Saturday, November 7, 2009

Updates from Richmond Nov. 7

Greetings,
We thank the Lord for your continued prayer and interest in the work since the GNOM surge in Richmond. The saints at Bluegrass Bible Fellowship have been hard at work seeking to reach the lost in continued Gospel outreach through witnessing door to door, follow up visits, and Bible studies. We also have a holiday parade coming up December 4th in Richmond. I am sorry that we have not been more faithful in writing to keep folks updated. While there is much work to be done, we do value your prayer and we will continue to strive to gets news out so that folks know how best to pray for the work here.
Praise reports-
Rafael, a man reached during the initial Gospel effort, was baptized in the Kentucky River, along with 3 others. Rafael is involved in a weekly study with Jim Harmon and his daughter Rachel, our local Spanish/English translator. There are many more involved in weekly personal Bible studies both in homes and at the chapel.
Kids club is now held on Saturday at 1pm. We pick up kids from around the city and have had as many as 23 come on any single week. The numbers are not always this high, but we are so blessed to have these children come in so we can share the love of God for them, to teach them stories from God's Word, and to start at a young age, to introduce them to their need for a Savior. Pray that we are able to make more and more contact with these children and their families through the means of this weekly outreach.
Oliver and Tisha Leigh John-Baptiste, along with daughter Ariel, have joined us the last few weeks, and Lord willing, will continue in the outreach effort here for a while longer. They have been such a blessing to us, and Oliver and I have spent many wonderful days proclaiming the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. This family has recently sold their home, bought a fifth wheel camper, and are following as the Lord leads in opportunities to share the Gospel and help local assemblies equip the saints to continue reaching the lost. This is especially encouraging to us, as this is the same ministry our family does. Both families are prayerfully considering how long we will be in Richmond, and where the Lord will lead from here. We would appreciate your prayers.
Justin and Jocelin Humes, along with their 5 little girls, are praising the Lord today(and every day)! Their family is traveling with the GNOM 5 team week by week this coming year. Justin and family were here for all 3 weeks of the GNOM surge in May/June and were very helpful in door to door witnessing and follow up efforts.
The Humes have had many troubles with their old travel trailer home over the last year on the road. The Lord has provided just recently for the Humes to have a brand new travel trailer. It is such a blessing to see the Lord provide for their needs, and so much more. Ephesians 3:20 and Matthew 6:33 proclaim such wonderful promises that the Lord will provide for all those who seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. The Humes are committed servants of the Lord, and we rejoice with them to see God's continuing provision in all things for their family.
Prayer requests-
Pam- young woman we met with for the 3rd or 4th time. She was in tears, knowing that God desires her to repent and be saved. We implored her to not be distracted from the serious nature of her sin and need for salvation. This was a contact with the husband initially, but Pam seems to be on the verge of truly submitting to the Lord Jesus. Please pray for Pam, that she would not rest until she knows that she is born again. She is from a holiness church background and struggles with serious depression. Pray that her friend and husband who were there for the 3 hour visit, and were confusing Pam with bad doctrine related to the holiness background.
Steven- Steven has always admitted to his need to be saved, though at times he has waffled about whether he was saved as a child. He really struggles with a family that does not want him to change, and is holding on to "being good" to get him to heaven when he dies. We spoke with Steven for nearly 2 hours, and are praying that he have no peace, no rest until he submits to God's call to repent and be saved. Pray also that Steven will not allow his unbelieving family to dissuade him from what he knows God desires of him.
Justin- Justin is confused about science, prophecy, and lots of other things that he allows to distract him from knowing that he is not right with God. 2 hours or more shared God's Word in regards to sin, repentance, the authority or Christ to pay the penalty of sin for us, and many other things related to salvation. We are praying that Justin will see the urgency of making a decision to repent and trust Christ before it is too late, before his heart is hardened.
Hosea- confused about salvation. Hosea was raised in a church that has some strange practices and does not preach God's Word, rather relies on a modern day "prophet". Hosea said he would go to heaven based on his good works outweighing the bad. We discussed many things, but the main issue is that he does not see sin as being against God, but rather making provision for the flesh and making excuses for sin. Hosea is very willing for us to come back, and we are praying about how to continue with this contact.
There are many more, but these are the ones most on our hearts today. Please keep them all in prayer, but especially Pam and Steven as we feel the Holy Spirit is working in their hearts bringing conviction. They simply must surrender, repent and be saved. Others that have heard the truth of their need this week: Brittney, Jim, Ralph, Vicki, Danielle, Kenny, Andy, and Johnny. These all need salvation.
The holiday parade this year, on December 4, will include a float created by the saints here at Bluegrass Bible Fellowship. We will have a large wrapped gift on a trailer, with Scriptures proclaiming the birth of Christ, and the message of salvation. We thank John Nicholson and others at Uplook for their help in creating a souvenir-type Gospel tract that will be handed out with "The greatest gift" Gospel CD that is available through Uplook. The resources provided by Uplook, and all the help with design are greatly appreciated. Pray that we are able to point parade goers to the true reason for celebration, life through Jesus Christ. This is just one way to share the Gospel, and one of the times when the public is gathered and just waiting for someone to give them things. It is a blessing to know that the CDs, tracts, and Gospel calendars we hand out will help get God's Word into so many homes. Truly, our Savior is the greatest gift, one we hope that all will receive.
Please keep in prayer my wife, Sara. She is due to deliver our next baby around February 21. The John-Baptiste family is expecting their baby in May. What a blessing children are! We appreciate your prayer as our families get ready for new babies, and for strength and health for the ladies.
Our family(Cowperthwaites) are enjoying laboring together with the saints here in Richmond. Lord willing, we will go back to Maine in January(COLD!) as the time grows closer to expecting baby. We plan to stay in Maine until mid March, close to family and our home assembly. While in Richmond, we have been blessed to have a place to park our trailer that is close to the chapel. An added blessing is that our neighbors are saints in fellowship at BBF. Continue to pray for us as we consider where the Lord has us headed next, and as we travel. Both the Cowperthwaites and John-Baptistes will be headed to McDonough, Georgia to labor with the GNOM team and the local saints in reaching their community with the Gospel. We will not be taking our homes with us, as we will only be there a few weeks.
We so appreciate your prayer. Feel free to write and ask about the continuing work here at BBF or anything else. We look forward to hearing also about how the Lord is working in all your lives to bring glory to Himself, to rescue lost souls from death to eternal life. We will try to keep you up to date more often in the future.