APRIL 2018
Dear Praying Family and Friends,
RETREAT – The first week in April our church hosted the annual IBIMI Retreat. This year we wanted to honor the older members of our advisory board. Those who could come were DeWayne Felber, Glen Jaspers, Paul Hiscock, Bud Wells, Bill Rice and Jerry Tetreau. It was a very special time as each missionary shared with these men how they had been an encouragement and help to them in their ministry over the years. We are thankful to have had this time of fellowship. With missionary families, the advisory board members and wives, attendance totaled around forty-eight. An added blessing was having Pastor Felber and long-time friend, Harry Stone, stay in our home during that time.
But we were reminded once again how swiftly life can change. Pastor and Harry flew home on Monday, and we received word that the Lord chose to take Pastor Felber home to be with Him three days later. Needless to say, we were shocked and saddened. There are times when we have to say to the Lord, “We don’t understand, but we choose to trust You in this too,” David and Becky DeFord, who were also here at the time, invited us to ride back to Indiana for the funeral. The service was a wonderful tribute to Pastor Felber’s love for the Lord and we are so thankful we could attend. What a blessing it was to know Pastor over these years and to see his faithfulness and desire to serve the Lord up to the last day of his life.
MOTHER/DAUGHTER BANQUET – Our Mother/Daughter Banquet was held earlier than normal, as we asked Becky DeFord to be our guest speaker and they would only be in the area until the first of May. Twenty-one ladies and girls came out for a blessing-filled evening. Becky’s message on “Be Still and Know That I Am God,” was very timely, reminding us that in the midst of all the “noise” in our busy lives, we need to be still, spend time with the Lord, and let God speak to our hearts.
WEST BRANCH LADIES SPRING GETAWAY – Naomi and Bev were the only ladies able to attend the meeting hosted by Northland Baptist Church in Flagstaff. It truly was a refreshing getaway with about 175 other ladies.
PRAISES:
*For the privilege of being under the teaching of Pastor Felber for ten years before
we came to the mission field
*For recent visitors at Sunday services
*For many opportunities to fellowship and be refreshed and challenged in our walk
with the Lord.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
*The health of our Youth Pastor, Paul Sondergaard
*Complete healing for Rachel, who had a toe removed due to diabetes
*Modular replacement – Gary was finally able to speak to the man in charge of Pod Space and was told a modular like the one the road crew is renting would run about $80,000 to purchase. It would seem this is not an option, so please pray for God’s leading, as our present modular is in very bad condition.
We thank God for each of you who have a part in God’s ministry here through your prayers and/or support. Asking you to pray for us as we seek to magnify the Lord.
Love in Him,
Gary & Bev