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November 2001 News Archive

November 30, 2001

UB Missions. Here are a variety of items regarding the UB missions program.

  • Russell and Nellie Birdsall will leave Macau on December 20th after serving their fifth volunteer term teaching in the English Language Program.
  • Bishop Wilber and Mossie Sites have completed another volunteer term at Jamaica Bible College and will be snow-birds in Florida for a few weeks.
  • Jennifer Blandin will leave Macau in mid-January and will speak in many churches during her furlough. After she returns to the field next summer, Jana Hoobler will begin her furlough.
  • WMF Packets are being collated, packed and mailed. Contact Global Ministries if you don't receive a packet for your church by December 15. The Helping Hands Update was mailed to churches; ask your pastor if you need current information from Global Ministries.

The Director's Travel Schedule. Global Ministries Director Gary Dilley will begin a busy travel schedule in January. It looks like this:

  • January: Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Haiti.
  • February: Sierra Leone (traveling with Dr. Ron Baker, a former UB missionary at the Mattru Hospital).
  • End of March: Jamaica.
  • April: India, Hong Kong, Macau Thailand, Myanmar.

November 29, 2001

Pennsylvania. Alert reader Anthony Blair, a minister in Mid-Atlantic Conference, found a surprise in the current issue of the Atlantic Monthly magazine. "Imagine my surprise to find an article on my home county as I was reading through, and then to find quotations from two of my colleagues." He was referring to interviews the writer, David Brooks, conducted with Rev. Pat Jones, pastor of the King Street UB church in Chambersburg, Pa.; and Rev. David Rawley, pastor of Otterbein UB in Greencastle, Pa.

Anthony continues, "It's a very comprehensive article exploring the cultural divide in America, utilizing Montgomery County, Maryland, and Franklin County, Pennsylvania, as examples of the two voting blocs in the last election. David Brooks is, as always, quite insightful, although perhaps a little overly-optimistic about the innate civility of Franklin Countians. In any case, it's a good, strong, useful article."

Dillsburg, Pa. South Mountain UB hired Marc Stephenson as the new associate pastor of youth/worship. Marc is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is enrolled at Evangelical School of Theology in Myerstown, Pa., where he's pursuing a Master of Divinity. Marc's wife, Sue, is a teacher for the hearing disabled, having graduated from IUP as well.

The church held its Fall Rally day on October 21. Renee Basel, the featured singer for the day, is a former backup singer for Larnelle Harris and was an awesome inspiration to all who attended. She weaved stories, her testimony, and songs into the morning's service. Pastor Greg Helman gave the evangelistic message for the day.

On October 28, South Mountain held its annual Autumn Extravaganza. The night included a lengthy hay ride through the country, plenty of hot dogs, marshmallows, and smores, which use Hershey's chocolate and marshmallow between two pieces of graham crackers. Hot chocolate was in heavy demand on the cold and blustery evening. Approximately 60 people attended, with at least three unchurched families joining in on the fun.

Mid-Atlantic Conference. The Growth & Renewal Commission of Mid-Atlantic Conference held its first Pastor's Summit October 5-6. This was designed to give pastors, staff, and their spouses an opportunity to be refreshed by God. Each woman received a rose in a vase with a card, which quotes Proverbs 31:29-31, to place in her room and take home later.

Rhodes Grove Camp's new Miller Lodging Wing was packed for this event. Great fellowship was enjoyed as plenty of good ice cream was served at the end of Friday night's activities. Breakfast and lunch on Saturday were also helpful in getting to know new people and renewing old friendships.

Gary Thomas was the featured speaker. His theme was, "The Private Life of the Public Person." His messages were both inspirational and candid as he freely shared from his own life experience. Pastor Todd Fetters surprised Gary and the crowd by arranging a long distance telephone conversation with Gary's wife which was heard over the sound system.

At the end of each break, prizes were given away. Four couples were given gift certificates to enjoy "Sight and Sound," a Christian playhouse located in Lancaster, Pa. Eight ministers received free book coupons good for one of Gary Thomas four books.

An all-star worship team was formed from around the conference and definitely made for a wonderful atmosphere of worship throughout the weekend. Also, tapes of the event were made available to every pastor in Mid-Atlantic Conference. This was a memorable occasion for all involved and will be repeated next year.

Mason, Mich. Several young people from Eden UB participated in summer missions trips.

  • Andy Emerson, son of pastor Wes Emerson, participated in last summer's STUMP trip to Jamaica. It got off to a rocky start, because American Airlines lost his suitcase with all his clothes and snack food in it (he didn't get anything back until he came home). He taught VBS to 60 kids during the two-week trip. Andy reports that 28 of them received Christ as Savior.
  • Tara Andreas went to Mexico with Teen Mania. She was supposed to go to Jamaica, but changed her plans because of rioting in the Kingston area. In Mexico, her group did a lot of street evangelism using drama. After one dramatic presentation, a man who was blind asked them if they'd pray for him, that Jesus would heal his eyes. So they did, and the man was healed.
  • Wendi Wireman went to Honduras to help rebuild homes for people who had lost homes in the recent hurricane.

For Halloween, Eden held its annual Trunk-r-Treating night. Kids came to the church in costumes (no witches or devils) for a short program of songs and a gospel presentation. This year, Ellen Dunsmore did an object lesson using a pumpkin. Then everyone went to the parking lot, where cars were parked in a circle, with the trunks on the inside of the circle. The car trunks were open and full of candy. Kids went from car to car, loading up. Annette Haines writes, "This year we had around 100 children, which is probably twice what we usually have. We think a lot of people were hesitant to let their kids go out on the streets this year."

To help raise money for our WMF pledge, Eden held its Fall Sale auction in November. After a pizza dinner, they auctioned off home-made foods, jellies, etc., plus some donated craft items. Milan Maybee, a former pastor of Eden, was the auctioneer. Since all the money goes for missions, the actual value of an item isn't a big consideration. For instance, a pie might go for $50. A hand-crocheted doily went for $65. Milan, a woodcarver, donated a head of an eagle he had carved. It sold for $305. The auction netted close to $3000--all for missions.

Eden wants to build a Family Life Center on property behind the church; the building could eventually be used as a sanctuary, if they outgrow the existing one. The church has contracted with INJOY, John Maxwell's organization, for help in the stewardship campaign. The first stage would have a goal of $600,000. When that is raised, they'll continue to another campaign, until the total is reached. Altogether, they need between $2-3 million.

Jamaica. Owen Gordon, the president of Jamaica Bible College in Mandeville, is a UB minister and partial-support missionary. The above picture shows the 11 first-year Bible students. They represent nine church groups--Missionary Church, United Brethren, New Testament, Gospel Assembly, Church of God of Prophecy, Evangelistic Centre, United Church, Seventh Day Church of God, and Church of the First Born. Would you lift up these students regularly in prayer. Rev. Gordon writes, "Interestingly of the 37 students in training for ministry, they represent 19 church groups. What an opportunity for impacting lives! Can you think of the result that would take place as we shape 37 lives, who will work in 19 different church groups touching thousands for the kingdom!"

Claytonville, Ill. John Lang, pastor of the Claytonville UB church, writes: "We are a small congregation of around 20. This past summer, we took the Natural Church Development survey and are currently working on improving our low score. In order to help our church grow we feel God has asked us to start two new endeavors.

  1. "On Wednesday night, we have a new kids meeting. We are working with the Pioneer Kids Club materials and we are now meeting weekly.
  2. "On Saturday nights, we have put together a new seeker-sensitive service using contemporary praise music. After things got rolling, several churches told me that this is what the community needed and that they and their churches were praying for it. Attendance is slow, but God will deliver!"

Chambersburg, Pa. Adam Leeper has been named Pastor of Adult Ministries at King Street UB, Chambersburg, Pa.

Macau. Jana Hoobler sent the following information on November 10:

"Living Word Church is in the process of moving to a better location. It's just a few blocks from the present location. This move will allow us to register our English classes and tutoring classes with the government. Funds are being raised in Macau, Hong Kong, and the United States. Pray for God's leading as the paperwork is submitted to the government and remodeling begins.

"Living Word Church held a fundraising dinner at the end of October. Around 60 people attended. A short program included some games and a performance by the children's choir from the church.

"In October, an Indoor Beach Party and American BBQ were held at our center on Taipa. Over 60 people attended. We played a lot of games and ate a lot of food. Jennifer Blandin spent nearly three hours barbequing hot dogs and chicken wings, while Melissa Hull did a fine surfing demonstration on an ironing board. Pastor Russ Birdsall brought the evening to a close with a devotional around a 'campfire.' We're praising God for the circle of relationships He's building for us on Taipa.

"We are presently holding three weekly English Bible Studies in Macau. One meets at Living Word on Sunday afternoons. Another meets on Friday mornings on Taipa, with a group of housewives attending. The third one meets on Sunday afternoons on Taipa, and a group of teenagers attends regularly. Pray for students who are attending these studies, that they would be open to the gospel and accept Christ as their Savior.

"Living Water Church held its annual camp retreat during the first week of November. Church members joined in a variety of Bible studies and fun a activities together. Even Pastor Russ and Nellie Birdsall were found walking across a bridge made up of wooden poles held by the church members! It was a good time of fellowship and renewal for everyone."

November 19, 2001

Shippensburg, Pa. Wayne and Patricia Hawkins of Prince Street UB write: "We are all excited about Craig Mickey, our new youth pastor, who began working here on August 26. He and his wife, Rhonda, and son, D.C. are really terrific. Craig served as a Middle School Youth Director at Emmanuel Community UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind. He has a enthusiastic attitude and a lot of energy. He has planned a lot of interesting events for our youth ranging from sports to fundraisers. Our youth group is beginning to grow."

Macau. Jana Hoobler sent this update on November 16:

  • Several English Language Program students this week expressed interest in English Bible Study. Praise the Lord for the way He moves in people's hearts.
  • Our ELP enrollment at both Living Word Church and on Taipa is good again this term. Praise the Lord for bringing people to our program.
  • Pray for Christina, a member of Hong Kong Conference who attended Living Water Church while she was in college. Her mother passed away this week after a long battle with cancer. Although her mother accepted Christ at a point early in her illness, Christina's family has insisted on a Buddhist funeral. It will be held on November 23. Pray for Christina as her family carries out all kinds of Buddhist rituals during this week. Pray that God will hold her firm in her faith, give her wisdom in difficult situations, and comfort her in her pain over her family's spiritual condition.
  • Next Sunday night (November 25) we're holding a Thanksgiving event at Living Word Church for our ELP students and church members there. Pray that it will be a good time for church members to get to know ELP students, and that people will realize how God meets their needs.
  • We missionaries are going on a retreat in China over the Thanksgiving holiday. Pray for safety and a quality time of sharing together. I'm so thankful for our team! We're looking forward to this break.

November 15, 2001

Harlan, Ind. Debi Knoblauch writes on behalf of the Harlan Christian Youth Center, a ministry of the South Scipio UB church: "On October 31, we hosted the South Scipio United Brethren Church Awana Club Fairmont Fair. There were over 160 kids registered and over 250 people through the youth center. The Harlan Lions Club handed out gold dollars for costume awards, and they also supplied the apple cider and donuts. All the kids with carnival games, candy, prizes, and awards enjoyed a great time.

"The teens at the youth center started a coffee house, calling it the Upper Room, to be held every second and fourth Friday of the month. We had 36 people attend the first night, on October 26. Many teens even brought their parents.

"As the year is coming to a close, we thank the Lord for sending to us this over over 7000 children to whom we could minister. Since opening in March 1999, there have been over 200 conversions, and we have given away hundreds of Bibles. The Lord has blessed us with our operating budget needs, given us a great start on an endowment and many, many children to minister to. We are always happy to share what the Lord has done here in the making of the Harlan Christian Youth Center."

Huntington, Ind. Wes and Jean Bell, Wycliffe missionaries and partial-support UB missionaries, have been living in the UB mission house in Huntington during their current furlough. They sent out this email in mid-November: "Sheila, a translator, has just returned to Brazil. She reports that there is much opposition to Christians working in the tribal area. She plans to go up on Friday, November 16. Please pray with us that this trip goes well. Please pray for the Brazilian missionaries there whom Satan is moving against politically to remove from their work. Satan is really fighting since the completed New Testament has come."

Boise, Idaho. Rev. Gil Myers passed away Wednesday, November 14. He was serving as interim pastor at Log Cabin Church in Boise, Idaho. He was 74 years old and had been suffering from kidney problems the last three years.

Etters, Pa. Steve Collins has been the youth pastor at Grace Now! Ministries. He has resigned that position and is no longer involved in ministry with the UB denomination.

Guelph, Ontario. The Parkwood Gardens church celebrated its 25th anniversary on October 20-21. The 175 adults who attended included former pastors Wayne Goldsmith and Mike Buchnea. Founding pastor Ray Zimmerman passed away in 1990. The day included sumptuous banquet of roast beef and schnitzel at the local German Canadian Club. They were inspired by a multi-media presentation of the history and growth of the church (it has quadrupled over the last 15 years) and the kick-off of a capital campaign to fund a doubling of the church building next year. The amount pledged: $307,000.

Earlier this year 20 teens and adult sponsors went on a missions trip to Romania, along with 13 others from a nearby church. While in the city of Cluj for two weeks, they worked in two orphanages and a juvenile center. They also ministered in a local high school and with gypsies just outside of town, helping them build a church. They gave away thousands of dollars worth of clothing and other goods. The children in the orphanages were taken out on day trips--the first times they'd ever been out of their orphanages in their lives! This trip followed over a year of discipleship training led by youth pastors Jim and Bonnie Tice.

Bremen, Ohio. Maynard Fisher was brokenhearted by reports of the July 8 flooding in Wyoming county of southern West Virginia--the worst in the state's history. Altogether, 41 homes were destroyed, 340 sustained major damage, and 1064 suffered minor damage.

Fisher asked members of Avlon UB if they wanted to help, and they did. A work team of 15 persons from Avlon went to the affected area September 16-22. They worked on a number of houses, doing wiring, flooring, sheet rock, paneling, and anything else that needed done.

"We came to be a blessing, but we've been well blessed ourselves," commented Norma Fisher in a newspaper article during their weeks in West Virginia. "We get back in the evening and talk about how wonderful the people are."

The group drove nearly 200 miles to reach Beckley and spent the nights at Appalachian Bible College near Beckley. From there, it was 60 miles to the town of Oceana, where they worked. In some parts of Oceana, the water for seven feet high in homes and businesses during the height of the disaster.

They left a letter for the persons they assisted. It read, in part: "We have been greatly blessed in our lives. Sharing these blessings with all of you is our only reward. It is not necessary to make contributions to us for the work we have done. We ask only that you return the deed in kind to someone else in your community."

Kokomo, Ind. Morning Star Church announces the addition of their newest staff members, Dr. Scott and Sabrina Edwards, Directors of Marriage and Family Ministries. Scott, Sabrina, and their son Nathan moved to Kokomo in August 2000 from Minneapolis for a teaching position at Indiana University Kokomo. They are graduates of Anderson University where they met and married. Scott holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology and served on the staff of North Anderson Church of God in Anderson. Sabrina is trained in management and accounting and brings expertise in administration and organization.

A major responsibility for Scott and Sabrina at Morning Star Church will be in establishing and overseeing a new marriage-mentoring program. This program will involve recruiting, training, and supervising couples to prepare, strengthen, and restore marriages in Kokomo and Howard County. The two will also oversee Morning Star's support groups and recovery ministries, and Dr. Edwards will operate a fee-based Christian counseling clinic on Fridays at the church.

Mt. Carroll, Ill. Retired Rock River Conference minister Lawrence Shuman and wife Nola have moved from their home in Chadwick to the Good Samaritan Nursing Home at 1006 Lowden Road in Mt. Carroll, Ill. This transfer was made on October 29, because of health problems.

Mt. Solon, Va. Fonda Cassidy sent these items from Mt. Olivet UB of Mt. Solon.

  • July 12-15, a delegation of 17 young adults, ages 13 to approximately 25 (with adult leaders), went to Laurel Mission in Kentucky and worked with Missions Director Titus Boggs, adding a room onto a very basic home that had no running water or electricity.
  • July 23--August 3, Robert and Fonda Cassidy went to Costa Rica for 10 days to help finish building a church there.
  • Sunday night, August 19, was a special family night of fun featuring a talent show. The pan band featuring the women's WMF was pretty good.
  • At 5:30 on the afternoon of September 2, the church held a Labor Day picnic. After the meal, there were team and individual competitions--egg tossing, sack racing, and rope pulling.
  • On September 26-27 and October 3-4, Tim Timmons conducted, via video, a Maximum Marriage seminar. They held a meal together after the seminars. "We had people attend who are thinking of marriage, people who are single, and married couples."
  • In early August, a huge new church sign, lighted and on a timer, arrived. It was purchased through a youth group project. The sign will enable them to advertise the sermon theme each week.
  • On November 3, a ladies LIFT event was held at a nearby fellowship hall, with about 40 ladies attending. Women conducted the entire service on November 4, the only exception being the sermon by the pastor.

November 13, 2001

Sunfield, Mich. Ruth Ralph, wife of Pastor Mark Ralph of Sunfield UB, sent these news items from their church.

  • Raquel Brace a freshman at Lansing Community College, went to Costa Rica this last summer with Teen Mania. They spent time in street witnessing using drama. She shares that many people came to Christ through this ministry. Raquel is working with the teens at the church and doing a super job.
  • On November 18, Sunfield UB will begin a 40 day journey through the New Testament. Each day people will listen on cassette or CD to the New Testament as a congregation. The church ordered 77 copies of the New Testament on either cassette or CD. This is a ministry called "Faith Comes By Hearing."
  • The Lakewood Youth Center hired a fulltime youth pastor. Lakewood is a community where the UBs have several churches, and Sunfield is cooperating with other UB churches in the area in this ministry. Rob Lawrence is the new director of the Center. The Lakewood Youth Center is in Lake Odessa. Right now, it ministers to about 100 teens on Wednesday evenings.
  • Sunfield UB plans to begin building a Christian education/fellowship addition in the spring of 2002. Three years ago, the church committed to have half the money on hand before building. The project will cost $495,000. To date, they have raised $242,000.

Franklintown, Pa. The Franklintown church celebrated two more accomplishments of its 150th Anniversary year celebration on Sunday, November 11. During the morning worship service, a 84-by-91 inch block quilt was unveiled. Members of the congregation had been asked to make a square or block for the quilt. The squares were sewn together and then quilted by several women of the congregation. The quilt will hang permanently on a wall in a room adjacent to the sanctuary.

Also, the goal of having $15,000 given to the building fund during the anniversary year was reached and recognition was made on November 11. A large outline of a birthday cake had been put on the wall of a room in which the quilt was also placed. A large paper candle was placed on the cake for every $100 that was given to the building fund. The first candle of $100 was dated 1851 with successive dates for each $100 donated. The 150th candle, dated 2001, was placed on 11/11/01.

Holly Hill, Fla. Vicki McKeown of the Daytona church writes: "We have a team in Haiti right now. Pastor Chuck McKeown left Sunday afternoon with Yolanda Dreier, a pediatrician, Mike and Lynn McCarthy who own a truss company and will help assess construction needs on some of our churches (some building projects have been over 25 years in the making!), and Sam and Tammy, who are volunteers high school youth leaders at our church.

"Sam is a photographer with the Daytona Beach News Journal. They are planning to do a feature article on this trip. Sam arrived in Haiti a week before the others in the group and has been staying with Pastor Richard Oliam, the superintendent of our Haiti churches.

"Pastor Dieudonne Pierre from our Orlando church also went with them, along with his daughter, Margaret. They will be of great help in translating and leading the team to the various churches.

"This is the first time that a United Brethren lay ministry team has gone to Haiti and we're very excited about the impact it will make on them."

Macau. Jana Hoobler sent these notes on November 10.

  • Jen Blandin will leave for furlough at the end of this year. Pastor Russ and Nellie Birdsall will be leaving just before Christmas. Pray that we will be able to find people to come and serve with us in Macau next year. Pray especially that we'll find more long-term missionaries to join our team, so that we won't continually be relying on short-term volunteers. We are also searching for a new part-time Chinese secretary for the ELP. Pray that God will supply all of our needs for staff for next year.
  • Plans for the remodeling of our new location for Living Word Church have been submitted to the government. Pray that the plans will be approved so that remodeling can begin. Continue to pray for fund-raising for this project by our local church members and us missionaries.
  • Different Christian students continue to attend the Pui Va prayer group. This week there were six students and two teachers present, even though several of the regular attenders weren't able to come. Praise the Lord for these students who are taking time each week to pray for their classmates, teachers, and administrators.

Breckenridge, Mich. Countryside UB held a campfire/hayride as a Halloween alternative. It was held in the woods behind a member's home. They have a paintball business, so there was a parking area, a tent with picnic tables, and a fire pit.

The activities included a campfire/hot dog roast, 2 pinatas, and a hayride. The atmosphere was low-key fellowship. Most of the kids got a chance to take a couple of swings at the pinatas. Pastor Lee Rhodes writes, "It gave us an opportunity to see children that some of us adults do not get to interact with because of the age-related worship and classes that tend to separate us."

The church's youth leader, Kurt Peters, has sensed God's call to change the focus of his (and his wife's) ministry. Kurt and LuAnn are preparing to go into the counseling ministry. They have been involved in it to some extent for several years. Now Countryside Church is accepting applications for interested individuals to lead the youth program. The proposed budget for 2002 has a part-time salary included for a youth director.

A group of 17 adults went to Jamaica for the first week of August. The work included repairs at an orphanage, VBS help, and giving love to children that don't get much attention.

Traverse City, Mich. Carlson Becker, pastor of Northland UB in Traverse City, retired after the November 11 service. Dan Millward, a former Youth for Christ director in Traverse City, is the new pastor.

Carlson writes, "Naomi and I went to Australia with Jayne Mote for the dedication of the Walpiri Bible by Steve and Bev Swartz. Bev had been a camper at Camp Living Water when I was the director there. Naomi and I leave with another couple for two weeks in Hawaii the day after I retire."

A group of about 14 people from Northland will go to Honduras in February on a work trip--their third.

Camden, Mich. Lake View UB provided its pastor a two-month sabbatical in August and September. Both pastor and church benefited from this experience. Pastor Hubert Schmucker says he is proud that his co-leaders were able to provide such good leadership in his absence.

With the September 11 national tragedy, the lay leadership decided to designate the September 30 general offering to the New York/Washington D. C. disaster relief. Over $3,000 was collected and sent.

Brooklyn, Mich. Josh Good resigned effective November 11 as youth pastor at Heart O the Lakes UB of Brooklyn, Mich. He will be pastoring at a non-denominational church in Clearwater, Florida.

Crellin, Md. Crellin UB helds its annual missions conference on Sunday, October 28. This year's theme: "Making a Global Impact." Speakers during the morning service were representatives of the Mt. Top Crisis Pregnancy Center, which the church regularly supports as a "home" mission. The evening service was presented by a group from Otterbein UB in Waynesboro, Pa., the former church of Pastor Allan Mummert. Otterbein is planning a November missions trip to Tanzania.

Mason, Mich. The Eden UB will begin the Advent Season with a live-out door nativity with a cast of 64 people, live animals, music and drama. The 20-minute showings will be held November 23, 24 and 25. The purpose is community outreach.

Shippensburg, Pa. Mainsville UB entered the Halloween parade in Shippensburg, Pa. The float had a large sign saying "Celebrate Jesus," along with balloons and runner lights. Church members sat on hay bales and sang praise songs, while several adults walked alongside the float giving out candy to kids holding bags or pumpkins.

Judy Mentzer writes, "A family that lives near our church has 22 handicapped children. They brought several of these children. We lifted them out of their wheelchairs and sat when on the float. They had a great time. They never had a chance to do anything like that before. One little girl, Amber, has no arms and no legs. She had a good time."

Judy continues, "The biggest surprise of all--we won $100. We had no hopes of winning anything. We just decided to do something different. We were greatly blessed."

Ten women from Mainsville are attending the Women of Faith conference in Philadelphia.

November 8, 2001

Bluffton, Ind. Park UB used a community Halloween event in the city park to pass out information to the children, inviting them to the weekly Kids Klub and Youth Group. The church distributed 200 bags of candy. On November 4, Park dedicated a new kitchen. Gary Dilley, the UB Director of Global Ministries, joined the congregation that day for the church's Thank Offering Sunday.

Chambersburg, Pa. Mark Story has been appointed Program Director at Rhodes Grove Camp. Mark, a pastor's son, grew up in Maine. He is a graduate of Lancaster Bible College and has worked at various Christian camps as a counselor and camper. His wife, Jill, is from Waynesboro, Pa., and spent many of her summers as a camper at Rhodes Grove. They have one daughter, Moriah, and are expecting their second child in December. Last year, Mark and Jill were missionaries in Tanzania with Africa Inland Mission.

Honduras. As already reported, Honduras has once against been hit hard by flooding after recent storms. Francisco Raudales, superintendent of Honduras Conference, sent this report on November 6:

"We surely praise our God and Savior for his care and love to us during these difficult times. The difference between what we suffer in Hurricane Mitch and what we suffered in this storm is that there were not as many deaths. But again, we have many families left without anything.

"We thank the Mission headquarters for responding so promptly to the need of Honduras. With the money sent, we bought groceries and mattresses for people in different neighborhoods like:

  • Col. Sarmiento, where we are serving 42 families.
  • La Pradera: 8 families.
  • Miramar: 22 families.

"We are also sending funds to Yoro for 30 families. Yoro has been one of the areas that is hurting a lot because, again, the roads were washed out and getting help to them was almost impossible, but now only difficult. And because of the bad weather we are still experiencing, we haven't been able to reach Marion and Kilometro 17. Thank God, the new bridges built after Hurricane Mitch seem to have passed the test.

"Probably you have heard through the news of floods in many places of Honduras, where maybe we will not be able to help, but we are praying because again crops were washed out, cattle were lost, and many people are without jobs. Our government is making good use of the funds designated by Japan for disasters in Honduras during Hurricane Mitch, and we thank God for that too. And we also thank God that there were UB funds from Hurricane funds to be able to help.

"La Uba is safer than ever. The location of the village (built with UB funds for people displaced by Hurricane Mitch) is the best there can be, praise God. Yes, they do have difficult moments; because of the weather there are not too many jobs available. So for a while we may have to take some groceries to them.

"Thanks for your prayers, because again there is a lot of work , trying to reach everyone we could."

November 6, 2001

Pastoral Changes

  • Joshua Montague is now the youth pastor of Trenton Hills UB, Adrian, Mich.
  • Rick Burton is pastor of Central UB in Montpelier, Ohio.

November 2, 2001

Honduras. Hurricane Michelle killed at least a dozen people and left an estimated 115,000 people homeless in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Jamaica, during five days of rain. Honduras was especially hard hit, while Jamaica issued flood warnings for about half of the country.

From Honduras, Francisco and Maira Raudales sent this report: "Things here are really bad for many families. The heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, many homes flooded almost up to the roof. Just as it happened with Hurricane Mitch, many were left only with the clothes they were wearing; some could save some of their furniture. Yesterday, we bought some mattresses and food for families that our church is taking care of, places where government help does not reach. There is need for clothing, food, water, and cough and cold medicine. Honestly, this storm has been as bad as Hurricane Mitch. But thank God that since our government rescue team this time was prepared to rescue and evacuate so many families, we haven't heard of too many deaths.

"The most affected areas are: La Lima, near the San Pedro Sula, Progresso, San Juan Pueblo, La Ceiba, and Yoro. Up to this moment, we have not been able to communicate with Yoro; roads were washed out, and there is no electricity. Also, at a community called El Oro, 40 kilometers from La Ceiba, a tornado struck and destroyed 25 homes. At the dump here in La Ceiba, some people lost all the little they had.

"So as you can see, help is needed. We also need to buy building material--roof tin, nails. At this moment, we do not have an exact idea of how many families we need to help. We are working on that. It is not easy to move around under so much rain and flooding."

Macau. Jana Hoobler sent these news items on November 1.

  • "Our team had a good break in Hong Kong for two days this past week. On Sunday afternoon we attended Hong Kong Conference's annual missions conference. Then we stayed for a few days of R&R. The weather was beautiful!
  • "The fund-raiser at Living Word Church went well last Saturday. I was encouraged to see how much the church members pitched in to help. We missionaries went early to help, but ended up going out for a walk because there were plenty of people getting everything ready. Around 60 people came to the dinner, and over US $1000 was raised through the event. Praise the Lord for His blessing on the church's efforts to raise funds.
  • "Living Water Church is holding their annual camp this weekend. Pray that this will be a quality time of sharing and growing for the church members.
  • "We're starting a new English Language Program term on Tuesday. Pray that God will bring students to our program who are open to the gospel. Pray that we will continue strong relationships with students from last term."

Marion, Ind. Bill O'Toole has resigned as church planter in Marion, Indiana and as interim pastor at Innisdale Church in Alexandria, Ind., effective immediately. Innisdale will be unassigned for the present time.

Clarksburg, W. Va. Christopher Mullet, pastor of Living Water UB, reports that on October 19, his wife Lisa gave birth to a baby girl, Olivia Johnston Mullett. "She is our third child and everyone is doing great."

Canada. Jim Asher, a former pastor in Ontario, is now a chaplain in the Navy. He writes: "Because of the events of September 11, I am unable to tell you where we are, where we are going, what we are doing, how many people are on board, and the name of the ships. Even my wife Yvonne does not know where I am. Once I leave someplace, then I tell her where I have been and a bit about what I have done.

"I can tell you a little bit about what I do, though. I work for a Navy Captain who is in charge of a couple of ships carrying both marines and sailors. We are the first line of attack when needed. Therefore my job is to provide pastoral ministry for the sailors and marines aboard the ships. I fly from one ship to another from time to time for various reasons. I tend to ride one ship more than the others. This is because this ship does not have an assigned Chaplain. I hold Bibles studies, worship services, and give counsel to those on board. When there is a death in someone's family, and this happens quite frequently, I provide comfort. There are times that we can send the person home for the funeral; and there are times that we cannot.

"I also provide marital counsel for those experiencing marital difficulties. Many of those who get married at a young age find themselves in the midst of marital crisis during the time they are gone. Usually we have to work to save the relationship from a great distance. There are times that people cannot seem to stand the separation from family and friends, and I work to help them make it through that time.

"As you can see, my job extends to everyone on the ship, whether they have a religious faith or not. I can tell you that the ship on which I am riding has been in Turkey. We were able to go to the ruins at Ephesus. I walked through St. John's church. To think that I was standing in a location where the Apostle John, St. Paul, and Timothy would have stood was tremendous. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to lead in prayer right by the altar."