Pastor's Blog

First, thank you to each person who has reached out to me regarding my “down time!”  The prayers were much appreciated.  I appreciate Bro. Abel and Bro. Chris stepping up to the plate in my time of need.

Mission of Hope service tonight at 7:00PM.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Regular schedule on our campus Sunday.  Let’s all make an effort to be present!

As it stands right now, we have had three folks sign up to bake a cake for the auction on July 7.  That should not take long!  We will have a sign up sheet this Sunday, 6/30.  You can email me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.

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

Good Wednesday morning.  I pray that you are doing well.  I have been dealing with my red truck.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

Regular schedule this Sunday, 6/30, too.  We will focus on our freedom as a nation in the morning service.

Annual cake auction on Sunday, 7/7.  We need folks to bake cakes!  You can email me if you will help.

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

Miss Connie Hardy has been admitted to the hospital.  She is having some issues with blood clots.  As always, she is in good spirits and her daughter, Debbie, is a great caregiver.  Pray for Miss Connie.

Larsyn Kyser, granddaughter of Donnie & Marisa Felps, had surgery yesterday.  Marisa and Bro. Abel sent me an update.  The surgery went well and she will be in the hospital for several days.  Pray for Larsyn.

Larry Whitehurst has been moved to a regular hospital room.  The doctors are somewhat confused as to why his sodium level does not stay where it needs to be.  God has done a good work in Larry’s life and we praise Him.  Keep praying for Larry & Judy.

For the time being, Miss Annie Hayes is living with Lisa.  Lisa is a great friend!  Brad & Daphne have provided great help too.  Pray for Miss Annie.

Cindy Stokes took a fall while working on a house in Guatemala yesterday.  She broke her left wrist.  Her husband, Al, sent her to the doctor while he remained on the build site.  Are you kidding me!  Fortunately, Kayla Hatcher went with her and provided great help and support.  Kayla did the right thing and I appreciate her doing so.  Kayla is not medical but she stayed in touch with Daphne to make sure everything was being done correctly.  Of course, Cindy has multiple medical contacts and knew what to do as well.  Daisy stepped up and helped in a big way.  What about Deidra?  She does not do medical!  Pray for Cindy!

The rains have come in abundance here in Guatemala.  Yes, it has presented some challenges but all is well.  We should completely finish the twenty houses today, Lord willing.

I appreciate all Bro. Abel is doing in my absence.  He is doing well.

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

Judy Whitehurst sent me an update on Larry’s condition.  He has been moved to CCU.  She said he was more himself yesterday. Larry and Judy are very thankful for the prayer support and the love being shown to them.  Keep praying and I will update whenever possible.  Bro. Abel has visited Larry and will continue to do so in my absence.  Jeff Holifield and I got together last night and prayed specifically for Larry.  I am praying for God to raise Larry up!

Keep praying for Kathy King.  I have no update but do know she needs our prayers.

Betty Creech, Johnny & Sharlene Sessions and Shawn Siker are scheduled to travel to Guatemala today arriving just before midnight.  Pray that all goes as planned.

Danville Baptist Church gave over ten thousand dollars through their VBS this week to help support the ministry portion of their July trip to Guatemala.  Folks, that is amazing!  Absolutely amazing!

The Lord blessed the mission team with a sweet time of worship in song and the Word last night.  Pastor Eddie Burdette is our team pastor and the Lord used him to speak to us.  Thank you, Jesus.

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

Larry’s sodium level has increased but the kidney doctor has made the decision to not do a heart cath at this point in time.  Larry will continue to receive sodium but the only way a heart cath will take place is if the heart condition becomes critical.  Keep praying for Larry, Judy and the doctors.

Larry Whitehurst messaged me last night to share that he has been admitted to the hospital.  He sodium level had dropped to a dangerous level.  They are giving him sodium intravenously.  If his sodium level does not get to a satisfactory level then they will not be able to do the heart cath scheduled for this morning at 10:00AM.  Larry asks us to pray that his sodium level increases and that the heart cath can be done today.  Thank you in advance for praying.

Our GRACE Ministries team has had a couple of hiccups.  Four folks had their flight cancelled and are now scheduled to arrive in Guatemala very late Saturday night.  Not ideal but God knows.  The final six folks just arrived at 2:00AM local time.  We thank God for traveling mercies He bestowed upon this team.

Seven years ago this morning, 6/14/17, Soy, Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey boarded a plane heading to Guatemala to answer the call of God upon their lives to serve Him as missionaries by serving the Guatemalans.  There have been lots of highs,  a number of lows with one extreme low.  However, through it all God has been faithful.  Please keep praying for Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey, SLAM and GRACE.  May the Lord continue to give us a vision and may He guide each step of the way.

The good news in Guatemala is that it is now raining daily.  They have been very dry which is not a good thing as their rainy season usually begins around May 1.  May was a dry month.  So the rains are refreshing and very much needed.  Thank you Jesus.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  Pray for Larry!

Good news – Larry Whitehurst’s heart cath has been moved up to tomorrow morning.  Keep praying for Larry.  Pray for the doctor to get a good look at what is taking place within Larry’s heart.

Gene Davis in Georgia will be having heart valve replacement today.  He asks for our prayer support!

Sharlene’s sister-in-law’s family will be meeting with the funeral directors today to make arrangements for the visitation and service.  Pray for the Myer family.

One of the flights scheduled to arrive in Guatemala today with some of our team members has already been cancelled.  Bad weather in the Miami area.  Pray for all of these things to work out in a timely manner.

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

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching in the auditorium at 10:00AM and 6:30PM.

Speaking of our Wednesday services, we need a teacher for our 5th-6th grades Girls In Action class.  Also, we need someone to help Peggy Knighten in our four and five year old class.  Contact Tina Sprinkle if you will help.

Larry Whitehurst needs our prayer support.  It appears that something is going on with Larry’s heart.  He had an episode during one of our prayer meetings and has not been feeling well at all.  The hope was to get him in for a heart cath basically immediately but that did not happen so now he is scheduled to have one on Monday, June 17.  It is scheduled to begin at 9:00AM.  Pray for Larry & Judy.

Sharlene Sessions sister-in-law, Cindy Meyer, has passed from this life.  You will remember that Cindy’s husband, Ernie, just recently passed from this life.  Pray for the Meyer family as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.

A team of twenty-six folks will depart tomorrow, 6/13, heading to GRACE Mountain.  This will include thirteen folks from the Friendship family, four from the Grand Bay Church of God, one from Providence Baptist in Hatton, AL, and eight from the New Life Fellowship Church in  Anderson, South Carolina.  Pray for safety in travel and for a great week of ministry.

Derek & Meighan Brown, GBCOG, were scheduled to be on this team but, unfortunately, Derek shattered his ankle a few days ago.  He had surgery yesterday, 6/11, and will not be able to put any weight on that foot for the next eight to ten weeks.  The surgery was deemed successful.  Pray for Derek to have a complete recovery.

Speaking of mission trips, as it stands right now, our December 4 – 11, 2024, is completely filled. We already have folks on a waiting list.  It is a good problem to have.

Scott Fontenot is with me in Guatemala.  He graciously drove us to Atlanta on Sunday night (11:00PM until 5:00AM).  He has been busy since our arrival as Sergeant Deidra is relentless!  This is Scott’s first time in Guatemala and I am glad he is here.

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

Good morning from the Atlanta airport.  Traveled through the night in order to catch an originating flight here. Long story.  It is all good.

Pastor Roy Crouch and family did an awesome job in our morning service yesterday.  Pastor Roy preached the Word!  Titus & Issac did great on the piano.  The singing was very good as well.

The evening service with the GBCOG as really good.  I appreciate Pastor Jamie and his folks being such gracious hosts.

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

Jason needs a place to stay tonight, 6/7, through Sunday afternoon, 6/9.  Lisa and I are hosting Pastor Roy and family which means we have no room.  Anyone willing to host Jason needs to let me know no later than 1:00PM today.

“I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. Lord, when did we ever see you a stranger and show you hospitality? And the King will say, I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”