Missions Conferences

So far in October, we have had the privilege of participating in several missions conferences. One was held in north-central PA and the other in south-central PA. The folks in both locations were amazing. Their support of world-wide missions was evident. Our family was able to help with special music, children's church, and the preaching and teaching of the Word. These churches ministered to us in ways they can barely imagine, and we thank God for each one.

Furlough can be an arduous trek across tens of thousands of miles, but stops like these make the journey worthwhile. We have also had some single meetings that have refreshed us as well, but there is just something special about a conference. We will be involved in 3 more missions conferences this Fall and numerous single meetings.

Our goal of full support seems so far away as to be nearly unreachable, but the arm of our God is not shortened, nor is His ear deaf to our call. We are convinced that His provision will come in His time. To add to our note of urgency, our mission board has informed us that we must be at full support before we return to PR.

A motto of sorts that has come to us over the past several years of ministry states the following: "All I can do is all I can do." This is used when a task seems daunting or time too short to accomplish a worthy goal. Furlough is such a task whose time rapidly escapes us. However, by May of 2008, we will have been in nearly 100 churches. Many of these are first time contacts. Only God can cause these meetings to result in support.

In spite of the importance of our support goal, we do not let that interfere with ministry. It has always been our desire to serve the Lord in these contacts and leave the results to Him. We have seen that He honors His Word and that He will pay for everything that He has ordered. With this confidence we go forward with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Bill's Dad on the Mend

On Tuesday, October 9, Bill's dad began to complain of dizziness, excessive sweating, and low energy. We encouraged him to call his doctor who gave him an appointment. At the doctor's office, an EKG showed a slightly irregular rhythm. The doctor sent dad to the hospital, expecting to schedule a stress test for the following morning.

At about 8:00 PM, dad started to experience severe chest pains. After taking 3 nitro pills and some other medications, the symptoms subsided a bit. Early on Wednesday morning the pain continued and was treated with the maximum dose of morphine. These developments canceled the stress test in favor of a catherization. The doctor installed a stint to open one artery which was 60% obstructed. We rejoice that he did not suffer a heart attack nor any damage to the heart.

On Thursday afternoon, dad came home and is resting for a few days before getting back to work. Please, pray for his complete recovery and that he will be able to lighten his work load.

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

A Special Thank You

Our first missions conference of this furlough is now history. We had a wonderful time with our friends at Faith from Wednesday, September 19 through Sunday, September 23. Everything from the delicious meals and comfortable accommodations to the friendly spirit and generosity of our new friends was enjoyable and refreshing.

The Pastor and his wife certainly went the extra mile to make sure that the conference was well done, and each of the church members ministered to us in their own unique way. You know it has been a good conference when you are genuinely sad to see it end. This was certainly our sentiment as we headed down the highway. We thank each person who attended, gave, encouraged, and prayed for this missions conference. Your labor is not in vain in the Lord!

The month of October will be filled with one conference after the other. In fact we will take part in 20 services in 8 churches in October alone. We look forward to all the new friends we will make and the many opportunities to serve the Lord as we lay out the challenge of serving the Lord with a glad heart.

Our prayer is that the Lord will raise the 28% of our support that is missing so that we will be able to return to Puerto Rico on time with full provision for the task that lies before us. What seems impossible to man is surely possible with God!

Spanish-English Bibles and Spanish Tracts

Some of our friends have expressed interest in acquiring a Spanish-English Bible. Amazon.com offers some seriously discounted prices for a KJV-Reina Valera 1960. These are the classic versions in English and Spanish and are available (at least for now) at around $20. The usual price is nearer to $30, so I cannot guarantee how long the sale price may last. We have purchased a few extra so that we can make them available as we travel.

We are constantly amazed at how many Spanish speakers there are in the vicinity of the churches we are visiting. Some of these churches even have a Spanish outreach ministry or at least one or two people attending whose first language is Spanish. Though the illegal immigrant issue aggravates some people so that they cannot see a lost soul, we rejoice to see how many of God’s people are trying to reach out to these latinos. Remember, not all Spanish speakers are illegals, and even if they are illegals, they still have a soul which God loves and desires to save.

If you would like to locate some good Spanish tracts, we would highly recommend the translation of “God’s Bridge to Eternal Life”. It is available through Majestic Media at (586) 725-5800. This is a full color, high-quality, glossy paper production which plainly declares the Gospel with helpful illustrations provided to aid the lost in finding Christ. The tract is equally usable for adults and children. Majestic Media also offers to print your church name, service times, and contact information on the back cover.

Washington DC

On Monday, September 10, we took a field trip to our nation's capitol. We parked the van and hit the streets at 10:30 AM. From then until dark, we were on the Capitol Mall, walking all the way from Union Station to the Lincoln Memorial and back again. In all we hoofed it for at least 10 miles! The kids could hardly have done better. They were real troopers in spite of how their feet must have ached (I know mine did).

Amethyst



We took plenty of pictures to fill out their photo albums and to give meaning to some of the pages in the history books. It was fun going through the mineral and gemstone section of the Smithsonian while trying to find samples of the foundation stones of the Heavenly City. That will be an incredible sight. I believe the gems will be of the translucent variety, causing a prism-like effect, producing rainbows of color! Here are a couple of these gems to give a hint of the beauty that awaits us.

Beryl (various colors)




Topaz








Especially moving were the memorials to the Korean and Vietnam War Veterans. We have several vets in our church in Ponce. One received the Bronze Star for Heroism and another the Purple Heart. These are men who deserve to be honored.

The Lincoln Memorial with the inscription of the Gettysburg Address was another favorite. We took the time to read the address out loud and to talk a bit about its significance. There are so many good photos, but the blog won't hold them all. If anyone knows how to post an entire album, let me know.

It was a great day, but we wish we had had more time. All of the museums and monuments are accessible free of charge. The buses are another story, and so we walked, and walked, and walked, and walked, . . . . . . . .

Joy in Heaven

One of the greatest pleasures is leading a soul to Christ. It is even more thrilling when you know you have been used to reach someone who was nearly "unreachable" to those around him or her. Such was the case of Thelma.

She is a lady from central America who speaks very little English. In spite of this problem, she had begun to attend one of our supporting churches in central PA. Bill was able to visit her in the company of a church member and share the Gospel with her in Spanish. She was unsure how she could know for certain that God would accept her into His family due to a confusing background in churches that do not preach the Word.

As Bill shared the message of salvation, Thelma followed the teaching closely. When asked if she would like to receive God's offer of forgiveness and salvation, she responded with tears in her eyes that she did not know how to ask God for such a precious gift. Bill led her in the sinner's prayer, and she eagerly received new life. Her happy countenance and tear-filled eyes said thank you in a way that surpassed all language barriers.

Praise the Lord for each sinner who repents. Discipleship will be a challenge, but several church members are committed to do all within their power to assist the growth of this new convert. We are praying for other opportunities to witness to Thelma's family. Pray with us, please.