Category: Missions

1-1-15

He who was seated on the throne said,

“I am making everything new!”

Then he said, “Write this down,

for these words are trustworthy and true.”

~Revelation 21:5~

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

I’ll post more after our family members head out this morning.  Pray for them as they travel the next two days.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

“Praise be to the Lord,

the God of Israel,

because he has come

and has redeemed his people.

~Luke 1: 68 (NIV)~

 

Please pray for my friend Martha Pevey Drago.  She has another chemo, her second,  today. She has lost all her hair and so hid her husband, Joe.  Her quote included “for better or worse”.  Pray for her today as she goes through chemo.  Also, pray for her granddaughter, Macy Gueldner, who is also having chemo this week.

“Tomorrow I get my second round of chemo! Please pray that all goes well and that side effects are minimal!!! I no longer have any hair! Had to shave it off as it was falling out and also causing discomfort. Very strange feeling but emotionally I think I have handled pretty well! Unbeknown to me, Joe shaved his to support me. He has been a real trooper and really stepped up. I guess this is the for better or worse…..sickness or health part! Lol. Please continue to pray for Macy, she has chemo Wednesday. Also, please pray for three other ladies in this community with breast cancer, Rickie Mullendore, Sharon Hutchinson and Lana Woodard. Lana is a very dear friend of mine and I can not believe we are going through this at the same time!!! Please continue to pray for Koltyn Gafford and his family! There is power in prayer!!! Praise God!!!”

Kai Relan is doing better.  After four or five more days, he may get to leave the hospital for the first time.  I know his family will be so happy and so thankful.

Koltyn Gafford

  • “Our night, nurse said he had a good night didn’t have to be suctioned anymore after I feel asleep which was around 1. She is going gradually ween him off his blood pressure meds. And he is now at 30% O2 with a PEEP of 3. His pupils have remained small all day and throughout the night. His dr. will make rounds starting at 9:00 this morning, so I should an updated report sometime after that. Thank you for all of prayers and continued support.”
  • “Sorry that I haven’t posted much today but, it has been a very busy day here with many many wonderful visitors in and out throughout the day. I can’t thank you all enough for thinking of us during this difficult time. I am extremely overwhelmed by one particular visitor we had to day, thanks to one of my FB friends heartfelt desire to share our post to her page. It hit close to home with a very close friend/church member of hers. He came by to visit and shared with us his testimony of his drowning he had experienced around the same age as Koltyn. He is 33 now and is living proof that God is powerful and works miracles in those who believe in him. I can’t thank him enough for his visit and words of encouragement this afternoon. Thank you Brennan Fitzgerald Lee & Ethan Lee for pointing him in our direction! Continue to keep us all in your prayers because he is still in a very crucial state. He has his ups and his downs all throughout the day. We love you all and can not express how much you all mean to us and all of your prayers, texts, visits, phone calls and sweet comments”
  • “WOW !!!! WE MADE IT KOLTYN WARRIORS !!!! $ 10310.00 IN 24 HOURS !!!! WE EXCEEDED OUR GOAL !!!! I THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE FAMILY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART !!!! YIPPE !!!
  • “You may be interested in joining the Facebook page, “Prayers for Koltyn“.

Update on Jadon – We have followed “Jadon’s Journey” and been greatly blessed.  I was blessed to see him, his mother, and his brother Sunday.  God is continuing to richly bless them.  They have taken several opportunities to “pass it on” to others.  That’s what they were doing Sunday.  Jadon is one walking, talking miracle.  His family is now is blessing other families like they have been blessed.  My heart is so thrilled to witness all of this!

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Let’s be sure to “live the talk” in 2015 and for the remainder of our lives.  Are we singing and do “Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go”?  I think there is always room for improvement.

Anna Lee

Monday

“For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods.   

For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

But the LORD made the heavens. 

Honor and majesty are before Him;

Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. 

Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

Give to the LORD glory and strength. 

Give to the LORD the glory due His name;

Bring an offering, and come into His courts.   

Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!

Tremble before Him, all the earth.”

~Psalm 96:4-9~

I have requests concerning three of my special church friends.

  • Mrs. Hazel Smith will be having surgery in Hammond a week from today.  Please begin praying for her and her family this week.
  • Mrs. Kathryn Kuss seems to be “under the weather” again.  Please say prayers she will feel better soon.
  • Mr. Frankie Gehringer will be having another procedure.  Please pray this is effective.

Koltyn Gafford

  • We need everyone to pray right now please. They just noticed Koltyn’s right pupil is larger than the other which could me there is swelling and pressure on his brain. They gave him a dose of medicine to help with the swelling and taking him for a CT scan.  Kristin (Koltyn’s mom)

  • My wife and I can’t Thank y’all enough for what y’all have done, I am so overwhelmed that a sweet little boy can bring this much people together, I would never thought this would happen to one of ours I have always seen on Facebook or the news of other kids getting hurt or sick and it would break my heart, so you never know what life brings you, your life can change in a blink of an eye, so don’t take life for granted, love one another, keep god in your life! Thank y’all for the prayers I believe prayers do heal, god is on our team!! We all love y’all! God bless!  Brad (Koltyn’s dad)

    Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

    “Giving the Gospel Traction” – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/lmcoatworkview.asp?PageNavID=111&StoryID=13388&LanguageID=1709#.VKEXoMAAs

David worked with Judge Clayton James for many years.  Pray for all those touched by his life as funeral services are held for him this morning at Crain Funeral Home in Franklinton.

Disaster Relief – Pray for Southern Baptist Disaster Relief workers and others as they continue to work in Columbia, MS where a tornado hit last week.  May our disaster relief workers be able to share the love of Jesus for others as well as their own as the help the people to “pick up the pieces” of their lives.  Also, pray for the safety and health of all those working there.

 

Thom S. Rainer – “Eight Things I’m Praying Will Happen in Our Churches in 2015” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIHZAr0VJbM&src_vid=GtcBURtm5Aw&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_648045

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Pray for the youth of the church who have traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a conference.  Pray their young lives will be molded into a God pleasing form through their experiences there.  Thank God for parents who are willing to accompany them.

I don’t know how you feel, but I was blessed by our Lottie Moon Christmas Offering speakers yesterday.  I hope you were encouraged to support our missionaries through the presentations yesterday.

Anna Lee

Sunday

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

~Psalm 55:22 (NIV)~

 

Koltyn Gafford

Last Saturday morning

Just wanted to update all our Prayer Warriors. Koltyn is stable now. He has a slight temp. O2 has been dropped from 100% to 70% so he is breathing a lil on his own. A second chest x-ray was taken abt 3:30 this morning and they said it looks as though there is a very slight positive change but not much. We’ll take any kind of positive change!! He is resting much easier now. Thank you all for prayers. We are extremely blessed to have such an awesome community & social media family to think of us during such a difficult time. I’m just so ready to hear that sweet lil voice call out to me.

Late last night

Koltyn is continues to slowly improve. They are slowly weaning his ventilator. His blood pressure and pulse remain stable and has not required any increase in medications. He continues to run a low grade temp which is expected under these circumstances. His pupils react to light which is wonderful. He does have some spontaneous movements. We will update you all again in the morning after his doctor makes rounds. Again we appreciate your love, calls, and prayers. Your prayers are working! …the Gaffords, Russell’s and Newman family.

Kai Harris Relan was born Christmas Eve and has needed some special attention.  His parents are Jordan and Mechelle Relan.

The baby spent Christmas in NICU at North Oaks.  He has an infection and will spend about ten days in the hospital getting antibiotics.  He has had a spinal tap to check on the infection possibly moving to the brain, but that was clear.  Now, he has been moved to intermediate care.  The parents thank those who have been praying.  It looks like Kai doesn’t have any big problems.

“RETIRED FORMER JUDGE WILL BE LAID TO REST MONDAY IN FRANKLINTON” (Judge James)

http://www.actionnews17.com/Home/retired-former-judge-will-be-laid-to-rest-monday-in-franklinton-218392

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – “Grateful for Collective Giving” – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/lmcoatworkview.asp?PageNavID=111&StoryID=13341&LanguageID=1709#.VJ_vtcAAs

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “A Piece of the Puzzle” – http://odb.org/2013/11/13/a-piece-of-the-puzzle/
  • God has set the members,                                                                                        each one of them,                                                                                                          in the body just as He pleased.                                                                                               ~1 Corinthians 12:18~
  • “Count Your Blessings” –  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/c/o/u/countyou.htm 

Today, as I count my blessings for another year, I am blessed in many ways.  One is extra special today!  I’m so excited.  The Hatchel family arrived mid afternoon yesterday and Boyd and Jennie will be speaking at FBC, K at 10:30 this morning.  That makes me especially blessed today!

Anna Lee

Saturday

                                On coming to the house,                                                  they saw the child with his mother Mary,                           and they bowed down and worshiped him.                                    Then they opened their treasures                                                       and presented him with gifts                                                  of gold and of incense and of myrrh.                                         And having been warned in a dream                                                       not to go back to Herod,                                          they returned to their country by another route.

~Matthew 2:11-12~

 

The big request all over the Amite area is for Koltyn Gafford, son of Brad and Kristin R. Gafford.  Kristin is the daughter of Kelly Wayne and Teri Chandler Russell, also of Amite.  I’m not sure who Brad’s parents are.  Koltyn. who is two, had an accident in the family swimming pool yesterday.  He’s in Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge.  Prayers are needed and will be appreciated.

Teddi Titus’ surgery went well yesterday.  She’s back at home.  Thank you for your prayers yesterday and in the coming days.

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Out of Egypt” – http://odb.org/2014/12/27/out-of-egypt/
  • Take the young Child and His mother,                                                                 flee to Egypt.                                                                                                                                                             ~Matthew 2:13~
  • “Because He Lives”

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Operation Christmas Child – Pray today for children around the world who are receiving “shoeboxes”.  Pray that in addition to gifts, they find Jesus.

I trust you put priority on others, family and non-family members, this Christmas season.  That works well all year long.  

Anna Lee

 

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Luke 2 New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 2014

  “Training Takes Travel and Time” – http://www.imb.org/main/lottie-moon/lmcoatworkview.asp?PageNavID=111&StoryID=13342&LanguageID=1709#.VJuh-MAAs

Boyd and Jennie Hatchel, missionaries supported through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, will share during the 10:30 service Sunday morning at FBC, Kentwood.  You are invited to join us in worship.

SBC Disaster Relief – If you are on Facebook, you may want to “friend” this group to receive updates on work in Mississippi following the tornado this week and other projects they are working on.

Recovery from the Amite Tornado – A number of groups and many individuals are helping friends, relatives, and complete strangers put their lives back together in Amite.  What a Christmas blessing they are to those who had  so much damage.

Samaritan’s Purse – I watched Rev. Franklin Graham on the Fox News Christmas Special last night.  This link takes you to that and to other stories you may be interested in.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

Last night, Christmas Eve, David and I were privileged to attend a Christmas Eve service at Pine Ridge United Methodist Church.  Bro. Kevin Smith read Scriptures from Luke 2.  The familiar carols were beautiful.  Communion was special.  We held candles as we sang “Silent Night”.  What a wonderful service with a packed sanctuary.

Bro. Kevin’s message, “An Announcement from a Stable”, contained these three main thoughts.

  1. God humbled himself to be like us.
  2. Christmas is a time for family.
  3. Christmas is for everyone.

Carry those thoughts with you throughout this day!

Anna Lee

Christmas Eve

While they were there,  

the time came for the baby to be born,

and she gave birth to her firstborn,

a son.

She wrapped him in cloths

and placed him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn.

~Luke 2:6-7~

 

Tornado Damage

I’m thanking God for the lives spared when the tornado hit the area of highway 16 and Chicken Farm Road just east of Amite.  These families will have much to thank God for this year.  At the same time, I pray for the families of those lost in Columbia, MS.

Aubrey Stokes’ Obituary

December 14, 1925 – December 20, 2014

http://www.crainfh.com/mobile/obituaries-details.cfm?o_id=2879304&fh_id=13316&forcelayout=mobile#obituaries

Christmas Eve Services

  • Pine Ridge United Methodist Church – 5:00 P.M.
  • Hillsdale Baptist Church – 6:30 P.M.
  • Osyka Baptist Church – 6:00 P.M.

Christmas Service

Spring Creek Baptist Church

  • 6:00 Thursday in new church facilities
  • Silent Lord’s Supper

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Great articles for the Christmas season!

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Give so this family and other families like them can stay on the field another year to share the gospel message.

http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/videos/view/missionaries-celebrate-christmas-in-west-africa

Devotionals, Scriptures, and a Song

  • http://odb.org/2014/12/23/what-really-matters-4                                                                  ~2 Corinthians 9:15~
  • Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!                                                                                                                                              ~2 Corinthians 9:15~

 

  • http://odb.org/2014/12/24/lasting-peace/
  • He Himself is our peace,                                                                                                                                       who has made both one,                                                                                                                                 and has broken down the middle wall of separation.                                                                                                                                                      ~Ephesians 2:14~

Be sure to invite Jesus into your family time this special day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

But when the time had fully come,

God sent his Son,

born of a woman,

born under law,

to redeem those under law,

that we might receive the full rights of sons.

~Galatians 4: 4-5, NIV~

 

“For God loved the world in this way:

He gave His One and Only Son,

so that everyone who believes in Him

will not perish but have eternal life.”

~John 3:16, HCSB~

 

Christmas Eve Services

  • Pine Ridge United Methodist Church – 5:00 Wednesday afternoon
  • Hillsdale Baptist Church – 6:30 P.M.

Christmas Service

Spring Creek Baptist Church – 6:00 Thursday in new church facilities

What a blessing!

An electrical fire at Tangipahoa United Methodist Church did no structural damage. The Tangipahoa Church will meet with the Pine Ridge Church Sunday.

What an opportunity!

Many area church collected shoeboxes of gifts for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) and are now collecting funds, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO), to support missionaries and their work.  Missionaries Boyd and Jennie Hatchel will be sharing at FBC, Kentwood at 10:30 on Sunday, December 28th.  They and their ministry, including giving out the OCC shoeboxes, are supported through the LMCO.  You are invited to join us for the service.

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering 

“Because You Gave” – a photo essay –http://www.commissionstories.com/asia/interactives/view/because-you-give-chalkboard-gives-insight-to-imbs-work

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

 

But when the time had fully come,

God sent his Son,

born of a woman,

born under law,

to redeem those under law,

that we might receive the full rights of sons.

~Galatians 4: 4-5, NIV~

“For God loved the world in this way:

He gave His One and Only Son,

so that everyone who believes in Him

will not perish but have eternal life.”

~John 3:16, HCSB~

Anna Lee

Sunday

Shout for joy, O heavens;

rejoice, O earth;

burst into song, O mountains!

For the LORD comforts his people

and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Isaiah 49:13 (NIV)

Church News for Today
  • Line Creek
    • Santa Claus in the Fellowship Hall @ 4:30 p.m
    • Christmas Candlelight Service @ 6:00 p.m.
  • New Zion
    • Christmas Lunch following morning worship
    • No P.M. services
  • FBC, Kentwood
    • Missions March and Lord’s Supper at 10:30
    • Family Supper at 5:00
    • Candlelight caroling at 6:00
Ethel Nettles Hyde

Born: December 09, 1936
Died: December 20, 2014

http://www.mckneelys.com/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10545/id/2877718

Good Reading 

Devotional, Scripture, and a Song

  • “Just the Right Time” – http://odb.org/
  • Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come.                                                                                                                                                        ~Hebrews 9:11~                                                                    And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,                                                        keeping watch over their flocks at night.                                                                                              An angel of the Lord appeared to them,                                                                                              and the glory of the Lord shone around them,                                                                            and they were terrified.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ~Luke 2:8-9 NIV~
  • “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” – http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/itcameup.htm

This season is about Jesus.  Please go to Sunday School and church at the church of your choice.  Attend some special Christmas events.  Thank God for the greatest gift ever given, Jesus.

Anna Lee

Saturday

But the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

you have found favor with God.

You will be with child and give birth to a son,

and you are to give him the name Jesus.

~Luke 1:30-31 (NIV)~

 

Please begin praying for Aubrey McMillan who will have carpal tunnel surgery on the 23rd. Later, he will have the other hand done.

Macy Gueldner

It has been a very eventful morning. I’ll spare the details, but just know that Macy and I making it to Baton Rouge with our sanity is a pure miracle (I’m sure the sanity part is debatable!)
Macy has her VERY LAST chemo in her spine today. Although we still have a year and a half left of “regular chemo,” I’m glad to kick this one to the curb. This is the one that caused the neurotoxicity in her brain (the stroke-like episode,) so this is a huge weight off of our shoulders.
From now on, every 4 months she will have a lumbar puncture to check for cancer cells in her spinal fluid. I’ll take anesthesia every 4 months instead of every month. Yes indeed!
Her procedure isn’t until 1:00, and she’s been screaming (yes screaming) for food and drink since 7am. I’m by myself, and I need sweet little baby Jesus to HELP ME! PLEASE!!
Please also pray for a good wake up, because last time was nothing short of a disaster. She was very sick for hours after.
We’ll spend most of our holidays down on the bayou. No rest for the weary… Ahhhhhh! But, we anticipate a great holiday surrounded by family, friends, love, faith, and good food!

Who just ran across the parking lot, the size of two football fields, in the pouring rain, while carrying a 40 pound child knocked out from anesthesia? All while not permitted to a) run at all and b) not lift anything over 10 pounds? Yep, this girl! Is today over yet?!

Baptist Press – bpnews.net

Lottie Moon Christmas Offering – http://www.commissionstories.com/eurasia/

Everyone cannot go, but everyone can help send and support those who go!

Devotional, Scripture, Quote, and a Song

  • “The Best of Gifts” – http://odb.org/2009/12/01/the-best-of-gifts/
  • Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!                                                                                                    ~2 Corinthians 9:15~
  • The best gift was found in a manger.                                                                                                                                                      -Our Daily Bread-

This day would be a wonderful day to share the love of  Jesus with others.

Anna Lee