Birthday Blessings: Lots of Bible, Lots of Blessings!

My birthday party (I will be 53 Monday) put me in the mood to meditate on how I have been using my time, and I am happy to say that most of it has been positive.These last few months, we have filled up our weeks with a lot of times and places where we can share the word of God with others and it has proved to be a great blessing.

Monday through Friday, I give morning devotions to 50 high school students. Some afternoons and evenings I am responsible for the teaching of a variety of classes at Puerto Rico Baptist College, but even in classes like Physics or Chemistry, we relate each concept with biblical teachings. Fridays, I go in extra early and to give devotions to the teachers. Wednesday and Sunday, I preach and teach at the church we are starting up in the interior mountain region of the island.

The only day I am not scheduled to teach or preach is Saturday, and then I may have an opportunity to share my faith with someone as we visit and invite people to come to our church. Saturday is always a great day for Bible study in preparation for our Sunday services.

Do I get tired? Yes! But it is a good kind of tired! I don't mind getting tired if I am having fun! A week full of sharing the Bible with others is always a great week!

I was afraid to believe it was true, but I’m so glad it was!

Tina opened a letter from our mission agency and said, “Hey, look at this!” She showed me that two significant special offerings had come in.

One was for $400 from Sierra Baptist in New Castle, California. (Thank you!). I had preached at a mission’s conference in their church just a few weeks ago. They paid for my airfare, around $500, and this $400 love offering was on top of that. It was a great meeting and we are grateful for the love and support.

The first special offering we could understand, but there was a second one. Tina read the second item to me, “$2,500 from Puyallup Community Baptist Church, Puyallup, Washington has been given as a special offering.” My heart beat faster and I was astonished, then a bit afraid. Maybe it was really $250 and it is a misprint. They are a supporting church, but I had not heard about any mission’s conference or anything.

I gave the church a call and thanked them for the offering. I spoke of my momentary doubt and said we just wanted to verify the amount before we wrote any checks. The secretary said the church did not have any special missions program that month, but that an individual who wished to remain anonymous gave just such an offering to our ministry.

The secretary said,”It must be a great feeling to receive an offering like that all at once, when you were not expecting it.”

She was right about that! Amen and may God richly bless both Sierra Baptist of New Castle, California and Mr. Anonymous of Puyallup Community Baptist Church, Washington!

The other shoe..? I hope so!

"If any body from the government calls, tell them you are not paying rent, that we are just letting you use the building for free."

Tina got this odd phone call from the owner of our church building last week.

Four months ago he rejected our regular rent check of $500, and has not allowed us to pay them since then. We were concerned and have been waiting for the "other shoe to drop."
Were they going to evict us? What did it all mean?

We heard that there were problems between the owner, the former owners, missing papers and the tax-man. It appears that they were not supposed to rent it, or have not payed taxes on the rent collected, or..many other variations of that theme.

What this means to us:

1. Our prayer: "Lord show us where we should locate our church" has been answered for the time being! It is hard to beat a "rent free" church building!

2. If we are asked to say we do not pay rent, we don't have to pay the rent. Hooray! That means a $500 saving every month. Even if they start the rent up again, we can't be asked to pay back rent. We have saved $2000 so far.

3. If we must start paying rent again, we may, by that time, have saved enough for a down-payment for a building in a better location.

4. We must live by faith: The rent free situation could last for years or just be a temporary boost for us. Either way, we rejoice!

I went to California for a great missons conference..!

Sierra Baptist Church, of Newcastle, California hosted the "Heartbeat of God" Missions Conference this weekend. I flew in from Puerto Rico and was treated to good fellowship, great hospitality and inspiring services. Thanks to Dave Klem, the event organizer, the conference went smoothly and all the missionaries got a chance to share their burdens, visions and past progress on their respective fields.

My special thanks to the Linder family, who took me sight-seeing and to the Yefimovs for the great hospitality and to their kids for teaching me some Russian.For a look-see at the conference, visit http://www.heartbeat-of-God.org/

Personal Goal Announcement

Last Saturday I went to the University of Puerto Rico and took an exam from their Physics teacher. He was giving exams for a FCC Radio License that enables those who hold it to use a kind of shortwave radio for worldwide communications. I was teaching a Physics class myself at our Bible college, so I just did a little more study and I qualified to take the exam. I was afraid I would do badly and be a poor testimony, but the Lord answered my prayers and I passed the test with a 100! My new FCC designation is WP4NVR.

I didn't know babies would take up so much room!

The church attendance went down during my last absence, but last Sunday, we had a special service and many came. Three couples presented their babies during the morning service. I am happy they brought their extended families as well, as it filled up our church nicely!

Who would have thought that three babies could fill up a church? Well, I am glad they did!

Babies in Church! Handfulls of blessings!

We are having 2 sisters present their two new babies in church tomorrow. Another couple is doing the same. Three babies in arms makes for a handful! Time to get a crib! We have a sofa in the back of the church the mothers used but now we have to get with it and get a real nursery going. A crib costs about $200 and we need at least two for now.

I am trying to change our emphasis to younger couples. We have had good success with elderly people, but funerals, sickness and especially Alzheimer's among our church group has really reduced our attendance lately. These three infants and their parents represent the beginnings of what I hope will be many more young couples coming into our church.

The “Chair Force”

Some men in the military make fun of pilots who fly remote controlled aircraft in combat. They call these stay at home soldiers “The Chair Force” instead of the “Air Force.”

But think for a moment of this scenario:

A man is sitting in a chair in Nevada, watching his computer monitor and flying an airplane in Afghanistan …

“In front of him is a live video from the Predator's camera, thousands of feet above the desert floor. Buildings and trucks come into view. He zooms in and out. Grainy images appear of a few airmen loading a truck. On his left, he grabs a shifter that controls the drone's speed. On his right, a pistol-grip stick adjusts the flaps. The stick also has a trigger for the missiles …”

This man can see a need on the other side of the world, push a button, remove a problem and contribute to a victory! Even from far away, a man can make victory possible by doing something that seems small, but in reality, means the difference between life and death, victory or defeat.

Wow! But wait…You can do something even better!

Just like the “Chair Force” pilot, you can see the needs we missionaries face from far away by reading our prayer letters and our blogs. You too can do something right now to solve a problem. You have the power of prayer, and also the opportunity to push a button that will help make victory possible for us out here on the front lines! The power you have and the battles we fight are of great importance. Victories are won by working together, each doing what he can to make it happen. We hope you can help us out here on the frontlines. Please push whatever buttons you need to, so we can get the “Chair Support” we need!

If you can’t be in the Air Force, join the Chair Force! Victories are won when we all do our part.

Blessings for Obedience

Did you ever give up something for the Lord and then receive a blessing for it later? That happened to me today!

Before I became a missionary, I was interested in electronics. I even got a FCC Technicians license and was proud of my call sign: KA7URH. This allowed me to use a Ham ("Amateur," 2-way long distance) radio.

Well, I got the license, but never got on the air! The radios were to expensive! Now, with a wife and two teenage daughters at home and two in college, this is even more true. Life on a missionary budget meant that hobbies must be left behind.

But something happened!

The fine folks at "Blessings for Obedience" heard about us and sent us a FREE radio (a Kenwood TS-430s)! They also included a solar panel, battery and other stuff so we can use it around the island, even after a hurricane has knocked out all the power.

Thank you, Blessings for Obedience! Just the cost of shipping the equipment was close to $90. We thank the people who donated the equipment and those dedicated missionary helpers who took it upon themselves to put this useful technology into our hand!

I hope to get on the radio soon, and thank you over the airwaves in person!

Dios Les Bendiga (May the Lord Bless You All)!

Odd Evangelism?

After prayer meeting last Wednesday, we walked to our car and on the way happened to meet the funeral director.

He said, “Hey. I invited somebody to your church!”

I was intrigued. He had never been to our church! I asked about the person. The funeral director told us that he met an older woman who was looking for a church and thought of us, so he invited the elderly lady to our church.

I asked him, “Well, can you show me where she lives?”

He replied,” What, right now? OK! Let’s go for it!”

So we climbed the sidewalk stairs that took us about two city blocks up the hill and knocked on her door.

A teenager peeked out the window, saw my visitation partner and shouted “Mom, it’s the funeral home!”

I met the woman, a 62 year old lady named Virginia. She invited us in and heard the Good News gladly. The next week, Virginia made a profession of faith in Christ and plans to worship with us next Sunday.

You just never know where your next church member may come from. The may even be brought to you by the funeral director!

Something is up, but what?

The landlord of the building we rent for our church refused to take our July rent check and returned the one from June as well. I was concerned and asked why, but he said he was having trouble with his taxes and could not take anymore rent from us for for a bit, but not to worry. He said he might be making a decision about the building soon, but that it could be very much in our favor.

What could it be? Please pray! Different scenarios, from giving us the building for free to our church having to move soon, have crossed my mind. Even if it was free, would we find some hidden tax debt attached? I don't want to say "NO" and miss a blessing, but we don't want to say "Yes" and get a Trojan horse either.

I know about this verse:

James 1:5-6 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

I confess, I feel a bit like that wave. We need that wisdom that James 1:5-6 and following speaks of. Please help us pray for it.

Happy Birthday Sarah and Kristin!

Sarah and Kristin turn 15 today! I am on the road visiting churches, but I hope the phone calls, emails and the presents I sent for your birthday today made it a happier one.

Free MP3 English or Spanish Bible downloads

I am reprograming my mind by listening to some pretty good stuff: the Word of God. I just got myself a little mp3 player and plan on listening to Proverbs in Spanish today on a walk. This site (http://www.audiotreasure.com/) has some free downloads for your mp3 player or you can burn them to disk for the car. They have English downloads also.

In Spanish, We use the Reina-Valera version, and this is available too, at least the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. http://www.audiobiblia.org/indexenglish.html

Know of any good stuff? Let us know!

One Month Mini-Furlough

Our Vacation Bible School was not even over when I jumped on an airplane and flew to Pensacola, Florida. I spent a few days with my daughters and future son-in-laws at their college and then drove to New York for a month of missionary meetings in various churches.

The little town of Perth, near Albany, New York, is the home of Perth Bible Church. I am staying in their missionary apartment for the month of July. It is a great blessing to have a place to stay between meetings and a place with the privacy needed to get some serious studying done.

I just spoke in all three services at Valley Baptist Church in Mt. Morris, New York. It is a town of about 4,500. It is a patriotic place and in fact is the birthplace of the Baptist pastor who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance. My host, Pastor Phillips has a business, Allegiance Antiques, that reflects that patriotism in its decor. He and his wife Joan received me well and it was a pleasure to stay with them.

I met some Puerto Ricans in the congregation, that I hear visit the island often. One told me that he would stop by my town and take me to visit his relatives in Puerto Rico. That's what I like to hear! I hope that this meeting will lead to a closer link between our ministries.

Tina is alone with Sarah and Kristin in Puerto Rico for the month of July. Don't be shy, drop her a line or make a phone call. We all need some encouragement once in a while, even me!

VBS, Puerto Rican Style

Yep, we have Vacation Bible School on the mission field. It is like in the States, except in another language, in another culture, with different food and with a lot less help. Plus it is a lot hotter in the tropics. But besides that, kids here like games, puppets and stories just like kids everywhere.

Please pray for our busy week that it would go well and yield fruit.

Scary Stuff

One of our faithful elderly men missed a few Sundays, so we went to visit him. He seemed normal, but I had an uneasy feeling that something was up. That something happened just last week and gave us a scare.

One night around 11pm, I heard a car honk and saw him out in front of the house. He had a “vision” of my wife Tina dead from a nail in the head and said that the Twins called him to come rescue them. I said, “But you don’t even have a phone.” He said, “Yes, but Sarah called out to me and I heard her voice in my mind.”

One of his adult daughters, Gloria, was with him and motioned to me that he was crazy. She had brought him by because he insisted on seeing that we were alright and refused to go to bed until he knew.

I thanked him for his concern, prayed with him and later visited the daughter to find out what was going on. She said that he had begun hearing voices, and often talks to people who are not there. Recently the voices in his head say there is evil in our home and that he should burn it to rescue us from it!

What to do? This guy was a friend and a great help up to about 3 months ago, and now we have to worry about him showing up one day and burning down our house because he loves us so much. Yikes!

We bought some new locks for the front gate, and our front porch and upgraded all the security around our house. But what we need is your prayers. We don’t want to become paranoid, but is it paranoia when someone really is out to get you? I think not.

I went to see him again, but they had admitted him to a psychiatric hospital for a few days and would only let family in to see him. He has recently been discharged and is supposed to be guarded by at least two family members 24 hours a day. Our concern is that he might get away and hitch-hike into town and drop by our house.

It is sad and stressful losing a friend to something like this, let alone having to worry about a stalker. Another ripple in all this is that I will be away from home all July , speaking in Mission Conferences in New York state. Please pray for us, our safety and our peace of mind. It would be a blessing to us if you would drop us a line and let us know you are praying for us.

What does an artist feel like when they sell their first painting?

I don’t know, but you can ask our daughter Bethany!

Last week she got engaged and this week she finished her first commercial art project.

Bethany is doing a required internship where she creates commissioned art under the supervision of professional artists. This means she does not have much of a vacation, but on the other hand, she gets paid for doing her art.

Congratulations Bethany!

Online Dictionary for French, English, Spanish, Italian, German.

Online Dictionary for French, English, Spanish, Italian, German.

This site hosts the best free online Spanish dictionary I have found.

Training Faithful Men for the Ministry.

These two men are assistant pastors right now and both are preparing to become pastors. I am training them Thursday nights, from 7-10 PM. This last semester we studied Biblical Geography and Introduction to New Testament Greek.

Marcos (left) is going to become an interim pastor this week for a missionary friend of mine. He will fill in when missionaries are on furlough and get some good experience in preparation for getting his own church. Roberto (Center) is serving as an assistant pastor but may continue with his construction company for a while, but feels led to pastor someday. The guy on the right is me.

Please pray for us all, as their studies and my commuting and lesson preparation time is a sacrifice. I am happy to spend and be spent discipling men like this, but it can be draining, physically and financially. Your support and words of encouragement make a difference and help us to keep up this good work.

Some of our work is paying off!

One of our graduates is staying and helping us for a bit.

The pictures are from when our students held a birthday party our for our newest and youngest teacher, Rafael. He is a Engineering graduate from Colombia, South America. I taught him here over the last few years and am pleased to see him teaching with us. He plans to be a missionary to Colombia and is raising funds right now to go. He plans on starting a Seminary in country, possibly in the city of Cartegena. In the meantime he will continue in his new position as a teacher here at Puerto Rico Baptist College.

We plan on starting a Seminary here too. I am hopeful that he will help us with this and continue to give us input later, as he develops a similar ministry in his country, Colombia.

Graduations at Puerto Baptist College

The graduation went fine, we had nine graduates this year and an enrollment of about 50. In the photo are just a few of our graduates.

Although only four girls are in this picture they represent many different combinations. Lissette (on the left) is Mexican, but from the Bay Area of California, she is perfectly Bilingual. Next to her is Stephanie from Burlington, Vermont. She represents students who come to our school because they want to study missions ON the mission field! What a good idea! Then Muriel is from Mexico but does not speak any English yet. at the extreme right is Deborah, from Peru. She was going to study engineering in Peru but came to study Bible here with us for a bit and stayed to complete all four years. She met Patricio, a student we had from Texas. She graduated and went to Texas to marry him just last week.

So they come and go, some to the States, some to other countries. What a joy to be in this special place, this crossroads of ministry and missionary activity. We are especially happy to see our ministry affecting areas where we have supporting churches, like in the Bay Area of California. It is nice to be able to return something to help the churches that are supporting us!

We are pleased to announce…!

BOTH our daughters just got engaged!

Bethany is engaged to Abe Kennedy, who is studying to be a youth pastor, and Rachel is engaged to Max Kennedy, Abe’s brother. Max is studying to be a pastor or missionary. Both couples plan on going to graduate school.

We are pleased with their engagements and exited about their prospects for the future!

Church Growth and Family Happiness

I read this in a "Our Daily Bread " devotional for today.

"A builder in California has come up with an innovative idea to sell his houses. He thinks that a good way to make a house more appealing is to have a family there when showing the house. So he hires actors to play happy families in his company’s model homes. Would-be buyers can ask them questions about the house. Each fake family cooks, watches television, and plays games while house-hunters wander through."

The builder is right! The presence of a happy family in a house does make it more attractive. The buyers feel that if the house can make one family happy, their family can be happy there as well.

The church is called "The house of God." We can make that house more attractive to others if we have happy families inside! We want others to come and make it their home. If "play acting" a happy family can do it, imagine how effective genuine happiness can be!

We are working here in Puerto Rico to heal families and establish a home for them in God's house, the church. We hope to share with others the happiness we receive from serving the Lord and building His church.

The saying "the more, the merrier" really does apply when you have an inexhaustible supply of something worth sharing! What God has for us is just that. He has made for us a real family and supplied it with everything that a real family needs to be happy. Let's get some families to enjoy a real relationship with God in God's house, and we just might see others wanting to join.

Psalm 68 :5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Staying Posted but Helping Hands Needed

" ... The gatekeepers at each gate did not need to leave their posts,

because their fellow Levites made the preparations for them. " 2Ch 35:15

We are well aware that it is through the labors of our fellow servants that we are able to continue serving at our post on the mission field.

With the recent car accident and two daughters in college, this help has become even more important. It is a temptation to put aside our regular work of ministry and get other jobs to raise the needed funds (about $9000), but then who would do the evangelism and church planting, or train our students at the Bible college? We are on the field to do these things and struggle to remain until the job is done.

Please help us remain at our post, serving the Lord. Your help makes a difference.