Pastor's Blog

Memorial Day is an important day in the life of our country as we remember those who have given their lives in order for us to enjoy the freedoms we do today.  I realize that Memorial Day was celebrated this past Monday but May 30th is the original date for this time of remembrance.  So, today, and very day, we should remember the price that has been paid for our freedom.  “Some gave.  Some gave all!”   Thank you to our fallen soldiers!

Greg Boutwell said good-bye to Ingalls yesterday as he retired after forty-three years on the job!  Greg is still a young man (although having Kim as a daughter certainly ages you quickly) and I congratulate him on this milestone in his life.  He and Rita leave for Alaska in the morning!  By the way, today is Rita’s birthday.  Happy birthday Rita! 

Dale & Karla Bosarge and Davy Bosarge were supposed to leave for Illinois and their first Wild Week camp today but that departure has been delayed until Sunday.  Pray for them as they will spend the next five or six weeks on the road doing these Wild Week camps with Evangelist Ken Freeman. 

Our summer missionary now has a blog.  It is a great way to keep up with all that is happening in her life this summer.  Call the church office if you would like the web address.  I need to remind those who send her e-mails to be very careful in what words and/or phrases you use in your correspondence.  There is the very real possibility that her messages could be checked and she could face problems based on what is written.  So, just write in general terms.  She will be glad just to hear from you.  Thanks for understanding! 

Chris Taylor has allowed me a sneak preview of the new website he is creating for the Friendship family.  He still has some work to do but it is really looking good!  It is possible it will be ready in time to upload pictures from our VBS.  Once it goes online, you will simply type the same address (www.friendshipfamily.net) and it will take you to the new site.  I really appreciate what Chris is doing to keep us up to date!

Speaking of VBS, pray as we begin that journey on Monday morning.  It should be awesome! 

The wedding ceremony of Ian McClinton & Brittney Fillingim will take place tomorrow night, 5/31, at the Pathway Ministries Church on Moffett Road beginning at 6:00PM.  You are invited to attend!  Wow, what a large wedding party!  It should be nice!

I haven’t heard a definite but I am assuming that Evangelist Johnny Tucker arrived home safely.  They had a good month of ministry in the Philippines. 

There have been no major changes in those hospitalized so just keep praying. 

Carl Camp and Joyce Mast (MI) are celebrating birthdays today.  Carl is Miss Kittie’s youngest child and Miss Joyce is the mother of Jill Ellens, Shari Compagner, Kurt Mast, Kathy Genzink and I think about fifteen others!  Happy birthday Carl & Miss Joyce!  Kristen Mulder (MI) will celebrate her 20th birthday on Sunday, 6/1.  Happy birthday Kristen! 

I pray that each person reading this entry will be in church somewhere this Sunday.  Pray for your pastor as he prepares to preach the Word this Sunday.  Realize the important role you play in the body of Christ.  Be faithful!  Your church needs you! 

I pray that you will have a great weekend with Jesus!

We had another good Wednesday in our respective Bible studies/classes.  I really appreciate the folks who give Wednesday attendance priority!  What a blessing! 

Burney Barnes, David Boutwell, Phyllis Bush, Stuart Morales, Paul Smith (ICU), and Shannon Young all remain hospitalized.  Jeanette Bates is going to see another doctor today.  Pray for these folks. 

Derrick & Jodie Wilkerson are in Virginia for an interview with an agency regarding the possible adoption of a son.  I believe that I am correct in saying that the baby is from Guatemala.  Pray for them this morning! 

“June for Jesus” is our theme beginning this Sunday.  Each member of the Friendship family is encouraged to be faithful in all areas of their service to the Lord. 

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

Phyllis Bush’s surgery was finished much, much quicker than anticipated.  She told me yesterday morning that the doctors told her to expect a minimum of six hours in the operating room with a potential of eight hours but they finished in a little less than three hours.  She should be in the hospital for a couple of days. 

Joe Hill & Jessica Bryant were discharged from the hospital yesterday.  However, Burney Barnes, David Boutwell, Paul Smith, and Stuart Morales remain hospitalized.  Also, Mr. Shannon Young has been in the hospital since last Wednesday.  Pray for all of these folks! 

Deidra called last night to say that she and Michael are doing well.  Our summer missionary e-mailed to say the same.  I spoke to Ryan Johnston yesterday and the Bartlett,TN team is doing great in their week of ministry in Guatemala.  Pray for these respective efforts! 

There has been a beehive of activity around here for the past couple of days as folks are getting ready for Vacation Bible School.  Our VBS begins Monday, 6/2 and it should be great!  Pray for our VBS!

Ken Freeman called yesterday and left me a voice mail saying that he is looking forward to being here on Sunday, 6/15.  He will be in our 10:30AM & 5:00PM evening service (note the earlier starting time for the evening service) on that day.  Pray for those services. 

Members of the Friendship family are asked to remember that we are nominating men to serve as deacons for three years beginning August 1.  We will elect three men on Sunday evening, 6/22.  That will also be the evening the church will be asked to adopt the budget for the next fiscal year.  Make these things a matter of much prayer! 

Lord willing, we will finish our study of the book of Romans today.  We have been in this great book on Wednesdays for several years.  We are on a regular schedule and I look forward to seeing many members of the Friendship family today and/or tonight. 

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

Today is a “back to work” day for many of you reading this who live in the US.  (For the two readers living outside the US this doesn’t apply!)  I trust that you had a good holiday weekend and hope it was a good family time.  Again, thanks to those who were faithful to the Lord’s house this past Sunday. 

Burney Barnes seemed to be improved and was anxiously waiting to see a doctor.  Joe Hill was thinking that he may actually go home today – with his oxygen but home nonetheless.  Jessica Bryant is improving and may go home soon too.  David Boutwell still has a way to go but will most likely be moved to a rehab hospital in the near future.  Pastor Max Lara’s son-in-law, Stuart, remains hospitalized too.   

Paul Smith did have surgery last Friday.  This was our conversation yesterday:  I asked,  “Paul, did you have surgery Friday?”  He replied, “Yes.”  I asked, “Where?”  He replied, “In the operating room!”  I ceased my questions! 

Phyllis Bush will have major surgery today as they will try to relieve some of the pressure on her brain.  It is going to last somewhere between six to eight hours so please pray for Phyllis.   

A team from Faith Baptist of Bartlett, TN arrived safely at the L.G. Camp, Jr. mission house in Guatemala Sunday and had their first day of ministry yesterday.  They blogged for a few days leading up to the trip but didn’t post an entry yesterday.  Life can be busy on those trips and finding time to blog can be a challenge.  Pray for them! 

Kayla Brown and John Vickers have traveled with the senior class of Cottage Hill Academy to visit France and Italy.  They arrived safely and are doing well. 

Today is Teresa Ladnier’s birthday!  I am not sure how old she is but I think she is older than me!  Happy birthday Teresa! 

My brother, Eddie, returns to China today after being home for a little over a month.  Sue will remain here until August.  (That is the secret to their long marriage!)  Pray for Eddie as he travels today. 

I am about to leave to pray with Phyllis before her surgery.  I trust that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus. 

I forgot to mention earlier this morning that Andy & Betty Hamil celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary yesterday, 5/25.  Happy belated anniversary to this fine couple!

Holiday weekends can be tough on church attendance but we were blessed by the Lord with a good day in every respect yesterday.  I realize that we had a number of folks out of town yesterday but a good number of those in town were faithful and I appreciate that fact! 

Pastor Travis Northcutt did an excellent job of presenting the message during our 8:00AM service.  Second Generation did an equally excellent job of presenting the message in song during all three of our worship services.  We welcome Tammy, Terri, & Anna into the Friendship family as honorary members! 

The prayer list is long today – hospitalized are Paul Smith (ICU), Burney Barnes, David Boutwell, Joe Hill, Jessica Bryant (Estes granddaughter), Leo Reinwald (Louise Morris), Jackie Goff’s sister-in-law in Florida and Stuart (Pastor Max Lara’s son-in-law).  Phyllis Bush will undergo brain surgery tomorrow that is scheduled to last eight hours.  Jeanette Bates missed yesterday’s services (which is a major rarity) with a possible case of vertigo.  Carla Felps has three more weeks of treatment for her cancer.  Tom Russell is at home but is not doing well in his battle against cancer.   Pray without ceasing!

Our summer missionary and the other four girls who will be ministering with her this summer arrived safely at their destination yesterday afternoon.  They will spend this week adjusting to the time change, culture, et cetera.  Michael & Deidra leave this morning for a week of mission work in the Dominican Republic.  Pray for all of these folks.

Ashley Ciak, Guatemala, graduated from high school this past Saturday.  Congratulations Ashley!  She will stay in Guatemala for the summer before moving back to Arkansas to begin her college studies.  Imagine that – moving from one foreign country (Guatemala) to another (Arkansas)!  Do they have higher education in Arkansas?

I totally missed Jenny Machiela’s birthday on the 24th so happy belated birthday to Jenny!  She is from Michigan and is a sweetheart!  Today is David Maynard’s (MI)birthday and I believe it is Tina Sprinkle’s birthday too (I will have to verify that one).  Happy birthday David & Tina! 

I do know that today is Daryn & Kayla Schoen’s first wedding anniversary.  Happy anniversary Daryn & Kayla! 

The church office is closed today.  (I will wait until 5/30 to make my Memorial Day comments)  I need to cut some grass and then make hospital visits before spending a few hours on the island.  I hope you will have a great Monday with Jesus! 

I am cheating again this morning as it is 12:15AM.  I am posting early because I am about to shut the computer down and pack it away for the trip home.  We leave the mission house at 4:00AM with a 6:30AM flight. 

Here is a brief recap of our Thursday – breakfast at Casa Santo Domingo (eat your heart out Mark Mast) with Samuel Acan; a brief meeting with Pancho Arriola; a trip up to Panimaquin to surprise Lazaro & Glendy Suruy; a quick visit with Maggie Rodas (the first person saved when we began a church in Guatemala); lunch at Pollo Campero with nine members of the Pastor Max Lara family and four members of the Pastor Walter Aju family along with Samuel Acan – what a great time!; a private meeting with Eugene Dighero; a trip to Casa Aleluya where I visited with Dr. Mike & Dottie Clark, Debbie Hyatt and Jack, Carolyn & Ashley Ciak.  Dr. Mike also took me up to visit with Genesis who is in isolation following her kidney transplant.  I met Malcolm who is on the board of CPNA. 

I then met John & Laurie King and their grandson Nick, Louise Mason and Lazaro, Glendy and their children at a restaurant in the mall for supper. 

Our VOIP phone is working and we owe much gratitude to Kirk Lightfield for his diligence in helping this become a reality. 

Samuel was very grateful for the gift Betty Creech sent to him.  He even had me call her yesterday morning while we were eating breakfast (I won’t go into the details of what was said!)  I will be taking a gift home to Betty from Samuel. 

Wes & Rebekah Bates are on their way home from Greece.  They experienced some problems getting there but had a blessed time once arriving.  Pray for their safety in travel as well as safety for us. 

I don’t plan on posting an entry tomorrow.  I hope to see the members of the Friendship family in church this Sunday as we honor God by recognizing our senior adults. 

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

Yesterday was a busy, but very enjoybable, day for Deidra and me.  We went up to “inspect” Terry’s house that is presently under construction and it is impressive!  We then continued our walk around the farm and down the road toward Chimaltenango.  Deidra says the shortness of breath is not because we are out of shape but rather because of the high altitude! 

We then went into Chimalt and visited with Kirk Lightfield, Samuel Acan, Ruth Lara and Vanessa Rodas.  The element of surprise continued to work for us! 

We then enjoyed a wonderful lunch with Bro. Paul & Miss Cristy and Juan Carlos.  It was awesome and featured fried spinach which was delicious.  After lunch, Paul & I took care of some business and then Deidra and I went into Pastores and visited with Pastor Max Lara and his family. 

We then drove into Guatemala City to meet Pancho & Rita Arriola for supper (you can see that eating is the theme of this trip).  We met them at Hiper Paiz and we had to wait a few minutes so we took inventory of their stock and prices for our summer trips.  HP is Wal Mart.  We went to Hacienda Real for supper and it was wonderful! 

This morning, I am meeting with Samuel, then with Pancho who is our legal advisor in Guatemala, and then meeting the Lara family for lunch at Pollo Campero.  Deidra is going to spend the afternoon with Rita in Antigua.  I am supposed to meet with Eugene Dighero at some point today too.  I hope to spend some time with John & Laurie King and I need to stop by Casa Aleluya too. 

Johnny Ladnier, Tyler Compagner, and Jim Dornbush are celebrating a birthday today!  Happy birthday to these three guys!  Johnny is from Friendship while Tyler & Jim live in Michigan.  I hope they have a great day! 

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

Good morning from Guatemala.  The “surprise” tactic worked for us at least three times yesterday – with Bro. Paul & Miss Cristy, Louise Mason & Laurie King, and Rita Arriola.  It was fun to just show up! 

We were able to spend some time with Bro. Paul & Miss Cristy and will have lunch with them today.  We also spent an hour or so with Louise talking about her ministry here and learning more about her family in the States.  We stopped by and visited with Pancho, Rita, and the girls for a few minutes and will eat with them tonight. 

We drove into Antigua to eat a late supper at Las Antorchas.  It was great!  Deidra now has a new “favorite” steak.  Philippe and Claudia (the owners) were not there but the servers and cooks treated us very well. 

The rainy season has begun and it rained a lot in Antigua and down in Chimaltenango last night but not much on the mountain.  So, the upcoming teams need to come prepared for the daily rain.

As far as I know, all is well on the home front.  I will post if there is any significant news. 

Bro. Kerry, Edwin Williams, and Chris Taylor are covering the respective services/Bible studies today.  Remember, the 8:00PM Bible study isn’t happening tonight!  Please pass the word! 

Happy birthday wishes go to Kathy Wadkins and Ben Vickers today!  I know their respective ages but I will never tell!  I hope Ben & Kathy have a great birthday! 

Also, I failed to mention Denise Neeley & Don Ricci as having a birthday yesterday, 5/20.  Denise is from Michigan and Don from Canada.  Happy belated birthday Denise & Don!

I pray you will have a blessed Wednesday with Jesus.

I wrote this morning that I was spending a few days with Deidra – which is true.  What I didn’t write was that those days together are being spent in Guatemala.  This was intentional as I wanted to surprise the people here and so far it has worked!  We are still planning on surprising a few others over the next few hours and tomorrow. 

We had some business related to GRACE Ministries that needed to be taken care of which is why I am here at this time.  We return home on Friday. 

Pray for us and I will blog daily from here but may not have a lot of updates from South Mobile County as Bro. Jerry is in TN.