Pastor's Blog

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Short and sweet this morning.  The member of the Friendship family who seemed to be struggling the most with the virus had a much better day yesterday.  Thank you for praying.

Lisa and Gina are better.  I think they will be good to go come Monday morning.

Coley & Katelyn Johnson delivered a fantastic dessert to us yesterday.  Very nice of them!  We are grateful!

Daphne & Ann cooked the Thanksgiving meal for everyone on the hill and then did a front porch delivery to each house.  They brought enough food to our house to feed Lisa, Gina and me for the next month!  Daphne cooked a turkey and a ham plus trimmings.  Ann cooked the dressing and desserts.  In my opinion, no one cooks a better dressing than Ann!  That is always a highlight of Thanksgiving for me.

Yes, it was a different Thanksgiving for sure but I have so much for which to be thankful.  God is good!  He is faithful!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Happy Thanksgiving!  Without a doubt, this will be the most “different” Thanksgiving in my sixty years on this earth.  Same holds true for almost all of us.  For me, the pandemic rendering Lisa and Gina unavailable for family time, first Thanksgiving without my dad being with us, Lisa not being able to be in Guatemala with Soy, Deidra and the girls, the list goes on.  However, we have much for which to be thankful and I am thankful to God for His many blessings!

By my count, we still have five or so members of the Friendship family still actively battling the virus.  Other than Lisa & Gina, I do not list names.  I can tell you that one of our members is having a tough time and needs extra prayer support.  So far we do not have anyone in the hospital with the virus and that is a good thing.

Keep praying for Donnie Felps (home) and for Tina Sprinkle’s dad (hospital).

Live stream of our 8:00AM service this Sunday, 11/29, with in person attendance allowed.  Masks suggested and social distancing strongly encouraged.  Preaching only.  Evening service at 6:00PM with music and preaching.  It too will be live stream with in house attendance allowed.

I mentioned Brianna Rice in my message last Sunday.  The following came to me via email from Elizabeth Westbrook last Saturday, 11/21: “Brianna is 15 years old and first starting coming to Friendship when another teenager in youth invited her. Brianna started off riding the bus. Even though services have been canceled for the next two weeks, Brianna made from scratch 14 pumpkin and pecan pies, 5 large pans of Banana Pudding and a ton of chocolate chip cookies to share with our bus riders as a substitute for our annual Bus Ministry Thanksgiving meal. The reactions for our families while Dylan and I were passing out these desserts and wishing families a Happy Thanksgiving was overwhelmingly positive today. We are so thankful that she put in the time and work to bless about 20 of our most faithful bus families! She truly has a servants heart and she is very talented!”

I spoke too early on Lisa’s improvement.  She was out of energy yesterday afternoon and last night.  Gina seemed to go backwards a step or two as well.  Maybe today will be a better day for them.  I pray so.

Daphne cooked supper for us last night.  Someone left energy water and Gatorade at our front door.  How nice was that!  I spent all day yesterday in my office at the church.  Needed to get some things done and needed a break from playing nurse.

One more thing that is really important.  I mentioned the other day about Daphne’s latest degree.  She now has her doctorate as a Nurse Practitioner and finished this degree with a 4.0 GPA.  Impressive to me.  I am proud of Daphne and this accomplishment in her life.  Yes, I am still better than she is at this nursing thing but she has the piece of paper that gives her bragging rights!

Would you pray for me to get a negative COVID test Monday morning?  Thank you!

I pray that you will have a great Thanksgiving Day with Jesus.

Happy eleventh birthday to our oldest grandchild, Titus!  He was born on Wednesday, 11/25/09, which was also the day before Thanksgiving.  His celebration will have to be virtual this year because of the pandemic but I hope he has a great day otherwise.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Donnie Felps was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  He is experiencing a good deal of pain so keep praying.

Tina Sprinkle’s father remains hospitalized.  He was scheduled to move to a rehab facility but those plans are being delayed a bit.  Keep praying.

Markee Brinkman is trying to get in to see a specialist relating to his injury.  He “may” end up in New Orleans or Birmingham because of this needs.  Pray for Martin, Jennifer & Markee.

The church office remains closed and there will be no activities on our campus today or tonight.

Gina continues to do well in her bout with the virus.  It “seems” to me that Lisa was much improved yesterday afternoon.  She has slept well through the night so hopefully today will be good too.  Thank you for your prayer support.

We will live stream our 8:00AM service this Sunday morning, 11/29.  No music, preaching only.  Persons wishing to come “in person” may do so but will be asked to practice social distancing.  We will then have an evening service beginning at 6:00PM which will include music and preaching.  Again, social distancing will be the norm.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

The surgery on Donnie Felps did not begin until early afternoon yesterday.  All went as expected and he is “scheduled” to be discharged today.  We shall see.  Pray for Donnie.  Pray for Marisa as she will be his caregiver once he gets home.

The church office is closed today and the rest of the week.

This is the schedule for this Sunday, 11/29, as it stands right now:  live stream at 8:00AM.  No music, preaching only.  Folks will be allowed to attend in person if they so desire.  Social distancing will be in place and those on the lower level will be asked to wear masks.  Evening service at 6:00PM with music & preaching.  The use of masks will be requested.  The 6:00PM service will also be live streamed.

We have a team of twelve folks scheduled to travel to Guatemala the dates of Tuesday, December 1, through Tuesday, December 8.  There will be one person from North Carolina, four folks from Danville, Alabama, two folks from Bay Minette, two folks from Mississippi, and three folks from Friendship.  The biggest challenge for this team is finding a PCR test within the seventy two hours from their departure.  Pray for each of them to find favor with a testing site.

Deidra cooked, served and fed a Thanksgiving meal to like one hundred and seventy five folks yesterday.  They consumed seven turkeys that weighed an average of twenty pounds.  Those folks prefer the dark meat and bones to the white meat.

On the home front, Gina continues to do well.  Lisa had some coughing issues last night.  I was premature in thinking Lisa was turning the corner.  As has been the case with others, the energy level is very low for Lisa.  Prayers appreciated.

I learned of another member of the Friendship family who tested positive yesterday.  Pray for all affected.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Donnie Felps is scheduled to have surgery this morning.  Pray that all goes well.  If it does go well, he will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.  As is the case now, Donnie will not be allowed to have anyone with him during this time.

Pablo is a faithful attender of not just our Spanish service but of many of our services.  His father-in-law passed from this life over the weekend.  Pray for Pablo’s wife, Virginia, and the family during this time.

Deidra is cooking, cooking and cooking as she is feeding a Thanksgiving meal to many of the folks in Guatemala.  Pray that she can get done all that she wants to get done.

Soy has been working diligently in the mission house changing ceiling fans, changing locks, et cetera.  He has put in many hours on the renovation.  I am grateful.  The “Camp house” looks amazing!

What a different Sunday!  We had technical difficulties with the live stream.  Rhett & Raymond worked really hard to correct those problems but it was not to be.  You can now access the message but I am not so sure you want to – poor job by me!  I do thank God for our volunteers!

I did make a decision yesterday morning while preaching.  If nothing changes to warrant otherwise, I will allow folks into the auditorium this Sunday, 11/29, for the 10:30AM service.  It will remain a preaching only service.  Several folks contacted me about attending this past Sunday but I did not allow that to happen.  Wish now that I had.

The church office is closed all of this week and there will be nothing taking place on our campus this Wednesday, 11/25.

Thank you to those who have contacted me asking about Lisa and Gina.  Gina is doing really well.  As a matter of fact, I am of the opinion that she had a “false” positive.  I could be wrong.  I am very grateful that she is doing well.  Thank you for praying.

Lisa has not been as blessed in that regard.  Her oxygen sats have been lower than I would have liked and she has had a slight cough and some body aches.  However, this morning at 4:00AM her oxygen sats were the best they have been since she tested positive so maybe she is on the mend.  Lisa is a good patient.  Thank you for praying!

Keith & Aninha Barrett came to the rescue on Saturday morning with some home remedy stuff.  What a great couple.  Has it helped?  In my opinion, yes!  Thank you Keith & Aninha.  What an awesome couple!

Dana cooked supper on Saturday night, Ann cooked lunch yesterday, Brad & Daphne cooked supper last night.  So, we have been well taken care of on the food front.

The question has come to me frequently, “how are you doing?”  I am doing great.  I am scheduled to lead a team of twelve to Guatemala leaving next Tuesday, 12/1.  Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey are then scheduled to fly home with me on Tuesday, 12/8.  So, please pray for me to get a negative test before the flight on 12/1.  Pray for the other team members to also get negative test results.

Pray for the four or five members of the Friendship family who continue to actively battle the virus.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

We will be going “live stream only” for the next two Sundays, 11/22 & 11/29.  Tomorrow’s live stream will begin at 10:30AM.  Yes, we will have the radio feed available for those who wish to sit in the church parking lot and listen on their vehicle’s radio.  I simply ask that folks remain in their vehicle.  No one will be allowed in the church buildings except for me and the media guys.  Again, no musical worship, just preaching.  Please help pass the word.  Please pray.  Please remember to give online or to mail your offerings in to the church office at P.O. Box 756 Grand Bay, AL 36541.

There will be no activities on our campus this coming week.  Which means there will be no Wednesday services or activities which is normal for us during Thanksgiving week.

The church office remains closed until Monday, 11/30, at 8:00AM.

The virus has hit the Turrentine household.  Lisa was scheduled to leave this morning heading to Guatemala to spend Thanksgiving with Soy, Deidra and the girls.  Lisa and Deidra were going to host the neighbors for a special Thanksgiving meal.  As I was checking in for my flight from Guatemala City on Thursday, word came to me that Lisa had tested positive for the virus.  She was floored as she had zero symptoms.  One of my initial thoughts was to simply not get on the plane and to stay for Thanksgiving with the Taylors.  However, I knew that I needed to come home and be the nurse for my wife.  So, I got home late Thursday night and began my nursing duties.  Those duties were doubled Friday afternoon when Gina’s test results also came back positive.  I am keeping Lisa and Gina full of Tylenol (is that two every six hours or six every two hours?), keeping them hydrated and fed, keeping up with their oxygen sat numbers and taking their temperature regularly.  As it stands right now, Gina is faring better than Lisa but she is a little younger.  Prayers appreciated.

Daphne just completed the requirements for her doctorate as a Nurse Practitioner.  Congratulations to Daphne.  I am very proud of her.  She is obviously much more qualified than me to care for Lisa and Gina.  She has been great in being willing to help me in any way needed.  However, I will not let her come in our house in order to keep her and her family from being exposed to the virus.  So, I lean on her for medical advice.  She brought us lunch yesterday.  Meanwhile, Deidra is washing clothes!

Another person who has been the absolute best during this whole ordeal is Todd Stork!  I am telling you that they do not come any better than Todd.  He has gone above and beyond to help us.  I am very, very grateful to Todd!  His servant’s heart is incredible!

As far as I know, counting Lisa & Gina, there are a maximum of six folks within the Friendship family actively battling the virus.  One or two others are waiting on test results.  Others have been exposed.  We are obviously not at a critical point within the church family but I am doing what I can to be proactive in stopping the spread of the virus among our folks.  Pray for one another.

TJ Vice graciously took my Kentucky vs Alabama football tickets from me for today’s game.  I had no choice but to stay home and care for Lisa & Gina.  Wait, yes I did have another choice per Lisa – divorce!  TJ told me he was running a little low on cash but he would settle up with me later.  Typical deacon talk!

Confession – Daphne is really not that much more qualified than me to care for Lisa and Gina medically.  I just wanted her to feel super good about her doctorate!  Just saying!

I do know that just before 3:00PM today I will be using the six pills every two hours formula until around 6:30PM.  Lisa and Gina need sleep!  LOL!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

After much prayer, consultation with medical professionals, and much thought, I have made the decision to go live stream only with our services for the next two Sundays, November 22 and 29.  A password will NOT be needed to access the live stream.  The live service will begin at 10:30AM.  This will be different in the fact that the live stream will feature preaching only.  There will be no musical worship as we are trying to limit the number folks interacting with one another.

So, no bus ministry service, no Sunday School, no Spanish service, no evening activities, nothing on our campus.

The church office will remain closed until Monday, November 30.  I am in town and will be available in the event of an emergency.

There will be no services/activities on our campus on Wednesday, November 25.

So, why the change?  There has been a significant increase in positive test results in South Mobile County over the past week or so.  Everything in me wants to just keep going but I am trying to be proactive in slowing the spread of the virus.  Is it the right decision?  Depends on one’s definition of right.  Will everyone agree with this decision?  Hello!  I learned a long time ago that “leaders lead, they do not take opinion polls” so I am doing what I feel is best for the Friendship family at this time.  We may not all agree but we can all pray fervently!

It is very important that we not forget the giving aspect of the ministry.  I ask you to prayerfully consider giving online or to place your offering (no cash) in the mail.

Please help pass the word regarding these changes.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

The church office remains closed today.  Should an emergency arise, contact Bro. Abel.

Keith Barrett had successful surgery this week as they removed a skin cancer.  Keith has about as much faith as any person I have ever known personally.  He and Aninha are a great couple and a vital part of the Friendship family.

Tina Sprinkle’s father is in the hospital and will be there for about two weeks.  God has already answered some prayers in his situation and we give God the glory.  Keep praying!

As it presently stands, we will be on a regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 11/22.  The auditorium and Preschool Building will be professionally disinfected prior to Sunday morning.  Other measures will be put in place to help prevent the potential spread of the virus.

There will be no Thanksgiving boxes given away this Sunday.  Obviously, there will be no putting together of those boxes on Saturday morning.  Please pass the word.

My yesterday on GRACE Mountain consisted of three meetings and all three were productive.  We offered a job at Colegio JET to a new teacher, worked through a situation with an employee, and met with a couple of parents who want to get their children involved in Colegio JET.

Lord willing, I will be traveling home today leaving this afternoon and arriving home tonight.  Pray for me to have safety in my travels.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Out of an abundance of caution, there will be no services/classes/activities on our campus this morning or evening.  Obviously, we have a few folks within the Friendship family who have been diagnosed with the virus.  The plan is to have some of the buildings professionally cleaned and sanitized before Sunday.

Also, the church office will be closed today and tomorrow.

It is 3:00AM and, after prayer, thought and consideration, I have just reached this decision.  So, I need your help in getting the word out to others.  Use your social media platforms to let folks know, please.

Pray for one another!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Judy Hall is in the hospital.  Yancey asks that we pray for her.

Bro. Jerry will be packing the Thanksgiving food boxes this Saturday, 11/21, beginning at 8:00AM.  Anyone willing to help is asked to simply come the Preschool Building.  He will also need help following the 10:30AM service this Sunday, 11/22.

The team in Guatemala spent yesterday hosting soccer clinics under Bro. Abel’s leadership.  I am not a fan of soccer but I was present from 9:00AM until 3:30PM.  When the day was over I thought, “I am still not a fan of soccer!”  LOL!

Everyone except me will fly home today.  Pray for them to have safety in their travels.  Three going to Mobile and one to Kalamazoo.

I want to say again what a great job Soy & Deidra have done leading this team.  I thank God for them and their leadership.

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