sarah, Hammond, Christopher L. Dunn and wife, Kelly, Metairie, Timothy Tate Schwartz and wife, Sharon, Hammond, Paul Scott Schwartz, Kentwood, Carl Blades, Jr. Corpus Christi, TX, Susan Henry, Dallas, TX, Alan Blades, Palmdale, CA, Daniel Blades, Los Angeles, CA, Carolyn Blades, San Bernardino, CA, Gerry Needham Davis, Baker, and Janice Needham Westbrook, Zachary; numerous great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was greeted in heaven by his first wife, Myrtle Birch Schwartz and second wife, Inez Greener Schwartz; parents, Charles P. and Lois Tate Schwartz; 2 brothers, Rukins Schwartz and C. P. Schwartz, Jr.; 2 sisters, Eupora Hutchinson and Ora Lee Nelson; great-granddaughter, Breanne Miller. Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Interment will follow in the Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood.


Betty Lambert
(October 23, 1922 – June 19, 2008)

Died at 5:24 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2008 at Belle Maison Nursing Home in Hammond. She was a native and resident of Amite. Age 85 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 10 a.m. until religious services at 11 a.m. Monday. Interment Mulberry Street Cemetery, Amite. She is survived by her 5 nieces, Clinton Sue Driscoll and husband, John, Covington, Becky Jelpi and husband, Keith, Metairie, Kitty Beaumier and husband, Ken, Alabama, Kathy Vaughn, Ponchatoula and Lydia Benson, New Orleans; 6 great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Delma Lambert; 3 brothers, Clinton, Maxwell and Donald Earl Gill; a sister, Mary Evelyn Gill Glosson; parents, Hinson Gill and Geneiva Gill Ricks.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”

(Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor


THE MOST DRAMATIC moment in human history makes for odd drama…

The hero is center-stage yet silent. His script is only seven lines long, some whispered, some groaned through gritted teeth. He gestures simply and seldom. He is still, pinned as it were to a prop from which neither the audience nor the other actors can easily unfasten their eyes. The stage is stark, the scenery sparse, the props peculiar — hammer, spikes, spear, dice. The action is minimal at best, at worst awkward. The lighting is at first too bright, then too night.

Other actors take the stage. Soldiers hammer and gamble, making light of the weighty moment. Bystanders assuage their boredom with blasphemy. Priests parrot their vain victory, ignorant of the irony: “If you come down, we will believe.” Followers weep and wonder, only a few and from afar. The rest, obvious in their absence, rest off-stage. Ultimately our eyes are drawn back to the main character, still still, and we listen to the seven lines and the sudden silence.

This old drama makes for odd drama. And we find ourselves left wondering less about the hero than ourselves. Where will we stand on the stage, with the deriders or the disciples? Will we stand fearfully but faithfully with the women or will we slip off to the wings unable to see or be seen? And what will we say when the next line is ours?

And if we should decide not to try out for this play, not to take part in this odd, old drama, it’s too late. By coming to this table we have already accepted a role, we have already joined the cast, we have already taken the stage. This meal is which we are invited reminds us that we are privileged to play a part, a part in the most dramatic moment in human history, in the great drama of redemption. (J. Lee Magness)

“And when they had mocked Him,

they took the purple off Him,

put His own clothes on Him,

and led Him out to crucify Him.”

Mark 15:20

 

That’s a reminder we need to hear.

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Saturday

“Continue earnestly in prayer,

being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

~Colossians 4:2~

 

 

Thank-you for praying for the Hatchels as they attended AGM and traveled to and from the meeting. They are safely back at home.

LAST FRONTIER. On a recent trip to the countryside, it was quite an adventure for a group of young female teachers to see where their university students really live. Here’s what these workers among this Last Frontier people group had to say: “The place we went was basic, to say the least. There was no electricity, no bathrooms, no showers, and no running water. We even slept outside under a mosquito net. Amid such tremendous poverty, it was incredible to see how much the villagers would spend and sacrifice to make offerings to the spirits. But the poverty wasn’t what was so disheartening about that place; it was the darkness. It seems like the city where we work has a way of disguising the lostness of our people, but in the countryside, it was much more evident.” Pray that those who live in such darkness and fear will hear about the Light of the world. Pray that every village in this country will have a gospel witness.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Friday, June 20, 2008

My word “shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please.”

~Isaiah 55:11a, NKJV~

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, thanking the Lord with you for His Word.

Workers in Berlin are rejoicing over a man who received a Bible in the mail. Included was an invitation to a Bible study in an immigrant neighborhood of Berlin. He was thrilled that there was a group that met and spoke his mother tongue. Please pray that this man who is seeking will continue to come and learn about Jesus Christ.

J signed up for a Bible raffle during an outreach event in Buenos Aires in late 2007. Over the months, he has developed a friendship with missionary Jason Frealy, and recently he prayed a prayer of forgiveness. This business owner is a man of influence, with many friends, employees and family members. Please pray for J’s new faith, and pray for his influence to bring others to the same saving faith.

In Senegal, a volunteer team gave a Bible to a young girl. The next day, she came back and told them she did not know how to use the Bible because she never had one before. The volunteers showed her how to study God’s Word. They now ask you to intercede for this young girl as the Holy Spirit guides her. Pray that she will trust Jesus as Savior.

There are those in Algeria who have done everything in their power to limit the spread of the gospel. However, there are also many brothers and sisters who are continuing to work despite the resistance. Workers write: “When asked how we could help them continue the work, they replied that they needed more Bibles. … Ask God to find a way for these Bibles to reach the ones who truly need to read the truth of God.”

* Please pray for seekers to accept Jesus.

* Intercede for those boldly distributing Bibles, no matter the risk.

* Thank the Lord that His word will not return void.


Deacon Hospital Ministry – June 22-28

  • Jimmy Williams
  • James Rimes

Nursery Volunteers – June 22

  • Nancy Stokes
  • Scott & Kristi Womack

Senior Adult Trip to Gatlinburg, TN

  • “Julilee Conference”
  • September 29-October 4
  • Call the church office – 985-229-8111

Beth Moore Living Proof Live Simulcast 2008

  • August 1-2,, 2008 @ FBC, Kentwood
  • Tickets: $25.00 @ FBC, Kentwood

CAN THIS MESS BE FIXED?

Customer: “I got this problem. You people sent me this install
disk, and now my A: drive won’t work.”

Tech Support: “Your A: drive won’t work?”

Customer: “That’s what I said. You sent me a bad disk, it got stuck
in my drive, now it won’t work at all.”

Tech Support: “Did it not install properly? What kind of error
messages did you get?”

Customer: “I didn’t get any error message. The disk got stuck in
the drive and wouldn’t come out. So I got these pliers and tried
to get it out. That didn’t work either.”

Tech Support: “You did what, sir?”

Customer: “I got these pliers, and tried to get the disk out, but it
wouldn’t budge. I just ended up cracking the plastic stuff a
bit.”

Tech Support: “I don’t understand sir, did you push the eject
button?”

Customer: “No, so then I got a stick of butter and melted it and
used a turkey baster and put the butter in the drive, around the
disk, and that got it loose. I can’t believe you would send me a
disk that was broken and defective.”

Tech Support: “Let me get this clear. You put melted butter in
your A: drive and used pliers to pull the disk out?”

At this point, he put the call on the speaker phone and motioned at the other techs to listen in.

Tech Support: “Just so I am absolutely clear on this, can you repeat
what you just said?”

Customer: “I said I put butter in my A: drive to get your disk out,
then I had to use pliers to pull it out.”

Tech Support: “Did you push that little button that was sticking
out when the disk was in the drive, you know, the thing called the
disk eject button?”

– Silence –

Tech Support: “Sir?”

Customer: “Yes.”

Tech Support: “Sir, did you push the eject button?”

Customer: “No, but you people are going to fix my computer, or I am
going to sue you for breaking my computer.”

Tech Support: “Let me get this straight. You are going to sue our
company because you put the disk in the A: drive, didn’t follow
the instructions we sent you, didn’t actually seek professional
advice, didn’t consult your user’s manual on how to use your
computer properly, instead proceeding to pour butter into the
drive and physically rip the disk out?”

Customer: “Ummmm.”

Tech Support: “Do you really think you stand a chance, since we do
record every call and have it on tape?”

Customer: (now rather humbled) “But you’re supposed to help!”

Tech Support: “I am sorry sir, but there is nothing we can do for
you. Have a nice day.”

Sounds like the mess we sometimes make of our lives. We don’t consult God’s “instruction manual” (the Bible), we don’t call for assistance (pray), we just try to “fix” the problems in our lives by ourselves and in the process do some pretty stupid things.

But there’s one big difference. When we finally reach the point where we realize we’ve made a mess and we humble ourselves in the presence of God, He doesn’t say, “There’s nothing I can do for you.” Rather, He stands ready to help.

“….Be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:5b-7)

Made a mess of something lately? The “tech support” line is open and ready to take your call.

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina


I’m so thankful that heavenly tech support line is aways working! What about you?

Anna Lee

Friday

And my God will meet all your needs

according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:19 (NIV) ~


The arrangements for the wake and funeral services for Mr. Jason “Bully” Schwartz are still not available. I’ll post them when they become available.

Flood Relief Focus Shifting Toward ‘Mud-Out’
By Staff


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (BP)–The focus of Southern Baptist relief operations in America’s flooded Midwest may be shifting toward “mud-out” recovery teams — a ministry that weary residents will be deeply grateful to receive, according to Southern Baptists in the region.

“The feeding operation seems to be decreasing in most of the areas in which we are currently operating,” said Mike Morgan, manager of the North American Mission Board’s Disaster Operations Center. “We have had no additional requests for feeding teams at this time. Requests for the mud-out recovery teams — that go in and clean the homes so people can get back in them and rebuild — are increasing extensively, especially in Iowa and Indiana.”

President George Bush scheduled a June 19 to visit the region, where volunteers still are piling sandbags atop river levees in a frantic effort to forestall the disaster that has engulfed so many communities to their north. At least 20 levees have been overcome by floodwaters this past week and emergency management officials expect another 30 may be overflowed in the next few days, according to the Associated Press.

Storms and flooding in six states have claimed 24 lives and caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage. The Associated Press reports a 280-mile stretch of the Mississippi River between Fulton, Ill., and Winfield, Mo., is expected to remain closed for at least 10 more days because of flooding. Almost 2,000 members of the National Guard have been deployed in riverfront communities of Missouri and Illinois.

More assessment teams are moving into the area to identify additional needs in towns that don’t have recovery operations in them, Morgan said. “We are still finding areas that even though the recovery need is there, the water hasn’t receded enough for us to do any work yet,” he added.

Richard Nations, editor of the Iowa Baptist newspaper, has been on the road in eastern Iowa, interviewing both flood victims and Southern Baptist relief workers who have come to their aid. He said residents whose homes and businesses have been flooded out are grateful others are coming to help and relief workers are just glad to lend a hand.

“I spoke to Brad Oberreuter, who had chest-high water in his house in Cedar Rapids,” Nations said. “They were pretty much emptying the house of everything. There is mold and the smell is horrible. I could smell the mold. I could smell the rotting food. It just singed your nose as you walked into his house.

“I also met the son of Marcene Pollet, who is a 75-year-old member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids. She lost her house, which was about 100 years old, to the flood,” Nations added. “Her son-in-law stopped by the church when he saw the Texas Baptist disaster relief unit. He said, ‘She doesn’t want to accept any help, but I know this is her church and I wanted to thank you for what you are doing.”

Much of Pollet’s furniture had been moved to a nearby town, where the owner of a storage facility gave her two months’ free rent on a unit, Nations reported.

Nations also had an opportunity to meet Tommie Brown, a Southern Baptist retiree from Plains, Texas, who was serving as a volunteer in a feeding unit that had been deployed to Cedar Rapids for 10 days.

“Tommie was washing dishes and stopped for a minute to talk with me,” Nations said. “She told me this is her seventh or eighth deployment in four years of working in disaster relief. She said she was just glad to be able to help.”

Nations said Brown told him: “I don’t want to just sit down and wait for death to come. I want to feel needed and used. If I get tired, that’s a good thing. I enjoy this work and it’s a good tired. I am ready to be tired. I’m here to roll up my sleeves and work.’

Individuals and churches interested in donating or helping with relief efforts in Iowa may contact the Iowa Baptist Convention office at (515) 278-1566 or Baptist Convention of Iowa, 2400 86th St., Suite 27, Des Moines IA 50322; or, visit http://www.bcisbc.com and click on “Disaster Relief Give Now.” Donations for disaster relief also may be directed to the North American Mission Board by visiting http://www.namb.net and clicking on “Give Now.”

Compiled by Mark Kelly, an assistant editor with Baptist Press.

KOMpray

June 20, 2008

“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

THEY SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE

We are Kids on Mission in Togo, West Africa. We live at a school in Togo where Africans from a lot of different countries come to learn about Jesus and the Bible. They move here with their families, so my sister and I have a lot of other kids to play with. We love to play soccer and throw rocks at the mango trees so that we can knock down the mango fruit and eat it. My sister likes to play dolls and climb trees. The hard part is that none of our friends speak English. They all speak French in this part of Africa. We are learning to speak French too so that we can talk to them. Will you pray that God helps us to learn this language? My sister and I really want to be able to tell our friends about Jesus. LOGAN and ELIZABETH, age 6 and 4 (West Africa)

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS
Please pray that all my friends would come to Christ. Pray that the Central Asian government will let us keep living in our country. ERIC, age 12 (Central Asia)

My brother goes to a boarding school and doesn’t live at home. I have a hard time with him gone. I know that this is God’s plan but I still have trouble. God has taught me not to take my family for granted all the time.
My last prayer request is for the villages that we go to. Pray that I can be a living testimony to the children and adults. MIRANDA (West Africa)

Please pray for the people of South Africa who are dying of HIV Aids. 40% of South Africans are dying of HIV Aids. Praise the Lord that many Zulu people are bringing Jesus into their hearts. COREY, age 11 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray for me to be able to make friends where I live. Please pray for me to become a Christian. Please pray for me to be able to learn Thai so I can speak with the Thai kids where I live. RACHEL, age 9 (Pacific Rim)

There are many needs, spiritual, physical, financial, etc., in our community. Please pray for God’s solution and God’s timing for each need.

Anna Lee

Thurday Noon


Jason Tate Schwartz
(October 1, 1911 – June 18, 2008)


Died at 12:05 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg. He was a native of Kentwood and a resident of Greensburg. Age 96 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Kentwood and Kentwood Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his son, James Charles Schwartz, Sr. and wife, Ruby, Kentwood; daughter, Lois “Chee Chee” Dunn and husband, Bubba, Greensburg; grandchildren, Sherry Dunn Schivers and husband, Robert, Greensburg, Brenda Dunn Miller and husband, Randy, Roseland, Maj. James Charles Schwartz, Jr. and wife, Maryanna, Ft. Hood, TX, Michael Collins Schwartz and wife, Sarah, Hammond, Christopher L. Dunn and wife, Kelly, Metairie, Timothy Tate Schwartz and wife, Sharon, Hammond, Paul Scott Schwartz, Kentwood, Carl Blades, Jr. Corpus Christi, TX, Susan Henry, Dallas, TX, Alan Blades, Palmdale, CA, Daniel Blades, Los Angeles, CA, Carolyn Blades, San Bernardino, CA, Gerry Needham Davis, Baker, and Janice Needham Westbrook, Zachary; numerous great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was greeted in heaven by his wives, Myrtle Birch Schwartz and Inez Greener Schwartz; parents, Charles P. and Lois Tate Schwartz; 2 brothers, Rukins Schwartz and C. P. Schwartz, Jr.; 2 sisters, Eupora Hutchinson and Ora Lee Nelson; great-granddaughter, Breanne Miller. Service times are incomplete at this time