Pastor's Blog

The team had a good Monday.  The day began with a message delivered by Pastor Max Lara.  Pastor Lazaro Suruy served as his translator.  It is the first time we have used Pastor Max in one of our devotionals.  He did a nice job of sharing the Word with the team.

The team then headed to the My Special Treasure School where the students shared several musical selections before being treated to a great breakfast of pancakes, sausages and cookies.  A really nice time was had by all.

From MST the team headed to the El Tejar dump where they served turkey, ham, and cheese sandwiches to forty one people.

After a quick trip back to the mission house the team headed to Antigua and spent the afternoon shopping before eating supper at Las Antorchas restaurant.  As usual, it was a wonderful meal.

The team has already been thrown some curve balls regarding tomorrow but they will simply be flexible and do what has to be done.  Great attitudes.

All is well.  Thank you for praying.  Blessings!

It was an unusual Sunday for our team but it was a really good day.  Soy took a team of men to another area affected by the volcano’s eruption.  Of course Pastor Max went with them and they had a good day.  They left GRACE Mountain at 6:00AM and returned at 1:30PM.

About a dozen folks went to the service at Centro Biblico Vida Nueva Church.  Rex, Russell & Luke helped lead the musical worship.   This is the first church started by GRACE Ministries fourteen years ago.  It was a walk down memory lane for me.

The rest of the folks attended the service at the GRACE Community Church where Pastor Lazaro Suruy preached.  They said it was a good day.

Lazaro & Glendy organized a block party that began at 1:00PM and lasted until 3:00PM.  Hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, candy, games, bounce house, et cetera were all a part of those two houses.  Lots of smiles and laughter too!

The team then quickly loaded into the vehicles and drove to Zaragoza where one hundred and fifty families were waiting to receive bags of food and hygiene/household goods kits.  The kits were Deidra’s idea and they worked out great.  A service was held before the distribution began and the Gospel was shared.  Three ladies and two young ladies prayed to receive Jesus as their personal Savior during the invitation.  Folks, that is why we do what we do!  Ross & Kathy Genzink led this ministry opportunity and it was seamless!

The drive out to Zaragoza was maybe thirty minutes.  The drive back was around ninety minutes due to the traffic being so heavy. The team enjoyed supper in the mall and then came back to the mission house to begin getting ready for today.

Keep praying for this team.  Today will be another unusual day compared to past trips.

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

Happy sixty first wedding anniversary to my mother-in-law, Ann, and Lisa’s dad, Charles.  I just have to believe that Ann will get an extra reward in Heaven for living with Charles for all of these years – LOL!  Charles will probably take Ann out to Waffle House to celebrate.

Larry Whitehurst is having a MRI today.  As a matter of fact, it is probably already finished as their time is ahead of the time here.  I am praying for a good report!  Join me in that prayer!

Elaine Brown, Lillian’s daughter, will have a heart cath today.  Pray for all to go well.

Keep praying for Tammy Womack.

I am told that Bro. Johnny did his usual good job of preaching yesterday.  Heard that the attendance was down which disappoints me but it is what it is.  The love offering was good and for that I am grateful.

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

The team enjoyed a tremendous second day of ministry.  Dr. Rex Looney took nine of the young girls and followed Pastor Max to an area which was adversely affected by the volcano’s eruption.  It was an all day ministry effort as they left GRACE Mountain at 6:00AM and returned around 3:30PM.  They blessed two hundred families with bags of food which were made possible by gifts given through Shining Light Abroad Ministries (Soy & Deidra).  I appreciate the ministry SLAM has done, is doing, and will do to these folks living in those villages close to the volcano.

The other team members went back to the building sites and had a really strong day as they built eleven more houses which means that all twenty are up and ready for concrete.  Seven more houses had the concrete poured yesterday which brings that total to ten.  It is pretty amazing at how quickly this team has worked in building these houses and they are very well built too.

Today (Sunday) will be a most unusual Sunday for a GRACE Ministries.  No Antigua.  No Las Antorchas.  A day of worship and ministry.  Details coming later.

Pray for this team.  Thank you!  Blessings!

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

Scott Fontenot had an Uncle, Odrie Ortego, to pass away this week.  I thought it was on Thursday but it was actually on Tuesday and the service was yesterday in Baton Rouge, LA.  Scott & Nanette attended the service.  Pray for the family.

Received word yesterday that Leon Westerhouse passed from this life on Thursday.  I think Bro. Leon was eighty four years old.  What a great guy!  Pray for Leon’s wife, Patsy, and the rest of the family.  There will never be another one like Leon!

Gloria Whitmore had surgery on Wednesday and was discharged from the hospital on Thursday.  To me, that is pretty amazing!  Keep praying for Miss Gloria.

Regular schedule tomorrow with Evangelist Johnny Tucker preaching in all three services.  Pray and attend.

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

A normal first day of ministry with the morning devotion before heading out to build houses.  The plan is for this team to build twenty houses and the first day of building was productive.

Four groups got nine houses up on the first day with one being completely finished, two needing only a door and window to be completely finished and the other six ready for concrete.  A really strong day.

The girls from Danville Baptist Church and Eddie Albritton loaded the truck with food that will be taken to the volcano stricken area tomorrow.  The Michigan four put together the gift bags that will be given away at the dedication of the twenty houses either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Everyone is well.  Attitudes are positive.

Thank you for praying.  Thank you for checking up on this team.  Blessings!

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

Happy birthday to my sister-in-law, Sue!  I hope her day is great!  How old?  Are you serious!

Dolly Kyser’s surgery went well yesterday.  Pray for her recovery and pray for Karla as she has a lot on her plate.

Otherwise, I am going with the “no news is good news” scenario as I have heard no differently.

Mission of Hope service tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Service is at the mission and everyone is invited to attend.

Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be our messenger in all three services this Sunday, July 29.  Thanks to Hilda Gunter for hosting Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy.  Pray and attend!  Remember, we will receive a love offering for Bro. Johnny in all three of our services.

All of the team arrived safe and sound in Guatemala yesterday afternoon and then fairly late last night.  We are thankful to God for providing traveling mercies.

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

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

The visitation with the Darron Haynes family takes place this afternoon from 5:00 – 7:00PM in our church auditorium.  A memorial service will begin at 7:00PM.  Please continue to pray for Angela, Whitney and the entire family.

Gloria Whitmore’s surgery was a success!  So much so that five hours after her surgery was completed she was up walking some – pretty amazing!  Keep praying for Miss Gloria as she recovers.

Dolly Kyser fell last Saturday and broke her wrist/arm.  She is having surgery this morning.  Pray all goes well.  Pray for her daughter, Karla, as she now has a ton on her plate.

JoNell, Peggy, Kara and the children will be traveling to Texas today for Saturday’s celebration of life service for JoNell’s sister.  Pray for traveling mercies and for the service.

Keep praying for Steve Morris and his recovery from surgery.  Also pray for my friend, Claude, as he too is recovering.

Our mission team is traveling today from Chicago, Huntsville, and Mobile.  Pray that all goes well as they travel.

Soy & Deidra took forty five of the feeding center students to Burger King for lunch yesterday.  It was a reward for having perfect attendance over the past month.  Those children were very well behaved and totally enjoyed themselves.  A second group will get the same reward today.  Good stuff!

Zach Huhn leaves Guatemala this morning having arrived here on May 31 to serve as a Summer intern.  He has done a really nice job.  He will leave within the week heading to Kansas for seminary.  I am very proud of Zach!  (His mama is a bit crazy but I am proud of him!).

Remember, Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be in our pulpit all three times this Sunday, 7/29.  Praying for the members of the Friendship family to be faithful.

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

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

Gloria Whitmore has surgery today.  Pray for Gloria, the surgical team and for Jerry.  Gloria told me last week that this doctor prays with his patients before doing surgery – nice!

Peggy Knighten sent me a message as I was traveling yesterday to tell me that her Aunt Bib passed from this life yesterday morning.  This JoNell’s last sibling and she would have been ninety two years old in October.  Pray for JoNell, Peggy and the others who will travel to Texas for the service.  Pray for the family.

I spoke to Phil Sims late yesterday afternoon checking on Angela & Whitney.  Tentative plans call for a memorial service perhaps as early as tomorrow (Thursday).  I suspect Phil will have a more definite word in our service this morning.  Keep praying for the Haynes family.

Keep praying for Tammy Womack, Pastor John and their family.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight for the Friendship family.

I arrived on GRACE Mountain around 10:30PM last night (11:30PM Alabama time).  Thanks to Soy & Zach for driving into the city to bring me out to the mountain.  I have seen Deidra and Gina but Deidra and the girls were already asleep so I will see them this morning.

Speaking of Zach – his internship ends today as he leaves in the morning heading home.  He will be home for a few days before heading to Midwestern Seminary.  I thank Zach for his service here this Summer.  Pray for him as he enters this next phase of his life.

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

P.S. – Bobby & the boys and the Dodgers both lost last night so let’s not talk about it!

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

This entry is way late.  Thank you Captain Obvious!  Rather than try to get into the “why” I will just apologize and move on.

Sad news came early this morning when I learned that Phil Sims’ son-in-law, Darron, passed from this life early this morning.  I am fairly certain that Phil told me the other day that Darron was fifty four years old.  Pray for Darron’s wife, Angela, and their daughter, Whitney, along with everyone else in the family as they walk through this valley.

Miss Gloria Whitmore is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow.  Pray for her and pray that all will go as planned.

Liz Whalen left a comment saying her surgery has been set for August 29.

Keep praying for Miss Annette Williams’ brother who is in a Birmingham hospital.

I do not have an update on my friend, Claude, but hope he was discharged from the hospital as he so wants to be at home.

I was honored to be able to share briefly in the celebration of life service for Miss Annie Rogers.  I thought Jim Cooper and Pastor Royce did a nice job.

I have been on a proverbial roller coaster regarding my flight to Guatemala.  I was scheduled to fly from Pensacola at 6:00AM this morning but Delta allowed me to change to a 3:05PM flight out of Mobile in order for me to take part in the service.  Then I get a notice that my flight had been delayed meaning I would not make my connection in Atlanta.  So, Delta booked me on the 1:20PM flight which meant I would have to hustle to make the flight.  Dana got to the airport in time and then the flight was delayed.  I am now in Atlanta and this flight has been delayed.  I am just thankful to have the opportunity to fly.  Schedule changes, delays, et cetera are all part of it.

There is a good side/bad side to this day of traveling.  The good side is that Miles Ferguson was on the flight from Mobile to Atlanta so we had the opportunity to talk some.  The bad side is that Soy will be the one meeting me in Guatemala City – why me Lord!  The best side is that I will get to see my wife, two daughters and three granddaughters at some point tonight.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will be teaching in the auditorium.

Bobby & the boys are one game below five hundred.  The time is now to start turning this thing around!  Come on Bobby!

I pray that you will have a great rest of the afternoon and evening with Jesus.