Pastor's Blog

First, I have to give a shout out to my sister-in-law, Sue, as today is her birthday!  She lives in China so I don’t know if she has already celebrated it or not but happy birthday Sue! 

I went to update last night and the connection was not strong enough to send a message.  Sorry about that!  Everyone arrived safe and sound yesterday.  Thanks to Ross & Kathy for leading the Yankees!

It is 6:15AM and we will leave at 7:00AM for the first service at the Alpha & Omega Church with Pastor Dirk Lopez and our good friend, Juan Marcos Ruiz.  The rest of the day will be spent in Antigua.

Bro. Jerry’s team made it home safely last night after a long day.  I have chosen to remain on the pastor’s blog this morning so as to not confuse the two teams and their entries.  Tonight, Lord willing, I plan on moving to the GRACE blog for our updates.  Our own Chinese Chris will be uploading pictures.  Stay tuned!

We are praying for our respective churches as they have services today.  Pray for us! 

This will be short and sweet as we sitting in the Atlanta airport about to board our plane for Guatemala.  The Alabama & Tennessee folks on this trip flew out of Gulfport, MS while the Michigan folks flew out of Detroit.  We are scheduled to arrive in Guatemala City at 11:24AM (local time) and the Yankees come at 1:12PM.  Pray for our travels. 

Dr. Faircloth is so right!  He said the tumor in Joey Switzer is normally found in women and Joey is a walking testament of that fact as he has now changed his mind regarding surgery again!  As it stands now, he will probably be undergoing surgery either Wednesday or Friday with Dr. Faircloth doing the surgery.  This has been a difficult decision for Joey but one he is comfortable with as he has gotten nothing but good reviews on the doctor.  A second neurosurgeon agreed with Dr. Faircloth’s diagnosis in saying that the tumor is not malignant.  Keep praying! 

I spoke briefly to Dr. Tony Matheu yesterday about Estuardo.  He is thinking that Estaurdo may not need surgery.  A definite word should come by Monday or Tuesday. 

Bro. Jerry’s team is heading home as I write this entry.  Pray for their safe travels.  They have had a good week. 

Hopefully, I will add to this blog later today once we are safe and sound in the mission house.  Pray for us!   

Ty & Michelle Stork are the proud parents of a second child as Michelle gave birth to an 8 lbs 8 oz girl, Laura Katilyn, (I can only hope the spelling is correct) on Wednesday.  Mother and daughter are both doing fine.  Congratulations to the entire Stork family – your tribe is increasing! 

Miss Shirley Bosarge has not gotten a definitive word on her cancer situation but the doctor says the surgery went well.  She was still fairly groggy when I saw her yesterday afternoon.  Continue to pray for her, John Wayne, Tina, Mark and the entire Bosarge family. 

Estuardo Morales will be taken by ambulance from Pastores to a hospital in Guatemala City this morning in order to be examined by Dr. Tony Matheu.  Special thanks goes to Louise Mason, Wiflred Johnson, & Tico Vargas for arranging the ambulance service.  We are one step closer to a possible surgery for Estuardo.  Pray that this examination today will give Dr. Tony a clear picture of what needs to be done to help this young man. 

I spoke to Joey Switzer for a few minutes late yesterday afternoon and it appears he will have an appointment at M.D. Anderson at some point next week.  I do not know what all that will involve or when his surgery will take place.  Just keep praying!

I do not have a report from Bro. Jerry’s team in Guatemala.  It has become obvious to me that he is using the “Ryan Johnston” theory of blogging – don’t do it!  Actually, Miss Kittie did blog about Wednesday’s happenings so we are only missing yesterday’s report.  I can assume that today’s activities will include dedicating houses, washing vehicles, et cetera in preparation of heading home tomorrow.  I think they have had a good week of ministry.  Pray that they will have a strong finish!   

Our final GRACE ’08 team of the summer will depart for Guatemala early in the morning.  This team of 40 will consist of 20 folks from Alabama, 17 folks from Michigan, and 3 from Tennessee (why does God keep testing me by putting folks from TN on my teams?).  At any rate, pray for this team as they will attempt to bring our summer ministry to a strong finish.  As a matter of fact, the following week will see a team from 1st Baptist Wilmington, NC bring the entire summer of ministry to a close. 

Pray for our students and Kacy Benson.  Kacy will be with us the dates of August 8 – 10 for a special series of services designed to help our students as they go back to school.  This is going to be a great weekend!

Our summer missionary is now on the fast track to coming home too!  Pray for her as she spends these final few days ministering and saying good bye to her new found friends.  She is scheduled to arrive in Mobile on Sunday evening, 8/3.  That shout will be Rita! 

I pray that you will have a good day with Jesus! 

The Lord blessed and we had a good Wednesday in our respective services/Bible studies.  Our attendance was way down in the morning service but it was good in the evening service.  Nathan Searcy shared in our senior high Bible study and did a nice job. 

The update on Joey Switzer is that he has decided to go to the M.D. Anderson Clinic in Houston, Texas for his surgery.  As of last night, he was still waiting on the personnel there to contact him to set up the details.  So, exactly when he will have surgery remains undetermined at this point in time.  Keep praying for Joey! 

Bill Unrue was dismissed from the hospital yesterday morning and was in our 7:00PM service last night. 

Shirley Bosarge did well through her hip replacement surgery.  However, as of church time last night, the family had not talked to the doctor about the cancer.  She will be hospitalized for at least a few days so keep praying for Miss Shirley.

Estuardo Morales is scheduled to meet with the neurosurgeon, Dr. Tony Matheu, tomorrow in Guatemala City.  Pray for this examination as Dr. Tony determines if Estuardo needs surgery, the timing of the surgery, et cetera. 

Our team in Guatemala was hit with some sickness Tuesday night and yesterday.  I think those down yesterday are now better but some others weren’t feeling so well last night.  I appreciate Miss Kittie posting a blog entry from Tuesday.  I don’t know where they are in regards to the number of houses completed but do ask that you keep praying for them.  From all accounts they are having a wonderful trip with the exception of the sickness. 

Today is Paul Leytham’s 75th birthday!  He has been sick this week too but I do pray that he will have a great day today!  Bro. Paul & Miss Cristy are valuable assets to GRACE Ministries.  Those wishing to send birthday greetings can do so at paulleytham@yahoo.com. 

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

As I awakened this morning, my immediate thoughts were to say “thank you” to God for the news delivered to Joey Switzer yesterday afternoon.  Wow!  I do ask that you continue to pray for Joey and that through all of this he will see God, glorify God, and follow God! 

I received a couple of short e-mail messages from Bro. Jerry last night but noticed that there is not a blog entry from yesterday on the GRACE side.  I don’t know what they accomplished yesterday but do know that the rain forced them back to the mission house around 2:30PM.  So, they were going to have their “morning” devotion last night and go build this morning at 6:00AM.  I don’t think Hurricane Dolly has any thing to do with their weather as it is simply their rainy season.  Continue to pray for the team! 

Shirley Bosarge, Tina Sprinkle’s mother, is going to have hip replacement surgery this morning at 10:00AM.  Her cancer has returned and that is the reason for this surgery.  Pray for Miss Shirley and her family.

I went back to the hospital to visit Bill Unrue yesterday afternoon and he was not a real happy camper – pleasant enough but not real happy!  He had not eaten anything since Monday afternoon as they were test after test.  However, they could find nothing wrong with him.  The doctor had approved Bill having some food but the nurses had not received those orders.  Pray that they will find the source of Bill’s pain and sickness. 

Dale & Karla Bosarge and Chris & Nicole Taylor hosted a “dodge ball” night last night in the CAB.  That place was swarming with students and everyone seemed to have a great time!  Thanks to all who helped make the evening a success!

Today is a regular day with our morning service at 10:00AM and then the evening activities at 6:00, 7:00, & 8:00PM.  I hope to see many members of the Friendship family in our services/Bible studies today. 

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

Joey met with Dr. Faircloth this afternoon and, in the doctor’s opinion, the tumor in Joey’s head is not malignant!  Hallelujah!  Please know this is not dogmatic but Dr. Faircloth is very confident in his opinion. 

A copy of the MRI has been sent overnight to the M.D. Anderson Clinic in Houston, TX for their opinion.  If they see nothing that disagrees with Dr. Faircloth’s opinion, Joey will most likely undergo surgery in Mobile on Friday, 7/25, to have the tumor removed. 

Joey’s view has not changed as he has told me through this whole ordeal that he wants God to receive the glory!  He is thanking God for answering prayers in this situation.  I simply ask that you join me in continuing to pray until the final pathology report comes back two working days after the surgery is complete. 

Joey expresses his profound appreciation to each person who has called his name in prayer and asks that you keep praying!  Thank you sweet Jesus! 

*This entry below was written shortly after midnight on 7/22.  However, our website went down and it did not upload until now.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  I checked on Bill Unrue but he was gone for a test.  I attended the funeral for Emily Taylor and that went well. 

What an eventful day!  I always love calling the airlines and being placed on hold for thirty minutes or so and that is how my day began.  However, in light of all that happened today, I realize that I am very, very blessed!  I have no complaints! 

The funeral service for Emily Taylor will take place this morning at 10:00AM preceded by a visitation at 9:00AM.  Lord willing, I will attend this service to support Diane, Keith, and their families. 

Bill Unrue was placed in a local hospital late yesterday afternoon.  He has not been feeling well for a couple of weeks now.  Pray for Bill! 

Shirley Bosarge will have hip replacement surgery tomorrow morning.  It is my understanding that the tumor in her hip area has literally broken a bone.  Pray for Miss Shirley.

I spoke to Pastor Terry Rainey today and Josh Caldwell has completed his first round of chemotherapy treatments and is doing well.  No sickness and no side effects thus far.  Pray for Josh!

You have read the entry regarding Joey Switzer.  Please join me in praying fervently! 

Bro. Jerry has posted an entry on the GRACE blog.  Continue to pray for that team as they do ministry in Guatemala. 

Friendship family and friends – please “pray without ceasing” for Joey Switzer.  Joey is in his late 30’s and saw the doctor this afternoon.  The doctors says that Joey has a tumor the “size of a baseball or bigger” in his brain.  It has to come out and soon. 

Joey and his family are now in the process of deciding where to have the surgery done – in Mobile, Birmingham, Houston or wherever.  Pray for God to give them wisdom and to lead them to the doctors who can help Joey be healed. 

Obviously, surgery will involve a biopsy so there is no definitive word on whether the tumor is malignant or not.  Join me in praying that it will be benign. 

Joey is asking that God receive the glory from this situation.  Pray without ceasing!  Pray fervently!  Pray!

It is always such a good thing to see the Lord move in our midst and yesterday was another one of those times where He moved among us.  What a joy to see folks at the altar during both of the morning services.  What a joy to see Rhea Wilkinson make her public profession of faith.  What a joy to see Amber Joyner pray to receive Jesus as her personal Savior.  What a joy (last night) to baptize Rick & Kristi Bradley, Kayla Brown, and Rhea.  Yes, God gives the increase and we continue to give Him the glory!

Clint Landry did a very nice job of bringing the message to us last night.  It was good to see Clint, Suzy, Maggie & Joseph.  Vince & Madison did a wonderful job of bringing the message in song last night too and I appreciate their willingness to minister.  Brad did a nice job of sharing in song yesterday morning.  Kerry Woods, as always, has such a kind spirit and just does whatever it takes.  I appreciate his leading our musical worship in the services yesterday. 

Joe & Candy Povilonis are to be thanked for allowing  us to use their poo/house for the student ministry fellowship last night.  Thanks to Chris & Nicole for coordinating this event (on his 25th birthday) and for all who helped in any way.  Wow, their were students everywhere! 

I haven’t seen a post from Bro. Jerry on the GRACE blog since the initial one.  However, I did receive an e-mail from him last night and all is well.  I am thinking he will post at some point today.  Pray for the lady from Martin Bluff Baptist who is trying to get her passport today. 

Joey Switzer sees the doctor today at 3:00PM.  Shirley Bosarge, Tina Sprinkle’s mother, consults with a doctor today too.  Junior & Anna Carol’s newest grandchild came home from the hospital this past Friday on his six weeks birthday but is still having some breathing difficulties.  Pray for all of these situations!

Emily Taylor, Diane Cordell & Keith Brown’s aunt, passed away yesterday morning.  The visitation and service will be tomorrow from 1st Baptist Creola but I don’t know the time yet.  Pray for this family!

Our summer missionary is in the countdown mode.  Pray for her as she finishes up these two weeks and arrives home on Sunday, 8/3. 

Recently, a number of folks have been trying to reach me by calling my cell phone.  I can tell you that the absolute best way to reach me is by calling my office number (251) 445-5416 as I don’t always have my cell phone with me or turned on (can you say too cheap?).  Any voice mail left on my office number goes directly to my e-mail and I check my e-mail much, much more frequently than my cell phone voice mails.  I do my best to return all phone calls in a timely manner and leaving a voice mail on my office phone helps me be more efficient in doing that!  Thanks!

Are you finishing well?  I pray so! 

I seldom post on a Sunday but wanted to share a few quick things.  First, today is Bro. Robbie Howard’s 80th birthday!  Happy birthday Bro. Robbie!  There will be a time of celebration at the Pascagoula Country Club from 3:00 – 5:00PM today and you are invited! 

Second, the GRACE team members, with the exception of two from Martin Bluff Baptist, arrived safely in Guatemala yesterday/last night.  Pray for them as they worship, shop, and sightsee today before beginning their ministry efforts tomorrow. 

Third, Emily Taylor is the aunt of Diane Cordelle and Keith Brown.  She was not expected to live through the night.  Pray for her and her family. 

Fourth, the little girl, Carla, from Casa Aleluya came home yesterday – PTL! 

Fifth, your continued prayer support for Joey Switzer is appreciated.  Again, he sees the doctor tomorrow. 

I hope to see many of you in our services today.  I especially ask the members of the Friendship family to be present tonight for the evening service as Clint Landry will be our guest messenger.  Also, there will be a student ministry fellowship immediately following that service.