Category: Missions

Lord’s Day

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

There is no commandment greater than these.”

~Mark 12:30-31~

 

 

I talked with Walter Dykes last night.  He said Kathy Dykes is doing well.  Please continue to pray for her as she heals.

 

 

 

David’s brother, Donald, will receive radiation Monday and Tuesday and then be released to go home.  Please pray for Donald and his family as they make this change again.   Your prayers are greatly appreciated by the entire family.

 

 

 

Pray for Chuck Brister as the goes to MD Anderson to get evaluated there.  Chuck also has lung cancer.

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Child – Beth Lee has volunteered to take the Mardi Gras beads home to separate and bag them for use in “shoeboxes”.  Do you want to volunteer to work at the church with me one day or to take something home to work on there?  Let me know.

 

 

 

The Valentine Banquet was a success last night.  Thanks to Mike Estay and Frank Fowler for manning the grill and Marie Coon and others working in the kitchen.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 9

EXODUS 29:1-30:10
MATTHEW 26:14-46
PSALM 31:19-24
PROVERBS 8:14-26

 

 

 

First Baptist Church, Kentwood and a number of other churches broadcast their Sunday morning services for those who are not able to be at church or those who would like to hear/see more than one service.  Check out local churches on Facebook.  The service from FBC, K begins at 10:30 this morning and is available any day and time after that.

 

 

 

Prayers have made such a difference in the way David feels and what he is able to do.  Please remember to pray daily.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

Friday

“Being cheerful keeps you healthy” 

~Proverbs 17:22 GNT~

Who do you think of when you read this?

 

 

 

 

Boyd Hatchel: “So humbled that the first group mentioned in 175 years Commemorative chapel at IMB moving from ‘Unreached’ to ‘Reached’ people group was the Roma. So thankful for God’s kindness and grace during that season of our lives with great personnel and partners.”

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This makes my heart so thankful!   Now, let the work continue so the other 96% can be reached!

 

 

 

David and Smiley visited over the phone last night.  Please continue to pray for Smiley and Carol Jean,  May we be faithful in praying….

 

 

 

Mrs. Ruby Dillon is having trouble with her arthritis pain.  Pray for her to have some relief.

 

 

My sister, Julie, shared these pictures on Facebook.  She has spent her time recovering from surgery working on Operation Christmas Child.  What a blessing she and her talents are!

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No photo description available.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 7

  • Exodus 26:1-27:21
  • Matthew 25:1-30
  • Psalm 31:1-8
  • Proverbs 8:1-11

 

 

 

Pray for some friends who are former missionaries in Europe.  They came to the States a couple weeks ago to visit family.  Due to the caronavirus, they do not have any idea when they will be allowed to return to China where they now live and he teaches.

Pray for all those who have been exposed and/or diagnosed.  I understand the mortality rate is higher than the regular flu we are familiar with.  Pray for the researches to learn more quickly so lives can be saved and many people can return to their normal lives.

Chinese American churches react to coronavirus

http://www.bpnews.net/54279/firstperson-chinese-american-churches-react-to-coronavirus

 The good news is, most people infected with coronavirus can expect to recover, but all people plagued by sin have no escape from death. There is no cure, except the gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus our Lord and Savior. May this terrible tragedy drive people to the arms of Jesus.

 

 

 

Missionary died thinking he was a failure; 84 years later thriving churches found hidden in the jungle

http://godreports.com/2014/05/missionary-died-thinking-he-was-a-failure-84-years-later-thriving-churches-found-hidden-in-the-jungle/?fbclid=IwAR2OwnN_fe08Ns5kDWYZiaFuz0tmITq4tOk1EvFqzqhtNdB2nJh6ikI5qCI

 

 

 

May our lives also bear “fruit” whether or not we are aware of it.  That should be our greatest goal in life.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday

Consider the blameless, observe the upright;

a future awaits those who seek peace.

~Psalm 37:37~

 

 

Smiley Conerly has been in and out out the hospital in Hattisburg a couple of times this week.  Please pray for Smiley and Carol Jean.

 

 

 

Donald Alford is stronger, but still hospitalized at St. Tammany Hospital.

 

 

 

Kathy Boone Dykes is home and recovering from surgery.  The doctor thinks all is good at this point, but the pathology report will “tell the tale”.

 

 

 

Fay Gehringer is having a laser procedure on her eye early this morning.  Pray all goes well with the surgery.

 

 

 

KIrk Hendry had five holes in his heart mended yesterday.  Join me in thanking God for the report of a successful procedure.  God send Kirk’s mother-in-law to our house yesterday morning to give us a full report and to calm our concerns.

 

 

 

Andy Taylor is on the verge of pneumonia.  Pray for him and for Betty as she cares for him.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 6

  • Exodus 23:14-25:40
  • Matthew 24:29-51
  • Psalm 30:1-12
  • Proverbs 7:24-27

 

 

Carol Ann Cleveland is a friend and former classmate of mine.  Two of her grandchildren have packed shoeboxes for years.  This year, they are have a tea to help raise funds for their  shoebox purchases.  The tea will be east of Amite at The Gatherin Place, an old house they use like we use our “cabin”.  I encourage you to attend to support them and to enjoy the fun they have planned for you that day.  This sounds like a fun activity and an opportunity to support these young people as they share Jesus through their “shoebox” ministry.  Their flyer is attached below.

Anna Lee

 

Monday

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,

and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” 

~Luke 16:10 NIV~

 

 

 

Dr. Varnado had an emergency appendectomy at North Oaks Saturday and is already back at home.  Pray for him and his family as he recovers.

 

 

 

Smiley Conerly is in room 6630 of Forest General Hospital in Hattisburg.

 

 

 

Donald “Red” Alford is in room 377 at St. Tammany Hospital in Covington.  Hopefully, he will get his second radiation treatment today.

 

 

 

Thanks to all who prayed for the Alford/Newman family as we celebrated the life of Harold, David’s brother-in-law.

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Kristi Alford of Chesbrough and Chuck Brister of Amite.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – February 3

  • Exodus 17:8-19:15
  • Matthew 22:34-23:12
  • Psalm 27:7-14
  • Proverbs 6:27-35

 

 

When David and I got to the church yesterday afternoon, we were thankful to find six bags and three boxes with items for Operation Christmas Child.  We got those things opened and sorted.  The list for February was in the bulletin yesterday.  You can also call the church secretary (229-8181) to find out what is needed.   We pack lots of boxes in the fall.  It takes a number of items and a good variety of items to pack for six different groups of people.  We have had wonderful support for the coming year.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

Friday

“Remember this:

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,

and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 

~2 Corinthians 9:6 NIV~

 

 

 

Pray for our grandson, Miles as he prepares to leave Monday to serve in the air force.

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Donald Alford.  Today could possible be the day he gets his first radiation treatment.  Pray for his wife and children as they faithful stick with him during this difficult time.

 

 

 

Every time I work on the donations for Operation Christmas Child, I think of the link between two people, the person who donates and the person who will receive the items in the shoeboxes.  They will probably never meet, but one knows Jesus and hopefully the other one will know Him soon.  Thank-you to all who have given during January.  Now, it’s on to February.  Below you will find the items we suggest you donate at FBC, Kentwood during February.

Operation Christmas Child, February 2020

Nursery & Preschool Bandaids
Grades 1-5 Pencil sharpeners (Dollar Tree)
Youth  Small cars
College and Career Plastic animals, large  (Dollar Tree)
Gateway Boy’s underwear (Size 2-16) 
Joy, Friendship Circle. & Bank Batteries (AAA)
New Creations & Renewal $1.00 solar calculators
Rebekah & Seekers Spoons for eating, not cooking
City Hall & Faithful Ziplock bags
Staff “Barbies” (Dollar Tree)

 

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 31

  • Exodus 12:14-13:16
  • Matthew 20:29-21:22
  • Psalm 25:16-22
  • Proverbs 6:12-15

 

 

It’s hard to believe January. 2020 is ending today.  Let’s end the month doing something that is meaningful to others, not just ourselves!

Anna Lee

Wednesday

 

 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

~Zechariah 4:6~

 

 

 

 

My sister’s surgery went well.  She’s home and ready to heal.  Please continue to pray for Julie Smith Eudy.

 

 

 

Please continue to pray for Kristi Alford, Chuck Brister and Donald Alford.  Pray also for their families.

 

 

 

Terry Gray Voight

September 22, 1934 – January 27, 2020

“Well done thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
Matthew 25:21

A resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2020 at her home. She was born September 22, 1934 in Amite, LA and was 85 years of age. She retired fom the State of Louisiana after 33 years and performed volunteer work after retirement. She won numerous awards for her volunteer service and was an advocate for child literacy in our community, parish, and state and was a former Girl Scout leader and 4-H leader. She is survived by son, Weston Voight of Amite; daughter, Kimberly Pinion and husband, Jeffery, of Amite; grandchildren, Brandon Voight and wife, Lauren, Crystal Alexander and husband, Wendell, Todd Voight and wife, Georgette, Whitney Guitrau and husband, Dustin, Jaci Dinger and husband, Marion; 9 great-grandchildren; brother, Lee Gray and wife, Patsy; sister, Vera Brennan and husband, Paul, of Kingston, NY; numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Charles Lewis Voight; mother, Norma L. Davis; father, Henry Gray; daughter-in-law, Catherine “Lalou” Voight; grandson, Stephen L. Voight; sister, Mary Ellen Davis; 2 brothers, Bert and Jack Gray; step-parents, Ernest Davis and Pat Gray; in laws, C.Y. and Aurie Belle Voight. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Services conducted by Bro. Paul Brennan. Interment Shiloh Church of Christ Cemetery, Amite, LA. Special thanks to Modern Hospice, Runekia Bran and Natasha Barnes. In lieu of flowers donations may be made CYE c/o Justin Simmons, P.O. Box 411 Glenmora, LA 71433. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 29

  • Exodus 8:1-9:35
  • Matthew 19:13-30
  • Psalm 24:1-10
  • Proverbs 6:1-5

 

 

 

We had a number of items turned in at church Sunday for Operation Christmas Child.  They have all been opened and grouped for shoeboxes.  Lots of love is going into the shoeboxes.  David and I are dedicated to/addicted to shopping, organizing, and packing for them.

I love to tell about shoeboxes and do “shoebox show and tell”.  Pray with me as I consider how to best spread the word about the shoebox ministry.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday

“Trust in your money and down you go!

Trust in God and flourish as a tree!” 

~Proverbs 11:28 TLB~

 

 

 

Julie Smith Eudy, my sister, is having surgery midmorning today at Ochsner on Jefferson.  Please pray for her today and during her recover during the coming weeks.

 

 

 

 

Pray request sent by Lois Pittman: Donna Manning & Kelsey Schillings

 Donna is my niece, lives in Mt.Hermon,she has health problems,Kelsey has been in Tulane since last Sun.,she is on a feeding tube right now ,please put them both on the prayer link,thank you,she also lives inMt.Hermon

 

 

 

Operation Christmas Child – We are almost at the end of our first month of church-wide collection by Sunday School classes for OCC.  FBC, Kentwood has continued to prove how generous they are when it comes to missions.  Thanks to the OCC team of Frank Fowler, Beth Lee, and Wanda Smith for helping to get the message out to the classes.   Looking ahead, what a joy it will be for many children to open the shoeboxes that you helped send at the end of this year.  Thank you for your love for missions.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 27

  •  Exodus 4:1-5:21
  • Matthew 18:1-20
  • Psalm 22:19-31
  • Proverbs 5:15-21

 

 

Baptist Press – http://www.bpnews.net/

 

 

 

Baptist Message – https://baptistmessage.com/

 

 

 

If you have some time to dedicate to working on OCC, please let me know.  You can even get a friend or two to come with you.  Come learn what goes on “behind the scenes” and receive a great blessing as you work and consider all the hands that help to get our boxes to the children each year.

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday

Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

~Psalm 34:8~

 

Marion Antoinette “Doll” Gray Willson

July 09, 1936 – January 24, 2020

A life-long resident of Kentwood, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2020 at St. Helena Parish Nursing Home in Greensburg. She was born July 9, 1936 in Kentwood and was 83 years of age. She was a retired dairy farmer and a member of Pine Ridge United Methodist Church. She is survived by 2 sons, Paul Willson and wife, Mary Ann, Kentwood and Jimmy Willson and wife, Laurie, Houston, TX; daughter, Tracy Willson Desselles and husband, Gary, Abita Springs; 7 grandchildren, Jim Willson, J.J. Willson, Adam Willson and his wife, Lori, Bracy Willson Pinegar and husband, Jeff, Cristen Willson Blades and her husband, Landon, Colby Desselles and Bailey Desselles; 9 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Nancy Birch and husband, Ladell, and Peggy Varnado and husband, Dr. Jimmie W. Varnado; 2 sisters-in-law, Kay Gray and Toni Gray; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Donald Ray Willson; parents, James and Nettie Gray; sister, Velma Georgia Gray; 5 brothers, James Hulon Gray and wife, Minette, Huey Gray and wife, Dorothy, Leahman Gray,  Philip Gray, and James Monroe Gray. A graveside service will be held at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Pine Ridge, LA at 1:00PM on Monday, January 27, 2020 conducted by Rev. Dr. Michael Townsend. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 26

  • Exodus 2:11-3:22
  • Matthew 17:10-27
  • Psalm 22:1-18
  • Proverbs 5:7-14

 

 

David and I had a good week with OCC.  Today, we are announcing what the classes at our church are purchasing for February.  If you are not finished shopping for January, it is never too late.

 

 

 

 Pine Ridge United Methodist Church will host their monthly breakfast benefit this morning at 8 A.M.  Enjoy the fellowship and food.  Contribute to a need in the community chosen by a team of ladies who are always alert to needs and have a heart to help out.

 

 

 

Have a wonderful Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

~Ephesians 3:16~

 

 

 

David’s brother-in-law

Harold Benton Newman

  • June 5, 1933 – January 20, 2020
  • Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
  • Harold Benton Newman
  • Harold Benton Newman, originally of Hammond, LA, died Monday, January 20, 2020, at his home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, at the age of 86. He was born June 5, 1933, to the late Shelby and Anita Newman. He was a resident of Mississippi for the past 33 years.
    Harold is survived by his wife of 67 years, Bonnie Alford Newman; brothers Shelby William (Bill) Newman, Glenn Earl Newman, and Rudolph Paul (Rudy) Newman, sister Joyce Love Newman, children Harold Keith Newman, Sharon Kay Newman Ott (Mike), and Matthew Eric Newman (Susan); grandchildren Becky, Christina, Bryan, Miranda, Mikayla, and Kaylen; and 6 great-grandchildren.
    In addition to his parents, Harold was preceded in death by his sisters Mary Ann Newman Mulkey and Elsie Jean Newman Smith, and daughter Diana Sue Newman Brown.
    Harold was a veteran of the Army National Guard, and retired from the Louisiana Department of Transportation (Highway Department). He was an animal lover, an avid outdoorsman, and a life-long fisherman.
    Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service in Harold’s honor at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Hammond, Louisiana, on February 1, 2020, from 11 am to 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, and to honor Harold’s love for animals, the family asks you make a donation to Raven Woods Animal Sanctuary in Arcola, Louisiana or Tangi Humane Society in Hammond, Louisiana.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 25

  • Genesis 50:1 – Exodus 2:10
  • Matthew 16:13-17:9
  • Psalm 21:1-13
  • Proverbs 5:1-6

 

 

I have been crafting for OCC.  It has been a real joy!  If you like to craft and know the value of OCC, you may want to get with me for some joint projects.  If you are shopping monthly, you will realize the first month is ending.  Are you pleased with what you purchased or crafted in January?  Stay tuned for our February needs….

Anna Lee

 

 

Tuesday

You are my refuge and my shield;

I have put my hope in your word.

~Psalm 119:114~

 

 

 

Mr. Sherrill Caraway was able to return to his home yesterday after spending an uncertain week in the hospital in Baton Rouge.  Pray he will feel good and improve at home.

 

 

 

Christian Ratlliff’s ear surgery went well.  Once he is healed from surgery, his new devices will be turned on.  Pray all go as smoothly as planned.

 

 

 

Julie Smith Eudy, my sister, will be having surgery at Ochsner Hospital on Jefferson Monday.  Please begin to cover her with your prayers.  Please pray for the surgery and the recovery period.

 

 

 

Julie and I have completed the process of cutting, surging, folding, and grouping more than enough colorful washcloths for the shoeboxes we will pack in October.  They are beautiful!  I am anxious for the children to have them to enjoy for many years.  Our present projects include stuffing two-pocket folders for the boys and girls in the two older age groups.

 

 

 

Read the Bible in 2020 – January 21

  • Genesis 42:18-43:34
  • Matthew 13:47-14:12
  • Psalm 18:16-36
  • Proverbs 4:7-10

 

 

The January Bible Study of Jeremiah is going well at New Zion Baptist Church.  There are two more nights.  It’s not too late to join the group.  They start at 6:30 P.M. with Bro. Darryl Miller teaching the group.

 

 

 

The Kentwood youth are planning for the annual Valentine Banquet which will be Saturday, February 8.  A steak supper will be served that night.  You can purchase your $20 tickets at the church office or from a youth.  Proceeds from the banquet will help with the cost of youth camp this summer.

 

 

 

We all know about being selfish.  Let’s practice being selfless today in our prayers and actions.

Anna Lee