Sunday, July 29, 2007

OUR MISSION

This afternoon the Waldron Hmong mission will baptize 5 new believers. This mission, led by Pastor Chue Xiong started early this Spring. They meet in our building. They are growing and now number about 95. Very soon we will begin assisting them with their children's Sunday School.

Really, this mission costs us nothing, maybe a little extra utility and an occaisional meeting conflict that must be worked out. I cannot think of anything that thrills our Father like a new congregation birthed in our facility. I hope the day comes when our buildings are bustling with activity every day of the week. Not the same people every day, but different ministries serving the Lord daily in our community. Now, not everyone is pleased. Some wonder why they do not just come to our services. I hope the day comes when we can work together more, but I see the need for people to hear the Gospel in their heart language. All I know is that 5 people will be baptized today that would not have without this ministry. Pray for them.

On this same day I will baptize a young boy saved in VBS. His sister was saved and baptized a year ago in VBS. Today the parents joined our church. I believ God is honoring our churches commitment to reach out, regardless of how it looks. He is blessing two congregations today. I hope you see His blessings, too.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Summer Highs



Wow! What a Summer. I am sure you feel like, too. I have had a great summer. In my last post I described how God worked out some details for our Thailand Mission Trip. Well, it was great. We ministered to about 2000 school age kids. We saw several professions of faith. We also saw a lady profess Christ. She had heard of Christ through another source and when we appeared at the village daycare she worked in, she asked the wife of the Thai pastor how she could become a follower of Christ.



(L to R - David, "Thai" Amy, Andrew. Amy is a member of Church in Udon Thani)

We also got to pass out sveral hundred gifts from Samaritan's Purse. This experience was heightened because Ruth Graham died about the time we returned to the States. Just knowing her heart for Asia and her sons work for Samaritans purse reminded me that kingdom minded people have their impact multiplied.





My son Andrew was sometimes treated like a Rock Star. Teenage girls in the schools would point and giggle. He did a great job in his ministry responsibilities. A couple of weeks after returning from Thailand our youth were at Super Summer. Andrew surrendered to missions that week. God's plan for our trip was bigger than our own.





As a Fellow Traveler, I try to keep my comments hear positive, but to be genuine we must acknowledge there are difficulties and disappointments. I have those, too. No, everything is not always just right, but I choose to focus on God's blessings because they far outweigh the negative.