The “eagle has landed”!
Jennie called to say they were home and about to get in their own beds. They had water; the heat was working. It will be warm later. All the luggage arrived with them.
They had several experiences (rough landing, bad weather, malfunctioning plane that had to be replaced, etc.) that continued to complicate their trip, but God was faithful to get them safely home.
Thank-you for being so faithful to pray. Your prayers are always appreciated!
If the Hatchels were able to make all connections and weather conditions did not delay any flights, the Hatchels should have completed their third flight now. They needed to go through customs and get all their luggage. Hopefully, a friend brought them a van to use to transport the family two hours away to their home.
The process is long and very tiring. Pray for them as they travel and hopefully get home in the next few hours. Pray that when they get there, things will go smoothly. Pray everything is okay in their house, the heating system quickly heats the house, and everyone can get some much needed rest.
Jennie told me it to “Assume things are going smoothly unless you hear otherwise”. I haven’t heard “otherwise”, so I’m praying and trusting that wherever they are God is watching over them, providing for and protecting them. Thank God for that assurance He gives His children.
This Baptist Press article will help set the tone for the Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer for North American Missions.
SOUTH CAROLINA–Hometown couples among 113 commissioned by NAMB. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27526
“Great are the works of the LORD,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.”
~Psalm 111: 2-3, ESV~
The Hatchel family should be on their second flight by now.
Some people we need to pray for daily:
I DON’T WANT THEM
TO CHANGE ME
Elie Wiesel was brought up in a closely knit Jewish community in Sighet, Transylvania (Romania). When he was fifteen years old, his family was herded aboard a train and deported by Nazis to the Auschwitz death camp. Wiesel’s mother and younger sister died at Auschwitz — his two older sisters survived. Wiesel and his father were then taken to Buchenwald, where his father also perished. Wiesel has devoted his life to ensuring that the world does not forget the atrocities of the Nazis, and that they are not repeated. He tells this story:
A just man decided he must save humanity. So he chose a city, the most sinful of all cities. Then he studied. He learned all the art of moving people, changing minds, changing hearts. He came to a man and woman and said, “Don’t forget that murder is not good, it is wrong.” In the beginning, people gathered around him. It was so strange, somewhat like a circus. They gathered and they listened. He went on and on and on.
Days passed. Weeks passed. After a while, they stopped listening. After many years passed, a child stopped him and said, “What are you doing? Don’t you see nobody is listening? Why do you continue shouting and shouting? Why?”
And the man answered the child, “I’ll tell you why. In the beginning, I was convinced that if I were to shout loud enough, they would change. Now I know they won’t change. But if I shout even louder, it’s because I don’t want them to change me.”
We live in a world where there is a battle going on. I’m not talking about the conflict in Iraq or Afghanistan or Kenya. You may not even be aware that this battle is taking place, but I assure you that it is. It is a spiritual battle being waged between God and his people and Satan and his people (Eph. 6:12). It is a battle for the control of the hearts and minds of men and women, including you and the people around you.
We sometimes use the word “evangelism” to describe our attempt to influence ungodly men in a way that will draw them to God, the God who created them and loves them. But we sometimes forget that efforts (sometimes diligent efforts) are being made by ungodly men to pull us away from God. Be assured of this: One of two things is happening — either you are having an influence on other people, or other people are having an influence on you. It’s a constant battle, much like a tug-of-war.
And there are times, as in the story above, when we need to speak up or take some action, not so much to change others, but to prevent others from changing us.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
William Eugene “Bill” Muth
Memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Kentwood, on Saturday at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Butch Reviere.
We’ve had a nice few days settling into our routine here in Camden. Aaron is eating fairly well and sleeping a wee bit better each night. Levi has come to the realization that “baby” is here to stay and is more and more interested in him each day. Levi may be used to Aaron before Aaron is used to Levi!
Laura goes home tomorrow and Scott will be flying in for the weekend. We are excited about his visit and hope that the snow headed our way doesn’t hinder his travel (or Laura’s as she heads home). Please pray for travel graces for Scott and Laura and continue to pray to Aaron will thrive as we wait on our 3/12 checkup at CHOP.
