Category: Uncategorized

Thursday

Today is the 58th annual National Day of Prayer. You can go the the official website at http://www.ndptf.org/home/home.html to get more information. Let’s celebrate a country that has honored prayer for many years and practice our wonderful freedom to pray.

“I mean that I want us to help each other

with the faith we have.

Your faith will help me,

and my faith will help you.”

~Romans 1:12 NCV~



Continue to pray for Wanzie Williams as arrangements are being worked out for physical therapy.


Continue to pray for the Melder/Pezant family. Little four year old Haley continues to have kidney issues because of the e-coli.

Tracy Williams is doing well following his surgery. Continue to pray for him.

From Melissa Simpson:

I know this couple in McComb who really needs our prayers. Talmadge is 81 years young and had surgery about 4 weeks ago. He is doing good but the healing of his body is really going a little slow for him. Marvis is really taking good care of him. I spoke to her this morning on the phone to check on them as they only live about 3 minutes from where I work and ask her if she needed anything and she told me to keep on praying for the healing of Talmadge. I told her I would put them on the prayer link. This is a really wonderful couple and they have a church that is there for them. But hey! one more prayer group would be wonderful.

Thanks
Melissa

Don, Diane, and Josh Denton

I got sleep! Today was a day that I was able to rest. I spent the evening with Don this evening. Just a few updates.

Don is on again off again with a private room. His level of headache pain has not changed. The doctor decided to put Don back on steroids starting at a smaller dose to help with his symptoms. Hopefully within the next few days, Don will be able to see some relief from his symptoms.

Don’s veins are not working well. They collapsed today when the nurse tried putting another IV in. Don is having problems with swelling in his hands and arms too. So a “line” has been put in.

The nurosurgeon talked of us being able to go home by Friday. That is not going to happen. Don is not well enough to go home at this point. Hopefully next week.

I am praying that we will be able to be home for Joshua’s birthday. I have planned his little party for Saturday the 16th. And my hope is that we can keep this part of our life as “normal” as possible. So please pray that Don will be well enough to come home.

IF…all goes well and Don shows improvement by Friday, Josh and I will go home. I have to get our pets from the boarding facility. This is taking longer than I had thought that it would.

And I have to get my mail and I am hoping that Joshua will be able to play with some of his friends. We will then go back to St. Louis on Sunday, Mothers Day.

Having an illness like this changes everything. Last year I would have been upset if Don forgot Mother’s Day. This year, all that matters is that Don is with us. I am so grateful to God that we have each other.

So much in that way has changed for me. One learns what is important in life, when someone you love is so ill.

We continue to ask God for his mercy and grace upon us. We continue to hope and believe. Believe for answers and hope that whatever this disease is, it will be treatable and restore Don back to us.


As much as I don’t want to leave Don up here, his parents will be here for him. And I will only leave if I know for sure that it is OK. It is so hard to make decisions sometimes.

Thank you for your continued prayer for Don, Joshua and I. It means everything to us. Thank you for continuing to touch us in the way that you do. People we don’t know just reach out to us and love us in a way that only God could show them.

I believe God uses you all to show us that He has not left us and it encourages and touches me deeply. Bless you.

Diane

Richard Rowley Lipscomb
Richard died Tuesday, May 5, 2009, following a brief illness. He was born May 29, 1911, in Norwood, the son of William “Lynn” F. Lipscomb and Julia Pemble Lipscomb. Richard married Inez Hughes on June 7, 1941, in the home of the Rev. Dearman in Kentwood. Richard and Inez started their life together in Clinton. Richard retired in 1976 as secretary-treasurer of Community Coffee Inc., and he was the past president of the Baton Rouge Association of Accountants. Richard was also a member of the Stuart Cameron McLeod Society, an organization for past national officers and directors of the National Association of Accountants. Earlier in his career he had served in various positions with the Civilian Conservation Corps followed by an appointment by the LSU Extension Services as district secretary to the Bogue Chitto-Pearl River Soil Conservation District with headquarters in Kentwood. Prior to World War II, he was appointed as the project superintendent of the first project between the Soil Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration, overseeing projects in East and West Feliciana parishes. As war appeared eminent, the project closed and Richard joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at their Shreveport office. From there. he went to Minden with the Ordinance Department. He was subsequently transferred to the Vicksburg branch of the General Accounting Office, then went to Little Rick, ending up in the Canadian Yukon, where he worked at the Whitehorse, Yukon, office of the Corps of Engineers. Another move led to Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, where he served as administrative assistant to the chief project engineer on the airport construction and a section of the Alaskan Highway. Richard loved classical music and gardening. He spent many enjoyable hours on his patio, which was covered with beautiful flowers and plants. Richard and Inez were members of Broadmoor Presbyterian Church. He, with the help of Inez, spent many years researching the Lipscomb Family history and in 1978 published The Lipscombs of East Feliciana, a Virginia Heritage. They continued their interest in genealogy and researched Inez’s family meeting many people along the journey. He was a great husband, father and provider for his family and a true friend to all who knew him. Richard will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his wonderful and loving wife of 66 years, Inez Hughes Lipscomb, who was a native of Kentwood; his father, William “Lynn” F. Lipscomb; mother, Julia Pemble Lipscomb; three brothers, Wilbur S., Elvis F. and Clarence E. Lipscomb; and two sisters, Mildred Lipscomb James and Ida Lipscomb Jones. Richard is survived by his sons, John Pemble Lipscomb and fiancée Karen M. Holloway, of Brandon, Miss., and Rodney Kent Lipscomb and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Titterington Lipscomb, of Hammond; a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Dorothy Hughes, of Kentwood; and sister-in-law, Beatrice Crawford of Vidor, Texas. Surviving nephews and their spouses are Larry W. Jones, of Baton Rouge, David E. and Barbara Lipscomb, of Houston, Kenneth and Diane Lipscomb, of Denham Springs, Jack D. and Mary Hughes, Paul M. and Mary Hughes, and Mark and Dera Hughes, all of Kentwood, and Wayne and Pat Crawford, of Vidor. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, May 8, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a brief prayer service conducted by the Rev. Hawley Wolfe. Graveside service at Woodland Cemetery, Kentwood, on Saturday, May 9, at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be Jack D. Hughes, Rodney Lipscomb, John Lipscomb, Mark C. Hughes, Mike Larsen and Danny Lamier. Honorary pallbearers are Norman Saurage III, Paul White, Clarence Bourg, Huey Coltharp, R.H. “Jack” Hughes, Luke Elliott Sr., Carlton Varnado, Robert Lewis, Roland Gary and Dr. Tom Graves. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, 9340 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815 or a charity of your choice.

IT’S NOT EASY BEING A MOM

Judith Viorst once wrote an essay based on interviews she had with children. The subject was “What’s a good mother like?”

Viorst reports that the children expected their mother to get angry from time to time. “She has to,” said Ted, “or she’ll faint from holding it in.”

“But it’s best to remember,” said Randy, “that when your mother starts to act real weird, you have to look scared and serious. Don’t giggle. When mommies are mad, they get madder if you giggle.”

“My mommy got so mad,” said Megan, “that she yanked the plate off the table and all the mashed potatoes flew into the air.”

“And why,” Viorst asked, pretending she’d never heard of such shocking behavior, “why would a mother do a thing like that?”

“Well,” said Megan, “she told my older brother, Mike, he’s 11 years old, to eat the potatoes on his plate and he said ‘Later.’ And then she told him again to eat the potatoes and Mike said ‘Soon.’ And then she told him he had better eat those potatoes right now and he said, ‘In a minute.’ And then she stood up and Mike finally took a bite and told her, ‘How can I eat them? They’re cold!'”

It truly is not easy being a Mom! But how blessed we were to have our mothers. In this country, we will honor our mothers on Sunday, and I think it’s certainly appropriate. Paul said we as Christians are to “give honor to whom honor is due” (Romans 13:7), and I can’t think of anyone any more deserving of honor than our mothers. I hope that you will honor in a special way those mothers who are like Hannah.

In I Samuel 1, we have recorded the birth of Samuel. Before he was born, Hannah prayed a vow to God. She said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” (I Samuel 1:11)

The Lord heard her petition and she was blessed with the birth of Samuel. Hannah didn’t forget her vow to the Lord. She took her son Samuel to be trained at the feet of Eli, the priest of God. From a very young age, Hannah made sure that her son was preparing to serve the Lord.

I heard about a preacher a number of years ago who came home after preaching a gospel meeting, and he was asked how it went. Rather discouraged, he said that he had only baptized one young girl who was about 12 or 13 years old — all in all, comparatively speaking, not a very successful meeting. But, after that girl grew up, she married and became the mother of five sons who became gospel preachers. What a great impact that young lady ended up having in the world!

I know that mothers — especially mothers of young children — sometimes get discouraged because they wonder if they’re really accomplishing anything. Let me assure you that if you are instilling within your children a love for God and His Word, you’re accomplishing something. It may be years down the road before you see the results, but you’re having an impact. You’re making a difference.

Give honor this weekend to your own mother — and to those mothers around you — who, like Hannah, have vowed to give their children over to God.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a fantastic day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday

Lloyd Alton “Preacher” Carruth
Lloyd Alton “Preacher” Carruth passed away on Monday, April 27, 2009, in Zachary. He was 91, born in Liverpool on Oct. 17, 1917. He graduated from Oakland High School in 1928 and served in the U.S. Army as a corporal during World War II. He was a pipe fitter by trade but held lots of interesting positions until he had to retire due to health reasons. He was a member of Masonic Istrouma Lodge 414. He is survived by his son, Donald Carruth, of Walker; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Homer Hopkins, of Zachary; grandson, Justin Hopkins and his wife, Brittany, of Zachary; granddaughters, Amber Hopkins, of Zachary, and Jenna Sawyer, of Baton Rouge; and two great-granddaughters, Sophie and Vivienne Hopkins. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Frances Sanders Carruth; parents, Marshall and Georgie Yarborough Carruth; brothers, Thomas, Stewart, Edward, Ransom, Horace, Bill and Marshall L.; and sister, Margaret Frazier. Visitation will be at Charlet Funeral Home Inc., Zachary, on Tuesday, April 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Masonic service. Visitation on Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until a 10 a.m. service, conducted by the Rev. Darwin Hall and Dr. Brythel Brantley. Burial will be at noon at the Pine Ridge Cemetery in Kentwood. Lloyd lived a full life. He and his wife got to travel a lot and he loved to spend time with family and friends and especially his great-granddaughters. He treasured those moments. He loved to share stories with such a wonderful memory and so many details of the past. He will be truly missed. Friends wishing to make memorial donations in his name may make them to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Share sympathies, memories, and condolences at www.CharletFuneralHome.com.

This obituary seems to want to be first today. David and I met and enjoyed talking with Cathy Wales’ “Uncle Lloyd” on their back porch. He was indeed a special man.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother,

spoke up.

‘There’s a young boy here

with five barley loaves and two fish.

But what good is that with this huge crowd?'”

~John 6:8-9 NLT~

I think this verse reminds us of God’s ability to more than meet our needs!

The Duke’s daughter-in-law, Erin, gave me permission to share this from her blog:

A New Kind of Therapy. . .

I like to call it. . .

Baby Therapy. . .



And, it does the heart good. Just look at Pop’s face. . .


I tell you this kind of therapy is better than any medicine. . .


At least it is with this grandchild loving Pop!


I kept worrying that Erik Daniel might hurt Pop with all of his wiggling, but Pop insisted that he was fine. And, he wanted to be close to this sweet little boy. And, my little boy wanted to be close to his sweet Pop.

Here is my favorite picture of them. . .

Precious.

Now, don’t you think that made him feel a little better?

I do.

As you can see, Erik, Erik Daniel, and I went to New Orleans for the weekend. And, it was an amazing trip for so many reasons!!! So, let me tell you why. . .

I think we were about 45 minutes from New Orleans when Erik received a call from a man who was assessing Mom for admittance into a long term acute care facility. He informed Erik that she had moved her toes on command for him.

What?????!!!!!!????

For the first time, my husband lit up with hope! She had responded to a verbal command. This was huge. HUGE.

We got a little further down the road ~ actually we were on that really long bridge that goes from Slidell to New Orleans ~ when Jason called. He and Erik had previously decided that we would meet at the Praline Connection to eat before Jason had to fly home. But, Jason was suggesting that we meet at the hospital instead. Erik was afraid that going to the hospital first would take too much time and that Jason would be miss his flight. But, then, Jason explained. . .

Mom opened her eyes!!!!!!!

She looked at Jason and mouthed the words, “I love you,” to him!!!!!!!

Erik said, “Okay, yes, then we will meet you at the hospital!”

It was a miracle weekend. She didn’t open her eyes again that day, but the next morning she opened her eyes for Erik and mouthed his name. Unfortunately I wasn’t with him!!!! But, later that night I got to see those brown eyes myself!!!!

We went to visit her, and Erik is ruthless, I tell you. He rubs her shoulder and talks loudly in her ear, “Mom, it is Erik. I love you. Erin is here with me. She wants to see your brown eyes. Show her your pretty brown eyes, Mama. Show them to her. Open your eyes, Mama. Open your eyes and look at Erin. She is standing right in front of you. She wants to see your pretty brown eyes. Hey! Hey! Hey, brown eyes, open your pretty brown eyes, Mama. We love you. We’re praying for you. Now, open those pretty brown eyes and look at Erin.” And, finally after the one millionth time he asked her, a little miracle happened, and she ever so slowly, as if her eyelids weighed a ton, with great concentration and inner strength, she opened up her pretty brown eyes and looked at me.

And, I couldn’t help but cheer for her! “Good job, Mom. Good job! You did so good! Thank you for letting me see your eyes! You are so strong! You are getting better every day! Good job, Mom! I love you.”

I can’t tell you the pride that welled up in me when I saw her open her sweet eyes!!!

And, because I need to go to bed, I am going to come full circle and end this post. We went back to see her today. She is in a new hospital, and I didn’t know the rules about babies. So, rather than ask, we just decided to take Erik Daniel and see what would happen.

No one said anything to us. We walked right by several staff members and into Mom’s room.

Erik did his little number where he asks her over and over again to open her pretty brown eyes while he rubs her shoulder with gentle force. He told her that Erik Daniel was with us, so she should open those pretty brown eyes and look at him. Erik Daniel cooed and giggled in my arms. And, I knew she could hear him, and I know what those sounds do to me, and I prayed that they would have the same effect on her. After several minutes of trying so hard to open her eyes, she finally got them about halfway open. So, I held Erik Daniel like superman in the air, so he would be in her line of vision. After that she mouthed a sentence or two that we couldn’t make out for sure, and then, once again, she drifted back into a peaceful sleeping state.

Baby Therapy.

It is a good thing, just ask Pop!

And, speaking of Pop I must throw this picture in. . .

Erik and I bought him this shirt because we think he is Superman, and we love him sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Mrs. Ruby Dillon saw one of her favorite doctors, her nephew Rusty Stevens, yesterday. He said she was doing very well and did not need the procedure he was planning to do for her. While there, the Dillons also got to see Carl Wayne and Nora Stevens. They enjoyed a great meal “Miss” Ruby prepared and shared with them in Hattisburg. Carl Wayne is improving. Thank God for “Miss” Ruby’s and Carl Wayne’s good reports.
Continue to pray for Stan and Bethany Simmons. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.
Carol Brooke reports her grandson is making wonderful inprovement. Thank God for this!



From Tisha and Dwayne Wison:

Hi, Friends, as I looked at my calendar today, I realized we are leaving for El Salvador (mission trip) in 8 weeks. The time will be here before we know it. I thought of a few prayer requests….

· This Sunday afternoon (May 3rd) we will have a “team meeting” via conference call with our team leaders and fellow team mates. Please pray for a productive meeting.

· Team unity, health, preparations

· Please pray that we won’t rely on past trip experiences or our own strength but solely on Him

· Creativity and wisdom

· Trust Him to do great things in and through us

· Smooth logistics

· Safe travel

· Open doors and hearts

· Clear presentations of the Gospel at each site, with each group

· Our 4 Little Ones back home while we are away for 10 days and their caretakers

These are just a few things that came to mind today as I thought about our trip. Dwayne and I are currently working on individual presentations that we were asked to prepare to share while we are there. Please pray that we will not procrastinate but get this done and also pray for creativity as we prepare these 3-5 minute presentations.

Thanks for your partnership,

Tricia and Dwayne

Holly K. reports that she is melting in the heat and learning to ride her own little motorcycle. Continue to pray for her as she teaches MK’s in West Aftica.

Update on Don Denton

We are so glad that Monday has finally come.
Don is scheduled for many tests throughout the day.

Don is stable, yet he is not eating or drinking fluids since he got here. He is on allot of pain medication as well to manage the pain.

There have been some obstacles to overcome. The hospital is short on nurses and that means mistakes. We have encountered some concerns.

But in saying all of that, we still feel he is in good care.

Don’s parents arrived on Saturday night.

We hope to have some more answers on these tests they are currently conducting by the morning.

Please pray for the following:

Don’s doctors have widsom, and passion about his case.

Don get a private room. They are hard to come by here. He has severe headache pain and when one shares a room with another patient he is subject to TV, etc.

Pray that they will find answers.

Pray for Joshua – the trauma of all of this is hard. Abandonment issues are fears I am always working to assure him that we love him and will never leave him. And there is a fine line there. We don’t know what the outcome of Don will be here. Pray for me for honest assuring, age appropriate words for our little one.

Pray specifically that Don will have a doctor who is passionate about the outcome. A doctor that will be “present with him and us”. I am talking about a neurologist. His neurosurgeon is really good.

Pray for me that I wll have the wisdom and discernment to know when to push and when to stop.

Josha and I are well taken care of here. We are so blessed.

Thank you for being with us. Thank you our family and friends.

Diane

Sidney Wayne Polezcek
(August 14, 1966 – April 26, 2009)

Sidney Wayne Polezcek a loving husband, father, son, and brother was born August 14, 1966 and passed away at 5:43PM, Sunday, April 26, 2009 at the Ochsner Medical Center, Baton Rouge. Wayne was 42, a native of Independence and a resident of Amite.Wayne is survived by his wife Rhonda Seal Polezcek, Amite; 2 daughters, Jamie Polezcek, Independence, Kerri Polezcek, Amite; a son, Virgil Polezcek, Amite; mother, Linda Holden Easley, Amite; father, Sidney Polezcek, Jr. & step-mother, Jeanette Polezcek, Albany; 2 sisters, Tracy Polezcek, Amite & Gadonya Keating, Bogalusa; 2 brothers, Ronnie “Pudge” Polezcek and wife Sabrina, Amite, & Lavon Smith and wife Maria, Jacksonville, FL; a granddaughter, Jazmyne Polezcek, Independence; maternal grandmother, Virginia Birch, Greensburg; mother-in-law, Dorothy Baham, Roseland.

He was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Murphy Holden, Sr,; paternal grandmother, Della Hardy; paternal grandfather, Sidney Polezcek; step-grandmother, Maudie Roberts; infant brother, Sidney Polezcek, III.

Visitation will be at the McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 from 5:00PM until 9:00PM and on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 8:00AM until Religious Services at the funeral home Chapel at 10:00AM. Interment in the McMichael Cemetery.

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

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy 16W behind Bond Eye Clinic & Grand Prix Car Wash.

Solitude

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
HE HAD WORK to do…
He was active and involved. But He also knew that He couldn’t do it all without meeting alone with the Father.
He refused to be tyrannized by the immediate and urgent.
He knew that the needs of His disciples and the multitudes would always be there. He knew that even if he went 24/7, people would still beckon. (Steve Farrar)
“Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them.” Luke 4:42; cf. Matthew 14:22-23; Mark 1:35

Wednesday Afternoon

Please pray for Mrs. Pat Gill who will be having surgery tomorrow.


Also, join with the family of Wally Hall of Arcola as they celebrate his safety after his ship, Liberty Sun, was attacked by pirates yesterday. Thank God for watching over those who serve in the military, those who patrol the borders, those who serve on unarmed ships to carry needed supplies, and others who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the freedom and sustain life for Americans and millions of other people around the world.

Tuesday

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Keep Debbie Miller in your thoughts and prayers today. She enters the hospital at 9:30 and has the pacemaker procedure at 11:30. Your prayer for Debbie and the family will be appreciated.

Written late last night:
Today is Monday, October 27th. Please pray for me, my sister Beth and my Dad. The time has come to remove life support and give my mother (Judy Carruth) over to God. The thoughts, prayers circles and calls over the last week have meant more than words can say. At the end of it all, there is a power greater than we are and we are leaning on his everlasting strength and guidance for as long as it takes. Thank you to all of you who have kept our family in your thoughs and prayers.
Becky C. Lindsay

Thank you for all of your prayers. I am sure they have been answered in one way because I know he is in heaven. Please continue to pray for our family as we mourn our loss that we may find our way without him.
Adra Johnson (Loranger)

A family has a prayer of thanksgiving because of a good report they received concerning their son. Join with them in thanking God for his blessing of good health in this child’s life.

Greenlaw Baptist Churchhas two more revival services at 7 P.M. You are invited to attend.

Thoughts from a young friend, Holly K:
Freedom from fear
This morning, during my devotional time, I was reading todays entry in “Voices of the Faithful” by Beth Moore. The story was about a village in Central Africa. They had put ash on the roads leading into and out of their village because they believed it kept out a demon that killed people. The verse for today was Hebrews 2:14-15 — “He himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.”

Jesus frees us from the fear of death! Because he came to Earth and died, we have no reason to fear death. Please pray that the people of Africa would come to know that Jesus can free them from their fear of spirits and death. Pray that they would realize that through Jesus and a saving relationship with him, they have no reason to fear. Jesus tells us in John that he is the resurrection and the life and that if we believe in him we will never die!

Saturday

“When He saw the multitudes,

He was moved with compassion for them,

because they were weary and scattered,

like sheep having no shepherd.

Then He said to His disciples,

‘The harvest truly is plentiful,

but the laborers are few.

Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest

to send out laborers into His harvest’.”

~Matthew 9:36-38, NKJV~

Mr Philip Harrell was admitted into the Greensburg Hospital today, they are running test to discover what is wrong with him.

Please pray for him, and keep him in your thoughts.

Bill (Frazier)Prayer requests

KOMpray

Kids on Mission Pray

 

“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~

SILLY HIPPO TALK

“Why do you talk like a man who has been cut in half by a hippo?” This is literally what the Dinka people of Southern Sudan say when someone is talking silly. The Dinka people believe that if you are cut in half by a hippo and your top half is in the water, you will still be able to talk for awhile. You won’t make much sense, but you’ll be able to talk.

The Dinka culture is full of stories!

Another of their stories says that a dog brought fire to ancient Dinka people. Before fire, they cooked by the heat of the sun.

Since the Dinka people love stories, they are willing to listen to the stories of the Bible. Pray for them to understand that they are more than stories. Bible stories are the truth of God. Ask God to speak to their hearts through Bible stories so that they will want to know Jesus, the Savior.


MORE PRAYER REQUESTS FROM MISSIONARY KIDS

I live pretty far away from any other MKs and expatriates. Even though I love the people, it gets lonely, and I crave times when I can see MK friends or just hear a sermon in English. Also, my brother is going to college soon…he’s been like my best friend and it’s gonna hurt when he’s gone. DANIEL, age 16, (Central, Eastern and Southern Africa)

Please pray that 6th grade will go well. KATI, age 10 (Pacific Rim)

Please pray that Miss Rachel will stay well, and pray that Rebeca will be okay. CORNELIUS, age 10 (South Asia)

Pray for Sashy that her lungs will clear up and for Ms. Hannah and Ms. Rachael. GABRIELLA, age 8 (South Asia)

Please pray for me, my sister and brother that we will be healthy. And please pray for the people in Indonesia that they will come to know the Savior Lord and God. MIKAYLA, age 7 (Pacific Rim)

I need prayer for God to help me make more Indian friends, so that I can share with them. And my mom, that God keeps her healthy because she gets sick very easily. She has had malaria and other sicknesses. TILLY, age 12 (South Asia)

SHOWING GOD’S LOVE

Doug Nichols went to India to be a missionary, but while he was just starting to study the language he became infected with tuberculosis and had to be put in a sanitarium. It was not a very good place to be. It was not very clean and conditions were difficult because there were so many sick people there. But Doug decided to do the best he could in that situation. So he took a bunch of Christian books and tracts and tried to share the gospel with the other patients in the sanitarium.

But when he tried to pass out tracts, no one wanted them. He tried to hand out books, but no one would take them. He tried to talk with them, but he was handicapped because of his inability to communicate in their language, and he felt so discouraged. There he was. Because of his illness he would be there a long time. But it seemed like the work that he had been sent to do would not be done because no one would listen to him.

Because of his tuberculosis, every night at about 2 o’clock he would wake up with chronic coughing that wouldn’t quit. Then one night when he awoke he noticed across the aisle an old man trying to get out of bed. He said the man would roll himself up into a little ball and teeter back and forth trying to get up the momentum to get up and stand on his feet. But he just couldn’t do it. He was too weak. Finally, after several attempts the old man laid back and wept.

The next morning Doug understood why the man was weeping. He was trying to get up to go to the bathroom and didn’t have enough strength to do that. So his bed was a mess and there was a smell in the air. The other patients made fun of the old man. The nurses came to clean up his bed and they weren’t kind to him, either. In fact, one of them even slapped him in the face. Doug said that the old man just laid there and cried.

Doug said, “That next night about 2 o’clock I started coughing again. I looked across the way and there was the old man trying to get out of bed once more. I really didn’t want to do it, but somehow I managed to get up and I walked across the aisle and I helped the old man stand up.” But he was too weak to walk.

Doug said, “I took him in my arms and carried him like a baby. He was so light that it wasn’t a difficult task. I took him into the bathroom, which was nothing more than a dirty hole in the floor, and I stood behind him and cradled him in my arms as he took care of himself. Then I carried him back to his bed and laid him down. As I turned to leave he reached up and grabbed my face and pulled me close and kissed me on the cheek and said what I think was `Thank you.'”

Doug said, “The next morning there were patients waiting when I awoke and they asked if they could read some of the books and tracts that I had brought. Others had questions about the God I worshiped and His only begotten Son who came into the world to die for their sins.” In the next few weeks Doug Nichols gave out all the literature that he had brought, and many of the doctors and nurses and patients in that sanitarium came to know Jesus Christ, too.

He said, “Now what did I do? I didn’t preach a sermon. I couldn’t even communicate in their language. I didn’t have a great lesson to teach them. I didn’t have wonderful things to offer. All I did was take an old man to the bathroom and anyone can do that.”

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

What can you do to express the love of God to people around you today?

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have a great day!

Anna Lee