“The Blood”

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart.  She responded to God’s call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.  The young woman had a very rough past involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution.  But the change in her was evident.  As time went on, she became a faithful member of the church.  She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.

It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor’s son.  The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans.  That is when the problems began.  You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor’s son.  The church began to argue and fight about the matter.  So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand.  The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past.  As she began to cry, the pastor’s son stood to speak. 

“My fiancée’s past is not what is on trial here.  What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin.  Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial.  So, does it wash away sin or not?”  The people began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters.  Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely, then it cannot cleanse us completely.  If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.  What can wash away my sins?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Dianne’s Dog House

“How to Rescue the Earth Without Worshiping Nature”

By Tony Campolo

Is ignoring the destruction of nature a sin?  If the world is to “pass away” someday, should Christians care about the environment?  Is concern for the earth just a distraction from the issues in which the church should really be involved? 

Strange questions?  Not for a Christian who believes that rescuing the earth is commanded by Scripture.  How to Rescue the Earth Without Worshiping Nature draws on biblical and other Christian writings to develop a system of “creation care” that offers down-to-earth suggestions for churches and individuals who want to be responsible stewards of God’s world. 

Back in 1999 my youngest daughter, Julie, attended Bowling Green State University and pursued a career in special education.  One of her classes required her to teach a class in an inner city setting.  Soon she became mesmerized by twelve ten-year-old little black youngsters in the inner city of Toledo, Ohio.  Well into the school year, Julie called and asked if I would bring my two goldens to her classroom for some dog therapy.

            The children, I was told, were reserved because of their dysfunctional childhood.  They all retained scars from early emotional wounds—wounds that may not puncture the skin, but the heart.  Yet despite their reservations, Julie discovered these children to be playful and giggly, and because they were so street smart, they had learned to survive and be happy regardless of their circumstances.

            One breezy, beautiful spring morning Jeff, Jesse and I climbed into the truck and drove to the “mission field.”  The windows were down, the flowers permeated the air, the dogs large ears flapped in the breeze, and we were excited!

            Two hours later we arrived at Julie’s classroom where she met us in the hallway.  Julie had prepped the children for our arrival, but no one could have prepared me for the scene that was about to happen.

            As we entered the room, all twelve little children screamed at the top of their lungs and plastered themselves against the far wall.  The screaming continued so Julie ushered us out and encouraged us to try again.  She explained that the only dogs these children come in contact with are starving, abused, mean dogs.      

           This time she would keep the children at the far wall as Jeff, Jesse, and I would slowly enter, sit in the middle of the room, and quietly say, “Let the children come to me.”

            What a wise teacher!  One by one they came—cautiously step by step.  We talked about the dogs, their gentleness, and how much they love children.  The youngster came closer.  Within fifteen minutes all were snuggled close, enjoying the soft fur and the puppy kisses.

            All twelve children were now in a secure environment and they knew it.  They all needed healing for their horrendous backgrounds—but only God could take care of that.  For now, we cherished the moment.

            It amazed me how quickly their personalities changed.  Fear vanished and we had a memorable afternoon.  When it was time for us to leave, all the children cried and hung on Jeff and Jesse.  They wanted more wet kisses, more safety, and no fear.

            Since that visit, God has shown me wonderful friends—friends just like Julie, Jeff, and Jesse were to the children.  Sometimes I struggle with feelings of rejection, hurt, anger, and fear, but I need to remember that Jesus bore the lashes of a leather whip and nails in his wrists and feet so we could be loving and not fearful.

            God’s sweet affection for these children and for me teaches us not to fear, for a life lived in fear isn’t much fun.

“By His wounds you have been healed.” I Peter 2:24

Blessings & Love, Dianne

   Attendance & Offering 

                 

              Worship Service         SundaySchool

June 27         157     $3,339                        113     $101.58

July 4             219     $4,421                        67        $72.70

July 11           187     $3,145                        96        $84.48

July 18           184     $2,582                        89        $74.10

Mission Reports

Terry & Karen Duncan
     Serving in Africa

 Greetings to our ministry partners,

             We trust this finds all of you doing well and having a good summer.  We are beginning our winter, which usually means cloudy, rainy, chilly days.

            To give you an update…. In April we were in Uganda for a week to see our missionaries.  Back to Kenya we went straight into a retreat for one week.  The remaining of the month was having several guests in our home and small meetings with different ones.

            In May we prepared for and hosted three large meetings in our home, of which Terry chaired: The Sudan Board Meeting, Crises Management Team Meeting, and a regional team meeting.  I was chief cook and bottle washer and attended meetings as I could.  It was a wonderful three days of fellowship, strategizing, planning, praying, crying, and laughing.  Jesus, faithful as usual, blessed and helped.

            Currently we just returned from Zambia, our newly opened field for World Gospel Mission.  We went to see the new couple we sent there and the work that is ahead of them.  It is exciting to be able to come alongside of a small, struggling Bible school and help where we can and have expertise in.  The Zambian people are open, receptive, and eager to learn all they can to be able to help themselves in the end.  It is a very large country, but only has 12 million people, one million being orphans, mostly because of Aids.  Lots to be done….         

          Please continue to pray for Africa and where God would want World Gospel Mission in this vast continent.

            Pray for more workers for Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia—we need teacher of theology and English.  In the District of Congo they are asking for WGM to come help, but we need those who feel God calling them.

            We thank you so much for all your prayers—we count on them.  Thank you also for your faithful support.  We appreciate it so much.                   

Terry & Karen Duncan

 Larry & Angie Overholt
Serving in Honduras

 Ø  Angie is still recovering from shoulder surgery and is taking physical therapy.  We appreciated everyone’s prayers.

Ø  While on our home assignment, we are visiting churches and friends.  Please pray that we will obtain the funds necessary for us to return to Honduras by September.  We need $25,000 in cash.  We are raising support for the vocational school and community development projects as well.

Ø  We continue to request your prayers for our son David, who experienced acute renal failure caused by severe dehydration from a 34-mile march in the Army.  We don’t know what the future holds for him.

BUSES International

 
The Mobile Surgical Clinic for Nigeria, Africa is nearing completion.  As with any building project, we had some scheduling setbacks but are back on track.  The interior walls are finished, the electrical work is done, and the lights are functioning.  The inside is now bright white with a fresh clean look.  The entire clinic has been encapsulated with foam insulation.  Nigeria is near the equator, so heat and humidity will be a constant challenge for the operating room.  The air conditioners are high-efficient units, so we needed to make the unit as energy efficient as possible.  The floor is down and the custom cabinets are almost finished and ready for installation.  The plumbing is next, along with hooking up all the equipment.  As a praise report, we have been able to secure all the medical equipment needed for the clinic.  Please continue to pray for us.