TUESDAY, 10/27/20
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
My sister, Melissa, celebrated her forty sixth birthday yesterday and my brother, Freddie, celebrates his fifty sixth birthday today. Happy belated birthday to Melissa and happy birthday to Freddie. (FYI, I remember birthdays without the help of social media. Just saying!)
Major announcement for the Friendship family – due to the potential impact of Hurricane Zeta, the church office will be closed on Wednesday, 10/28. Also, there will be no services, classes or activities tomorrow (Wednesday), 10/28, on our campus. It appears there is a good possibility that Zeta will make landfall near us on Wednesday evening/night. We are presently under a hurricane warning even though Zeta’s top winds are only seventy miles per hour. My preference it to never cancel a service but 2020 has been like the strangest year ever – at least in my life. So, I am asking our thirteen readers to pass the word about this cancellation.
Miss Annie Gazzier passed from this life early yesterday evening. Her husband remains hospitalized. Pray for this family during this most difficult time.
Sharon Jardee’s surgery is today. Pray for all to go well.
Max Peacock had a procedure done and they are in hopes it will prove beneficial. Keep praying for Max. Update – Max is now at home. That is good news!
Our good friend in Montgomery, Alabama, Decker Terry, recently had surgery. He did well but is still in need of our prayers.
There are other prayer requests that I choose to not make public for various reasons. Just pray as God knows.
Where have I been? Basically in a whirlwind! Lisa and I drove to Michigan in order for me to preach at the Vriesland Reformed Church on Sunday morning and then to host the annual GRACE Ministries pig roast on Sunday evening. I was very honored to be given the opportunity to preach at Vriesland as I have many, many friends in that church including Tom & Shari Compagner. We arrived at Tom & Shari’s house on Saturday afternoon making sure to get there in time to watch the Bama game on television. Sunday was a full day and we arrived back in Grand Bay yesterday afternoon. Yes, we drove straight through to Michigan and straight through on the way home. When you are young, you can do things like that. When you are old, it is basically pretty stupid to do things like that. Just saying!
As expected, the attendance for the pig roast was down due to the virus but the spirit was excellent. GRACE Ministries has enjoyed tremendous support from so many Michiganders over the past twenty or so years. We are blessed.
Speaking of GRACE Ministries, the taxes on the container were announced yesterday afternoon and they were very fair. Thanks to Pastor Mike Parker and his staff for all of their help in this area. Prayers have been answered thus far. We now need you to pray that the container will be released in a very timely fashion – like within a week.
Donna Westhouse baked an apple pie and gave it to Tom & Shari Compagner on Sunday at the pig roast. Oh my goodness! Best apple pie I have ever eaten! I actually ate two pieces and that is so not me. She needs to be selling those things online! Thank you Donna!
To our Michigan friends, we have openings on our December 1 – 8, 2020 mission trip to Guatemala. The online airfare is good right now and the flight schedules are also pretty good. Ditto for our Alabama friends. Fares can change quickly. So, if you have a valid passport and want to join us then contact me like yesterday! Think long probably means think wrong! This trip will be one where we celebrate Christmas with our students and their families. Always a very special trip!
Remember, our church office will be closed tomorrow and no services tomorrow morning or evening. Pray that Zeta will weaken before making landfall. Thanks to Kendall Falana for providing me with updates that are almost always spot on.
I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.