Pastor's Blog

Cynthia Cumbie was released from the hospital on Tuesday night and is feeling better.  As far as I know, there are no other significant changes with anyone else who is on our prayer list.

The team is doing good as this will be the final scheduled “ministry” day on this trip.  Three houses need to have one side screwed on and then we are good to go.

House dedications will take place this morning.  We are praying that will be a special time for the families and the team members.

Everyone is doing well.  The team is scheduled to arrive in Pensacola at 9:06PM tomorrow (Friday) night on Delta.

BTW, the question has been asked about the outcome of the basketball game the other night.  The guys from Friendship got drilled!  However, the opposing team did have one guy who was almost 16 years old.  North America or Central America – it is all the same for them when it comes to the outcome of basketball games!  LOL!

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Bro. Jerry tells me that Cynthia Cumbie may have gone yesterday afternoon.  If not, maybe today.

We are on a regular schedule as far as our services/Bible studies go today.  Bro. Robbie will be preaching the 10:00AM & 7:00PM services.  I encourage the members of the Friendship family to be faithful.  By the way, next Wednesday, 4/27, we will have another “Potluck with the Pastor” immediately following the morning service.  Not sure what the meat will be but Lisa and I will provide it.  I hope a good number of our folks will plan to join us for that time of food and fellowship.

Things continue to go well with the team presently in Guatemala.  They have now completely finished seven houses, have poured cement in two others, and have two others ready for the cement.  Four more to build.  Tomorrow will see this team go to a local village in the early afternoon to distribute provisions and to show the JESUS film.  Someone graciously donated all of the equipment for us to show the JESUS film and other movies as we have the opportunity.  What a blessing!

We have had folks doing different things around the church in order to help us get ready for the Easter weekend.  Thank you to each person who is helping in any way.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

The doctors have discovered a blood clot in Cynthia Cumbie’s leg.  I do not know the details but do know that Caroline is very concerned.  They did surgery over the weekend on her ankle.  Pray for her.

Bro. Jerry sent word that we had a really good attendance in Sunday night’s service and there was one salvation decision after the service.  Praise the Lord!  Thank you for being faithful.

Bro. Chris does not have the same ability to get online as I do.  Who is looking technology smart now?  (I do have a brother living in China!)  The team is doing great (unless your name is Larry!)  Aaron Chinners has a blister on his hand and all I have heard him do is complain!  Deanna Dos is, well, Deanna Dos!  Jace Wilkinson actually did some work yesterday – it is a miracle!  Kelley Mothershed could not locate the “green board stretcher!”  She did try!  I find myself saying “Hosanna” a lot.

Yesterday, the team basically built six houses to the point of being ready to receive concrete.  The ground is extremely hard!  Five of those houses received the concrete.

Bro. Chris is doing a good job of leading this team.  Good attitudes are being shown by everyone.  Keep praying for us.  I hear that tonight there will be two basketball games in the seminary’s gym.  Gringos versus Guatemalans.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

Good morning from beautiful Guatemala.  I left yesterday afternoon in order to join Bro. Chris and the others for the final five days of their trip.  I appreciate Bro. Jerry Whitmore preaching during the afternoon service and Bro. Jerry Hovel for preaching during the evening service.  Bro. Robbie Howard will preach during the Wednesday morning & evening services.

As far as our attendance goes, we did pretty good in the early service and “okay” in the second service.  I am glad that folks can get away as families to enjoy each other, rest, and relax.  God blessed our services and we certainly give Him thanks!

Bro. Chris blogged on the GRACE blog yesterday.  I guess the thing that most amazed me is that they painted the entire seminary in one day – wow!  LOL!  He will be keeping the GRACE blog updated and will be using this site as I get information from Bro. Jerry.

Members of the Friendship family are encouraged to be pro-active in getting the buildings and grounds ready for Easter weekend.  The tractor is in the bus barn if anyone wants to mow on the back property – simply contact Bro. Jerry for the keys.   Someone has volunteered to trim the shrubs.  Thank you in advance to all who will help.

The NBA is rigged!  How else can you explain the Lakers getting beat by the Hornets?

Gotta go meet the team as I have only seen Bro. Chris & Nicole.  It was good to see Nicole!  I hear that Deanna II is here!  Some folks have questioned which one will work the least this week – Dillon P or Cameron W?  I have placed my confidence in Jace W.  However, if I need to know where a tienda is, Jace is the man!  LOL!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

Some parents are calling wondering if the team made it to Guatemala yesterday?  You would think that “technology smart” Bro. Chris would twitter, flitter, et cetera to let them know.  This younger generation!  Yes, they made it safely and on time.  All is well.

Betty Hamil received two stents yesterday, spent the night in the hospital and was supposed to come home today.  I cannot confirm that she has come home yet but she did well through the procedure.

Larry Whitehurst consulted with the doctor for three hours yesterday.  This doctor seems to think the tumor is larger than originally suspected.  It is definitely affecting the optic nerve which in turn affects Larry’s vision in his left eye.  Larry does not know where they will go from this point forward.

Bobby Broome did well.  I have not talked to him but have seen him outside doing “light duty” in the yard.  He is basically going to be outside doing something as sitting in the house is not his style.

Cynthia Cumbie remains hospitalized.  Carla Kyser has had some sickness from her last treatment.

Good news – got my mower back yesterday.  Bad news – Charles still charged me $25 an hour for “not” using his mower.  Said something about my possibly needing it kept him from renting it to anyone else so it cost him money.  Wow!  By the way, I asked Soy if he knew what a “stater” was and he said “yes” that he learned that in college.  He said a “stater” is someone who just made a statement!  That Soy is one smart cookie – kinda reminds me of Jethro Bodine!

Gotta go wash about five pounds of dirt and head over to the wedding of Drew Timberlake & Andrea Creighton at 2:00PM.

Hope all the members of the Friendship family who are in town will be present for the services tomorrow.

Betty Hamil will have a heart cath today as the tests have revealed three blockages.  The doctor is thinking that stents will most likely be the answer.  Bobby Broome is having a kidney stone “blown up” today – sounds like fun!  Larry Whitehurst sees the opthamologist this afternoon to get an better idea of what the tumor is doing to the optic nerve.  Cynthia Cumbie has an infection in her bloodstream.  Carla Kyser received her second round of her newest treatment yesterday.  Vance Holifield had a biopsy done yesterday.  Belinda Skelton, Miss Jackie Goff & Karen McGriff at all at home recovering from their recent hospital stay and/or surgery.  Betty Clair Hatcher is improving.  Misty Langley is recovering from her surgery too.  Pray for all of these folks!

It is 5:30AM and I just spoke to Bro. Chris via the phone.  Everyone showed up on time this morning and they were boarding the plane in Pensacola.  Pray for a safe day of travels as they should arrive in Guatemala City around noon our time.  I think Bro. Chris plans on blogging using the GRACE blog on this site.

Drew Timberlake & Andrea Creighton will be united in marriage tomorrow afternoon at 2:00PM in the church auditorium.  The reception will take place in the fellowship hall.  All members of the Friendship family are invited to attend this wedding ceremony.

Louise Mason did get online yesterday and seemingly used her time wisely.  You can read her comment on yesterday’s post.  If I had forgotten, I would have been reminded as Jack Ciak sent me an e-mail yesterday.  In Arkansas it is simply known as “IT” which stands for “internet Thursday!”  They now anxiously await Thursday, 5/11.  By the way, Louise thinks we only have three readers when we really have 13!

Lisa & I survived the time with our CPA.  Honestly, we really like Byron Sherman and appreciate his friendship/professionalism over the years.  He needs to get wireless internet in his office but otherwise it is all good!

Obviously, we have a good number of folks out of town this weekend on the mission trip.  Others are gone because it is Spring break in the public schools and Faith Academy.  We really need the members of the Friendship family who are in town to be faithful in their attendance this Sunday.

My mower is still in the shop.  I need to cut grass today.  Charles has offered to let me “rent” his mower for the low price of $105 per hour plus I furnish the fuel.  Folks, that is to mow his lawn!  Otherwise, the rate is $125 per hour plus fuel.  Wow!

I pray that you will have a great weekend with Jesus.

Carla Kyser will receive the second treatment of this chemo today.  Larry Whitehurst does have a tumor and it is wrapped around the carotid artery on the left side and may be pushing on his optic nerve too.  He will see an opthamologist tomorrow.  This tumor is not thought to be malignant according to the neurosurgeon but is “difficult” because of the location.  Misty Langley did well through her surgery but had some sickness afterwards.  Caroline Ford’s daughter, Cynthia, has a staph infection to go along with her blood poisoning.  She remains hospitalized.  Pattie Suthoff is at home as is Miss Jackie Goff.

Bro. Chris and a team of 3o something folks will leave tonight at 2:00AM heading for the airport in Pensacola, FL to board a plane going to Guatemala via Atlanta.  His team has already lost three members (Annette Sims, Larry & Judy Whitehurst) due to medical reasons.  Pray that they will have safe travels and a productive week of ministry.

We have GRACE Ministries t-shirts for sale for $10.  We have small, medium, & XXL in hand and will be ordering some large & XL next week.  These are simply to get the word out about GRACE Ministries.  Let me know if you want one.

It will be the Lakers versus the Hornets in the first round of the playoffs.  I am concerned that the Lakers may not have what it takes to win it all this year.  Time will tell!

It is 4:30AM and I have had a wonderful night of getting things ready to meet with our CPA this morning in order for him to prepare and file our taxes.  I really do not know why we are filing so early this year!

Do not forget that the folks in Arkansas have internet today as it is the second Thursday of the month.  You may want to send Louise Mason an e-mail!

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus!

Word came to me last night via Bro. Jerry that Belinda Skelton came home from the hospital yesterday.  I also learned from Caroline Ford that her daughter, Cynthia, was admitted to the hospital.  Helen Ruth Brinkman told me Sunday night that Miss Jackie Goff is on oxygen 24/7 now.  Larry Whitehurst has a consultation with a specialist today.  Carla Kyser continues to receive treatments.  Pray for all of these situations.

We are on a regular schedule today with one exception – our senior high students will meet in the auditorium for their Bible study time.  I think they may begin in the student ministry building initially but they will definitely end up in the auditorium if their numbers remain high.

I am asking the members of the mission committee to meet with me this afternoon at 6:00PM.  We will meet in my office.

I left Grand Bay at 5:00AM yesterday morning and arrived at the passport office in New Orleans, LA at 6:45AM – perfect!  The office opened at 7:30AM and I was second in line.  The folks working in that office could not have been any nicer – better than the greeters at a Walmart!  My appointment was at 8:00AM and they took me at 7:50AM and I was finished before 8:00AM.  Amazing!

Only one small glitch – the kind lady (Linda) told me that they no longer give passports the same day so I would need to come back on Wednesday  (I was simply having pages added)  However, since I had driven from Alabama and personally knew Pastor Jack Bailey they would expedite mine and have it ready at 2:30PM sharp.  So, I set up shop in the car with my computer, cell phone, Sunday School book and Bible and did not move until shortly after noon.  (Had to go to Frank’s on Decatur Street for a roast beef poboy – awesome!)  I actually had a very productive day in my “office” and 2:15PM arrived much quicker than I anticipated.  At 2:25PM the kind lady in window #7 handed me my “fatter” (kind of like the owner) passport and I was on my way home.  I thank God for a very uneventful day.

The guy who sold me my mower called and says they have found the problem.  (I should have called Willard)  The parts have been ordered and he thinks this problem has existed from the beginning (not of time but of my ownership of this machine).  It is the “stater” (probably spelled that wrong) which is part of the starter so they are replacing it and the regulator.  His goal is to make me reverse my “this is a lemon” thought process.  Time will tell!  He too has been very kind to me!

My life gets better – tomorrow Lisa and I get to have a root canal with no medication to numb the gum/jaw area.  No wait, it is not a root canal – we are simply going to see our CPA to have our taxes completed and filed!  LOL!

FYI – Louise Mason now lives in Arkansas and they get internet service on the second Thursday of each month.  So, if you want to send her an e-mail then tomorrow is the day.  All of the townspeople gather at the General Store and take turns using the one desk top to retrieve their messages.  This has been a public service announcement!

My brother, Eddie, is flying to China today so pray for him to have safe travels.  Thanks!

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

The funeral service for Brian Stringfellow was well attended and I hope was a blessing/comfort to the family.  It was a walk down memory lane for me.  I appreciate Bro. Kerry singing.  Keep praying for the Stringfellow family.

I do not have an update on Belinda Skelton’s surgery but assume all went well.  I was told yesterday that Miss Jackie Goff is not doing so well even though she is at home.  I do not have any new updates on anyone else.  John & Arlene’s daughter, Misty, will have surgery tomorrow in Arkansas.

Larry Whitehurst has been having some problems lately and two MRI’s later they have determined that he has a tumor in his head.  He meets with a neurosurgeon tomorrow for a consultation.  Pray that this will be nothing major.

Today will see me drive to New Orleans to get pages added to my passport.  I simply do not trust letting my active passport go only to be misplaced by someone.  My appointment is at 8:00AM but I probably will not get my passport back until after 2:00PM if it runs the normal course.  Pray that, if the Lord wills, I will get my passport back this morning so I can get back to Grand Bay.

Nick Saban or Eddie Turrentine?  Morris Bryant graciously gave me the opportunity to attend a banquet last night featuring Coach Saban and the entire tab was on Morris.  (Can you say miracle?)  I accepted only to have my brother, Eddie, call and ask me to visit him in Orange Beach as he leaves for Hartselle today and China tomorrow.  Why do I get put in these positions?  I chose my brother only to have him simply want to borrow some more money from me!  Wow!

As those who were in the 10:30AM service this past Sunday already know, I am “mad” at my mower.  The seller is supposed to pick it up today and has promised to make me eat my words that “if they were giving the things away I would not take one!”  Folks, he will have to do well to make me rescind that statement but I will gladly do it if things go well.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

Ashley Decker, Kayleigh Goodrum, Autumn Horton, Hayley Roberts, Seth Roberts, Hien Tran, Carmen Walker, Haley Walker, Carina Villanueva & Corina Villanueva all made public professions of faith in last night’s service and then followed Jesus in believer’s baptism.  Obviously, it is always a blessing to see professions of faith and folks being baptized!  We give God the glory!

The visitation with the Stringfellow family will take place this morning from 10:00AM until the noon service time.  The visitation and service will take place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore and the burial will take place in the adjoining cemetery.  Keep praying for the Stringfellow family.

Belinda Skelton is having surgery this morning over in Biloxi.  Pray that all will go well.  Sue Blodgett called yesterday to say that Roy had not had a good week.  Karen McGriff continues to recover from her surgery.  John & Arlene Meredith’s daughter, Misty, will have surgery in Arkansas on Wednesday.  Carla Kyser continues to receive treatments in her battle against cancer.  The funeral for McKenzie Smith will take place tomorrow.  Pray for all of these needs.

We had a blessed day in our services yesterday.  Our 8:00AM service attendance continues to increase and will seemingly surpass the 10:30AM attendance (auditorium only).  The Lord blessed us with a very good attendance in our evening service too.  God is good!

A team from the Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL is using the L.G. Camp, Jr. mission house this week.  They are being led by their pastor, Breck Ladd.  Pray that they will have a great week of ministry.  Bro. Chris Taylor will lead a team from the Friendship family to Guatemala this Friday, 4/15.  Pray as they get everything finalized and ready to go.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.