by Pat Creed
Well, summer is supposed to be a time of slowing down, relaxing, and recovering; but it wasn't that way for us this year. June and I started out with Candidate School the first week of June, and it was a wonderful time! We have two couples headed for the islands – David and Terri Long spent twenty years in Nigeria; but cannot return to Africa, and God has led them to Trinidad. Please pray for another couple to work in a team effort with the Longs. Nathan Owens and Renee Johnsonbaugh have also been approved. This young couple will be married in June 2009 and are planning to go to Antigua to work at the Caribbean Radio Lighthouse.
The following week, we traveled to the Dominican Republic for our field conference, and missionaries came in from various islands for this. It was a great time of fellowship and preaching. Dr. Ray, our general director, and his wife, Mary, were able to be with us. From the Dominican, we headed to Trinidad where I preached in two missions conferences. We had a wonderful time at Victory Baptist Church with national pastor David Lovelace. This is the church that Missionary John Gossett was in for his first two terms on the field. The faith-promise increased from 4,000TT to 6,600TT per month. Everyone was very excited about the commitment that was made. I then preached a conference at Saving Grace Baptist Church where Bro. Gossett and his family are serving at this time. There was a good increase in the faith-promise there and one young man surrendered to preach the Gospel.
June and I took a couple of weeks vacation and traveled to New England and spent some time in Rhode Island, Maine, and a few days on Prince Edward Island in Canada. Prince Edward Island is one of June's favorite places to visit, and it was an enjoyable time for both of us. From there we traveled across New Brunswick and spent a couple of days in Quebec before heading back home.
We then spent three weeks in BIMI meetings. I had the opportunity to preach during Enrichment Week at the World Missions Center. June and I really enjoyed our time with the furloughing missionaries. We prayed that the Lord would use us to be a blessing to them, but it was an encouragement to us to see their dedication and hear about all that is taking place in their ministries and lives. The following week, we had our annual Directors' Retreat. That is always a great time as we were able to fellowship, hear good preaching, and hear from Dr. Ray as he made sure that we were all going in the same direction. The next week was spent at the World Missions Center for our annual Church Planting School. Dr. John Bailes is doing a wonderful job, and I think it was the best school that we have had since the beginning. There were 15 BIMI missionaries present and all of them had a wonderful attitude about being there and getting everything they could to help in planting and building a church on the field.
Now we are going to be spending a few days at home before beginning our fall schedule. We are excited about the conferences and the Missions Booster Sundays that are lined up throughout the months ahead.
Some things I would like to mention to our missionaries are the following:
1. Furlough Records - Brother Gary Sprunger handles the furlough records, and he needs to know each time you leave your field of service to come to the States. So if you could make sure that he has this information, it would help in handling this responsibility.
2. Islander Articles - We are attempting to be more consistent with printing and sending out the Islander, and as I contact you for information, your quick response would be greatly appreciated.
We want to keep you informed about what is taking place in all of your ministries. We certainly appreciate you, and your faithfulness. We desire to do everything we can to serve you in a way so that you can do what God has called you to do.
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by Mrs. June CreedDear Noteworthy Friend,
We had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to God blessing in a great way this fall. For you who are young, do not think that when you get older things will slow down; we're busier than ever!
Upon arriving home after traveling a lot this summer, I was told by my neighbor that the deer had been eating from my garden each evening at dusk. They came regularly for dessert at the Creeds! I was not very excited about weeding the garden; and as I examined the damage, I was really feeling sorry for myself. I said to the Lord, "Look, what your deer did to my garden!" All of a sudden I heard a very familiar chime from a neighborhood church. The song was "Count Your Blessings." That was absolutely providential! The Lord was saying, "Look at the beautiful daisies, the black-eyed Susans (Maryland's State flower) and the zinnias – forget about your labor and think on the beautiful things and blessings in your life." In our lives, we all have disappointments, casualties, and negative things happen to us. It is the Lord's business! He is in control! Just commit those things to the Lord. He does a much better job than we do. So remember - count your blessings and enjoy serving our wonderful Lord!
Love and Prayers,
June
I Thess. 5:17-18
CABBAGE LASAGNA
1 lb. ground chuck
1 cup chopped onion
½ chopped green pepper
1 medium head cabbage
½ tsp salt
Brown ground chuck, onion, green pepper. Boil cabbage until tender then set aside, save two cups of liquid. Combine the two cups of liquid, oregano, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Simmer, stir often. Add meat mixture to sauce pan, simmer and stir often. In buttered 9x13 pan, layer cabbage and tomato mixture. Top with mozzarella cheese slices. Bake 400 degrees for thirty minutes until cheese is browned. Serves 8. Enjoy!
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Ever since we surrendered to the Dominican Republic, we prayed that the Lord would guide us in where to start a new work. In our first term, we helped start the New Life Baptist Church and Christian School. During this time, we would drive around, look at other needy areas, and pray, but the Lord did not confirm any particular place for us to work. We took a furlough after our first term and thought that when we came back that surely the Lord would show us where to start. After we returned to the field, the Lord impressed me to cover for Ronnie Autrey as he took a much-needed furlough. During this time, we felt the Lord leading us to an area called Villa Mella. At the same time, Joy, who was expecting our youngest daughter, Katlyn, began having heart problems. The doctors advised us to go back to the States. She went in for a heart procedure 3 weeks after giving birth. The procedure was done but did not seem to help. Before she was discharged from the hospital, it was discovered she had blood clots in her lungs. It was a slow recovery and with her health being so delicate, our hearts sank thinking that maybe the Lord was closing the door for us to go back to the Dominican. Through much prayer, and after a multitude of doctor visits, we returned to the field September 26, 2006.
I began to seek advice from different missionaries and national pastors about a particular area in Villa Mella, called Maximo Gomez. One of the national pastors, Jose Aguero, told me that he had a sister who lived in that neighborhood. He related to me that she and her husband owned a private school and that she had been praying the Lord would use her school to help start a church in that area. After we met with them, they agreed to let us have full use of their facilities. Four months later, they moved the school into a new building and we had sole use of their property, which provided us with an auditorium, 4 classrooms and a nursery. Our first 10 months on the property were rent free. It was amazing for us to see how God miraculously provided as we stepped out in faith.
We had our first service March 3, 2007. We have been blessed to have Samuel and Albania Ovalle, a faithful Dominican couple, working alongside of us. We met them a month before we started the church when we were knocking doors in that neighborhood. They are a solid Christian family and have been in the ministry for many years. They have been a great blessing in helping to "shoulder" the load and encourage us along the way.
Another family that has been a great help to us is Stewart and Donna Schepers. After he pastored in Canada for 6 years, the Lord called them to the Dominican Republic. They moved here this past February. Bro. Stewart is taking the lead in the teen ministry and is a tremendous help in organizing campaigns and activities. We have seen the church grow significantly because of their efforts in the short time they have been here. One ministry which we find very rewarding is the deaf ministry. It is a time-consuming ministry requiring a lot of sacrifice, but we rejoice to see the Lord working in the lives of these dear people. Joy interprets the services and we have a deaf man who teaches the deaf S.S. class. On Sunday mornings, we average around 10 deaf adults.
We hold Bible clubs for the children in our neighborhood on Saturday mornings. I also teach a Bible class in the school that is owned by our landlord. We praise the Lord for the children who have been saved and also for those parents who have been saved as a result of these ministries. We have learned that God's timing in our lives is perfect and that if we wait on the Lord, He is faithful and can do mighty things, such as provide the buildings, workers and everything that we need to do His work. Thank God, He is willing to use sinners saved by grace.
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I began to seek advice from different missionaries and national pastors about a particular area in Villa Mella, called Maximo Gomez. One of the national pastors, Jose Aguero, told me that he had a sister who lived in that neighborhood. He related to me that she and her husband owned a private school and that she had been praying the Lord would use her school to help start a church in that area. After we met with them, they agreed to let us have full use of their facilities. Four months later, they moved the school into a new building and we had sole use of their property, which provided us with an auditorium, 4 classrooms and a nursery. Our first 10 months on the property were rent free. It was amazing for us to see how God miraculously provided as we stepped out in faith.
We had our first service March 3, 2007. We have been blessed to have Samuel and Albania Ovalle, a faithful Dominican couple, working alongside of us. We met them a month before we started the church when we were knocking doors in that neighborhood. They are a solid Christian family and have been in the ministry for many years. They have been a great blessing in helping to "shoulder" the load and encourage us along the way.
Another family that has been a great help to us is Stewart and Donna Schepers. After he pastored in Canada for 6 years, the Lord called them to the Dominican Republic. They moved here this past February. Bro. Stewart is taking the lead in the teen ministry and is a tremendous help in organizing campaigns and activities. We have seen the church grow significantly because of their efforts in the short time they have been here. One ministry which we find very rewarding is the deaf ministry. It is a time-consuming ministry requiring a lot of sacrifice, but we rejoice to see the Lord working in the lives of these dear people. Joy interprets the services and we have a deaf man who teaches the deaf S.S. class. On Sunday mornings, we average around 10 deaf adults.
We hold Bible clubs for the children in our neighborhood on Saturday mornings. I also teach a Bible class in the school that is owned by our landlord. We praise the Lord for the children who have been saved and also for those parents who have been saved as a result of these ministries. We have learned that God's timing in our lives is perfect and that if we wait on the Lord, He is faithful and can do mighty things, such as provide the buildings, workers and everything that we need to do His work. Thank God, He is willing to use sinners saved by grace.
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by Ann & Steve Buchanan
Hello from the island of enchantment! We are the Buchanans, Ann and Steve. We have had the pleasure of serving our Lord for more than 15 years here in Puerto Rico. By His grace we have been able to establish Berea Baptist Church in the city of Aguadilla. Our city is located on the northwest corner of the island; we have a population of some 65,000 people. The majority of those are Catholic with a large population of Pentecostals.
We started out in a small room off the back of our carport, then moved the church to our present house and had church on our carport. We then moved to our first public location upstairs in a shopping center. God continued to bless and now we have purchased our own building and grounds.
We have seem God bless in many ways through the years. I think of the young man Angel we met while with a group of youth playing basketball. His family was and still is Catholic. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the basketball court. The Lord used him to become the youth leader in our church. He went to the States to go to college and since then he married. He still is serving in an independent Baptist Church and visiting for the bus route, among many other duties.
Then another great joy that we have experienced in our ministry is the Arroyo family. Libertad came to our church with David Jr. and Yesenia, looking for an English speaking church. We were ministering to some Coast Guard families so we were conducting English services. Libby, as we fondly call her, and Yessy were already saved but David Jr. and David Sr. did not know the Lord. David Jr. got saved through our ministry, but David Sr. very seldom came to church. When David accepted the Lord, it truly was a life-changing experience for him. He came to me and asked who cleaned the church, and I said that would be me. From that time on he took over that job for me and was very faithful.
The Bible tells us to prove them, not to put a novice in a place of authority. So we began to pray and watch David grow in the Lord and remain faithful. David became our first and so far our only deacon. So many men just do not qualify according to the Bible.
He and his family are a tremendous blessing to our church. David works our sound system on Sunday and is our youth leader. Libby is teaching the children, and Yessy (Yesenia) is bringing in her friends and seeing many saved. David Jr. is out with me on visitation.
The Lord continued to work in the life of David. He came to me and told me that he thought the Lord was calling him to preach the Word. It was quite a struggle for him during this time. He was trying to be 100% sure of his calling. Unfortunately, there was one or two others that stood up and said God had called them and never did they follow through. So David told me "I don't want to be like them." We prayed for quite some time for the Lord to make it real to him. Then one blessed day, David came to me and said he wanted to make his calling public. He now knew this was his life's work. David loves to cook, and I heard him say many times that one day he would like to have his own restaurant. But when I heard him say, "I cannot see myself any longer working in a restaurant," I knew he had new goals in his life given to him by the Lord.
Serving the Lord in Puerto Rico is a true blessing and seeing lives changed like the ones mentioned above makes it worth the while. God bless!
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Hello from the island of enchantment! We are the Buchanans, Ann and Steve. We have had the pleasure of serving our Lord for more than 15 years here in Puerto Rico. By His grace we have been able to establish Berea Baptist Church in the city of Aguadilla. Our city is located on the northwest corner of the island; we have a population of some 65,000 people. The majority of those are Catholic with a large population of Pentecostals.
We started out in a small room off the back of our carport, then moved the church to our present house and had church on our carport. We then moved to our first public location upstairs in a shopping center. God continued to bless and now we have purchased our own building and grounds.
We have seem God bless in many ways through the years. I think of the young man Angel we met while with a group of youth playing basketball. His family was and still is Catholic. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the basketball court. The Lord used him to become the youth leader in our church. He went to the States to go to college and since then he married. He still is serving in an independent Baptist Church and visiting for the bus route, among many other duties.
Then another great joy that we have experienced in our ministry is the Arroyo family. Libertad came to our church with David Jr. and Yesenia, looking for an English speaking church. We were ministering to some Coast Guard families so we were conducting English services. Libby, as we fondly call her, and Yessy were already saved but David Jr. and David Sr. did not know the Lord. David Jr. got saved through our ministry, but David Sr. very seldom came to church. When David accepted the Lord, it truly was a life-changing experience for him. He came to me and asked who cleaned the church, and I said that would be me. From that time on he took over that job for me and was very faithful.
The Bible tells us to prove them, not to put a novice in a place of authority. So we began to pray and watch David grow in the Lord and remain faithful. David became our first and so far our only deacon. So many men just do not qualify according to the Bible.
He and his family are a tremendous blessing to our church. David works our sound system on Sunday and is our youth leader. Libby is teaching the children, and Yessy (Yesenia) is bringing in her friends and seeing many saved. David Jr. is out with me on visitation.
The Lord continued to work in the life of David. He came to me and told me that he thought the Lord was calling him to preach the Word. It was quite a struggle for him during this time. He was trying to be 100% sure of his calling. Unfortunately, there was one or two others that stood up and said God had called them and never did they follow through. So David told me "I don't want to be like them." We prayed for quite some time for the Lord to make it real to him. Then one blessed day, David came to me and said he wanted to make his calling public. He now knew this was his life's work. David loves to cook, and I heard him say many times that one day he would like to have his own restaurant. But when I heard him say, "I cannot see myself any longer working in a restaurant," I knew he had new goals in his life given to him by the Lord.
Serving the Lord in Puerto Rico is a true blessing and seeing lives changed like the ones mentioned above makes it worth the while. God bless!
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After having lived and worked in Puerto Rico as a missionary for a complete year, I have come to several conclusions. There is an open door here and the possibilities are tremendous. We have been used here in so many ways to help where help is needed. There are various needs for us to fill in for a missionary who goes to the States for a short visit or for sickness. We have been used extensively in this manner. As we speak Spanish and English we can fit in anywhere. One of the problems in Puerto Rico is that the people have too much and they don't need God. The only way we are going to reach them is to make friends with them and one by one talk about the Lord. It's very difficult but not impossible, and we are very excited about the opportunities we have. There are no restrictions as to the preaching of the Word. Pray for us here.
Wayne & Francis Witherell
During the last three months, we had the privilege of hosting a missions team from NC, the BIMI SMART team, Dr. and Mrs. Creed, and a group of two evangelists and a pastor. During the various revivals, missions conference, and VBS's, we had about 55 people make professions of faith, and one young man surrendered to preach. Also, one of the ladies on the SMART team believes the Lord has called her to Trinidad. I also had the privilege of being on the ordination council for a national pastor who was saved and surrendered to preach under our ministry.
John Gossett - Trinidad
Things have been moving along both here in Aguada and furlough in the States. We recently returned from a furlough in the States, both visiting supporting churches, and raising additional support. We have recently had several visitors and seen 3 saved in recent weeks. One recently started coming and received the Lord as his Savior and is now heading for army boot camp. Praise the Lord he stayed just long enough to take care of eternity. We are still praying that God will grow the church, and I feel that we are going to see great things happening soon. The Witherells are on furlough in the States, so we are working alone for the time. We do also praise the Lord that one of our teens has been praying to the Lord about God's will for his life and has even preached a couple of times. The Lord is showing more everyday that it's not numbers that count, sometimes we just need to take time to sit back and look at what God can and is doing with those that we already have.
Jim, Kelly, Cassia, and AJ Shelton - Puerto Rico
As our three year work permit has expired, Nancy and I have returned to the States to visit supporting churches and raise the additional support in order to resume our ministries of Reaching, Preaching, Teaching and Training Trinidadian nationals. While on furlough, we endeavor to continue those ministries here while preparing for a tract and literature ministry geared to reaching and developing Trinidadians upon our return.
Ken and Nancy Guth
We spent 21 years in Nigeria, and it is now one year since we left. However, the church there is going beyond our dreams and still building on the foundation we established. We learned there are two things which must go together for God to work through us on the mission field: Trials and patience; more trials and patience; great trials and patience; greater trials and patience (See James 1:3,4). The greater the trials and patience, the more God will bless.
David Long - Trinidad
In October we will be celebrating 36 years at CALVARY HAITIAN BAPTIST CHURCH, NASSAU, BAHAMAS. Many souls have been saved as a result of this ministry and the three churches started out of Calvary. They are Resurrection Baptist, Solid Rock Baptist and Coral Harbour Baptist. It will be a week of great blessings.
Shirleen Godfrey - Nassau, Bahamas
Jamaica Camp Faith 2008 celebrated 25 years of camp ministry August 10 - 16. Over 100 attended. In 1983 Fran and I had a burden for Jamaican youth and desired God would touch their lives in a special way through camp ministry. At Camp Faith 2008 we witnessed THIRD GENERATION campers, FIRST GENERATION campers now directing Camp Faith, and FIRST and SECOND GENERATION campers serving as camp counselors. The speaker was Rev. Gary Williams who was a FIRST GENERATION camper and past counselor. We GIVE GOD THANKS for 17 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH, MANY REDEDICATIONS and COMMITMENTS TO CONTINUE SERVING GOD.
Richey & Fran Young - Jamaica
Our family has been continually reminded of the mercies of God and how they truly endure forever. We have had some incredible meetings in our infant church here in Portmore. The mercies of God have allowed us to learn from some errors but continue to strive for His greatness. God has also shown to us His great and merciful hand as he spared our son's life in a miraculous way. We are encouraged and encourage you to continue to rest in the mercies of God.
Rob & Christy Westlake - Jamaica
God has really blessed our church here in Barbados. We recently have had several saved, our offerings are growing, and the church is growing together as a loving family. This past weekend a young couple was saved, baptized, and joined the church. The church is running about 70 on average and they are faithfully supporting four different missionaries at $100USD per month each. It is marvelous to see young converts getting a desire to see others saved and their lives changed. God is so good!
Robert Smith - Barbados
Maranatha Baptist Church is feeling not only warm temperatures but warm growth this summer. We have had two families join with us, evidenced by two salvation professions and six baptisms. After years of hard work, God also blessed by reducing our debt burden to less than 10% of what it was when we first arrived four and half years ago. These are the types of praises which are always a blessing to share. We also have a small day school and look forward to the day when our church can be self-supporting. This is being done in three phases: first, pay-off the debt; second, church offerings pay for everything but a pastor; and third, also pay for a pastor from church offerings. Maranatha is almost finished with the first and very close to the second being accomplished.
Being an English-speaking ministry on a Spanish-speaking island makes not only for a small demographic but an interesting mix of cultures. Most of our people speak Spanish but only some of those speak it as first language. Our church has folks who are "stateside" by culture and those who are "islanders" by culture. I have lived in three countries where English was spoken as one of the languages yet have truly been amazed by the differences once you get beyond the words. Maranatha Baptist Church is truly a blend of cultures united by a common Saviour and common language.
William Hamilton - Puerto Rico
On June 8, 2008, we arrived in Kingston Jamaica and were able to moved into our own home after the first month. We have joined in the work of Rob and Christy Westlake in getting a church started in Portmore, a "suburb" of Kingston. The work has progressed slowly, as the people are very intrenched in their traditions and family ties. After three months in country, due to visa and new work permit restrictions, we have been asked to leave Jamaica until our permits are granted. Please pray that these will be approved very soon and that we can be back on the field in short order.
Swante and Linda Lindquist - Jamaica
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Wayne & Francis Witherell
During the last three months, we had the privilege of hosting a missions team from NC, the BIMI SMART team, Dr. and Mrs. Creed, and a group of two evangelists and a pastor. During the various revivals, missions conference, and VBS's, we had about 55 people make professions of faith, and one young man surrendered to preach. Also, one of the ladies on the SMART team believes the Lord has called her to Trinidad. I also had the privilege of being on the ordination council for a national pastor who was saved and surrendered to preach under our ministry.
John Gossett - Trinidad
Things have been moving along both here in Aguada and furlough in the States. We recently returned from a furlough in the States, both visiting supporting churches, and raising additional support. We have recently had several visitors and seen 3 saved in recent weeks. One recently started coming and received the Lord as his Savior and is now heading for army boot camp. Praise the Lord he stayed just long enough to take care of eternity. We are still praying that God will grow the church, and I feel that we are going to see great things happening soon. The Witherells are on furlough in the States, so we are working alone for the time. We do also praise the Lord that one of our teens has been praying to the Lord about God's will for his life and has even preached a couple of times. The Lord is showing more everyday that it's not numbers that count, sometimes we just need to take time to sit back and look at what God can and is doing with those that we already have.
Jim, Kelly, Cassia, and AJ Shelton - Puerto Rico
As our three year work permit has expired, Nancy and I have returned to the States to visit supporting churches and raise the additional support in order to resume our ministries of Reaching, Preaching, Teaching and Training Trinidadian nationals. While on furlough, we endeavor to continue those ministries here while preparing for a tract and literature ministry geared to reaching and developing Trinidadians upon our return.
Ken and Nancy Guth
We spent 21 years in Nigeria, and it is now one year since we left. However, the church there is going beyond our dreams and still building on the foundation we established. We learned there are two things which must go together for God to work through us on the mission field: Trials and patience; more trials and patience; great trials and patience; greater trials and patience (See James 1:3,4). The greater the trials and patience, the more God will bless.
David Long - Trinidad
In October we will be celebrating 36 years at CALVARY HAITIAN BAPTIST CHURCH, NASSAU, BAHAMAS. Many souls have been saved as a result of this ministry and the three churches started out of Calvary. They are Resurrection Baptist, Solid Rock Baptist and Coral Harbour Baptist. It will be a week of great blessings.
Shirleen Godfrey - Nassau, Bahamas
Jamaica Camp Faith 2008 celebrated 25 years of camp ministry August 10 - 16. Over 100 attended. In 1983 Fran and I had a burden for Jamaican youth and desired God would touch their lives in a special way through camp ministry. At Camp Faith 2008 we witnessed THIRD GENERATION campers, FIRST GENERATION campers now directing Camp Faith, and FIRST and SECOND GENERATION campers serving as camp counselors. The speaker was Rev. Gary Williams who was a FIRST GENERATION camper and past counselor. We GIVE GOD THANKS for 17 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH, MANY REDEDICATIONS and COMMITMENTS TO CONTINUE SERVING GOD.
Richey & Fran Young - Jamaica
Our family has been continually reminded of the mercies of God and how they truly endure forever. We have had some incredible meetings in our infant church here in Portmore. The mercies of God have allowed us to learn from some errors but continue to strive for His greatness. God has also shown to us His great and merciful hand as he spared our son's life in a miraculous way. We are encouraged and encourage you to continue to rest in the mercies of God.
Rob & Christy Westlake - Jamaica
God has really blessed our church here in Barbados. We recently have had several saved, our offerings are growing, and the church is growing together as a loving family. This past weekend a young couple was saved, baptized, and joined the church. The church is running about 70 on average and they are faithfully supporting four different missionaries at $100USD per month each. It is marvelous to see young converts getting a desire to see others saved and their lives changed. God is so good!
Robert Smith - Barbados
Maranatha Baptist Church is feeling not only warm temperatures but warm growth this summer. We have had two families join with us, evidenced by two salvation professions and six baptisms. After years of hard work, God also blessed by reducing our debt burden to less than 10% of what it was when we first arrived four and half years ago. These are the types of praises which are always a blessing to share. We also have a small day school and look forward to the day when our church can be self-supporting. This is being done in three phases: first, pay-off the debt; second, church offerings pay for everything but a pastor; and third, also pay for a pastor from church offerings. Maranatha is almost finished with the first and very close to the second being accomplished.
Being an English-speaking ministry on a Spanish-speaking island makes not only for a small demographic but an interesting mix of cultures. Most of our people speak Spanish but only some of those speak it as first language. Our church has folks who are "stateside" by culture and those who are "islanders" by culture. I have lived in three countries where English was spoken as one of the languages yet have truly been amazed by the differences once you get beyond the words. Maranatha Baptist Church is truly a blend of cultures united by a common Saviour and common language.
William Hamilton - Puerto Rico
On June 8, 2008, we arrived in Kingston Jamaica and were able to moved into our own home after the first month. We have joined in the work of Rob and Christy Westlake in getting a church started in Portmore, a "suburb" of Kingston. The work has progressed slowly, as the people are very intrenched in their traditions and family ties. After three months in country, due to visa and new work permit restrictions, we have been asked to leave Jamaica until our permits are granted. Please pray that these will be approved very soon and that we can be back on the field in short order.
Swante and Linda Lindquist - Jamaica
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This unique summer will long be remembered. Joy and I spent the first week of June at Candidate school. This year we pinned David and Terri Long, who had been with BIMI several years ago. As veteran missionaries from Nigeria, they now feel God's call to Trinidad. It is their goal to see a new church planted in that island. We also pinned Nathan Owens and his fiancée, Renee Johnsonbaugh. God has called them to serve at Caribbean Radio Lighthouse where they have both done summer internships. Nathan is an engineer, and Renee is an accountant. Their heartbeat is to see souls come to the Saviour through the broadcasting of the Word.
After the pinning service on Friday night, Joy and I drove to Atlanta to catch an early morning flight to the Dominican Republic. Our Caribbean Field Conference started on Monday, and we needed to make final preparations. We were blessed to have Dr. Creed and June back with us this year. As our keynote speaker, Dr. James Ray and his dear wife, Mary, came and shared their lives with us. Each morning, Mary shared an hour with the ladies. Dr. Ray was just himself, a veteran missionary who related to each of the missionaries. Each missionary was given time to inform us about their ministry, family, and burdens. The transparency of the testimonies stirred our hearts, and we came away realizing that we need to pray for one another. Our missionary children had their own conference under the direction of Evangelist Rocky Williams and his wife, Faith. They organized the children and taught them some basic Bible doctrines. On the final night of our conference, the children provided a demonstration of what they had learned during the four days. One could tell that the missionary children loved being with each other, and they loved being able to "show off" a little of what they had learned. When the field conference ended and the "good-byes" were said, we were already thinking of next year. You don't want to miss the opportunity to come and participate in the 2009 Caribbean Field Conference. One family said, "Our children can't wait to come back". Another said, "the accommodations are the best we have ever had." One said, "This was a real time of encouragement." Dr. Creed said, "Let's plan on doing this again next year only not so soon after Candidate School." So we have scheduled the Embassy Suites Resort Hotel for June 22-26, 2009.
Immediately following our Field Conference, Gary flew to Haiti to be with Don and Benji Dryden for the graduation ceremony of their Bible institute. Going to Haiti is always a memorable experience. Upon arrival at the main terminal in Port-au-prince, I had to transfer to the domestic terminal. Since my flight arrived late, I anxiously awaited my luggage. Of course, it was the last to be brought from the airplane. A Haitian fellow met me and escorted me (for a nice tip) around the customs inspectors so that I could catch my pre-planned taxi ride down to the other end of the airport. Arriving just in time for the scheduled departure, I was informed that it would be delayed. Finally I boarded the flight to Port-au-paix. The plane was packed full of paying passengers and our baggage was left behind for the morning flight. Being a veteran missionary, I took all this in stride. I knew that whenever things don't go as planned, Satan is just trying to discourage. To see what the Lord was doing in the Northwestern area of Haiti was an encouragement that could not be explained. On Saturday, the church was packed with family, friends, pastors, and the graduates that had worked for over five years to complete the Bible program. Seventeen national men had finally finished the course, and they were honored that day for their faithfulness. It was a joy to preach the commencement message. I realized that each one of those men is a leader in his local church. Some have already started new churches. These churches are being taught the Word of God as their pastors have been instructed. Much time and devotion has been invested in the students and graduates of the Bible institute. These graduates are multiplying the faithful ministry of Don and Benji Dryden. Praise the Lord for the multiplied fruit from this ministry.
The pinning service, the Field Conference, and the Haitian graduation made this a summer to remember. I trust that your summer of 2008 was "a summer to remember."
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After the pinning service on Friday night, Joy and I drove to Atlanta to catch an early morning flight to the Dominican Republic. Our Caribbean Field Conference started on Monday, and we needed to make final preparations. We were blessed to have Dr. Creed and June back with us this year. As our keynote speaker, Dr. James Ray and his dear wife, Mary, came and shared their lives with us. Each morning, Mary shared an hour with the ladies. Dr. Ray was just himself, a veteran missionary who related to each of the missionaries. Each missionary was given time to inform us about their ministry, family, and burdens. The transparency of the testimonies stirred our hearts, and we came away realizing that we need to pray for one another. Our missionary children had their own conference under the direction of Evangelist Rocky Williams and his wife, Faith. They organized the children and taught them some basic Bible doctrines. On the final night of our conference, the children provided a demonstration of what they had learned during the four days. One could tell that the missionary children loved being with each other, and they loved being able to "show off" a little of what they had learned. When the field conference ended and the "good-byes" were said, we were already thinking of next year. You don't want to miss the opportunity to come and participate in the 2009 Caribbean Field Conference. One family said, "Our children can't wait to come back". Another said, "the accommodations are the best we have ever had." One said, "This was a real time of encouragement." Dr. Creed said, "Let's plan on doing this again next year only not so soon after Candidate School." So we have scheduled the Embassy Suites Resort Hotel for June 22-26, 2009.
Immediately following our Field Conference, Gary flew to Haiti to be with Don and Benji Dryden for the graduation ceremony of their Bible institute. Going to Haiti is always a memorable experience. Upon arrival at the main terminal in Port-au-prince, I had to transfer to the domestic terminal. Since my flight arrived late, I anxiously awaited my luggage. Of course, it was the last to be brought from the airplane. A Haitian fellow met me and escorted me (for a nice tip) around the customs inspectors so that I could catch my pre-planned taxi ride down to the other end of the airport. Arriving just in time for the scheduled departure, I was informed that it would be delayed. Finally I boarded the flight to Port-au-paix. The plane was packed full of paying passengers and our baggage was left behind for the morning flight. Being a veteran missionary, I took all this in stride. I knew that whenever things don't go as planned, Satan is just trying to discourage. To see what the Lord was doing in the Northwestern area of Haiti was an encouragement that could not be explained. On Saturday, the church was packed with family, friends, pastors, and the graduates that had worked for over five years to complete the Bible program. Seventeen national men had finally finished the course, and they were honored that day for their faithfulness. It was a joy to preach the commencement message. I realized that each one of those men is a leader in his local church. Some have already started new churches. These churches are being taught the Word of God as their pastors have been instructed. Much time and devotion has been invested in the students and graduates of the Bible institute. These graduates are multiplying the faithful ministry of Don and Benji Dryden. Praise the Lord for the multiplied fruit from this ministry.
The pinning service, the Field Conference, and the Haitian graduation made this a summer to remember. I trust that your summer of 2008 was "a summer to remember."
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Missionaries of the Day
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
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
Dr. Pat & June CreedAssistant Caribbean Director
Gary and Joy SprungerRead more about the Sprungers.
He can be contacted through the BIMI office
(423) 344-5050.
