A Celebration of Life

". . .ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour. . .James 4:14"

On December 8, when we said goodbye to our niece, Leslie, the thought that this was our last time to get one of her fantastic hugs in this life never occurred to any of us.  Leslie was struck by a speeding driver on December 20 and was fatally injured. She died a few hours after the accident while being airlifted to Greenville, NC.

At Leslie's memorial service,  several friends responded to the invitation after the message by Pastor Randy Martin. The next day at the grave, her friend Ashley shared with me that she is trusting in Christ alone..

 

Leslie's death has caused all who knew and loved her to mourn deeply.  While she is greatly missed, we believe her death is a message to all to embrace life and live each day to the fullest for Christ. Her vibrant smile and personality touched many lives.  What provides us comfort is the hope that we will see her again. Following a period of struggles, there was evident change in the past 2 years that was consistent with the growth that should follow her profession of faith in Christ made at a Christian camp about 10 years ago.

The funeral brought loved ones and friends together to share the sorrow and remember the love. Clare and Jesse came for the day from Chesapeake and Amy and Rob with the children from Tampa.

Clare, Amber and Amy posed together at the meal after to graveside service . . .

. . . and Granddaddy caught a moment with two very special second cousins---Granddaughter Noelle and Grandniece Ava.

All of my mom's great-grandchildren, shown above (except unborn Alex,), pretty much fill up the couch!

No one gives my mom a brighter smile than Amber and Justin's three oldest children.  To be able to smile through our tears is a blessing.  We can celebrate the loss of a loved one in Christ. In Christ it is not death to die; it is the continuation of the eternal life that began at the moment of salvation.  We sorrow not as those who have no hope.

God's Work is Still Going Forward

". . . establish thou the work of our hands. . . Psalm 90:17" 

On December 5-7 we were able to be in our hometown for the 50th anniversary of Lake Park BaptistChurch.

My mother and I were charter members and Tony was saved there in 1973.  The Lord allowed us to be married there in 1979 and have been their missionaries to South Africa since 1988.  A few years ago, Lake View Park Baptist Church merged with Victory Baptist Church, another supporting church. This merger has been blessed of the Lord.  They are very blessed to have Pastor Jeremy Kobernat leading God's work forward.

Tony taught the combined adult Sunday School. The charter members received a lovely framing to commemorate the work began under Pastor Rudolph Evans.

The charter members received a lovely framing to commemorate the work began under Pastor Rudolph Evans. His widow, Mrs. Ruth Evans, shared a wonderful testimony.

Also Bro. Perry Dickens  and  . . .

Bro. Johnie Lassiter shared testimonies as charter members.

During the weekend we enjoyed time with dear ones, including our niece, Leslie (right). . .

and with my brother, Dave, . . .

and Amber, our other niece (and her children pictured above).

The day we left we had breakfast with Leslie, her mom, Pat, and Mrs. Evans. We thank the Lord for all the memories from this weekend, but especially this one.

Released Time Christmas Role Playing

". . . call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21"

 Our Released Time students enjoyed role playing the story of the nativity at their last class of 2014.

 The shepherds keeping watch over the sheep . . .

. . . were told by the angels of Christ's birth in Bethlehem.

 

After meeting the Christ-child, they made haste to share the good news of His birth.

Each week we stress the importance of believing in the Savior for forgiveness of sins.

 A few days before Christmas,  we visited the homes of our students and left plates of Christmas cookies.

 Sophia helped sign their Christmas cards stuffed with Christmas tracts in English and Spanish.

"Count your blessings"

". . . be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.Psalm 100:4-5"
This month of counting blessings includes . . .

.  .  . being thankful for mothers.  Tony and I the opportunity to show love to his mother when we visited her for a couple of days before Thanksgiving.

 .  .  .  being thankful for ability to work. Tony was able to paint his mother's carport roof and I finished the painting of the underpinning of the home to match the roof.

.  .  .  being thankful for friends.  Bing and her children visited and since our furniture was moved into a Pod for the flooring project, our "tea" was a little indoor "picnic tea"

 .  .  . being thankful for the Lord's provision for the flooring.

 .  .  . being thankful for good things to eat and friends to share them with. Emily's friend, Catherine, joined us for soup and salad and shared with us about her visit to Emily and Ethan in Cambodia.

  .  .  . being thankful for the opportunity to visit with Tony at a supporting church and have a wiener roast with families in the church.  

  .  .  . being thankful for the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with Christian friends.

 .  .  . being thankful for Trometers, Barnetts and Chins who shared Thankgiving with us.

Missions conference in Millville, PA

"Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields . . . .John 4:35"

"Open my eyes, Lord" was the theme of the missions' conference October 29 - November 2 at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Millville, PA. This was our sixth conference there. Our first one was in 1987 and each time the fellowship with and love for this church family, who have supported us the past 27 years, grow deeper.

After the 650 mile drive up to PA,  Tony took the children's church on "a trip to South Africa" . . . .

 . . . and I taught them the gospel using the wordless book colours from South Africa's flag.

 Afterwards the children enjoyed their first cup of rooibos (red bush) tea.

On Friday evening, Tony preached the first of two parts on Acts 1. 

         
Ladies of all ages enjoyed the brunch at Perkins on Saturday.

 One of my dear young friends there is Maddy. I can remember when her parents when they began to date.

And her "Nana," Paula, has been a dear friend all these years.

We enjoyed staying with Yosts for a second time. Ferne tempted us with ice cream every evening!

 It was our first time to see and enjoy romanesco, along with the other yummy multi-colored cauliflower!

 "Uncle" Tony and Sam got on famously.  Sam's older siblings crept into our hearts as well. They are children of Joel and Sarah Wagner, who are preparing to ministry in India and Myanmar under Bibles International.

 The children's choir ministered on Sunday evening,

 . . . before Tony preached the closing message of the conference.

Opportunities in October

"Redeem the time . . . . Ephesians 5:16"

One couple who practices this verse are Dave and Claudia Barba whom we had the privilege to meet and share fellowship with in September.  We are praying with them for the Lord's leading.

It was a joy to have long-time friend, Chris Baker, join us for a meal while Sandy was in California visiting her mother in late September. We also got better acquainted with new friends, David and Stephanie Heimann and their children, Isaiah and Jerusha.

During the first week in October, we were very thankful for the visit of our niece, Leslie, and her mother, Pat. Their visit did my mother a world of good. We wish they could have stayed longer

On the 10th, I spoke at the Ladies' Missionary Prayer Group and shared specific ways God had been answering their prayers in South Africa in the past 2 years.

We enjoyed fellowship with friends, Ralph and Ruth Smith, when we attended a revival service at their church on October 17.

Tony removed of the carpets and sub-flooring in the dining area in preparation for the floor work to be done 

in November while we travel to PA, GA and for meetings.

Rita and her husband, Jimmy and son, Ryan, came for dinner two days before we left for PA. We were blessed to hear their testimonies of salvation. Rita and I continue to meet for Bible study almost weekly.

In October, we finished up teaching through the Creation week to our K-5 Released Time class. 

This photo shows part of the class. Some of the verses these children quoted at our last class were: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:31, Psalm 33:6 and Romans 3:23.  May God use these truths to bring them to salvation!