August 31, 2000
Vol. 8 Issue 2
Adobe PDF Version
GUEST EDITORIAL
“15David said longingly, “O that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” 16Then the three warriors broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and brought it to David. But he would not drink of it; he poured it out to the LORD,” (2 Samuel 23:15-16 NRSV).
What has been like “water from the well of Bethlehem” to you recently—love, friendship, or maybe some spiritual blessing (23:16)? Have you taken whatever it may be, even at the risk of damaging your own soul, simply to satisfy yourself? If you have, then you cannot pour it out “to the Lord.” You can never set apart for God something that you desire for yourself to achieve your own satisfaction. If you try to satisfy yourself with a blessing from God, it will corrupt you. You must sacrifice it, pouring it out to God—something that your common sense says is an absurd waste.
How can I pour out “to the LORD” natural love and spiritual blessings? There is only one way—I must make a determination in my mind to do so. There are certain things other people do that could never be received by someone who does not know God, because it is humanly impossible to repay them. As soon as I realize that something is too wonderful for me, that I am not worthy to receive it, and that it is not meant for a human being at all, I must pour it out “to the LORD.” Then these very things that have come to me will be poured out as “rivers of living water” all around me (John 7:38). And until I pour these things out to God, they actually endanger those I love, as well as myself, because they will be turned into lust. Yes, we can be lustful in things that are not sordid and vile. Even love must be transformed by being poured out “to the LORD.”
If you have become bitter and sour, it is because when God gave you a blessing you hoarded it. Yet if you had poured it out to Him, you would have been the sweetest person on earth. If you are always keeping blessings to yourself and never learning to pour out anything “to the Lord,” other people will never have their vision of God expanded through you.
WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)
Continue to send offerings identified for specific missions to the Treasurer:
World Missionary Fellowship
C/O Bro. Steve Yoder
P. O. Box 418
Sugarcreek, OH 44681
PRESSING NEEDS
1. $450.00 For Brother John Agharanya’s medical care debt.
2. $5,600.00 for diesel generator for Nigeria as electric power is rarely available for their printing business. $200.00 has been received toward this need. Thank you!
NIGERIA
Priority Needs are:
Nsukka land & building $4,000
Omoba $1,000
Akpa $700.00
Umunkama $700.00
Umoko $1,000
Ikpaeze $700.00
Nigeria Report I
Friday, August 11, 2000 6:29 AM
We arrived in Aba yesterday evening safe and sound. We were not able to register at the US embassy in Lagos yesterday, we wasted several hours waiting and waiting and finally gave up and came to Aba. My leg is still aching, otherwise I feel good.
Today we are going to try and set up this email account for Brother John and send this. Please reply right away as we will check tomorrow if possible. The account is established and working, and is operational everyday except Sunday. It is about 30 minutes away from Bro. John's house.
I am praying for everybody there. Pray for us!!
Your Servant,
Stanley Rexroth
Monday, August 21, 2000 6:43 AM
Nigeria Report II
The days, for the most part, reach their high temperature around 4 in the evening, around 90 degrees, the breezes stop and it is stifling hot. Thank the Lord that we have electric either by the regular service or by the generator that Bro. John purchased. We stay by the fans during the hot times. It gets dark about 6:30 and the temperature begins to drop slowly. We shower using a cup and pouring the water over our bodies. Through the night it gets cool enough that I actually turn off the fan around 1 a.m. and pull a cover over myself.
The morning begins with the rooster crowing around 4:30, then prayer meeting in the church by the house at 5:30. We stay in our rooms and have private prayer and study. I usually arise around 6:30, shave, brush my teeth and have breakfast of 1 boiled egg, one slice of bread and some fruit like a banana or orange. If we are to be away at lunch time I make a peanut butter sandwich to take along for lunch with some fruit and roasted peanuts. Roasted peanuts are plentiful here and they have peanut butter now although I brought peanut butter with me. Bro. John's family usually eats late, around 8:00 so I have some vegetables cooked for me around four and eat early. They have carrots, green beans, cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, etc. One evening we had fresh fish baked, another evening roasted turkey and several evenings I had a can of tuna or sardines.
Monday August 14: No email yet, the lady said there was a problem in Lagos and our emails were not sent out until today. We vistied two congregation locations today, the road to 22 Umuegwere Road is very bad. We went through several large mud holes filled with water. The engine nearly drowned out twice. Thank the Lord we made it and returned home around one. Around 3:45 we left for the second location , 38 Watchtower Road and returned at 5:00. Bro. John went out again as there was a problem with a customer at the print shop. He returned late in the evening, it was very hot and on one knew how to start the generator. We held a meeting and planned the next day's activities.
Tuesday August 15: Visited 6 Igwebuike Rd & Umunkama. Received an email from Beth, sent a reply plus email for the Info to Dale. Returned home at 5, nothing cooked as Sis. Agharanya has a headache from the injury that she suffered in 1998 when she had her skull cracked when someone hit her in the head with a rock.
Wednesday August 16: It started raining through the night, we were to leave at 8:30 but the spare tire was flat so the driver went to have it repaired as the place we will visit today is distant. We left shortly after 9 and arrived at Aro-Agbaobu around 1:30, visited awhile and took pictures in the rain, then proceded to Ikpasese where we took pictures in the rain, visited a short time and then returned to home base. We arrived home at 4 PM, no email today.
Thursday August 17th: Visited the Bible Institute of nigeria, Bro. John's training school for Pastors located at Bro. John's compound. Then went to visit Akpah, Abalankamiri and Ankanu. Ate supper in a hotel restaurant, fish dinner cost 6.50. Returned around 5PM.
Friday Aug. 18: Today was the first graduation exercise of the Bible Institute of Nigeria. The ceremony started at 11AM and lasted until after 1:30. Three students graduated and eight students marticulated. The rest of the day was spend celebrating and in fellowship. The second vehicle, a Land Rover, four wheel drive arrived today. Bro. John purchased it for the by-way evangelical vehicle. It seems solid and durable.
Saturday Aug. 19: Departed at 9:20 for Umuoko and Omoba. Received 3 emails today, from Martha, Dale and Brian. They had sent the emails on August 15. Returned early around 2PM, Bro. & Sis. Cash went to the market. I stayed home, studied and rested. Very hot, no rain today but we had electric all afternoon, Thank the Lord
Sunday Aug. 20: Departed at 7:45 for Amafor and arrived at nine. Sunday school was in progress. I preached the morning message "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God". There is a large congregation here, over one hundred. They rent and have not been able to purchase because land is expensive here, around 7,000 dollars to buy a lot. It is expensive here because this is the Abia State Capital area. We departed for Aba around 1:00 and arrived home around 2:30.
Monday Aug. 21: We are going to Cross River State today to visit with Pastor Okon and the brethren there that are from the The Church of God Universal. We are to leave at 10:00, spend the night there and return tomorrow. We plan to stop on the way and sent this email.
Friday, August 25, 2000 6:31 AM
Report number III.
Monday August 21: Left for Akwa-Ibom State at ten AM. Stopped to send email, a long wait so it took us a fare amount of time. We finally got going from Aba at noon. We were trying to find the location of Bishop Okon and knew that we were in the area but we did not know where to find his place. As we were asking people by the way, a lady came up to us and told us that whe was from that congregation and that she was going there. We rejoiced in the goodness of God to come to our aid in our distress. We reached our place around 2;30 PM. They were expecting us at 10:00 and had about given up on our coming. We went directly to the church where we had a lengthy service. They were so happy that we had come. Due to my request the service was concluded at 5 PM. There were about 60 people in attendance and 16 pastors. Bishop Okon has 26 congregations and they are asking for financial assistance for buildings, equipment, pastor support and lands. They are Universal Church of God with roots in Way of Truth of Hagerstown, MD. We told them to pray and we too will pray for them. Several of them are planning to attend the pastor's seminar beginning Aug 25. We went to Okon's house, had them patch the screens so we could let the windows open, ate supper, talked until 10 and retired for the night.
Tuesday Aug 22: Departed Okon's at 8 AM for a stop at the station of Pastor Joseph Akpnamah, one of the congregations of Okon. We arrived at 9:30 and began our service immediately. I gave my testimony as I had done yesterday, we took some pictures and departed for Aba at 11:30. We stopped to check email & i had received 2 replies from Dale and Dude from the emails that i had sent them yesterday. We stopped at a computer repair shop to check on repair possibilities. We plan to take the laptop there Friday as they have external keyboard and cable there and we are going to try that route first. Arrived at Brother John's at 3 PM.
Wednesday August 23: Departed for Nsukka and Ankpa. This was a very long tiring day with many miles of very bad road. We diverted first to Aniocha, #8,and then went on to Nsukka. At these two places we made very brief stops having prayer, taking pictures of the pastors and families. It was about 3 PM till we left Nsukka for Ankpa. On the way we drove past Ankpa as the new road bypasses the town. We retreated a few miles and a young man gave us good directions. We were going to a place called "Ika Mission" and we arrived there shortly after 6. Ika Mission was established by Plymouth Brethren who came to Africa in 1921. It is in a very remote area and it is beautiful. Over the years they have build several houses and buildings for training, printing, study and publishing in the local language. The Elder dibble, no longer living, translated the Bible into the local language but did not live to see it printed. They are printing thousands of copies of Bibles, books etc. Our stay with them was very refreshing and we enjoyed their much good hospitality and fellowship.
Thursday Aug 24: I gave my testimony to a class of about 60 students at 7:30 AM. We departed at 9:30 for Aba. Some of the ladies from the mission went with their driver and escorted us to Ankpa and aided us in buying some things in the market. We proceeded to our next stop In Nsukka where we had to stop to get the Cash's video camera as they had forgotten it yesterday. We made a second stop at Enugu where Brother Wheeler had referred us to. There we found a place to exchange money that is much, much better than any place we have found in Aba. We departed Enugu about 4 and on the way was held up by a burning tanker truck that had overturned. It was a huge fire and a crowd was yelling at us we passed by, one of them grabbed the van door and tried to open it but we had it locked. By the time we reached Aba it was getting dark, the traffic was much congested and it took us until 7:30 PM to get home. After baths, supper and thanks to the Lord we retired for the night.
Friday Aug 25: The pastor's seminar was to begin at 9 this morning but only 3 were there so we rescheduled it to start at 1 this afternoon as many of them have long distances to travel and are waiting by the road to catch a ride. We have gone to town to send this email and see what we can do about the computer. That's all for now. Keep praying for us. See you soon.
Your Servant,
Stanley Rexroth
PHILIPPINES
July 20, 2000
Dear Bro. Rexroth & Saints,
Greetings from Mindinao in Jesus Precious Name. Trust and pray, you are all well to receive this letter from your brother and sister in the Philippine Mission.
For us in the mission field by His grace and mercies we’re all fine and being very busy and safe though Mindinao is in critical condition this days due to the terroristic acts by the defeated rebels Milf in Mindinao.
Last week we’ve visited Agusan, Zone two Mindinao district due to the church lots and building problem in San Francisco Church of God. The DNR San Francisco, remind us that our application for the TITLE of the lot we need to pay 67,780 Pesos ($1,5943.83). The chapel also need to be transfer to the right place to vacate a portion of the neighbors lot. This is our present problem that we’re appealing to our privileges brethren to please help us for this need.
Church in San Francisco, Philippines
While working the papers of our lot in San Francisco, we took the privilege to visit some of the Church of God congregations and have special service in Marcelina Church of God, our new church building that still need funds for the flooring and extension in front to keep the door from rain.
Marcelina Church of God, Philippines
We have also visited Tagbongabong Church of God and attended also the young people service, Friday night and glad to meet the brethren who are happy we’ve visited them this year.
By God’s mighty hand and wonderful help, we return home and reach Bannawag 9:00 o’clock in the evening without any accident from the long trip. Praise God and thank God for the strength He gave me to face every responsibility in His work.
In closing, may the good Lord bless you and all the saints who faithfully standing at the back of God’s mission in the Far East.
In His Cause,
Bro. & Sis. D. B. Luzan Sr.
Philippine Mission
Church at Bullongan, Isabella, Luzon District, Philippines
DEAR JUDY
This column is a burden to help Christian singles get together for encouragement and friendship. Names, addresses, ages and interests are available through your participation. Should you care to receive a list, please send your name and address along with the information about yourself to: Dear Judy PO Box 2053 Ponca City, OK 74602-2053 Email: agape157@Juno.com
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Faith Christian Fellowship Mason, Ohio
The week of July 26-30 brought a week of fun, learning, and fellowship for children of all ages as Faith Christian Fellowship, Mason, Ohio, held its annual Vacation Bible School. Under the capable directorship of Assistant Pastor Dude Evans, the theme for this year was God's Heroes. Lessons centered around the theme that God has used many "heroes" in his work, and many of those people have started out, many times just like we do, "on the wrong foot".
Each evening began with singing as well as a special story time by Miss Suzie Q. Smiles (aka Jamie Newland, from FCF's youth department). Suzie had the children, as well as many of the adults, capivated by her tales of vacation with her Grandmother, and taught the children valuable lessons such as respecting others, doing the right thing, etc. Following story time, everyone went to their separate classes, which were for ages 4 - teen. Class time was an important time of learning about the heroes -- Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, and Paul -- as well as fun with crafts and, of course, wonderful snacks.
After class time, everyone joined together for a special time of songs led by Terri Connor. Some of the favorites were "The Gospel Train"; "Roll the Gospel Chariot Along"; and, of course the contest between the boys and girls on "Hallelujah/Praise Ye the Lord." We also had a special guest Bible Hero each evening who talked about their experiences of faith as they served our Lord.
Attendance for the VBS began with 82 on Monday, and ended on a special note as we made our goal of 100 on Friday evening. Friday was also a special time as parents and grandparents joined the children to see what they had learned throughout the week. The final presentation was a special song presentation by children of all ages, "Hands and Feet".
As always, VBS was a very exciting time of meeting new friends and learning about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was also a beautiful representation of the Body of Christ working together to get a job done. Throughout the week, there were many volunteers who spent hours preparing lessons, teaching, preparing and teaching craft work, cleaning, organizing, doing paperwork, preparing food, and serving the Lord in whatever means necessary to glorify Him.
We thank the Lord for His blessings during this special week and look forward to what He has in store for next year. Thanks, Tish Newland
Fresh Fire Youth Celebrating the "Keenagers"
The Fresh Fire Youth at Faith Christian Fellowship, Mason, Ohio, are celebrating the "Keenagers" (ages 55+) within the church by designating each month a special time of fellowship and fun. Recognizing the elders of the church is a much-needed ministry that too often is overlooked. The youth will be "adopting" a "grandparent" each month, showering them with gifts and cards, and spending time with them to let them know how special they are to the church and God's Kingdom. The first adoptive grandparent is Esther Gardner for the month of July. Mrs. Gardner was presented with a bouquet of roses on Sunday, July 9, and will be honored throughout the month as we thank her for her untiring service to FCF.
Many times we read about young people in the newspapers, but the news we read is often negative. We have wonderful young people at FCF, and God is using them in a powerful way as they step forward into leadership positions within the church.
Submitted by Tish Newland
Faith Christian Fellowship
Pastor -- Rev. Jack L. White
Fresh Fire welcomes all young people and meets every Thursday night at 7 p.m. for Bible Study and worship. Gary Underwood, Amy Gardner, and Jeff and Bobbie Jo Raines are the Youth Directors.
OHIO BIBLE COLLEGE
For information contact Brother Rube Gayheart Phone: 740-745-2412; Email: rvheart@cgate.net
YOUTH CAMP REVIVAL
For information on this annual youth camp for ages 9-18 please contact either Brother Arnold Edmondson 828-396-5661 or Brother Glenn Dryden 618-932-2271.
IN MEMORY
Milton Q. Westover
Gibsonia Church of God
Lakeland, Florida
Greetings from Florida in the lovely name of Jesus.
I wanted to tell you about the Lord calling my dear Milton home on June 5, 2000. He had to have his aortic valve replaced and 2 bypasses on May 25th. He arrested in surgery but made it. Then he about bled out through the night and had to be taken back to surgery and his chest opened again. He was so weak when he went in I didn’t believe he could fight. Then too, God needed him. Pray for me that I will be able to carry on myself.
Yours in Him,
Marian Westover
Created by: Brian S. Rexroth, Sr.
Maintained by: Dexter Horst
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