This past week we were in Richmond, Kentucky to visit the folks at Bluegrass Bible Fellowship. Shortly before our arrival (with all our vehicle troubles) a terrible storm hit the Richmond area and caused flash floods with some serious damage. You can see a video of the Harmon's driveway here. You see, we are learning that no matter how bad our day seems to have been, we are truly blessed and the Lord is merciful and gracious. We have no right to complain, and we just happened to have been memorizing James 1:1-3 that week. "...consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance..." Naomi learned that passage well, and you can hear her version on our Youtube channel along with the other kids memorization.
Richmond is like home to us, and we were glad to get back for another visit. We helped clean out water damaged books, cleaned up a bit on the Harmon farm, and got lots of time to visit with the saints there, who are always such a blessing to us. We got to sit in on the "Christianity Explored" study, which was very good, with brother Allen Tucker teaching. John Frasher spoke about mothers on Sunday, as it was Mother's Day, and challenged us to appreciate the godly women that affect our lives so much, but often do not get the recognition. Often, a godly woman just serves and quietly does so many things that make our lives so much more enjoyable, I know my wife is one of those that tends to be taken for granted. Thanks to John for the reminder, and God's Word being opened to us.
The family hitched up and left Tuesday evening, headed for Belleville, Illinois. We visited the folks at Villa Hills Gospel Chapel there in Belleville. A small group of faithful Christians are there, and they are planning an outreach in August. We were asked to help coordinate the effort, though we will be in Kentucky for the actual event. We pray that we can help organize, and especially pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in leading His people to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost souls of Belleville. We all need to be earnest in prayer and lean on the Holy Spirit to lead us, direct us, and to convict the hearts of sinners of their need for repentance and saving faith in Jesus Christ who died to pay sin's penalty for us all. What a privilege it is to be able to share the truth that leads to eternal life and relationship with our Creator, our God, our Savior.
On we went early Thursday morning, headed to Williamsburg, Kansas, arriving around noon. We got the camper set up for our stay here (one month, maybe longer) and then headed to see our friends, Justin and Jocelin Humes, along with their girls. We had not seen our friends since November, and it was great to hear so much of how the Lord is using them and molding them into the image of His Son, our Lord Jesus. The girls are all growing up, as kids tend to do.
The Humes will be staying in Ottawa and coordinating much of the work in Ottawa for the final outreach of GNOM 5. We welcome you all to join us, and if you cannot be here, to please keep us all in prayer. Many will be coming from around the country (and maybe other countries) to spread the Gospel in this town. Justin's home is being used for Bible studies open to the community on Tuesdays and Fridays each week, and some have already started to come after just 2 weeks. God has blessed the Humes to be able to rent a house right in town so that they can host these studies and get involved in the community. Others have come to help, and it is great to see a spirit of unity among Christians as we go together to reach the lost with the message of hope and life in Christ.
I will try to keep up with writing as often as possible, we will have internet here, a great blessing. Sara will be, or rather has been, posting about our school days going through God's Word with the children. Sara will be helping with food and such things during our time of outreach here. We will continue our school, as we have taken some days off with busy schedules, and want to keep momentum with that. So, as always, we are quite busy and seeking God's will be done as we preach the Gospel and continue "one anothering" in the body of Christ. We always appreciate your prayer, and would love to hear from you if you have the chance.
Serving a risen Savior,
Mark for the Cowperthwaites
