Category: Praises, Requests, & Updates

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

~Galatians 6:2~

Mrs. Blanch Wheat is waiting for a doctor to decide if she is able to have surgery. Pray for “Miss” Blanch, her family, and the doctor who has this responsibility.

Richard Dunn is in East Jefferson Hospital. Please pray for Richard and his family as Richard receives treatment.

From a newsletter sent out by IMB personnel in Romania:

June12 – Pray as the missionaries in Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania & Slovakia travel to the CEFannual general meeting in Hungary 13th -19

June 14 – Jeff Long, pastor of Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC, as he speaks to us at AGM on “Staying the Course” from1 Thessalonians

June 24 – Daniel Byrd (Teamromany/gypsy) is appointed as a career M & returns to RO on the 28th

June 30 – Wes & Tamara Banks as they move from Bucharest to Braila to begin working with Team Romany (gypsy team)

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Monday, June 2, 2008

“In everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

~1 Peter 4:11b, HCSB~

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, celebrating salvation with you.

“I was depressed, desperate to find someone who could help my miserable life. I was so stressed that I was physically ill. I told my roommate that I wanted her to go with me to find a church. We went out on the sidewalk to wait for a taxi. One came, and it had a sign on the side that read, ‘Problems? Discouraged? Jesus is the Answer!’ We were amazed! We told the driver to take us to the church whose name was written on the sign!” Miss G left her Buddhist tradition and became a believer in Jesus Christ that day. Please pray that the hearts of many others will be opened by the messages about Jesus on the sides of many taxis running through the city streets in central Thailand.

Here is another testimony: “My husband is a drunk. I try to work to provide for our family, but I must also take care of my children. I had no hope until I heard a voice on the radio telling me that Jesus had power above all other spirits and powers and that He loves me!” Mrs. J responded to the radio broadcaster’s offer to enlist in Bible correspondence courses. After she wrote to say that she wanted to give her life to Christ, members of the Central Thai Team, a local Baptist church, and the radio ministry team visited Mrs. J. That day she prayed to receive Christ as her new Lord.

*Please pray for Mrs. J and the thousands of others who are hearing the gospel being proclaimed on radio programs or advertised on taxis.

*Pray for Thai Christian leaders to have a burden to work alongside field personnel and be the ones to disciple new believers.

*Pray that the outreach methods will be anointed with the supernatural power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Margaret Huber shared this:

Pat Jarrell passed away today. He services are incomplete at this time but Chablis (his daughter) said tentatively they will be Wednesday, Pat was a mail carrier and a parish councilman in Tangipahoa Parish.

Mr. Henry Harris

Visitation at New Zion Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Rev. Iran Smith. Interment New Zion Cemetery, Kentwood.

KneEmail

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

Cry

WALKING PAST MY barn one day, I heard a frantic chirping inside, and upon investigation I found a bluejay beating its wings against the glass pane of the window…

Had it not cried and squawked, I would not have heard it. But its plaintive note prompted me to open the door wide and the jay flew out to liberty. That bluejay was in a strange place for a bird; and Jonah found himself in a strange place for a human being. Because of his disobedience, Jonah was cast into the sea, swallowed by a sea monster and trapped in its belly. Although it was Jonah’s own fault that he was there, God was also there to hear his prayer. And when he confessed, God delivered him.

God’s children sometimes get themselves into some strange places and unhappy circumstances because of their folly. Are you in a strange place today? Are you out of fellowship with the Lord, defeated, unhappy? Then cry out to God, confess your sin, and be restored by His abundant mercy. God is waiting to hear your faintest cry and accept your repentance. Maybe through your own foolish choices you’re in a strange place today — but He is with you and waiting to hear your cry (M.R. DeHaan).

“If we confess our sins,

He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins

nd to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

~ 1 John 1:9; cf. Jonah 2:1~

Have a great week!

Anna Lee

But the Lord stood at my side

and gave me strength,

so that through me the message

might be fully proclaimed

and all the Gentiles might hear it.

And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

2 Timothy 4:17 (NIV)

Frann S. Clark went to see the neurosurgeon Wednesday. The decision was made to not do surgery. Pray for Frann as she deals with the pain.

Tests for Romanian language:

Thank you all so very much for remembering us in prayer today as we took our final exam for Levels IA & IIA. We all wanted to do well, and finish strong. We were a bit anxious because we did not want a poor performance to reflect poorly on our Lord. All in all, it went well, and it was because of your prayers and His faithfulness.

I told Margie that I felt like my language skill was somewhat like a nicely arranged vegetable tray that I was carrying to the table, when I tripped. By the time the test was over—I had tossed salad for sure. It did not come out on to the test paper like our teacher put it in, but now we are ready to move forward with “some” language skill. Thanks for your support. See you soon!!!! Bob Craig

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray
Prayer

Prayer requests

May 23, 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

SHE NEEDED JESUS

On a bright sunny day, a missionary in Paraguay met a little girl on the street. She was standing at a table with her mom. The girl is a 6-year-old with a sad smile, long black hair, and a very thin body. The table and a chair is the mom’s office-no walls or bookcases or cash register-just a table and chair. The little girl smiled at Iracema Kunkel, the missionary, when she stopped to talk to her mother. The little girl usually stayed beside her mother for 12 long hours, playing with some ragged and dirty dolls. Iracema Kunkel talked with her mother and just knew she needed Jesus.

The missionary told her about the love of Jesus and the mother asked Jesus to be her Savior! Now this little girl spends half a day in school and the other half at her mother’s ‘office.’ But now she has a beautiful smile (and her mother does too) because she is learning about Jesus. They keep a Bible on the table where everyone can see. They go to a Baptist church near where they live. Please pray for this little girl and this mother that they will keep on studying God’s Word and trust God to take care of them every day.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

Please pray for my sister who is going to university. I am homeschooled, please pray for my grades. MATTHEW, age 13 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Pray that more college students come to our summer program, SA101, and lots of people come to know Christ in India. ALLAN, age 13 (South Asia)

TR is my friend who lives in Japan. He has a younger sister and a younger brother. Please pray for them. He goes to my Japanese school and is in my class in 3rd grade. He’s funny. He loves nature and always talks about bugs and plants. We have a job in our classroom of taking care of all the nature stuff, like feeding the fish. I have been telling TR about Jesus, but he’s not interested in getting baptized. He doesn’t want to get baptized, because he doesn’t want to go under the water. I don’t know if he’s a Christian or not. I want him to be a Christian. Please pray for TR. RICKIE, age 8 (Pacific Rim)

My mom teaches my three brothers and me. Please pray for us and our homeschool. Pray for my dad. He is the Logistics Coordinator for Malawi-that means he helps other people who come to work in our country and he is really busy. ANNA, age 13 (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Our next door neighbors have a daughter, AI, about fifteen years old. She and her family are Muslims and she goes to a school where she learns about the Koran. People have told AI and her family about Jesus, but they are still Muslims. Please pray that AI and her family will understand what they have heard about Jesus and that they would choose to believe in Him. ELIZABETH, age 17 (West Africa)

Please pray for me to learn more Thai and for me to read my Bible more. Ask God to help me to find a good friend. MORIAH, age 10 ½ (Pacific Rim)

Charles Eugene James
(January 16, 1947 – May 29, 2008)

Died on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. He was a native of Centreville, MS and a resident of Amite. Age 61 years. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, from 12:00 Noon on Saturday until religious services at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Field Thigpen. Interment Pine Ridge Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA. Survived by 5 sisters, Juanita Pace, St. Amant, Rita Holden, Amite, Barbara Walker, Amite, Betty Phillips, Kentwood, Nancy Morris, Amite, 2 brothers, Paul James, Amite, James Walker, Amite, Preceded in death by, father, Sidney James, mother, Mary Parker James Walker.

Rosa Lee Edwards
(November 9, 1924 – May 28, 2008)

Died at 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond. She was a native of Hattiesburg, MS and a resident of Roseland. Age 83 years. Visitation at Roseland Baptist Church, Roseland, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. until religious services at 10 a.m. Saturday. Services conducted by Rev. Mervin Strother. Interment Killian Chapel Cemetery, Amite. She is survived by her 5 daughters, Mavis Beasley, Avondale, Marilyn Dominano Bentivegna, Tickfaw, Barbara Louge, Columbia, MS, Glenda Bennett, Pumpkin Center and Debra Rowell, Albany; 1 son, Robert Edwards, Tickfaw; 1 brother, Lavon White, Roger, AR; 1 sister, Mrs. Roberta Babaz, Sulfur; 24 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Edwards; parents, Herbert and Lucy White; grandson, Jason Bennett; great-granddaughter, Wendy Breaux; 4 brothers, Leon White, Paul White, Robert White and Hugh L. White.

THE INNOCENCE OF CHILDHOOD

Sometimes I want to be a kid again. I want to go back to the time when:

— Decisions were made by going “eeny-meeny-miney-mo.”
— Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming “do over!”
— “Race issue” meant arguing about who ran the fastest.
— Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in “Monopoly.”
— Catching fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening.
— Being old referred to anyone over 20.
— The net on a tennis court was the perfect height to play volleyball and the rules didn’t matter.
— The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was cooties.
— It was magic when dad would “remove” his thumb.
— It was unbelievable that dodgeball wasn’t an Olympic event.
— Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot.
— Nobody was prettier than Mom.
— Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better.
— It was a big deal to finally be tall enough to ride the “big people” rides at the amusement park.
— Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true.
— Abilities were discovered because of a “double-dog-dare.”
— Saturday morning cartoons weren’t 30-minute ads for action figures.
— “Oly-oly-oxen-free” made perfect sense.
— Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for giggles.
— The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
— War was a card game.
— Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.
— Baseball cards in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle.
— Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin.
— Older siblings were the worst tormentors but also the fiercest protectors.
(author unknown)

There’s an innocence about childhood. As we grow older, we lose that innocence and life becomes more complicated. Like Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, we all live out in our own lives what it means to have sin affect our relationship with God and our relationship with one another.

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked…” (Genesis 3:6-7a)

Taking the fruit of a tree giving us more knowledge isn’t as wonderful as we think it will be. As we grow older, we know more and more, but often find ourselves wishing that we were younger when we didn’t know nearly as much. We can never regain that innocence, but thank God we can find forgiveness!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a wonderful Friday!

Anna Lee

And we know that God

causes everything to work together

for the good of those who love God

and are called according to his purpose

for them.

~Romans 8:28 (NLT)~

Melvin Leonard Varnado
Melvin Leonard Varnado, 78, was born May 20, 1929, and passed away Monday, May 19, 2008, at his home in Denham Springs. He was a native of Kentwood. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gloria “Jackie” Cowart Varnado; four children, his sons, Kenneth Varnado and wife Janet and Richard Varnado and wife Jean, all of Denham Springs, his daughters, Rhonda Varnado LeBlanc, of Denham Springs, and Susan Varnado Scardina and husband Bryan; honorary daughter and grand-daughter, Chong-Sun Ahn and Jean-Sun Ahn, of Seattle; brother, Carlton Varnado and wife Reona, of Baton Rouge; sisters, Norma Nell V. Fussell, Carlene “Toddy” V. Brumfield and Alta Mae V. Daniel and husband Bob, all of Baton Rouge; nine grandchildren, Scott and Kyle Varnado, and Matthew, Joshua and Riley Varnado, all of Denham Springs, Maverick and Benjamin LeBlanc, of Dutchtown, and Tyler and Rachel Scardina, of Denham Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents, T.C. and Irene Varnado, of Kentwood; brothers, Harold Thomas, Sheldon and Landon Varnado; and sisters, Viola “Poolie” Hill and Mildred Miscar. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Denham Springs for more than 50 years. He served his country in the U.S. Navy and retired from his own business, Leonard’s Plumbing, at age 65. He cherished being a husband, father and grandfather to his family and relished time spent fishing with friends. Visitation at Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs, on Wednesday, May 21, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at First Baptist Church, Denham Springs, on Thursday, May 22, from 9 a.m. until funeral service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. James Spillman. Burial in Evergreen Memorial Park, Denham Springs. Pallbearers will be his eight grandsons, Scott Varnado, Kyle Varnado, Matthew Varnado, Joshua Varnado, Maverick LeBlanc, Benjamin LeBlanc, Riley Varnado and Tyler Scardina. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Reid Sr., Reymond D’Armond, Sam Williams, A.J. Lavigne, C.J. Rushing, Gary Pertuis, Cart Varnado and Bob Daniel. The family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Joseph’s Hospice or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Please continue to pray for the Rhodus, Hart, and Varnodo families.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PRAYERLINE
INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

“The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them” (Psalm 34:7, NKJV)

Dear Intercessors, this is Eleanor Witcher of the International Prayer Strategy Office, praying with you for our brothers and sisters in Christ who face persecution.

A house church meeting was interrupted by a crowd of Muslim men. The instigator of the mob spoke, “You should not be teaching these things! You cannot convert Muslims to Christianity!” He was angry because his 17-year-old son had recently accepted Jesus as Savior, and had been baptized. His son and a friend were sharing the truth they had learned with others in the community. The mob slapped and beat the church leader, and ultimately reported him to the police. The leader was baffled. “I was doing nothing wrong. I wasn’t forcing anyone. All of these men had already given their lives to Jesus. I was just teaching them.” The police breathed extortion, and in fear, too little faith, and a mistake in judgment, a bribe was paid.

For a Lozi school teacher named M, becoming a Christian has threatened his job. The headmaster at M’s school is a member of a cult that does not believe in Jesus as the only way to salvation. The headmaster is very upset that M has joined a Baptist church. Now the headmaster is spreading lies: He is accusing missionaries of coming to steal and kill the school children, and is telling others that the Baptist church members are really Satan worshippers. He makes M’s personal and professional life very difficult. Pray that M will continue to stand firm in his faith.

*Please pray that God will grant wisdom to those sharing Jesus in their oppressive communities and that they will not give in to extortion.

*Ask the Lord to send His angel to camp around these believers and to protect them from all physical, spiritual and emotional attacks.

*Intercede for the angry mob members and the headmaster that they will come face to face with the living God, bowing the knee in surrender to Jesus Christ.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
PSYCHOLOGISTS TELL US that one of the deepest urges in human nature is the craving to be appreciated…

Thus, we contribute immeasurably to the happiness and success of others when we express appreciation for their work and worth.

We are also advised that the giving of sincere praise brings out outstanding benefits to the one who gives it. Thus, we contribute immeasurably to our own happiness and success when we express appreciation for others.

Observation teaches that the most successful people have mastered the art of giving praise.

Giving honest praise is like “saying grace” at the table…very difficult to start, if it hasn’t been our pattern. Here are some guidelines to get one started.

1. Look for little things for which you can express appreciation. We tend to wait for colossal achievements before uttering one word of commendation or encouragement. Rare and refreshing is the person who goes on a “treasure hunt” searching for little things to praise.

2. Look for things close at hand for which you can express appreciation. The human tendency is to see glamour in things at a distance and defects in things close at hand. It doesn’t take much sense to find fault with things and people close by. Conversely, it requires sensitive perception to detect the genuine worth of nearby treasures.

3. Voice your appreciation. It isn’t that we don’t appreciation others…it’s just that, for some unknown reason, we are hesitant to voice that feeling. It is necessary to say nice things to have them do good…not merely think them. By not acting quickly to praise one for his work the impulse often fades away.

It may well be that one of the greatest duties you can perform this day will be speaking a word of appreciation. (John Gipson)

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14).

I appreciate your prayers for various needs each day! I appreciate those who inform me of needs. I appreciate those who encourage me.

Anna Lee