Wednesday

“But the basic reality of God is plain enough.

Open your eyes and there it is!”

~Romans 1:19 MSG~

I would appreciate if everyone would keep Nancy Carollo in their prayers. She is a friend of mine and she has breast Cancer. She is in the middle of 39 weeks of Radiation. Her last date will be on July 24th. PLease keep Her in your prayers that this radation treatment will cure the cancer she has. thanks for all your prayers for her

Faye Carney and Nancy Carollo

In New Orleans, Volunteers Still Needed

Posted on Jul 7, 2009 | by Mickey Noah NEW ORLEANS (BP)

–Almost four years after Hurricane Katrina brought New Orleans to its knees on Aug. 29, 2005, Southern Baptists continue to spend a week or so in the Big Easy, volunteering their time and skills to rebuild or refurbish homes devastated by the deadly storm.

But the number of Baptists who are volunteering is no longer enough.

Since May 1, 2006, under “Operation NOAH Rebuild” — a cooperative ministry of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans and the SBC’s North American Mission Board — more than 25,000 Southern Baptist volunteers have assisted in rebuilding 1,801 flood-damaged homes. These volunteers represent some 1,530 SBC churches from every state convention in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Operation NOAH also has assisted in the recovery of 32 churches and 15 other ministry centers or schools damaged by Katrina.

And as a direct result of Operation NOAH, more than 400 professions of faith have been recorded, according to the latest available statistics.

While an agreement has been reached to transition the day-to-day management of Operation NOAH to the Baptist association, the North American Mission Board has committed to extend its support of the ministry until year’s end, said Mickey Caison, NAMB’s team leader for adult volunteer mobilization.

“We will continue to work with [the association] to support and implement their ‘2020 Vision’ strategic plan,” Caison said. “Part of that plan is to address post-Katrina needs of the New Orleans community, and housing is still one of the critical needs there.”

Caison said 70 more homes remain in the Operation NOAH pipeline for reconstruction or renovation, and “we want to complete every one of them.”

“Some of the folks we still want to help have not received any assistance at all from their insurance companies or the federal government, and are the folks who’ve fallen through the cracks,” Caison said, noting that only 60 percent of the residents displaced by Katrina have moved back home.

But as NAMB’s time for involvement ticks down, Operation NOAH is not seeing the number of skilled volunteers the program needs to finish work on the 70 remaining homes, Caison said.

“We desperately need Southern Baptists who are skilled as drywall workers, plumbers, electricians, framing carpenters and finishing carpenters to volunteer to help us,” he said. “We can house up to 145 volunteers a week but we’re not averaging 145 a week. We only had 66 volunteers during May.” Caison said volunteers are housed in a volunteer “village” at Hopeview Baptist Church in nearby St. Bernard Parish.

David Maxwell, a pastor serving as coordinator for Operation NOAH Rebuild, echoed Caison, adding that “we want to do quality work for these last 70 houses — the same quality anyone would want for their own home. You just can’t do that with unskilled labor.”

As to the volunteer shortage, Maxwell attributes it to the fact that almost four years have elapsed since Katrina. Other disasters — like Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, floods in the Midwest and fires in California — have siphoned off some of the volunteer force needed in New Orleans.

“The bad economy and higher gas prices have also had something to do with the smaller number of people who volunteer. People are just staying closer to home,” he said.

“Operation NOAH Rebuild has given people hope where there was no hope,” Maxwell noted, “just like Jesus Christ does for all of us. There are literally thousands of homes and people in New Orleans who still need help. Contrary to what local politicians may say, it’s not over. We’ve just scratched the surface.”

(Mickey Noah is a writer for the North American Mission Board. For volunteer opportunities with Operation NOAH Rebuild, e-mail noah@namb.net or call 1-877-934-0808 (toll-free) or 504-362-4604.)

KneEmail

Carry

aaasa.jpgFOR THE FIRST time in her life, Western Oregon University’s Sara Tucholsky not only hit a home run in a game against Central Washington University, but she hit it over the fence…

She had passed first base and was on her way to second base when she collapsed. Something had happened to her knee and she couldn’t run. No one on her team could help her around the bases because if they touched her, she’d be out. That’s when her opponents from Central Washington picked her up and carried her around the bases and across the home plate. “My whole team was crying. It touched a lot of people,” says Tucholsky.

“Bear one another’s burdens,

and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

Posted by Mike Benson at May 14, 2009 2:13 PM

Have a wonderful day!

Anna Lee

Tuesday Afternoon

From Dwayne and Tricia Wilson

Hi, Friends….we made it back late last night and are trying to process our time in El Salvador….hard to do with 4 very excited children who have not stopped talking since they woke up and saw us this morning! They seem to have grown some since we last left them, and Graham lost a tooth! Dwayne is also back to work today, and there is laundry, and a mountain of other things that have piled up since being away for 10 days. We thank you for your prayers and cannot wait to get a letter of some kind written about our trip. The kids did wonderfully while we were away, and I think Grammy and Poppy did as well! We sure do appreciate your prayers.….

Love,

Tricia

Here’s a link to the El Salvador trip blog on the GAIN website:  http://blog.gainusa.org/archives/category/el-salvador/

This is a link to some of the pictures from our trip on the same website:  http://blog.gainusa.org/wp-gallery2.php?g2_itemId=2275

Thanks for spreading the word on our trip through theprayerlink.com!

Dwayne

Please pray for my mother Billie Jean Booty. She broke her femur on Tuesday, June 30th. She had surgery on Thursday, July 2nd. She is currently at North Oaks and should start rehab pretty soon. Thanks! Brandi Booty Hartman and Family

Monday, July 6th. was my final of 43 Radation for my Prostate Cnacer. I am so glad to be finished, but we will not know the final results for another 30 days. With all of your prayers, the trips have been bearable. Thanks again and with your help, the end results will be the answer to our prayers. Luther (Ricks)

Dukes

< four things… >
Just wanted to post a quick update about four things.

1 – MOM.
She has really had two or three good days in a row. Now, by good, I mean more like herself. She is still not always lucid. But, when we keep her focused and less distracted, she really does interact well and remember things well. Her long-term memory is especially good. Her short-term memory is not as good. Please pray for the stuff with her cranium piece. We should hear soon what the doctor from Ochsner wants to do. Their neuro-surge

on is reviewing Mom’s case and making a plan for putting the bone back on. We are excited to hear what he has to say!

2 – DAD.
Dad is doing fairly well. We have had a good two days, and I know he had a great weekend with Erik. He continues to struggle with pain BIG TIME. It’s tough, because reality is that he will struggle with pain for a long time. Anybody with big rods down both lower legs would. And a bionic elbow. And a restored broken neck. And some other stuff. Erik looked at Mom and Dad’s records more closely recently – the ones from University Hospital where they were originally treated. Based on what he saw, some stuff that wasn’t communicated to us, his comment to Dad – “You should be dead.” Mom and Dad are both walking miracles. We are thankful for God’s love and nearness.

3 – JOSHUA.
Speaking of God’s love and nearness, YOU HAVE TO READ ERIN’S LATEST BLOG POST. It is a MUST READ.

to check it out. You will definitely be moved.

4 – CALEB.
My latest blog post isn’t near as moving or amazing as Erin’s, but we’re all family, and this isn’t competition. So, speaking of competition,

to check out my most recent blog post to see some sights and sounds from time at the race in Daytona for Caleb and me. Pretty cool.

Love yall. We will post at you tomorrow.
-jason

Tuesday

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.”

~Matthew 11:28~

Thank God for the rain we received yesterday.

Pray for Lawana Carter’s two boys.  Mason is having sinus surgery in McComb this morning at 8 A.M.  Adam has a lingering summer cold.

Remember to pray for Shaun Bodin, Judy Easley’s son-in-law, as he sees doctors at Ochsner concerning his fractured neck.

Continue to pray for those at Mission Fuge at Mississippi College and for those having VBS this week.

Baptist Press

July 6, 2009

CALIFORNIA–NEA declines to remain neutral on abortion. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30833

WASHINGTON–Gallup Poll: U.S. adults growing more conservative? http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30834

MICHIGAN–Witnesses assaulted at Muslim festival, team members say. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30835

VIRGINIA–Appalachian Trail hike turns into spiritual journey. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30836

TENNESSEE–Research: Many say income not matching lifestyle. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30837

WASHINGTON–FIRST PERSON (Ken Connor): Bread and circuses: America’s cult of celebrity. http://bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=30838

KneEmail

Great

singlecandle2.jpgSo many celebrities have died recently, it reminds one of the death, in 1715, of King Louis XIV of France, after a reign of 72 years.
He had called himself “the Great.” The monarch had made the infamous statement, “I am the state!” (Grandiose political statements are perennial.) His court was considered the most magnificent in Europe, and his funeral was equally spectacular.

As Louis’ body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders had been given that the cathedral should be very dimly lit with only a single candle set above his coffin, to dramatize his greatness. At the memorial service, thousands waited in hushed silence.

Bishop Massilon rose to speak. Reaching down, he snuffed out the candle and said, “Only God is great.”/1

At the cross, and before the empty tomb, as the rich and famous and powerful wither and die, around the table of the Lord, we declare, “Only God is great!”

Or better, like Thomas who threw himself at the feet of the resurrected Christ, “My Lord and my God!” ( John 20:28). (J. Randal Matheny at: http://www.forthright.net/)

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,

the power and the glory,

the victory and the majesty;

for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;

Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,

and You are exalted as head over all.”

I Chronicles 29:11

Posted by Mike Benson at July 6, 2009 11:55 AM

Please share information you would like others to pray about.  Have a great day!

Anna Lee

Monday

OOPS!

I just realized I did not click on “publish” this morning!  I realized that just as I cleared what I had written.  Sorry!

We need to pray for our youth as they are at Mission Fuge this week at Mississippi College.  I know groups from several other churches who will also be there this week.  Pray they develop a closer walk with God and with each other as they learn to minister to needs.  Pray for them as they learn about the Roma and develop a better understanding of the lostness of people around the world.

Pray for Shaun Bodin, Judy Easley’s son-in-law, as he sees doctors at Ochsner again tomorrow.  A decision will be made about the way his neck has/has not healed since the boating accident.  Pray for Shaun and Kim as they work through this problem in their lives.

Judy’s son, Joffrey, is fine.  He has no problems from his injuries in the accident.

I’ll try to remember to click on “Publish” now and in the future.

I hope you got some rain and look forward to more this week.
Anna Lee

Sunday Afternoon Addition

Susan Rimes is much better.  Thank you for praying for her.

Dukes

He’s Bigger than the Battle

Erik left a little while ago to go home and help a longsufferi

ng boy momma with some sick boys. On his way he called me to share a song he heard on XM Radio.  Well, I think his main motivation was to make fun of one of my pet peeves: those 7-11 songs. You know. Those songs that have seven words repeated eleven times. I am never sure whether they are not smart enough to think of enough words or whether they are afraid they will not be able to remember the words. Anyway, that is my problem.

In this particular song the words that were repeated over and over were about God. The words were, “He’s bigger than the battle.” Now, those are words worth repeating over and over. God is bigger than any battle we face. He always helps us in the battle by taking us through it or ending it. Either way he decides, he takes care of his people.

I had a number of responses to my recent words about anger. Never let it be misunderstood. James said, “God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger.” (James 1:20, The Message) I know that. But let’s remember that God is also bigger than our anger and is not intimidated by it. He is still God and he still loves us. That we have learned.

Not only is he bigger than our anger, he is bigger than any battle we face. That we are experiencing as well. Remember he is not surprisable He knows what is going on in all our lives. However difficult we may see the circumstances, we can see him as bigger and more powerful. I thank him and praise him for that.

Retia has had a good day today. She has been very alert and is working very hard to keep moving her arms and legs on the days she does not have therapy. She is fighting hard and has a strong desire to get better and get back to Orlando.

In spirt of the increase in cognitive problems, she tries hard to relate to us and often her personality and sense of humor are coming through clearly. We occasionally hear a “Whatever” and she often rolls her eyes at things she finds hard to believe. She still loves old movies, and still has a crush on John Wayne and “East Clintwood,” as she calls him. We try to keep the classic movie channels on for her when we are not here.

Two really encouraging things have happened in the last couple of days. The first has to do with Retia. That one is bitter sweet because the same medicine that increases the cognitive problems has also increased her flexibility in her left arm and leg. While she has had a lot of difficulty moving her left arm and leg in recent days, she is now moving it with much more ease. In fact, I noticed two days ago that she was scratching her head with her left hand. She has not been able to do that before.

The other thing has to do with freedom for me. When we left the hospital this morning, Erik handed me the keys to my truck and told me to drive. I think I must have felt like he did the first time I handed him the keys to a little red Ford Ranger and told him the same thing. Anyway, I drove from Kenner over to Clearview where we ate lunch. I must have done OK, because he let me have the keys when we got back to the Seminary. I was able to drive over to the hospital this afternoon. They may not get the keys back. This freedom will make it possible for me to be much more mobile and independent.

It is another small step that proves God is bigger that the battle. Our prayer is that we will continue to see those steps demonstrating his power as Retia continues to improve. Thanks for standing with us and for remembering to lift us up to the Big and Mighty Father.

Sunday Afternoon

Mrs. Betty Bethel will be having cataract surgery Monday, July 13th and Monday, July 20th.  Please be in prayer for her.

Some of the youth from the church will be leaving today for Missison Fuge at Mississippi College.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Andy Taylor’s mother passed away.  She will be buried from Magnoia.  Please be in prayer for the family.

LORETTA KING GINN

Loretta King Ginn, 81, of Magnolia, died July 4, 2009, at the Cardiovascular Institute of Mississippi in McComb.

Visitation will be Monday from 9 a.m. till services at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church in Magnolia. Dr. David Millican and the Rev. Tracy Hipps will officiate. Burial will be at the Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Ginn was born June 15, 1928, in Crystal Springs. She was the daughter of the late Milladge and Eula Lea Roberts Nixon.

Mrs. Ginn was a bookkeeper and a member of Central Baptist Church in McComb. She was a lifelong member of Women of the Moose Lodge No. 1179 in Jackson. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her brother, James Nixon, and step-grandchild, Rhonda Mapes.

Mrs. Ginn is survived by her husband of 16 years, Dale Ginn of Magnolia; two sons and daughters-in-law, Andy and Betty Taylor of Osyka, and Howard King Jr. and Teresa of Magnolia; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Cindy Juban of Denham Springs, La., Karen Hart and Dennis of Liberty, Penny Overby of Summit, and Pam Frost and Lance of Pearl; two brothers, Robert Nixon of Maywood, Calif., and Thomas Nixon and wife Charlene of Arkansas; 21 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Elizabeth Elliott

(December 1, 1934 – July 4, 2009)

Died at 5:55PM on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at Kentwood Manor Nursing Home in Kentwood, LA. She was a native of Tangipahoa, LA and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 74 years. Graveside Services will be held at Tangipahoa Cemetery, Tangipahoa, LA at 2:00PM Tuesday. Survived by 3 sisters, Caroline Kline, Tulsa, OK, Frances Nell, Greeley, CO, Clara Remelius, Kentwood. Preceded in death by, parents, Edward Rayburn Elliott and Zelma Lea Travis Elliott. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Lorelise Dykes

(July 17, 1922 – July 4, 2009)

Died at 7 p.m.on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at Beacham Memorial Hospital in Magnolia, MS. She was a native of Magnolia, MS and a resident of Kentwood, LA. Age 86 years. Mrs. Dykes was a retired registered nurse who worked at Beacham Memorial Hospital for 34 years. Fifteen of those years, she was Director of Nurses. She was the daughter of Clyde Bankston and Daisye Bryan Bankston. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 57 years, Ivy Dykes. She loved her family dearly and looked forward to their visits. Each minute she spent with them was precious. She enjoyed preparing their favorite foods. She is survived by 2 daughters, Charlene D. Waller and her husband, Floyd, Kentwood, LA, Sharon D. Venable and her husband, Mike, Kentwood, LA, 2 sons, Wayne F. Dykes and his wife, Jenny, Ponchatoula, LA, Wilton I. Dykes and his wife, Shera, Alpharetta, GA, 1 sister, Marilyn Strickland, Ruston, LA, 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. Grandsons will be pallbearers. Visitation at Line Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and from 8 a.m. until Religious Services at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Services conducted by Rev. Ken Irvin. Interment Dykes Cemetery, Kentwood, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements.

Sunday

“God, within Your temple, we contemplate Your faithful love.”

~Psalm 48:9, HCSB~

Please continue to pray for Charles “Butch” Slade as he continues to recover from a snakebite.  He is not longer hospitalized, but still has a very swollen arm.

Dukes

Our God is Mighty

Yesterday was a good day.  My trip down was good and safe. I will probably miss my xm radio once all this is over.   My boys are in a wagon on the back of a 4 wheeler today waving flags to celebrate our independence.  I know they are red-faced, hot, sweaty, and tired about this time as the historic Foster Park July 4th parade has drawn to a close.  I am thankful they could be a part.  I would have loved to see them, I know they had a blast.  Thanks Philip and Ms Meagan for thinking of them.

Zeph. 3:17 The Lord your God is with you, He is MIGHTY to save. He takes great delight in you, He quiets you with His love, He rejoices over you with singing.

Cheri Tew prayed this verse for mom today and I will every time I think of it from now on.  Thanks Cheri for being such an encourager.  I have prayed many times over her at night when I leave her to go to bed, that the holy spirit would dance and sing over her in her dreams.  I heard the song based on this verse yesterday on the radio and it spoke to me.  He is mighty to save.  Thankfully he has saved us and continues to heal mom and dad.  He has comforted us through His holy spirit and many of you have comforted us and strengthened us as well.  Thank you for your support.  I know we say thanks almost every post but we sincerely mean it and are blown away daily by the response of God’s church in this whole journey.

I was reminded this week by a patient that we all need to stop and listen to the holy spirit as God the father speaks though His spirit into our hearts and minds to comfort, strengthen, and help us in this time of trouble.  He has and thankfully He will continue to speak.  I am also thankful for His mercy.  He has shown us mercy in rescuing us through Christ and continues to walk with us and minister to us through His holy spirit.

Mom is doing a little better trending upward.  She is still suffering some mild cognitive impairments at times but she has been fairly clear yesterday and today so far.  I think it is a combination of meds, being in the hospital for 3mos, and the head injury.  I found out from records from university hospital that she also had a nondisplaced fx of her sacrum and pelvis.  No wonder her back hurt. We kept saying God was allowing her sleep of the coma to heal we did not know from what all she was healing. They should make a plan for her skull this next week.  Continue to pray over her for movement and the hard work of therapy, clear thinking, and no infection to enter her body.  In the name of Jesus, I pray she will walk.  Dad is hurting, pray for his pain and him handling it daily breath by breath.  Pray he will continue to strengthen through therapy and he will have his mind and heart continually strengthened and brought peace by the holy spirit and the way God continues to use all of you to strengthen and encourage all of us.

On this day that we celebrate our independence may we all be truly and spiritually free.  Jason will be back on monday.  I hope he enjoys his family this weekend.  Maybe the #24 car will win for him and Caleb especially.  If you haven’t looked at his blog lately there are some videos there that are must see!!!  Especially the cheerleader daddy, it reminds me of jason and my other brother, from another mother, and how they would relate to their sweet and beautiful girls.  Happy 4th of July to all of you.

Peace
e.

Etta Lanell Walker “Nell” Lewis
(September 26, 1919 – July 4, 2009)

Etta Lanell Walker

Etta Lanell Walker “Nell” Lewis, passed away on July 4, 2009 at her home in Kentwood, Louisiana. Nell was the beloved wife of the late Elder James Russell Lewis. She is survived by four children, Diane Strickland (Dallas), Pam Lewis and Lynde Kimbrel (Joe), all of Kentwood and Jimmy Pike Lewis (Heather) of Terrell, TX. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Winston Walker and Mrs. Etta Merle Smith Walker. Eight grandchildren include Darin Fontz (Celeste) of Thibodaux, LA, Jodee Corkern (Brian), Jill Brister (Robert), Becky Lynn Gill, Steve Strickland, Trevin, Brock and Dayton Lewis, all of Kentwood, LA and Noah Lewis of Terrell, TX. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Nell was preceded in death by two children, five brothers, one grandson and one granddaughter. Funeral services will be held at Mt. Gilead Primitive Baptist Church in Smithdale, MS, on Monday at 11 a.m. Visitation will be at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Sunday and at the church after 9 a.m. Monday. Services conducted by Elder Luke Addison and Elder Robert Byrd. Interment Mt. Gilead Church Cemetery, Smithdale, MS. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Generations Hospice, 32948 La. Hwy 16, Denham Springs, LA 70726.


James Edward Harrell
(October 6, 1928 – July 2, 2009)


James Edward Harrell

Faith

water cooler.jpg
SOME YEARS AGO, I picked up one of those plastic water cooler containers at a nearby yard sale and converted it into a piggy bank of sorts…

And each time that my family and I returned from the store, we would always drop our loose pocket change into the container. It seemed like an effective way of saving for a rainy day.

Recently I took that container down to the bank, and to my surprise, the four of us had saved a rather considerable sum of money. We had done so by simply saving the dimes, quarters, nickels and pennies that had come from our pockets. Of course, the money was only available because my family had been making regular deposits for quite some time.

It occurs to me that the same can be said of our faith. Unless you and I make regular deposits into our “faith account,’ then no funds will be available when the storms of life appear on the horizon.

What about you, dear Christian? How much faith will you put into your account today? (Mike Benson)

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10:17

Posted by Mike Benson

Have a great Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee

Independence Day

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.”

~Colossians 3:23 TEV~


“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.

Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up,

He had His eye on us,

had designs on us for glorious living,

part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.”

~Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG~

I think we all will agree with Becky Arnold Smith’s thought.

“Becky Smith is thankful for those who paid the price for the freedoms I enjoy— Jesus & the American soldier!! Happy 4th of July!”

Father 2

WHEN JOHN F. Kennedy was President of the United States, Life magazine published photos of his children, John Jr. and Caroline, playing with their toys on the floor of the Oval office…

Those images captured the hearts of the American people like nothing before or since. Why? I think it’s because it bridged a gap between two thoughts: Kennedy was the President of the United States, but he was also a father. He held ultimate political power in the Free World, but playing at his feet were two little kids who called him Daddy. I don’t think your kids would have been allowed to do that. No mine. But his kids were. Why? He was their father. He was not only President of the United States; he was their father.

God is both our Father and the Lord of glory. We can approach Him confidently in prayer because we are His dearly beloved children, but we must never forget that He is also the Sovereign of the Universe. (David Jeremiah)

“For this reason I bow my knees

to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

~Eph. 3:14; cf. Matt. 6:6, 9~

Posted by Mike Benson



Friday Evening

Shelbi Ann Lane was born this afternoon at 12:51 in McComb.  She was 21 inches long and weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces.  Shelbi and her parents, Scooter and Karen, as doing well.  Big brother, Torbin, is very proud.

Eli Allen, son of David and Fannie, had a bicycle accident while on a trip.  He required twenty stitches in his knee and eight in his forehead.  Pray for him to heal without any complications.  The family should be home tomorrow.

Anne Ellzey of Roseland said her husband, Jerry Ellzey, was just found to have lung cancer.  Anne said they would appreciate your prayers.

Please add Ashby Reeves to the prayor list, she will be having open heart sergery at childrens hospital on 13 July, she is 14 years old.  (Bill Frazier)

Dukes

< falling into place. >
People call Wednesday “Hump Day.” It’s that day in the week that you have to endure to get over the hump toward the weekend. I’ve personally always liked Wednesdays. As a pastor, I think that is rare. It may be because our church family doesn’t have activities on Wednesday nights, except for a small group or two. Our philosophy is to free up folks to be the church in their activities rather than busying them with so many “church” activities.

Anyway – you’re not reading this to hear about philosophy of church.

Mom is trending well in most areas. Even still, it has been a tough week watching her be so “out of it” mentally. It is probably due to some new drugs they are giving her. Nonetheless, she is not as clear. There is more confusion.

She is talking better and better. The physical therapists are working her hard. She is beginning to roll over in bed a little better on her own strength. That’s a big deal. Not sitting up on her own yet. But they are working her toward it.

What really needs to fall into place right now? The logistics for replacing her cranium piece needs to come together. There has been difficulty getting the surgeons to communicate and commit to a time. We are hoping by early next week, there will be a clear plan for the when and where and how long. Once that is done, moving Mom back to Orlando will be a lot closer.

I’m flying out this weekend. In fact, they just called my boarding group. So, I guess I will wrap up. Erik gets into town in about an hour. I will be back Monday morning on an early flight.

Very thankful for yall. Happy 4th of July!!! Thankful for our independence to use caring bridge and share life with so many of you. Thank you.
-jason

Friday Addition

Mr. Cete Dillon is better after a round with asthma this week.  Pray he continues to improve.

Message from Dwayne Wilson

Today, we´ll be going to 4 different schools here in El Salvador!

Messages from his team in El Salvador

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Today was an exhausting but rewarding day.  The many miles of driving; the early alarms to catch the van by 7:00; the many encounters we have with the children; and just the drain of being in a foreign country and struggling with a foreign language are seen in the bodies of all of us.  But there is much joy in our faces because of the work that Jesus Christ is doing in El Salvador.  The team was on the bus at 7:00 AM for the second straight day and headed out for a full day of ministry.  Our destination was the area of Sonsonate, about an hour southwest of San Salvador.

Our host for the day was Pastor Guillermo and his wife, Mayra (My-ruh).  Pastor Guillermo has a fantastic testimony.  Ten years ago, Jesus Christ pulled him out of the drug trade through the prayers of another pastor.  Guillermo arrived at the home of this pastor with the intention to kill his son.  The pastor confronted Guillermo with a Bible and said to him, “Are you Guillermo?  I have been praying for you!  You did not come here tonight to kill anyone.  You came here because God has a message for you.”  Guillermo did not kill the man’s son and the pastor invited Guillermo to a lunch with business men, where he heard the good news of Jesus Christ.  That night he went home and flushed all of his drugs down the toilet and stopped using drugs.  He has not used any drugs since that night.

That was over 10 years ago.  Today, Pastor Guillermo and his wife minister at their church and work with the schools and the poor in Sonsonate.  The have four children and the older three are youth and Sunday School leaders in their church.  Pastor Corleto supports his family as a business owner.  He owns an auto mechanic business, a car sales business, and a car wash.  God has blessed Pastor Guillermo with leadership, not only in Sonsonate, but all of El Salvador.  He is the vice-president of the inter-denominational council of pastors for El Salvador, with over 5,000 members.

The first school the team visited was Centro Escolar La Coquera.  After two days, the drama team is working well together and the children are very attentive.  One drama is humorous and all of the children are laughing throughout.  The second drama is much more intense and tells a powerful message of redemption.  The older children grasp the message and the younger children are still enthralled with the story.  It is amazing to see the children’s faces as the drama unfolds.  After the drama, the message is clearly explained so that everyone can understand.

The teachers at all of the schools sacrifice so much.  There are precious few supplies and the classrooms are hot and sometimes crowded.  The kindergarten teacher at Centro Escolar La Coquera is Dina Luz Monge Ramirez.  “Lucy” has been teaching for only one year.  She said she started teaching after staying home to raise her children.  Her son is a first grader at the same school.  “Lucy” said her greatest joy in teaching kindergarteners is when they comprehend the lesson and she can see they are really learning.  “Lucy” was very helpful to our team when we shared the gospel story through the gospel bead bracelets.  We need to pray for “Lucy” and all of the teachers in El Salvador.  Like many teachers everywhere, they teach because they love the children.  Even more so in El Salvador where the conditions and supplies are challenging.  Praise God for these believers, like “Lucy”,  who give so much for His children.

Wed 1 Jul 2009

Today was our second full day of travel in El Salvador and we got up extra early this morning (6 a.m. instead of 7) because the school we went to was only in session during the morning hours. On the bus ride, we enjoyed one of our daily devotionals from Leslie, who talked about how we need to humble ourselves as a team and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, to work through us.

We arrived at the Bonanza school (grades 1-6) around 8 a.m., where we were greeted warmly by the children peering out of their classrooms to see what all the excitement was about. Once we arrived, we performed a couple of skits, shared a little bit about our lives in America, and Jaye did a little magic show (probably the most popular amongst the younger kids). Afterwards, we broke up into 4 different classrooms (in our small groups) where we played some more games (my group in particular did an egg-race). When it came time for us to share our pictures which help tell our spiritual paths) and the gospel-bead bracelets, the kids were really responsive. A couple of girls, named Katya and Maria, gave me hugs; and it made me feel that I really do have a purpose here and God has put us here for a reason: and this is it! The principal told us that since they have no one at home to love them and care for them, they are so grateful we came along and showed them compassion and kindness: the things that they are missing in their lives.

After we were finished at the school, we went to the local mall, around 5 minutes from Hotel Siesta. There, we played a scavenger hunt game, where each small group had a list of tasks to complete in 2 hours: ranging from buying a candle, to seeing how many people each group could share the gospel bead bracelet. I believe that we were able to minister to more than 50 people at the mall, which was nice since they stopped what they were doing to listen what we had to say about God’s love for them.

Lastly, in the evening, we traveled to a homeless shelter where we served for a couple hours. There, Tim presented the gospel bead bracelet and Howard said a prayer to bless them and let them know that there is someone who loves them and desires to become part of their lives. It was really moving to see the way that so many people wanted God to lift the burden of their sins away: there were even people gathering outside to listen to what we had to say.

Mon 29 Jun 2009

This morning the GAiN El Salvador 09 team travelled 2 hours by bus to visit a public school in San Jose El Naranjo.  In this school we split into groups and shared our testimonies and the Gospel using the Gospel Bead Bracelets.  We also did skits, magic and balloon animals and face painting for the kids. Numerous children raised their hands indicating they had invited Jesus Christ into their lives. The team  travelled 45 minutes to reach our afternoon assignment, Quebracho school. The school staff graciously provided lunch for us. We repeated our program for the students, grades K-9.

Many of the roads we travelled we’re unpaved and the going was slow. But after a hard, hot day’s work we had some r & r time down a scenic route to our dinner on the coast.  After dinner the team invested time in concerted prayer for the students and school staff we have visited so far, the those we will visit tomorrow.  We also prayed for the team to work at the Holy Sprit’s direction and by His guidance, and for God’s work in the hearts of the children preparing them to hear the Gospel.

Sun 28 Jun 2009

Today we started off like a shot!  The first day of ministry was spent serving at  a local church. When we arrived  we split into 3 groups.  The first group was involved with the adult in the worship service, the second  group spent time working in the Sunday school, and the third group went into the neighborhood inviting  neighbors and kids to a small program put on by our team so they could learn more about the local church and God.  Today was a wonderful day where we experienced the hospitality of our host country and got to worship with our El Salvadorian brethren.