A Little Prep for Easter!

When I watched this I got the Holy Ghost Goosebumps. I pray you will be encouraged by the message and its presentation. Just like the shoes were empty, so was the grave of Jesus Christ!

Thanks to the folks at Second Baptist of Houston.

Thanks for the Great Support!



HOPE TO SEE YOU!
Please pray for the success of this sale!



Did you know that rummage sales can be an expression of the Body of Christ? Well ours was! We had people giving us items to sell with great determination to raise money for Mission:Kenya. I am always amazed at how much "stuff" comes through the doors and ends up on our display tables, ... under the tables, ... against the walls, ... hanging from a cable suspended between the volleyball poles.

But suppport of our Family of believers was also experienced in the getting items from the original bags and boxes onto the display tables. I so deeply appreciate those many hands that made the work lighter.

I was very proud of the organization and presentation of our "marketing department". It was simply gorgeous.

And then there was the deluge of buyers on Saturday morning. Mission:Kenyan teammates had to enter a secret door in order to get in without being stampeeded. Outfitted in our bright orange team shirts we greeted folks; made up prices; took their money; assisted people in getting their purchases to their cars; cleaned up afterwards!

All in all I think Jesus was proud of His Family serving Him through serving others.

Many thanks to all of you who helped pray and play a strategic part in a successful sale. Praise the Lord for the generous outpouring of love and financial gifts. 

Need Something? It could be here!

HOPE TO SEE YOU!
Please pray for the success of this sale!

Thanks for the Prayers

The Lord gave us a wonderful Missions Conference. It was a time of encouragement as we heard testimonies highlighting God's around our area, the USA, and the world. It was instructional as we examined the Scriptures gleaning new insights. May each of us act on what the Holy Spirit has convinced us to so as a response.

I am also thankful for the Lord's provision of money for materials needed for our mission trip as well as commentaries for seminary students in Uganda.

PRAISE THE LORD AND MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED!!

Answering the Call

Meet my friend Sandy Carroll. Actually I should have met her over two decades ago when Dave was in a prayer/study partnership with her husband Mike. I missed many years of fun by not spending time with her earlier in my life. Here is her story about joining the Mission:Kenya.

For many years, I have been involved in mission in one way or another.Mike and I have welcomed missionary students into our home, worked on mission projects and offered support whenever needed.  We love hearing all about how God is working in their lives and the lives of people they reach.  I have always wanted to do a short term missions trip on foreign land, but the timing never seemed right.

In February 2010I read a wonderful book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. In June, my church family was challenged to read "Radical" by David Platt.  The more I read and studied God's word, I knew that someday I would go and share the gospel with others in a foreign country.  After finishing my Radical study, Beth Calvert mentioned going to Kenya to minister to orphans at Into Abba's Arms.  I knew this was where God wanted me to go.

Col. 1.6 declares,  "This same Good News that came to you is going out all over ther world.  It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace."
Please remember to pray for our team as we deliver the Good News in Kenya.

PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for River Cities Missions Conference 3/20-23. We will be raising money for the mission project which includes materials for the Mission:Kenya Vacation Bible School; curriculum needs for the Children's Chapel on Sunday mornings which reach out to the community; materials for Saturday Bible studies for Into Abba's Arms children.

Pieces of the Puzzle

Do you like to put together puzzles? As long as the puzzle is relatively easy I enjoy the challenge of matching colors, assembling pieces, and hopefully turning all those little jagged pieces of cardboard into what matches the box top picture.

With a normal puzzle the picture on the box top provides a clear goal of what you are expecting to match with the pile of pieces. I mentally subdivide the puzzle into portions I think I can conquer with ease and then go after those colors, putting them together the best I can. I always hope some friend will come along and attempt the harder portions I prefer to ignore.

There are many portions to the puzzle of a mission trip. With Mission:Kenya I have in my heart and mind what I understand God wants us to accomplish. I am fairly certain the general format most of those portions should take.

Fundraising is one of those portions that I cannot do. It is one that only God can do. We saw that happen this week. The payment for our plane tickets was due on Wednesday, March 9th. We had accomplished several fundraisers and have a few more planned, but the money for airfares was due three months earlier than what was projected to beat the cost of rising gas prices. We prayed. I still fretted as I examined some folk's accounts. More prayer. 

But God put the puzzle together. He made sure certain checks were in the mail "just in time". He also worked with the IRS so that a particular tax return arrived at the perfect time. The generosity of the Praise & Worship Concert was a huge asset. Money which had been tucked away for this point was put into place. So today all the airfares were purchased.

Praise His Name!

Into Abba's Arms here we come!

We Had Too Much Fun!

We had everyone praying for the Worship & Praise Concert. Our hopes for delighting in the Lord; casting a vision for Mission:Kenya; and giving people an opportunity to participate in a freewill offering were realized. But it must be noted that we had too much fun!

The River Cities Choir is a fun loving bunch. Whenever they sing it is truly to praise Jesus Christ, (and sometimes to keep a smile on Brenda's face). They belted out songs that made you want to stand and honor the Lord.

Hurricane First Baptist Choir did a great job with the leadership of some soloists, and the accompaniment of a small orchestra. Gorgeous work to praise the King.

Jerica Hibner had to have touched the heart of God with the songs she sang.

Antioch Missionary Baptist Choir, of Huntington, seriously "feels" the music, which encouraged us to move, maybe dance, or sway or ..... They stretched those notes and brought emotion to their praise of the Lord.

The River Cities Youth Band provided still another style of lifting up the Name of Jesus, and it was sensational.

The fun totally was overwhelming though when the Antioch Mens' Chorus took the platform. Participation was demanded. No one could be still, unless they were dead. It was enough to work up a sweat.

Best of all was experiencing all the choirs sing together at the closing;  a large variety of believers but in unity worshipping the Lord of All.

We are so grateful for all those who came. The offering totalled over $3,700!!