Pastor's Blog

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

It appeared that we were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  I appreciate the Word from Bro. Abel and I was blessed to attend Will’s SS class via electronic means.

Regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.

Bro. Jerry is on vacation this week.  Bro. Abel is in the office and on call 24/7.

Basically no response on the 11/11 – 11/18 mission trip so it looks to be a “no go.”  Ditto for the December trip.

Do not look for a blog over the next two or three days.  Just FYI.

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

Happy twenty fourth birthday to our “two” twin daughters, Dana & Gina!  I am sorry that I am not there with them today but they have celebrated a ton already.  Brad & Daphne are taking them out for supper tonight so they are in good shape.  I love Dana & Gina and am very thankful God placed them in our lives.  Happy birthday, girls!

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

As far as I know, things are well in South Mobile County.  That is good news.

Four.  That is the number of folks who have requested the necessary information to watch our Sunday service via live stream.  If you are homebound in South Mobile County or live out of town and want the log in information then you need to contact me by noon today.  pastor@friendshipfamily.net

My Friday was spent in meetings and signing papers.  Perhaps the most important meeting of the day was with the gentleman who is over the education department for the entire state of Chimaltenango.  Our request was for the students of Colegio JET to be allowed to resume in person school in January.  Simply stated, our students do not have access to computers or the internet so virtual learning is not an option at all.  The director was pleased with the plan put together by Deidra and promised an answer from his superiors at some point in October.  Please pray for favor.

Can Auburn go into Athens and beat the Bulldogs tonight?  I think they can.  If last week’s games are any indication, then they will.  It is good to see SEC football being played!

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)

I begin this entry by praying for our President and his wife as they have both tested positive for the virus.  Early reports are that they are doing well while quarantining at home.

Larry Whitehurst will have his second eye surgery today.  Pray all goes well.

Mike Parker (Clubhouse Guatemala) has a very serious medical condition within his family.  Pray for this situation.

The container did not leave Gulfport as planned.  US customs has decided to scan it.  Now maybe we will be able to find that missing member of the loading team!  Pray that the scan goes well and that the container will ship on Monday.

Morris Bryant painted the interior of our youth building.  Bro. Jerry says it looks like a new building.  Thank you Morris for this labor of love.

Danny Lewis put shingles on the office building.  We had a few disappear during Hurricane Sally.  Danny is always working on the church campus without any fanfare at all.  What an awesome church member!  Thank you Danny!

Let’s talk live streaming of our services.  The only way to receive the live stream signal now is to contact me personally in order for you to receive instructions on how to receive the signal.  I need to hear from you no later than tomorrow at noon.  At this point, I have only heard from Maxine Ervin Dupont in Texas.  You will need to be homebound locally or out of town to get this information.  If you live in the South Mobile County area, we want you involved in our services in person.

The Day of the Child in Guatemala was great!  Deidra, Angelina, Chino and I left at 8:00AM yesterday and got back to GRACE Mountain around 1:30PM.  We delivered pizza, chips, cookies and drinks to almost all of the one hundred and forty three students enrolled at Colegio JET.  They were meeting in small groups in various locations around the area.  While they cannot attend school due to the virus, they voluntarily come to a designated place several days each week to received educational instruction from our teachers who are voluntarily tutoring them.  They are doing the social distancing thing, wearing the face coverings, et cetera.  Yesterday was a day of fun and games.  Basically like a field day or Spring Fling in our US schools.  The students were happy campers.

Speaking of Guatemala, the needs here have always been great but they are even more so now with the virus.  Folks have seen their lives disrupted in a major way.  We need boots on the ground doing ministry.  So, the dates of Wednesday, November 11, through Wednesday, November 18, 2020 will see us bring a team to do ministry with Soy & Deidra coordinating the work.  The price of the tickets are favorable right now out of Mobile and Grand Rapids.  Please know that ticket prices can change at any moment.  So, if you are absolutely sure of your desire to join this team then please contact me via e-mail immediately.  Please know that once the tickets are purchased they cannot be refunded and they cannot be transferred.  I have one firm commitment to fly out of Mobile at the time of this writing.  Will there be tickets available to purchase later if someone decides to go?  Yes, but that person will have to pay the fare difference.  At today’s ticket rate, the trip will cost $950.  Any other participants?  Contact me now!

Also, as it stands right now, the price of tickets are also favorable out of Mobile for the dates of Tuesday, December 29, 2020 through Tuesday, January 5, 2021.  (Tickets out of Grand Rapids are much higher those dates)  If you prefer coming to Guatemala on those dates then please contact me immediately too.  Can a person do both trips?  Yes.  This trip will also cost $950 if the tickets remain the same fare.  Folks, time is of the essence here!

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)

Good Thursday morning from GRACE mountain.  I arrived here around 2:30PM yesterday afternoon after a long day of traveling and a close call on my connection in Houston.  More about that in a minute.

I appreciate Bro. Jerry teaching in my absence yesterday morning and last night.  I did not hear from anyone as to how things went but I am sure all was good.

Larry Whitehurst is scheduled to have his second eye surgery tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Keep praying for Larry Crawley.

The container did not leave Gulfport on Monday but is supposed to leave today.  The port was backed up because of the recent hurricane activity.  Pray for us to find favor with the customs officials.

Jonny Gaston and Reach My City will be having a fundraiser this Saturday, 10/3, from 10:0AM until noon in the parking lot of Lisa’s office (across from the Grand Bay post office).  You can get one pound of shrimp, corn and potatoes for a suggested donation of fifteen dollars.  The proceeds will help with their upcoming ministry needs.

The flight from Mobile was scheduled to leave at 7:00AM yesterday.  A problem arose and it was 8:00AM before it departed.  Basically it meant that I did not have enough time in Houston to make my connection.  The flight attendant, Deborah, was extremely kind to me, moved me to the front seat and encouraged me to run.  In the meanwhile Deidra was working the phone with the airline telling them to hold the plane.  I literally ran from Concourse B to the train and then from the train to the gate in the E concourse.  Felt like the old Hertz rental commercials (all of the old folks know what I am talking about).  Obviously, I made it in time to get on the flight to Guatemala.

It was great to see Deidra and the girls.  Soy & Deidra have done so much work on GRACE Mountain that it is basically a new place – wow!  You have to come see it!  As a matter of fact, I am going to lead a team the dates of Wednesday, November 11, through Wednesday, November 18, 2020.  Plans are to fly out of Gulfport.  Trip cost will be one thousand dollars which is basically all inclusive.  If you are interested, have a passport, and will pay a seven hundred dollars non-refundable deposit then contact me.  The tickets will be purchased online and are non-transferable.  Pass the word.  This also applies to our friends in Michigan who want to fly out of Grand Rapids on those same dates.

Today is the “Day of the Child” in Guatemala.  Big holiday here.  Not sure what all of that means for me today but I do know I am going with Chino to pick up pizza at 8:30AM.

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)

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Friendship family, please be faithful.

I am doing something today that I have not done since January.  I am going to board a plane and take a flight to Houston and then one to Guatemala City.  There are a boatload of things that need to be handled for GRACE Ministries as well as Colegio JET.  Deidra has been making decisions but is ready for me to assume the leadership position on several issues.  She has me lined up to meet, meet and then meet some more.

Flying has obviously changed drastically since March.  I had two tests on Monday for the virus.  Both came back negative.  Let me say what a huge help Todd Stork was through this entire process.  I could not have asked for a person to do more than Todd has done to get me tested and to get the results back in a timely manner.  Thank you Todd!  Todd has always been about as nice of a guy as you could possibly meet.  I am most grateful to Todd and to the nurse, Tammy, who “rammed” that Q-tip up my nose – LOL!  Actually, she did an excellent job and was very gentle.

I also want to say a huge “thank you” to Mike Borja who drove over from Long Beach, MS this past Saturday to help with the loading of the container.  Mike is a great friend and I literally first met him while he was leading the loading of a container bound for Guatemala.

Nic Gray from Bay Minette also drove over to help with the loading of the container.  Nic has no expertise in this area but heard there was going to be a free breakfast so he decided to come.  Nic is a great guy!  The best thing about Nic is his sweet wife, Annie. Thank you Nic!

The weather forecasters are now calling for daytime highs in the seventies and nighttime lows in the forties and fifties for the Gulf Coast.  The forecasted low for Friday night is forty two degrees.  Hallelujah!

I plan to blog while in Guatemala.  I hope to catch us up on some of the happenings there.  By the way, Deidra has posted some good blog entries recently on shininglightabroad.com.  You would do well to read them.

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

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

Karen McGriff’s mother had a biopsy done yesterday.  Her problem was an abscess and not a malignancy.  This is great news and the family is thrilled and giving God the glory.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Praying for the members of the Friendship family to be faithful in attending.

The weather forecasters are calling for some slightly cooler temperatures on the Gulf Coast over the next ten days.  Nothing to write home about but some cooler.  I am always up for cooler temperatures.

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)

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  Our attendance was about average in the 8:00AM service but we were up in our 10:30AM and 6:00PM services.  Praise the Lord!  Once again, there was an excellent spirit in all three of the services.  We are now seeing guests in almost each service with many of them being first time guests.  I sense folks are interested in the things of the Lord.

Martin & Jennifer Brinkman became grandparents late last week.  The baby is a bit premature but all is well at this time.  Congratulations to Brenden & Katie and all of the Brinkman family including all of those uncles.

Today marks the one year anniversary of Miss Lillian Brinkman’s passing.  That seems so like it happened yesterday.  Miss Lillian was a jewel and has been missed by the Friendship family.

Larry Crawley was in our morning and evening services yesterday.  Keep praying for Larry.

I do not have an update on Tracy Prater in North Alabama but do know she continues to need our prayer support.

The container was loaded this past Saturday and should leave the port of Gulfport today.  It is a long story but I just want to say a huge “thank you” to everyone who showed up to help.  Talk about great attitudes in the face of some adversity!  I saw the church being what the church is supposed to be!  Now I ask you too pray that we will find favor with the various customs officials and that the container will be released in a timely manner.

They say cooler weather is on the way to the Gulf Coast.  Hooray!

We are still strongly considering taking a team to Guatemala either in late October, November or December.  Anyone interested needs to contact me personally as soon as possible.

It was great watching SEC football this past Saturday.  I was surprised at State’s win over LSU.  Jeff Holifield called it.

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)

This entry is being written on Friday night from “container central!”  I have relied exclusively on the blog to notify the men of the need to be here at 7:00AM tomorrow (Saturday) in order to load the container that will set sail from the port of Gulfport on Monday, 9/28.  Some folks do not read the blog (let that sink in for a minute) so please pass the word!

How long will it take to load the container?  Great question.  I truly believe we can walk away completely finished by 9:00AM if enough guys show up to help.  Please pass the word!

On Friday afternoon Rhett “they call me McGyver” Butler led a crew of five men from the Mission of Hope in basically unloading the existing container and getting almost everything outside and placed in order to be loaded.  Rhett & crew finished their task in less than one hour – impressive!  Can the loading crew beat that time?  Nope.

Curtis Richmond graciously loaded the skids onto the existing container in late August or so.  He has agreed to come, on his off day, tomorrow to unload them and then put them on the container that will go to Guatemala.  How nice is that?  The guys at MAECO Fabrication located across the street from our church campus have always been so helpful whenever we have asked.  I am thankful to Curtis and the others at MAECO.  By the way, Curtis will be using a front end loader.  Did not want you to think he was lifting those things by hand.  Just saying.

So, with almost all of the contents of the container outside, we have had to put a security guard in place for the night.  Just being proactive.  He is armed and dangerous much in the mode of Barney P Fife!

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

SEC football begins today at 11:00AM – hooray!

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)

Short and sweet today.  We need the men who signed up to help load the container to be in place by 7:00AM in the morning.  We ask that you park your vehicles on the East side of the auditorium or on the back forty.  Please do not park on the South side of the CAB.  Once again, if you did not sign up to help but want to come join us, come on!

Well, I was wrong.  I thought the UAB vs South game last night would be competitive but it was not.  Maybe the Jags can right the ship before the Trojans come to town on 10/3.

The real college football season begins tomorrow morning at 11:00AM.  SEC!  SEC!  SEC!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  Our AWANA ministry begins at 5:00PM followed by children’s choir at 6:00PM.  Parents, involve your children in these ministries.

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

The trucking company contacted me this afternoon and have agreed to have the container on our campus at 7:00AM this Saturday, 9/26.  We need all hands on deck.  Honestly, I do not think it will take that long to load it with the crew we have committed to help.

Here are the men who have signed up:  Eddie Albritton, Brandon Baker, Joey Bosarge, Rick Bradley, Rhett Butler, Bob Evans, Kendall Falana, Abel Garcia, Stan Hatcher, Jeff Holifield, Brad Hutto, Scott Kirschenman, Steve Morris, Josh Nelson, Jay Oakwood, Jerry Poiroux, Kale Siker, Shawn Siker, Ian Tagert, Jimmy Tagert, Jason Taylor, Grant Tillman & TJ Vice.

If you want to help but your name is not on the list, come join us!

The four ladies baking the cakes are asked to have them at the church by 8:00AM Saturday.

Please help pass the word to the men who have signed up and any others who may be willing to lend a hand.  Thank you.