Another Chance to get it Right

Alisa, a house resident, wrote the following on the Rivera House Facebook page.  The Rivera House is part of the ministry of Mark and Dana West, missionaries we support in Nashville, TN. I was touched by her words and asked permission to share them with you…

I wanted to share with you some personal thoughts and feelings that myself and Penni have been sharing with each other.  A lot has been going on with us lately, changes are going on around us, and in us every day.  We are very excited about the fact that we are working hard to step into leadership roles in the Theotherapy world.  Theotherapy has become one of the very most important things in our lives, to see ourselves changing, growing and healing has been a little overwhelming sometimes...but not in a bad way at all!  You see...Penni and I are used to moving backwards.  We are familiar with drug addiction, unhealthy relationships, low self esteem, anger, self hatred, fear...lots and lots of fear....and the feeling of being alone.  So to see our lives turning around, to be able to enjoy our lives clean and sober, to see relationships being restored, to be able to love ourselves...and you....well...it takes our breath sometimes!  We are like little girls on Christmas morning a lot of the time. It is so hard to put into words what we are feeling, what we sit and talk about. The fact that it is going on with both of us at the same time makes all of this that more special and amazing. We realize too that this also is a gift from God.  Penni and I have become the very best of friends and to have a true and loving friend to share all of this with has been an unexpected blessing...for both of us.  We are so excited about the new feelings we are experiencing, we are not in the least confused about where and Who this comes from. We see and feel every day the love that God has for us...I am 40 yrs old and have never "felt" this.  I knew in my head that He loved me, because people told me He did...and I believed it, but to "feel" it…that is brand new for the both of us.  It bounces around inside of us and we have contemplated shouting it from the roof of the Rivera House!!!  We know that none of what is going on now is an accident.  It is by design, from a loving and gracious Heavenly Father that we are here in a place where we are able to get rid of the hurt and pain that has held us prisoner for so long, so that He might be able to start filling those empty places with love, hope, joy, peace and so much more that I can't even put a name to.  Dr. Mario Rivera has said that the only necessary ingredient for healing is unconditional love, we were designed for that, and have spent our entire lives searching for it...but we have been looking in the wrong places...until now!!  We have found it!! We are soaking it up, grabbing at it with both hands, and God does not disappoint. I thank Him for all that He has given me and all that He wants for me...and I thank him for Penni and all of the loving people He has placed in my life...and I thank Him for another chance to get it right...to do right.  ....Alisa

God's Already Working in the Haiti Trip

Four LJBC members will be leaving in January to help minister at the Haiti Home of Hope orphanage run by Bill and Jennifer Campbell. In these weeks building up to the trip, we have been blessed to see God already working as we prepare for the trip. Here are two stories where He has made Himself known.


Although finances are tight for all, the Barnett family in particular wondered where the money would come from to pay for the trip. Their concern was doubled as they have two family members going. Despite their reservations, they felt led to join the group. As soon as they committed by faith to go, Mr. Barnett started being allowed to work overtime at his job. They used the extra pay towards the trip until both sets of fees were fully paid. Interestingly, as soon as the necessary amount was reached, he was no longer given any overtime by his employer.

Deborah and I are the other two LJBC members participating in the trip. Awhile back I mentioned to Deborah that all of the women going are capable in design and organization. She joked, “Should we do an Extreme Makeover: Home of Hope Edition?” No more was said of our idea then or in the weeks to come.

Meanwhile, Jennifer was home in the states. While here, she attended a Celebrating Home party. She purchased a small piece of artwork; although she kept it to herself, in her mind she decided it would be the inspiration to decorate her room at the orphanage.

Fast forward a few weeks. Jennifer, Deborah, and I met for lunch to discuss our activities for the upcoming trip. We discussed the usual: games with the kids, craft projects, home visits, etc. I sensed I needed to keep pushing and then Jennifer shared, “Well, there is one thing but I hate to ask.” We encouraged her to go ahead. She continued, “Bill and I had a horrible wall color the ten years we lived in Kansas City. We moved to the orphanage and our room is the same color as our room in Kansas City had been. For twenty years of marriage, we have had the same awful color. I decided while I was here that I want to make our room nice as it is the only place we have that is for just the two of us.” Deborah and I jumped at this opportunity. Before long we had a new wall color picked, bedding purchased within a few days, and more still in the works.

Now some may be thinking, “Really? They’re going to decorate a room?” Let me explain this isn’t a case of extravagance. For ten years they have lived with no closet or storage for their clothing of any kind. Nothing decorates their walls except ugly paint. No coverings adorn their window and not even a lamp sits by their bed. Every waking hour of every day they are in Haiti is dedicated to taking care of the children. As I told Jimmy and others about our lunch conversation, I was blessed to the point of tears that not only was God desiring to bless Bill and Jennifer in this way but He had chosen our group through which to bless them.

These two events reveal God is working through this trip. I’m confident of speaking on behalf of all of us going when I say that we are looking forward to being part of what God has planned through this short-term mission experience. Stay tuned…more to come in the weeks ahead!

Thank You for 2010

A couple months ago Pastor Jerry presented an urgent request to the congregation. One of our missionaries was experiencing extreme financial difficulties and, out of love and commitment to serve our missionaries, we wanted to make our congregation aware of this need. As usual, our church stepped forward with generosity, love, and compassion. We received a note of gratitude from our missionary, and while maintaining the privacy of our friend, I want to share that note with you, our church family.

“Dear Brothers,
      I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know how very much we appreciate your generosity to [my wife] and I regarding our [financial problem.] Things have been especially difficult at the church, as you know. Your gift helped to pay a large amount of that needed bill.
      We appreciate your prayers and support more than you know. Please continue to keep our family and the church…in your prayers. You are in our prayers, as well. I pray that God will richly bless you and your families as you continue to follow His leading.

With much appreciation and In His service,”

This missionary has encountered even more problems in the weeks since this letter was written. Indeed, our missionary team around the world has been facing new hurdles and obstacles in their respective ministries. They have followed God wholeheartedly but God never promises that will be easy, and they still struggle with the effects of diseases, crime, war, economic downturns, and natural disasters. However, in the midst of the trials, as we draw nearer to the return of Christ, they are fighting their battles with stronger faith, trust and obedience.

Supporting a missionary goes beyond the financial gifts and includes prayer and encouragement. (For ways to contact members of our mission team, please contact Kathi Woodall.) With that said, in 2010 our church was able to meet many needs for our missionaries.

Budgeted funds were set aside for missionaries serving in:

• Eastern Kansas & Western Missouri, Inner Kansas City, Tennessee
• Togo, Mexico, Kenya, Haiti
• Domestic and international Southern Baptist missions

Beyond that, Faith Promise gifts provided:

• Monthly support for the Quiroz family in Spain
• Clothing and household items for the Inman family while they are home on furlough
• Additional monthly support plus funds towards a car for Joseph Akakpo
• Shipping for clothing and shoes for children at the Haiti Home of Hope
• Manuals for the Theotherapy prison ministry in Nashville

The Women’s Ministry reached out by:

• Making and shipping blankets for the Haiti Home of Hope
• Mailing a gift card and personalized pillowcase for each woman who enters the Rivera Transition Home for Women in Nashville
• Donating finances for manuals for the Theotherapy prison ministry in Nashville

Thank you so much to all of our church body who made all of this possible in 2010. The missions’ committee is excited as we look forward into 2011. Through trust and obedience, we are seeking new areas where God desires us to reach out to a world desperately in need of a Savior.

Teamwork!

The Women's Ministry at LJBC has teamed up with the Missions Committee and Mark West, Program Director for the Theotherapy Project and the Rivera Homes in Nashville, TN, for an exciting new project.  As women transition from the Tennessee correctional facilities back into society, they are in need of many basic clothing and toiletry items.  The goal of the LJBC Women's Ministry is to send each new woman a personal note, a gift card for Target or Wal-Mart, and a personalized, embroidered pillowcase as she enters one of the Rivera Transition Homes.

Beyond providing for a few of their physical needs, the Women's Ministry is hoping to touch the hearts of the women on a spiritual level with the message that they are created unique and are precious to God.  For women who have known a life of rejection, abuse, and violence, an unexpected message of hope and a personalized gift might be something they have rarely, if ever, experienced before.

A special thanks goes out to the Womens' Ministry at LJBC!

Fun & Fellowship

Lone Jack Baptist Church had the pleasure of having the Michael Busenitz family in town for the weekend of June 19-22.  On Saturday night, church members and the Busenitz family had fun at the Woodall home chowing down on burgers and hot dogs while the kids (and Tom Cornwell) jumped on the trampoline.  The kids also had fun taking turns at driving Jimmy's tractor in laps around the yard.

. 

On Sunday morning, Michael shared with the older children and the adults about the work they are doing in Mexico. The drug wars have caused them many setbacks but God is more powerful than any drug cartel, and His work is continuing.

Finally, Michael shared during the worship service and then had a great time visiting with many people afterwards.

It's a Nnnnneeeeewwwwwwww Car!

Can you hear the voice of the announcer on the gameshow "The Price is Right" as you read the title of this article?  The excitement level is that high for Joseph Akakpo, missionary in Togo, Africa. 

The purchase of this new vehicle will enable him to minister more effectively and more economically.  Having a vehicle of his own will enable him to travel at the times and to the places necessary for his ministry.  In addition, it will save him the expense of unnecessary taxi fares.

On behalf of Joseph, thank you so much to all of you who made this purchase possible.  May God bless you for your generosity.

The Effectual Fervent Prayer

Last night, May 5, the Missions Committee got together for their regular monthly meeting.  However, this meeting was a little different than the usual "Old Business / New Business" agenda.  This month, the agenda was set aside and we all joined together to lift up each of our missionaries in prayer before our Holy God.  Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Jimmy, the committee chairman, decided that would be the focus of the meeting and before it had been announced to anyone, my email inbox filled up with prayer requests from our missionaries.  Our all-knowing God knew that our team of missionaries are facing many challenges in their fields of service and that the time has come for us to increase our prayers for them. 

One unexpected theme seemed to emerge as we worked through our list, discussing the specific situations of each missionary.  In Matthew 24, Jesus Himself tells us "nation will rise against nation...there will be famines and earthquakes...you will be persecuted and hated by all nations...many will turn away from the faith...because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold."  Natural disasters and an increase in wickedness are intensifying in our world and many of our missionaries are in the heat of the battle.

Of our missionary team serving around the world...

3 are currently in places they can't say the name of for fear of being found out and killed for serving Christ

1 is traveling into areas where drug wars are being fought

1 is battling an increase in wickedness within their own family

1 is trying to save their place of ministry from severe floods

2 are battling illnesses that are keeping them from their ministries

1 is opening their arms and home to orphans following a devastating earthquake

2 are readjusting their lives as they deal with people whose love has grown cold

2 are dealing with government bureaucracy that is stifling their growth and ministry

1 is facing a lack of personal hygiene, "interesting" food, and wild animals to serve God

Yet, many of them report people are seeking them out, sometimes traveling miles or waiting days, to hear the message that our missionaries are taking into the world.  The people our missionaries are serving are starving for the message of hope, love and forgiveness that the gospel of Jesus Christ offers.  And in the words of one missionary, he "would be willing to go without baths and food for the rest of his life, if he could just keep doing this."

Many of us will never be called to put our lives at risk for the message of the Gospel or willingly take ourselves into areas where drug lords may be in control.  We may never even have to forego a daily shower to live our lives in service to Him.  But there is one thing that God does ask of each and every one of us.  In James 5:16, we are told "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."  Or, in the NIV, "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."  Many of you take time often to pray for our missionaries.  Please know that God hears you and is answering your prayers.  (Jeremiah 29:12 - "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you")  As we see the world crumbling around us, let all of us join together and be faithful prayer warriors for those who are living their lives on the front lines of the battlefield, whether that battlefield be here locally or on the other side of the world.

For a complete list of the missionaries that our church supports through prayer and giving, please visit the Missions page of the Lone Jack Baptist Church website.