Missionary Update

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February 2010

February 1-5, 2010

Scott & Brooke Greening, Schaumburg, IL

The Gospel is Advancing!
Thank you for your prayers over the last week. We had some awesome opportunities with the contacts God has brought our way! We mentioned in our last prayer letter the possibility of meeting with a couple who had visited the church plant. On Saturday we had them into our home for tea and conversation. Wow, what a conversation! We spoke with Tom & Connie for over three hours. They both come from Catholic backgrounds. We spoke about some life issues they are facing but more importantly we had a chance to clearly explain the gospel. They have not made a faith decision to trust Christ yet. However, on Sunday Tom communicated to one of our team members that he was trying to comprehend everything about Jesus and His Sacrifice. Tom said he was 75% towards believing.
During our Sunday worship times we have been studying “How to Not be a Jerk.” This study of 1 Corinthians brought us to chapter 11 on Sunday. We considered the subject of communion. After the message we celebrated the Lord’s Supper together. 1 Corinthians 11:26 tells us that “as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” It was amazing to see how God used the celebration of the Lord’s Supper to stir the minds of some of our guests. Not only did it cause Tom and Connie to further ponder the gospel, it also caused another guest, Leo, to have some questions. I spoke with Leo after the service and he wanted me to be sure I knew he had indicated on his connection card that he was interested in finding out more about our beliefs on communion and starting a relationship with Jesus. I hope to meet with Leo later today or sometime this week. Please pray that God would continue to draw Leo to Himself for salvation.

Second Time Guests
We rejoice that some more of our guests have returned for a second time. We are thankful that God has brought them back and that they seem to be making GCBC their church home. One lady mentioned on Sunday that she would be gone for a couple of weeks because of taking her mother to Arizona, but she said she was looking forward to being back upon her return. We are thankful that God has allowed us to create an environment where people feel welcome and loved.
A New Supporting Church
We received a call Wednesday evening from Pastor Terry Davenport. Pastor Davenport is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Webster City, Iowa. Calvary Baptist was our first deputation visit in June of 2008. Pastor Davenport was calling to inform us that the church had just voted to take us on for support. Their support along with the continued giving of others has brought our support level to 95%. We are so thankful for God’s faithfulness and the generosity of God’s people.
Praise & Prayer
Praise: Opportunities to share the gospel.
Praise: Returning guests.
Praise: A new supporting church.
Prayer: Tom & Connie’s salvation.
Prayer: Leo’s salvation.
Prayer: More opportunities to share the gospel.

A Successful Party!

Friday evening we hosted a party for our co-workers at Oxford Learning. We had a great time talking and laughing with our co-workers. The party lasted over three hours. It was great to host everyone and keep building into their lives. Please pray that we would have wisdom in knowing how to communicate God’s love on a regular basis with them.

Jim & Janice Mitchell, Pueblo West, CO

As I write this we are preparing to join a couple other churches for a singspiration for our PM service.  This week Faith Baptist Bible College called me and asked if we would like the chorale to come on March 8, so we will be responsible to house 44 people.  It should be exciting and a great opportunity.
I had a good Bible Study with Craig our new convert as we started into some basic discipleship.  Please pray that he will demonstrate a real hunger for the Word.  Also, I am starting a study in the gospel of John with my former co-worker.  Please pray that God’s Word would show him that his catholic religion is not enough.  We had a first-time visitor last

Wednesday but he didn’t show today.  Also, we had one lady return for the third time and another couple come back after several months.  Please pray for further ministry with both. 
Julene has started one part time job at a day care and has two more interviews.  Though we are still under supported, I wanted to share with you some of the ways God has blessed us lately.  About a month ago one of the ladies at our church volunteered at a food bank and brought us a couple bags of food, including different frozen meats.  That was a blessing since almost every Sunday we have some family over for a big dinner.  When I left Honda, I received a bonus card with $450 on it.  When my car broke down costing over $400 I was able to use that card to pay for it.  Jamin had been asking for a dog and he started praying for a Blue Heeler.  We weren’t going to pay $300 or $400 for a Blue Heeler or any other dog for that matter but right before Christmas, a lady from our church who runs a kennel called.  You guessed it, she had a Blue Heeler that had been dropped off needing a home.  At the end of December I received my report of support and an unnamed individual had given us a one time gift of $2,500.  We were able to put that in reserve at the mission for health emergencies and ministry expenses.  Finally, when we went skiing last weekend, three of us skied and we had a buy one get one free lift ticket and then the couple we went with paid for the other one.  So you can see that we have a great God that takes care of our every need and even desire.
Thank you for praying.  If you stopped praying daily please make it a point to start again, we need it.  We had a problem in the church recently that was due to lack of communication.  Thankfully, we talked it out and I think it is reconciled, however, Satan would love to destroy the unity of our little assembly.  We are reminded continually that we need God’s hand of blessing on MSBC.

Roy & Karen Kinney, Auburn, MA

Our month of January was full of hospitality and blessings as a church and family.  Each Sunday was an afternoon lunch and service.  All were well attended and everyone enjoyed spending time around the meal getting to know each other better.  Sunday was our 6 year celebration as Hampton Street Baptist Church.  We celebrated with a meal, services, and most exciting of all a baptism!  Janet Parker and Mary Jane Moore were baptized and welcomed into church membership!  What a great way to start out our new year! 

Janet was invited (bugged) by her daughter, Darci, to attend church last Spring.  She finally gave in and came for a visit.  God kept drawing her back and she has been coming ever since.  She continually heard the truth of the Gospel, but didn’t feel that God could forgive her for all her sin.  Last August her sister and husband led her through scriptures and she accepted Christ as her personal Savior.  Bill and Linda had been sharing and praying for over 30 years for Janet’s salvation (never give up)!  It has been a privilege to be a part of God at work in Janet’s life.  Many of her unsaved family members were present for the baptism as she shared her personal testimony.  Please pray for Janet’s many family members who need Christ.  The interesting thing is that Darci no longer attends on a regular basis and yet God used her to bring her mom.  Pray for Darci as well.

Mary Jane Moore and her husband, David, accepted Christ last January after our last baptism.  Mary Jane had been struggling with clarity in her salvation testimony since we arrived.  She had the hardest time accepting that she was a sinner even though she had made a profession of faith.  Throughout the years of discipling she has learned and grown to the point where she could understand and explain things.  Last January she realized she didn’t have a clear personal testimony of her own.  With much clarity and detail she was able to share what Christ had done for her.  David is in rehab right now for a partial removal of his toe due to diabetes.  He has struggled greatly with his health and has a hard time with his memory as far as salvation and even the things he has learned.  He desires to be baptized and brought into the church.  Please pray for David that his mind would be clear to understand and remember spiritual matters. 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  David Moore - rehab, clarity of mind, health

2.  Romeo Tamburro - health.  Romeo is in constant pain and the doctors don’t have any help for him.  Possible surgery on his spine.  He needs relief from his pain and some answers.

3.  Marco Panzanella - away to Korea and Japan for a business trip.

4.  Vietnamese families as they continue to learn and grow.

5.  Rick and Joy - 2 friends that are attending on a regular basis who need salvation.

6.  Christina - salvation

7.  Outreach month with FRANtastics

8.  Direction on sale and purchase of a church building.  Sunday was a full house with over 60 people.

February is a full month as well as we continue our afternoon services and reach out into our community.  FRANtastics is Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors Sunday as we honor and invite each group.  This Sunday is an Italian meal theme as we invite our Friends. 

We are glad to have Pastor Larry and Nancy Vincent here to help us get our wood heater hooked up in the basement.  We need to get back to heating with wood and cutting our heat bill!  Actually Nancy and I will be doing the shopping and cooking - but that’s helpful as well.

Rejoice with us as a church just took us on for regular monthly support!  Thank you Wayside Bible Baptist for welcoming us into your Missionary family.  God is good to provide for our needs and continue the work of the ministry here.  Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. 

David & Lois Gardner, Kentwood, MI

They say that the difference between major and minor is surgery is that major is on me and minor is on someone else.  With this being said, I am going in for prostate surgery on Feb. 8 and would ask you to pray with us for a successful procedure. 

Miguel & Ana Quintana, Tampa, FL

They had 16 people again this last Friday night.  Miguel has found a place to rent.  He is considering beginning public services there this Sunday afternoon.

-              This weekend Miguel will be preaching again at Starkey Road Baptist Church.  The Spanish congregation asked     him to do a family conference. 

Roy & Fran Cupples, Fullerton, NE

Does God answer our prayers?  Of course, He does.  However, it may not always be the answer we desire.  But, this morning it was very evident that God answered and it was a “yes.”  We have been praying that Dan would return to church, that T would come (he’s the one that has been asking Roy some questions) and that Beth and Kenny would keep coming.  And, that is exactly what happened this morning.  Dan did come back and felt very welcomed, Ted came and looked a little uncomfortable but said he liked the message and Beth and Kenny have been coming consistently for several weeks.  I am not one to shout “hallelujah” in church but I sure felt like it this morning when they walked in.  Please pray that Dan will keep coming and grow in his walk with the Lord and that Ted and Beth and Kenny will get saved.  Kenny’s brother is in the service and must have gotten saved because he has been writing and talking to them about the Lord and giving them books to read, etc.  The Lord is working.

The men made some more progress on the foyer addition this week.  I marvel at the team that God has put together with the men in our church family.  It is a joy to watch them work together and accomplish so much. 

Tonight Roy finished his marriage counseling with Karla and Chris.  They have been very faithful in attending and we pray that they will use what they have been taught and have a strong, committed marriage.  Karla’s son and daughter are not doing well - wrong influences and poor decisions.  They are suffering some consequences.  Please pray for them.

Praises:

* Jylann and her son, Wyatt, are still coming faithfully to Sunday school and he comes to JOY Club all the time.

* The Lord gave me protection this week as I traveled many miles; also had some good learning opportunities.

* Greg is attending the men’s Bible study each week.  He is adjusting to a life of freedom.

* We have a couple leads on the outside double doors needed for the foyer.

* The Lord is providing a replacement baby bed for the nursery.  I don’t think we even asked for that!

* We were blessed by the praise testimonies this morning during the service.

* Arnie is doing much, much better after a period of physical problems.

* Roy took part in a good camp board meeting and work time afterward.

* The Lord showed us who to ask for our “love one another” banquet speaker and we have a speaker for Senior Saints’ Camp.

* When we have someone in the hospital in Lincoln we just call Pastor Meals and or Pastor Jeremy and they visit and pray with the patient.  That is a real blessing.

All the above reminds me of the song, “God Is So Good” and so, I think I’ll just end on that good “note.”

Fred & Marie Henzler, Perry, GA

THINGS TO DO.

This past week had many options. Our church had its missions conference, a good friend of ours was holding a revival in a near by town; the Governor’s Office for Highway Safety was holding another Rolling Thunder weekend and the Sheriff’s Office wanted both of us to do ride alongs.  They also completed two new Pods at the jail this week. We had at least three things for us to do, every night. Of course, the missions conference took first place.

NEW PODS.

With the new Pods at the jail, it will bring our capacity to 680. They are hiring more deputies. We had many inmates farmed out to other counties, so the empty cells will fill up fast. More work for us but more wonderful opportunities. Please pray that we my have the strength and health to meet the spiritual needs of the inmates and the deputies both at the jail and in the entire sheriff’s office.

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