From the Desk of:
Dr. Pat Creed
Caribbean Director:


June and I have been very busy this winter and spring in missions’ conferences and one trip to the Dominican Republic. In March, we were able to take a group from Virginia Baptist College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Independent Bible Baptist College in Clinton, Maryland, to the Dominican Republic. God blessed in a tremendous way and stirred the hearts of each one on the trip.

We have a lot of exciting things taking place throughout the West Indies. The Chappells have arrived in Aruba. They are involved in a Bible study and looking forward to planting a church. The Lindquists are getting settled in Guadeloupe and making plans for the Bible School. The Wessons have started a new church in the Dominican Republic. We were able to be in their second service while there in March. We have three new families on deputation who are planning to go to the northern part of the Dominican – the Allen Grubers, the Erick Johnsons, and the Jim Paynes. This will be an area that is new for BIMI, and we are very excited about these folks getting there as soon as possible. The Ellis Johnston family is going to Trinidad. They have been in Eastern Europe and are now presently trying to raise additional support. The Westlakes are settled in Jamaica and are making plans to plant a new church in the Kingston area. Many other exciting things are taking place in the lives and ministries of all of our missionaries throughout the islands. God is blessing in a tremendous way, but we need to pray for more laborers in the places where there is not a gospel preacher.

June and I were disappointed that we were not able to attend the field conference in January; but from all reports, it was a tremendous time. Please note in another section of the Islander the dates for next year’s field conference. We will meet in the same location as January. Please keep in mind that attendance is a requirement for all missionaries and begin making your plans now to attend.

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Announcing the 2008 BIMI Caribbean Field Conference
June 9-12, 2008

Plans are in the making for our next field conference. This year’s conference was a great success. Those who attended found time to relax, refresh, and refocus.

Pastor Jeff Amsbaugh and his wife Karren came in place of Dr. Creed who wasn’t able to attend. Bro. Amsbaugh shared messages that refocused our hearts on the need for God given relationships. His messages hit at the core of our lives. Many personal decisions were made and certainly our ministries were changed by his Biblical preaching. His wife, Karen, shared with our ladies during a special session each morning. Each afternoon missionaries were able to go places and do a variety of activities. In each of our sessions, the children had there own special time of Bible Stories, mission stories, Bible verse memorization, hand crafts, singing and much more. Joy Sprunger with the assistance of several missionaries provided a full program for the kids. What a joy it was to hear the testimonies of the children. This years field conference ended on Friday morning, but in our hearts we still are reminiscing what we enjoyed during those special days together.

Because of the many conflicts of having our field conference in January, Dr. Creed has decided that we would try to schedule our next conference in June 2008. Please mark your calendars and make plans to be with us June 9-12, 2008 in the Dominican Republic. Bring your family and relax, refresh and refocus. At this time we have plans to be at the same place with accommodations for your family. Each room is a suite which is air-conditioned and provides privacy for your family. The breakfast buffet is a treat, and facilities are perfect for a great field conference. You will not want to miss this special time with our BIMI Caribbean missionary family. PS – there is a great golf course next door to the Hotel Resort. Bring you clubs and play a round or two ($40 includes cart).

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Dear Noteworthy Friends,

I am so glad spring is here: the trees and grass are a beautiful vivid green and the flowers are in full bloom. This year on June 28, Pat and I will celebrate our fiftieth wedding anniversary. We have planned to spend a few days with our four children and their families. It will be fun and full of memories. Mother’s Day was very different for me this year since it was the first without my mom, but I know that she is in heaven and that gives me great peace. We are in the process of selling her house, and I am going through everything and it is full of wonderful memories.

We have two great grandchildren – Megan and Tyler James Vaughn. Tyler is a really sweet baby and was born just a few weeks ago. Megan has decided that they should keep him; at first she was not so sure. We have been in really good conferences and have met many new pastors and their wives. It has been exciting to see the increase in faith promise giving in these churches. As we see young couples like Erik and Holly Johnson, we wish we were young again and were just starting out.

We hope you are enjoying your ministry. We pray for you and your family. May the Lord continue to bless you!

Love and Prayers,
June



Souper Meat-N-Potatoes Pie

From the kitchen of Pamela Schmidt
1 Can cream of mushroom soup
1 Lb. round beef
1/4 Cup onions (chopped)
1 Egg (slightly beaten)
2 Cups mashed potatoes
¼ Cup mild cheese
¼ Cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons parsley (chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix one-half can soup with meat, onions, eggs, bread crumbs, parsley and seasons. Press firmly into nine inch pan. Bake 350 degrees for twenty-five minutes. Pour off fat. Add mashed potatoes and top with remaining soup and cheese. Bake ten minutes more. Serves four to six.

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Blessing from Around the Caribbean

By Gary Sprunger

In January, Joy and I were able to attend the West Indies Baptist Fellowship conference in Trinidad. It was a joy to be with the Gossetts and the Guths during this stay. Dr. & Mrs. Ray Thompson also attended this year’s conference. With over 350 delegates from around the Caribbean attending, we were able to see many old friends and acquaintances in the ministry. As always, the preaching of the Word of God was tremendous. Our hearts were touched, and we left thanking God for what He has done over the years in the Caribbean. We thrilled to see many young people in attendance. The folks of Trinidad did a wonderful job hosting this large reunion of Baptist brethren.

After the WIBF conference, Joy and I headed to Puerto Rico for about three weeks. Several work teams came to help complete the project in Mayaguez. We praise the Lord that as of the writing of this new letter, the church facility is now dried-in and the local folks are laboring to finish the necessary plastering and installation of the window. During our stay in Puerto Rico we were able to visit with Steve and Ann Buchanan. They have been able to buy a joining property for the church. Now Iglesia Bautista Berea his sufficient room to expand and grow. The Lord has been blessing their ministry. We also visited Jim and Kelly Shelton who have started a new work in Aguada. There new work is growing, and Jim is doing a great job in Spanish. We also had the opportunity to visit Mark and Marilee Stephen before they went on furlough. This is their first furlough in about 7 years. I also had the joy of being with Jerry and Liz Harmon. They are seeing some wonderful results. God is raising up some good leadership in their work. Jerry is doing much better since he received the internal heart infibulator. Although he is limited in his physical strength, he has some wonderful goals and aspirations for the ministry that God has given them. In Mayaguez, Joan Whiteheart has returned from her short furlough in the States. She is very active visiting the families who have children in the youth program at Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida. Each time we visit the church we are seeing many signs of grow. There are now more young people attending. God has given the work wonderful leadership. The church not only is growing numerically, but you can also sense substantial spiritual growth also.

Recently I had the opportunity of visiting the BIMI missionaries on the island of Antigua. Although Jerry and Scharmel Johnson are beyond retirement age, they have begun assisting a well trained young man in starting a new work. Already a number of faithful folks are coming. God has supplied a little wood framed building for the church to meet, and the folks are excited about soul-winning and supporting missions. While in Antigua, I was able to hear about the future development for the Caribbean Radio Lighthouse. God is using the staff there to reach both English speaking and Spanish speaking islanders. It is the prayer of the staff that soon they might be "streaming" their broadcasts via the internet. We are living in such awesome days. Although it would be difficult to broadcast via the radio wave around the world, yet via the internet we can utilize our studios to reach all four corners of the globe. Curt and Barbara Waite were not on the island at the time of my visit, but Jerry and Linda Baker were most gracious. It was a blessing to meet the staff at CRL and to hear their testimonies and heart beat.

Throughout the Caribbean, God has raised up some wonderful ministries. We praise Him that souls are being saved, Christians are being discipled, and God is getting the glory.

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Michael and Anna Doering (Dominican Republic) are enjoying their "bundle of Joy" - Brett Matthew Doering, born January 16th at 9:00 am. Brett weighed in at 7 lbs. 9 oz and measuring 19 inches long. Michael reports that over 500 attended the special Three Kings day at Grace and Truth Baptist Church. Over 75 professions of faith were recorded on that one day. Although the focus was on children, each child had to bring along an adult for this special event.

Billy and Linda Aulds (Furlough) "We are thankful for being able to share the gospel of Christ with people. Billy is known at rehab for sharing God’s Word along with what God has done in his life. It is great to see Him continue to serve God in this way even though many things in his life have changed. Linda led one more of her students to the Lord in March. Pray for Marissa who accepted Christ. Linda talked with her while at the doctor’s office and she made a decision to accept Christ."

Josh & Joy Wesson (Dominican Republic) "It is so exciting to see the Lord work His plan in our lives. We have seen the Lord provide our needs time and again since we have begun this new work. We have been having services for over a month, and we are encouraged to see what the Lord is doing. We average around thirty on Sunday mornings and around twenty on Sunday and Wednesday nights. The Lord has blessed us from the beginning with three core families." Josh also reports that they meet a family who had been in the ministry before. Upon talking to their pastor since the church that they attended was distant to their residence, he suggested that they help Bro. Wesson. Now Bro. Wesson has a partner to go soul-winning.

Jeff and Traci Garrison (Dominican Republic) A team of workers came from Connecticut to help install the new roof. Now they will be known as the church with the big blue roof! Another group came and helped build a retaining wall while having VBS. Over 135 came to each session. Jeff says, "Our goal is to celebrate the second anniversary of the church by moving into our new facility in June."

Jerry and Liz Harmon (Puerto Rico) "The last Sunday in February we celebrated "Friend Day". We had not had one for several years. Everyone worked very hard so that it would be a success. We passed out tracts and invitation. We kept track of all those invited on a poster board. We prayed for each name faithfully for two weeks. While we did not meet our goal, we did have 20 visitors, the most we have ever had!"

Ken and Nancy Guth (Trinidad) "I had the privilege to lead a 17 year old man to Christ in a recent meeting at the church. He was invited by a friend and had never been in church before. It is a joy to help one like Marlon start a new life in a land filled with amy corrupt youth. Pray with us for his continued spiritual growth."

Don and Bridgitt Dryden (Haiti) On March 8th, three men ran into our home and one of them pointed a pistol straight at Kerry who was in the living room at the time. The men demanded money. The man with the gun went upstairs with Benji and Kerri with the children. Benji scuffled with the gunman as he reached for the money pouch and took a pretty hard hit on the back of the head by the man’s pistol. Thankfully, when the man got his hands on the money they left. In spite of these difficulties, "Souls have come to know the Lord and we have received several new members into the church here either by baptism or transfer. We have had record-breaking attendance for services; each moth this quarter has been higher than the previous. During our Easter week Evangelism Conference, Benji taught the song "Win Them One by One". Attendance was good with four souls saved. The church has voted in an associate pastor who attends our Bible School. …New applications have come in for the Bible School and we are nearing the end of a good year. We have been teaching a course on soul winning and evangelism. It is a blessing to hear testimonies and reports of souls our students have led to Christ."

Swante and Linda Lindquist (Guadeloupe-French West Indies) "The first week in April was a great way to start this month! Every evening (Palm Sunday-Easter), our church, Eglise Baptiste de la Foi (Faith Baptist Church) had a city-wide (Morne-a-l-eau) tent crusade. Even though we had permission from the Mayor’s office to use a city owned field, we had some soccer dissenters who sliced two sections in the back of the tent and tried to set it on fire. Praise the Lord for fire-retardant material! There was an average attendance of 40-65 people each evening. Six precious souls made decisions to seek the Lord for salvation.

Curt Waite and Jerry Baker (Antigua – Caribbean Radio Lighthouse) "Our staff has been working very hard since the early part of December preparing to increase our broadcast hours, along with incorporating full automation for our studio. At this point, we have increased our broadcast hours to midnight seven days each week and the station operates on full automation most of the time except for news, weather, and public service sport. This permits us to get some after-hours relief for our staff and get more work done during the time our staff is here during daytime hours. We realize that there is much more that can be done and we are working toward getting to the point where we can broadcast twenty-four hours each day and stream audio via the internet. Of course, all of this costs additional monies, which we do not have at present. Pray with us about these possibilities!" (CRL is broadcasting in English and Spanish - if you desire to have a broadcast on CRL, contact Curt Waite or Jerry Baker. More information is available on the web at radiolighthouse.org)

Chet and Jeanetta Tibbetts (Grand Cayman Island) This will be a pivotal yar. Our eldest, Melody Joy Densmore and her family will soon be leaving for the field of New Zealand. She and her husband Brian are expecting their third child. Our Spanish work continues to grow. We baptized one lady recently. Her sister was also saved through our Spanish ministry and is an active member and a medical doctor. Her other sister has also made a profession of faith but wants to learn more before being baptized. We have also started a Monday Night – "Operation Jerusalem" visitation program.

Jim and Christine Payne (Deputation to Dominican Republic) "Jim had the wonderful opportunity to led a man to the Lord in Oklahoma. The Lord also provided some large needs for us while he was out there." Richy and Fran Young (Jamaica) "We had good services at Palmer Cross. I started a series of messages on ‘God’s Financial Plan.’ Many testified in the evening service how that message helped them understand what God expects of His people. I also baptized one, and we had the Lord’s Supper."

Jerry and Gail Reece (Spanish ministry in Caribbean) "Twenty-four cases of my books and tracts have been sent to the Dominican Republic along with 40 cases of Bibles. Praise the Lord!...Things are goin forward with the Spanish literature Ministry. With the help of friends,…we have finished the printing, binding, and packing of Volume One of the Bible Doctrines book, which was originally written in English by Dr. Mark Cambron. Thousands of these have been sent to the field and are being used by Bible schools, pastors, Christian Schools, and Bible study groups." If you need Spanish resource material, E-Mail Jerry Reece.

Jim and Kelly Shelton (Puerto Rico) "We have had some tremendous blessing in the new church. We were concerned with a certain family. They were having some problems in the family and were not coming anymore. However, through mujch prayer and working things out by the Lord touching hearts, things calmed down and are much better. As a result, the stepdad has now moved back from the States and has been bringing the whole family to church every Sunday. Also, the grandmother is now coming to the Wednesday night Bible Study."

Steve and Nohemy Sidler (Dominican Republic) "A young man in our church named Oliver, who is sixteen years old, is very excited about serving the Lord and has been coming faithfully to all of our services. In our service last night, he told me that he would be coming to soul winning on Saturday. He was baptized two weeks ago. His brother Alex is also attending church with him and was saved and baptized during our anniversary service last year."

Robert and Rhoda Smith (Barbados) "Our soul winning efforts ave been blessed! I personally have seen 20 people trust Christ in the last three weeks. Seven converts hve been baptized and new families are attending regularly. One family walks over a mile on country roads pushing their infant in a stroller to church. …We are seeing backsliders returning to church, and the faithful are being stirred up for Christ. Wow! It is exciting! There are also four men who will go out with me soul winning each week. For this, I praise God.

Joan Whiteheart (Puerto Rico) "To God be the glory, great things He is doing. We have an average of between 40 and 50 children attending our Awana club each week. Last Sunday, 29 children attended Sunday School. More members are taking an active part in the various ministries. We have 19 workers helping in the Awana ministry."

Jerry and Scharmal Johnson (Antigua) "We usually go in the open air every other Sunday night and are experiencing warm receptions in what has become a very dangerous and troubled neighborhood. We held and entire week of services in one of the high traffic areas in January. People turned down their big stereos, slowed down their cars, walked quietly in front of where we had set up and took tracts when offered. (Who could refuse a tract from Bro. John, an 83 year old who has recently been saved and wants to serve the Lord.) God’s presence was evident. We were very much encouraged by the response but realize it is going to take a lot more work. Antigua is a place where everybody is a ‘Christian’ and very few are ‘saved". (Recently, Jerry and Scharmel have assisted a young Antiguian preacher in starting Grey’s Farm Independent Baptist Church. Pray for them).

Rob and Christy Westlake (Jamaica) "It has been an exciting few months as we continue to work towards the planting of a church. I have found myself in a bit of dismay. Please pray that as I spend time praying and looking for a place to meet. We are told that there are some 300 plus various religious groups here in Jamaica. Land and buildings are being bought up rather quickly in Port More by these groups making it difficult to find a place to start holding services." Pray for the Westlakes and for these special needs.

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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

BRANT & MAYLOU HOLLADAY -  EUROPE DIRECTOR
AARON BURR & STACY HOOT -  DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
JOHN & LEE ETTA HORNBECK JR -  MILITARY - GERMANY