Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Anna Carol Bosarge and Robert Baria are both having surgical procedures done this morning.  Pray for them and their respective procedures.  Pray for the surgeons.  Pray all goes well.

Jimmy Tagert’s dad is being moved to a different facility and then the family will be making some decisions.  Keep praying for Mr. Tagert, Jimmy and the entire family.

Miss Annette Williams had a heart cath yesterday and it revealed no blockages.  Praise the Lord.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family today – morning and evening.

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

The team had a usual/unusual Sunday.  Most of the men made their way down to the GRACE Community Church at 8:00AM for a breakfast with some of the men from the church.  Dr. Rich Strabbing brought a message to that group and he did a really nice job.

All of the team then attended the service at the church.  It featured the ministry of the men’s quartet from the Great Commission Church in the village where this team is building.  Carla Mast led the North Americans in sharing two musical selections before the musical leadership team from the church led a couple of songs.  Pastor Lazaro then preached in English and his daughter, Marsha, translated.  Pastor Lazaro brought a good message.  The invitation was special.

The team then headed to El Rodeo to give food bags and a meal to two hundred and fifty families.  That translated to around seven hundred people.  Pastor Max Lara preached.  It was a blessed opportunity for the team as they witnessed some of the devastation from the volcano’s eruption last year.

As soon as the team got back to the mountain they gathered in the feeding center for supper where they were joined by about forty Guatemalans.  These were families who have sponsors on this trip.  Special meal.  Special time.

So, good Sunday.  God is faithful.  Keep praying.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Happy 83rd birthday to my dad and 80th birthday to my mama today!  Yes, they share a birth date three years apart.  Dad is probably in hopes he will get out of the hospital today.  Mama is probably in hopes they will keep him another few days.  Just saying.  Regardless, I hope they both have a great day!

I am told our services were well attended yesterday.  I am grateful.  I appreciate Bro. Jerry & Bro. Jim preaching in my absence.  I also am grateful to Bro. Jim for the way he handled his resignation.  Professional and respectful.

Jimmy Tagert’s father is seemingly some better.  Today is that critical day five so please continue to pray for him.

Anna Carol will have a MRI today and then a surgical procedure on Wednesday.  Keep praying for Anna Carol.

Robert Baria is also scheduled to have a surgical procedure on Wednesday.  Robert is an inspiration to me.  He is a great example of faithfulness.  Pray for Robert.

Dad’s white blood count is low and continues to decrease.  The hospitalist is concerned about this.  He has put dad on a medicine that is supposed to help his body produce blood cells.  It sounds as though he could be discharged at any time or that he could remain in the hospital for several more days.  I appreciate your prayers.

Only one of our thirteen blog readers noticed the mistake in my past two entries (same each day).  So, Tony Gettig wins our “blog reader of the week” award!  The dude is sharp!  As I told Tony, “you cannot fix stupid!”

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

The team had a good Saturday.  The medical folks stayed local as they did ministry in Santo Domingo which is right behind the mission house.  They had a busy morning and the dental side had a busy day.

The building team was able to get twelve houses built and ten of them are finished to the point of only needing the hardware installed.  Truth is they could have built even more but leader John Potts would not let them keep going.

Today will be church service and then an afternoon of ministry.

Keep praying for this team.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Jimmy Tagert’s father is in the hospital and they are monitoring him for swelling on the brain.  They are giving him medication to hopefully prevent swelling.  Days four and five are critical and today is the fourth day.  Jimmy and family are requesting the Friendship family pray fervently.

If my dad gets good results from a blood test today then he will be discharged from the hospital at some point today.  I am thankful for my sister, Melissa, and brother, Eddie, being there with our parents during this time.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family this morning and evening.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will be preaching this morning in both services and Bro. Jim Chinners will be preaching in our evening service.

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

The team enjoyed a good first day.  The medical folks saw around two hundred folks while the building team finished six houses up to the point of being ready for concrete while starting a seventh house.

All is well.  Thanks for praying.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

The Friendship family will be on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  I pray the members will be faithful.

The Finance Committee will meet at 5:15PM tomorrow in their regular meeting room.  Members, please take note and be in attendance.

Pray for the Brinkman family as they deal with the loss of two family members.

My dad remains hospitalized.  Still battling a blood clot and pneumonia in one lung.  It is possible he could be discharged tomorrow.

Received disturbing news yesterday from my older brother, Eddie.  A long time friend in Hartselle, Alabama passed from this life. He has been to Guatemala with us three or four times.  Pray for his wife, children and grandchildren.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Happy birthday to our granddaughter, Sydney, as she is now six years old.  She has been diligently counting down the days until her birthday.  She is a happy camper this morning.   She has big plans for her day at school.  I hope her day is all she wants it to be and more!  Happy birthday Sydney!

All is basically quiet on the home front as far as the members of the Friendship family are concerned.  We are grateful.

Regular schedule on the Friendship campus this Sunday, 2/10.

One Guatemala Relief And Compassion Effort team left Guatemala yesterday morning and another arrived around 11:00PM last night.  We thank God for safety in travel.

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

The team, minus three, left the mountain at 4:15AM heading to the airport in Guatemala City.  Their flight is not until 9:00AM but the traffic in the city a bit later in the morning can be very congested.  So, we tend to err on the side of caution and get folks to the airport with plenty of time to spare.

Don Redder reported last night that the medical folks saw nine hundred ninety eight folks during this trip.  Dr. Mark Stid rounded that number to twelve hundred!  Thanks to Laurie King for coordinating all of the medical clinics as she does a very nice job.  Lives were impacted for the good by this group of caring individuals.

The building team had a great day of dedicating the twenty houses built during the week.  Thanks to each person who provided the funds to make those houses a reality.

Terri Scholz has cleaned like a million teeth this week.  She has been a real trooper.  That has been her life each day of the trip.

The team had a nice share time last night and another trip is now in the books.  It was a really, really great group of folks.  Great attitudes.  Great work ethic.  Greater God!

As this team departs, another one will be boarding planes later today in Grand Rapids, Phoenix, Huntsville and Mobile.  They will all meet in Atlanta and then board a plane heading to Guatemala City.  Pray for both teams traveling today.

By the way, they are moving dirt on the mountain in preparation for building the school building.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Happy birthday to our grandson, Asher!  He was born in South Korea three years ago today and we are thrilled to have him as a part of our family.  I hope he has a grand day!  Yes, I am in Guatemala but Lisa is there to give hugs and warm wishes!  Happy birthday Asher!

Miss Kittie spent some time in the hospital and is now recovering at home.  Pray for Miss Kittie.

My dad was admitted to the hospital at some point late yesterday afternoon or early evening.  He continues to battle pneumonia and also has a blood clot in one of his lungs.  Prayers appreciated.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

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