I Am Able

HAITI RELIEF: 2 years of care, thousands of changed lives

2012-01-09T21:44:00.001-06:00

Sue Parker (suesparker@suddenlink.net) writes:
Christopher is working with the Yorks while on his mission trip to Haiti. Delores York is quoted in

HAITI RELIEF: 2 years of care, thousands of changed lives

By: Holly McCrae

Original article can be found here, http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?Id=36916.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (BP) -- Smiling through her tears, Madam Maris thanks and kisses the Southern Baptist volunteers as they hand her the keys to her new home.

For nearly two years, the 70-year-old Haitian woman has lived in a tent. She lost her husband, two nephews, her arm and her home in the Jan. 12 earthquake that rocked Haiti in 2010. Now, she and her niece have a chance to start over.

Theirs is one of many new beginnings Southern Baptists have helped provide since the 7.0-magnitude quake, which killed 230,000 people and left millions more injured, homeless or both. To date, Southern Baptists have given more than $11 million in aid. Many have volunteered their time and skills to help Haitians recover.

At first, Southern Baptist aid workers focused on the most pressing needs -- medical care, food and basic shelter -- that would serve as a witness to the love of Christ. But they also sought more long-term solutions to help Haitians break the cycle of dependency that keeps them mired in extreme poverty.

Since the quake destroyed or damaged millions of houses, the vast need for housing captured the attention of Southern Baptist relief planners. They developed a project called "Rebuild Haiti," a joint effort involving Haitians and Southern Baptists.

By the time the housing project ends this spring, Rebuild Haiti will have constructed about 2,800 houses in 30 communities. The International Mission Board, Baptist Global Response, the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Network and Florida Baptist Convention all have contributed to the effort.

"This sounds like a lot, and it is a lot in such a short period of time," said retired missionary Carter Davis, who has worked with relief efforts in Haiti since the earthquake. "But the real effect is seen when we recognize how many persons are now in substantial houses and not in tents or other shelters." Since the average Haitian family is six people, an estimated 16,800 Haitians are now in stable homes. Many of these were built on original foundations, keeping families who owned land from relocating and losing their property. These projects also revived local businesses and put Haitians back to work.

"Almost all the labor was done by Haitians," Davis said. "This provided income for many and stimulated the local economy by purchasing the materials from local stores."

"It was a cooperative effort," agreed Jeff Palmer, Baptist Global Response. "Haitian Baptists and [other] Haitian workers actually built more of the houses than the volunteer teams. But the teams were good for coming down and interacting, sharing their faith, as well as just giving encouragement to the local people that 'Hey, somebody cares, and they're coming from the outside to help us rebuild our homes.'"

Florida and Haitian Baptists were able to make significant contributions, in part because of the 17-year partnership Florida Baptists have maintained in the country, Palmer noted. Just in the joint Florida-Haitian effort, 124 new churches were started, 56 church buildings were repaired and 1,000 homes will be built by the time Rebuild Haiti wraps up in March.

The earthquake was a surprise to Haiti and the world, but the Florida Baptist response should not have been, noted Craig Culbreth, lead strategist for the Florida Baptist Convention's missional support group.

"Florida Baptists have been heavily involved with Haiti since April of 1995. The efforts of Florida Baptists after the earthquake -- feeding, medical relief, rebuilding churches and building homes -- was all based on the foundation of 17 years of work," Culbreth said. "It is an amazing thing to see what God can bring forth from a disaster. He was able to use Haitians alongside dedicated Southern Baptist volunteers to change thousands of lives -- some forever."

Using local materials ensures Haitians can continue to build and expand these houses after Southern Baptists leave, Palmer noted.

"We've tried to break the cycle of dependency and entitlement by saying to the people who are the recipients of this goodwill and aid [that] they've got the same abilities and capabilities," he said. "The work will go on, but the Haitians will be the ones to complete it."

HAITIAN OWNERSHIP

Haitians taking ownership of the rebuilding effort is one of the most important changes Palmer has seen during the two-year project.

"In some communities, there were folks in the earthquake areas sitting and waiting for someone to come solve their problem," he said. "When we got communities involved in helping one another, we found they started thinking of community first and themselves second. And seeing the church and the communities come together, those are [ways] you can see an impact deeper than just people getting homes. "

Southern Baptist workers encouraged Haitian Baptist churches to take the lead in identifying aid recipients. Since resources were limited, these churches began focusing on people who had the greatest needs.

"What we found over and over was they were choosing orphans," Palmer said. "They were choosing a lot of those we would have given priority to. We saw a real transition from dependency to more Kingdom values."

"There was a great support to provide first for the widows and mothers with children," Davis added. "There was a tendency by some to provide only for the church members, but as time went on, I saw more and more [desire to] provide for others [in need] in the communities. This is the concept we stressed to the pastors and churches -- to recognize that Jesus cared for everyone and we need to follow His example."

Davis recalled the generosity of one Haitian church in a town not even directly affected by the earthquake. Many of the church members had already taken in displaced relatives from Port-au-Prince, but the church wanted to do more.

"The [congregation] asked if we could assist by providing funds for the church to construct houses on land that the church owned and would give to [quake survivors]," Davis said. "We constructed 50 houses on this land."

HELPED IN MANY OTHER WAYS

Although housing was one of biggest needs after the quake, Southern Baptists helped in many other ways as well.

Missionaries and volunteers donated supplies -- such as benches, desks and chalkboards -- to seven struggling schools. They also rebuilt damaged buildings, repaired roofs and installed bathrooms so thousands of children could return to school.

Women's groups across the U.S. sewed clothes for orphans while churches and other Baptist organizations provided food and medicine for needy children. Missionaries and volunteers even started a mini-farm and gardens to help some orphanages become self-supporting.

One Alabama Baptist physician gave $10,000 for land to build houses for widows. In an enclave of Deaf people, Southern Baptists provided seed money to help start or restart micro-businesses.

Despite all that has been accomplished, Haiti still faces years of recovery.

"For many people, things are improving and they are moving ahead with their lives," said Delores York, an International Mission Board missionary in Haiti. "For thousands of others who are still in tents or make-do shelters, help has not arrived. There is still a problem of unemployment and survival on a day-to-day basis. Cholera comes in waves, along with malaria, typhoid, TB and many other diseases."

The relief effort in Haiti is winding down, with the last volunteer team scheduled for March. Even though many Haitians remain in need, York and other workers believe the generosity of Southern Baptists will continue to encourage Haitians as they rebuild their lives and communities.

"It's been two years since the quake, and Southern Baptists have given generously to help with many other calamities in the world," York said. "Their generosity has changed lives in many ways. Even as we see the end to this work coming very quickly, it won't be the end of Southern Baptist work in Haiti."
--30--
Holly McCrae is an international correspondent with Baptist Global Response, on the Web at www.gobgr.com.

Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).

Copyright (c) 2012 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press. Visit www.bpnews.net. BP News -- witness the difference! Covering the critical issues that shape your life, work and ministry. BP News is a ministry of Baptist Press, the daily news service of Southern Baptists.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're receiving this message because your email address was submitted
to our website by 173.217.153.32. This is an auto-generated email message
and we do not keep any record of your email address. Thus, your email
address can not be shared outside this website in any way.

Chris in Haiti

2011-12-26T14:55:00.000-06:00

Christopher went to Haiti earlier this year with Stephanie (his now girlfriend) and a local church group. He was invited to return by the missionary. He has accepted their invitation and is now on his way to meet up with them 2 hours from Santo Domingo. He was delayed getting there, as usual, the one who doesn't want our efforts to be successful, tried to get him all upset but he didn't allow that to happen. Chris took it all in stride and now is on his way to meet the missionaries. He had to catch a bus from the airport to meet them. He will be working in Dominican Republic as well as in Haiti.

We had plans to get with Chris and go over some evangelism training but his trip got moved up and wasn't able to accomplish that. He surprised us with a sudden trip. However, I did send with him a Children's Ministry Resource Bible for him to use while there. It has all the teaching materials in it. A great resource. I asked him to leave it with the missionaries and I will give him another one when he gets home. Hope he was able to get it into his luggage.

He just updated his status on face book- "Well I finally made it. It took a strange cab ride and a sketchy bus trip and then asking somebody to borrow their phone to call Sam and Delores to meet me at the bus stop but I'm here lol. I can't thank and praise the Lord enough for keeping me safe and performing the first miracle I've seen coming here... the trip itself ;)"

I think he is pretty relieved to get there.

History & News from Haiti

2011-12-22T22:27:00.000-06:00

Thomas Coex/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Updated: Oct. 26, 2011
Overview
One of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, Haiti in recent years has struggled with problems ranging from near-constant political upheaval, health crises, an annual barrage of hurricanes and the worst earthquake in the region in more than 200 years.
The quake that struck on Jan. 10, 2010, reduced much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, to rubble. A study by the Inter-American Development Bank estimated that the total cost of the disaster was between $8 billion to $14 billion, based on a death toll from 200,000 to 250,000. That number was revised in 2011 by Haiti’s government to 316,000; the government has never explained how it arrived at its death toll figures.
An estimated 634,000 people live in displacement camps, according to the International Organization for Migration. International donors promised Haiti $5.3 billion at a March 2010 donor’s conference. But reconstruction involving better buildings and roads has barely begun. Officials’ sole point of pride six months after the earthquake — that disease and violence had been averted — vanished with the outbreak of cholera.
More than a year after the disaster, there were signs of impatience with the limping recovery and the waning international sympathy for Haiti’s enduring troubles as the neighboring Dominican Republic began deporting refugees. Haiti and its international donors were far behind in helping the hundreds of thousands still living in makeshift camps and the millions without formal jobs.
In March 2011, two conservative rivals faced off in a runoff election for the presidency. In April, it was announced that Michel Martelly, a performer with the stage name Sweet Micky, had defeated Mirlande H. Manigat, a former first lady and college administrator.

The Duvalier Legacy

Haiti occupies an area roughly the size of Maryland on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Nearly all of the 8.7 million residents are of African descent and speak Creole and French. The capital is Port-au-Prince.
The country is the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, with four out of five people living in poverty and more than half in abject poverty. Deforestation and over-farming have left much of Haiti eroded and barren, undermining subsistence farming efforts, driving up food prices and leaving the country even more vulnerable to natural disasters. Its long history of political instability and corruption has added to the turmoil.
In 1791, Haiti became the world’s first black republic and the first independent nation in the region after it won independence in 1804 in a slave revolt against Napoleonic France. Its history has been shaped by profound political disarray, chaotic rule marked by corruption and brutal repression and, beginning in 1915, a two-decade occupation by the United States. Haiti’s most infamous leader was François Duvalier, known as Papa Doc, who was elected president in 1957, beginning a long rule known for venality and human rights abuses. His son Jean-Claude Duvalier ruled from 1971 until he fled in 1986 but not before looting the treasury in another Haitian tradition. What followed was another period of alternating civilian and military regimes.
Regime Change and Free Elections
In 1991, Jean-Bertrand Aristide became president after winning 67 percent of the vote, but he was overthrown shortly after taking office in a violent coup leading to a three-year period of military rule that ended only after the intervention of a United Nations force led by the United States. While the 1995 election of René Préval, a prominent political ally of Mr. Aristide, was widely praised, subsequent elections were plagued with allegations of fraud, including the 2000 restoration of Mr. Aristide to his old post.
Over the following years, violence spread throughout the country as the government cracked down on opposition party leaders, holding power in part with the aid of extra-legal gangs. In February 2004, after groups opposed to the Aristide government seized control of cities and towns throughout Haiti and closed in on the capital, Mr. Aristide resigned and fled to South Africa. United States-led armed forces under the authority of the United Nations Security Council were sent to Port-au-Prince to bring order and oversee the installation of an interim government. The United Nations has spent some $5 billion on peacekeeping operations since 2004.
In 2006, Mr. Préval was re-elected president amidst allegations of impropriety.
Despite bouts of optimism brought on by the implementation of a new constitution and the first peaceful transfer of power between two elected presidents in the nation’s history, Haiti’s politics in the post-earthquake era remain as tumultuous as ever.
Political Instability and Natural Disasters
Since 2008, Haiti’s situation has worsened dramatically. It has staggered under the a combination of food riots, government instability and a series of hurricanes that killed hundreds and battered the economy — all of this before the deadliest earthquake in the country’s history.
The January 2010 earthquake left the country and its densely populated Port-au-Prince flattened, its poorly constructed buildings and shanties destroyed or seriously compromised and the government broken. Upwards of 250,000 lives were lost.
By May 2010, the hope that a more efficient, more just Haiti might rise from the rubble was giving way to stalemate and bitterness. Haitians complained that the politically connected were benefiting most from the scant reconstruction work and that crime was returning. Meanwhile, unproductive politicians and aid groups struggled with temporary refugee camps that looked more permanent every day.
Parliament was essentially disbanded; power rested with Mr. Préval, his cabinet and a reconstruction commission led by the Haitian prime minister and former President Bill Clinton. Haiti’s first election since the January earthquake took place in late November 2010, characterized by disorganization, voter intimidation, the ransacking of polling stations and fraud.
Presidential Election
In March 2011, two conservative rivals faced off in a runoff election for the presidency. In April, it was announced that Michel Martelly, a performer with the stage name Sweet Micky, had defeated Mirlande H. Manigat, a former first lady and college administrator who was the top vote getter in the initial round of voting in November 2010.
In the campaign, Mr. Martelly eschewed the skirts, underwear and other outlandish outfits of his musical career in favor of tailored suits and serious talk of reforming agriculture, streamlining the delivery of humanitarian aid and restoring law and order by bringing back the military, which was disbanded more than a decade ago after a history of human rights and political abuses.
Mr. Martelly faced immediate challenges and hobbled authority. Haiti is heavily reliant on foreign humanitarian aid, dispersed among hundreds of nongovernmental organizations that operate in effect as a shadow government. It also relies on United Nations peacekeepers for security.
When a plan to cut the number of United Nations peacekeepers in Haiti was announced in September 2011, Mr. Martelly sharply opposed it. He said in an interview that he “would not even think of reducing” the force because the country remained unstable and the national police were not ready to take over.
Mr. Martelly’s Military Proposal
At around the same time, in an effort to create jobs and supplement the weak national police force, Mr. Martelly began pressing forward with his plan to reconstitute the Haitian military. The military was disbanded over human rights abuses in 1995 by President Jean-Bertrand Aristide after years of political turmoil, making Haiti one of a handful of countries without an army.
Mr. Martelly submitted a $95 million proposal calling for an initial force of 3,500 personnel to patrol the border, help put down civil unrest and provide badly needed employment. However, even members of Parliament who were supportive of the idea doubted there was support to finance the proposal.
Also, a draft of Mr. Martelly’s proposal circulated to diplomats from donor nations was promptly leaked, a sign of disquiet among many who recalled the military’s involvement in coups and questioned its priority in a country still reeling from the January 2010 earthquake.

Christopher is Going to Haiti

2011-12-22T22:04:00.000-06:00

Our grandson is going to Haiti as a missionary. I don't know all the details but he will be leaving early Christmas morning and be gone for 3 months. I am so impressed by this young man's desire to do what he feels God leading him to do. He is giving up his very impressive job and time away from his family and friends. His employer has told him that his job will be waiting for him when he gets back. I don't know exactly what he'll be doing while there but it doesn't matter. He will be working with missionaries that are already established in the area.

Haiti is like what I'd call Ninevah to me. If the Lord asked me to go, I might be tempted to flea in the opposite direction. God knows what we can handle and that's why he has NOT sent me to Haiti. I know some of our local volunteers have been on short tours. Christopher went with Longview Baptist Church a few weeks ago for a week tour and is now returning for a longer tour. Wow, I am just floored at how things happen. Hopefully we will get pictures and info on his mission work there, but I don't think Chris is the picture taking kind of guy.
I don't expect to get anything to blog about but we know that God knows and has his hand on Chris. I will try to post reports as I get them-if I get any.
Please keep him in your prayers

Jonah and the Ninevehites

2011-12-02T13:04:00.000-06:00

My pastor presented this rendition of the Jonah story with the help of one of the youth, Matthew. I found this on my computer today. It was recorded on October 15, 2008.

Children of the Plains

2011-11-30T12:48:00.000-06:00

I have recently become involved with One Nation Walking Together. This upstanding organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of Native Americans living on reservations and urban areas. If you missed it, watch ABC's A Hidden America: Children of the Plains with Diane Sawyer, filmed on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It's 41 minutes - so relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy.

I have obtained some tags to put on your key-ring for donations from Albertson's grocery store. Every time you shop at Albertson's, have them scan this tab and 1% of your bill will be donated to this organization.
You can request them from their website and they will mail you some. They sent me several of them to share with friends.

We are working with different Native American Nations to help them with some of the same things but also we are trying to help evangelize their people. My husband and I help build churches where needed and also participate in evangelism efforts.

Jackie and some members from our church along with members from other churches in the area will be going to Jay, OK next week to help finish a new church for the Native Americans there. Please keep them in your prayers.

When is a Child too Young?

2011-11-09T11:14:00.000-06:00

This is an article from a Child Evangelism article called NET WORK

written by

SHIRLEY WISNER

What would you say to a parent

who she says her child, is too young to

be saved and therefore insists you

do not deal with her child? And what

would you do if during the invitation

this child raises his hand?

- A. C., Jacksonville, Florida

If this child raises his hand for

salvation, I would deal with him just

as I do with any other child, but I

would assure the mother that no pres-

sure is put upon the child about these

matters - that decisions are purely

voluntary.

Ask her to come and visit the class

and see for herself what is going on.

If she is a Christian, she will want

her child to be saved when she thinks

he is old enough. Perhaps she will

see as she sits in the class that when

the lesson is visualized, making the

way of salvation so clear, that even

little children can respond and know

what they are doing.

Take the mother to God's Word -

the very words of the Lord Jesus in

Mark 10:14-"suffer [let] the little

children to come unto me, and forbid

them not. . . ." Ask if she punishes

her child for doing wrong. Then

show her James 4:17, pointing out that

the Bible says that not to do right

when one knows what right is, is sin.

Try to get her to see that when her

child is old enough to knowingly do

wrong - to sin - he is old enough to

savingly believe.

If the mother is not saved you may

have opportunity to lead her to the

Lord, using the same simple technique

that you use with the children. (Your

prayer partners can help here.)

Let the mother feel your love for

her and her child, that you want only

God's best for the child, and that you

are sure she wants that, too. Assure

her that you do not want the child

to make a false profession any more

than she wants it, but neither would

you want to stand in his way.

Many testify that they were turned

against the church and the things of

God because they were pushed aside

when they wanted to come at an

early age. Knowing how prone we

are to think the child too little, God

clearly warns against this in Matthew

18:6. He also admonishes, "Despise

not one of these little ones." Despise

means to push aside and count of no

value.

My Comments:

With prayerful consideration,

the mother should be able

to accept that her young child

is able to understand

what is being presented to him

and willfully, voluntarily

come to the saving knowlege

of Jesus Christ.

Edna Hickman is a Missionary

2011-07-26T19:51:00.016-05:00

Edna is truly a missionary and an amazing woman. There is no one who is more about the Lord's business. She is active in WMU and also teaching Mission Friends on Wednesday. She is also my Sunday School teacher. She has been instrumental in getting our SS class working at Main Street Mission in Pineville, LA. Every Friday members of our SS class go the Main Street Mission to prepare a meal as well as try to meet other needs of our homeless/less fortunate population in our area. She has taught the Korean children in VBS for the past three years. She also went with us to Red Oak, OK and taught VBS a couple of years ago. She serves the church on different committees as required. Not to mention that she also is the primary babysitter for a great grandchild.

Edna has had experience with CEF. We introduce the Wordless Book on all our mission trips where children are the focus. She was a part of that on the trip to Red Oak, OK. I was excited to see Ms. Edna use the wordless book to present the gospel at Holloway's VBS this year. It is a great tool and the children can remember it and retell it easily. Ms Edna gave each child a Wordless book. They also rec'd instructions with bible verses for each color and a sample prayer for salvation.

Mrs Edna is not without challenges. She has had double knee replacement, open heart surgery and is dealing with other health issues. Yet she chooses to serve the Lord anyway, no matter what. Lots of teachers don't go to each class with their students. What I've noticed about Edna is that she goes everywhere her students go. That's pretty impressive. Check out the slide show.

Edna is special and I really appreciate her faithfulness to the Lord. BTW, I appreciate all sweet things she has done for me such as the lunch she brought me when I was sitting with my MIL, Myrtis, in the hospital. She was also there for me when Jackie had his heart attack. Thanks Edna and may God Bless You and keep you until the day of His return.

VBS at Holloway Baptist Church

2011-07-25T13:14:00.005-05:00

I was able to help with VBS at Holloway Baptist Church this past week. It was especially special because our church had 26 Korean children here as Camp USA. This group has been coming for bible school in our area for the past few years but this year it was HBC's turn to host the Korean children.

From the time I was too old for VBS, I was playing the piano for VBS. We sang songs like "I've got that Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart" and "Deep and Wide". The music is so much better now, it's hard to believe the SBC can come up with new music that is so evangelistic and contemporary every year. The kids love it and I love it too. The music in itself presents the gospel. The kids are learning scripture and the good news about Christ through this awesome music. Marcia Shields lead the music and did an excellent job. I guess you can say, I am very impressed.

I was able to present the Missions portion of VBS. It was interesting learning about different missionaries and also to encourage each child to be a missionary and share the gospel with their friends.

I really wanted to give each child a Gideon New Testament. The Gideons use to give the children a bible to all the 5th graders. But they say now that the schools won't let them do that anymore. What a pity. Well, why not give them out at VBS? So I was determined at least to give the Korean children one. We found a box of the little treasures in the library and was able to give every child a Gideon New Testament. God had those hidden just for this special occasion. I encouraged the children to mark the verses that were in the "Heaven How to Get There" tract that I gave them. They each received 2 of those to share with friends. Hopefully they will read those and be ready to share verses and the gospel with their friends. That was the emphasis one day of VBS: to go and to tell. Wow, what a great VBS.

One of the VBS teachers, Jamie, (in picture above) told me that she was taking a kindergarten Sunday School class starting the new church year. She expressed concern about her ability. She expressed a desire for training information. I was able to give her a "Children's Ministry Resource Bible". She was excited to get it and I think she will get much benefit from the training materials in this Bible. She did an excellent job teaching the children. I had them after their Bible lesson and the children could tell me all about what they had just learned. I believe she is already on the way to being a super teacher of God's Word.

This says it all-a small child learning to pray.
This is what it's all about.

Wow, what a great VBS.

Thanks to Hiro (also from Korea) for all the great shots

used in this blog and slide show!

Declan just turned into a missionary!!!!

2011-06-05T16:08:00.003-05:00

At Clinton, OK
Declan was my only student on Friday. He was there to be one of my helpers but God had other plans. It is true that He will let us know what to do if we are faithful. God had me to train Declan to be a missionary using the wordless book. Declan had received Jesus as his savior sometime before but he needed assurance. That is much of what is to be done because Satan lies to us and tells us that it's not real. Declan was so happy when he realized that his name was written in the book of life. We talk about that in the wordless book on the gold page.

I presented the story of Meduga. It is a favorite story that has the wordless book in it. As we talked about the colors and what they mean, Declan admitted his sin and that he felt so guilty. He is 10 years old. He said he had already asked Jesus to forgive him and to come into his heart. Hearing that, I assured him that his sin was forgiven and his name was written I'm the book of life. So we began talking about witnessing (green). He was very interested in witnessing to his friends. I showed him how to use the wordless book and the First Step tracts. I gave him some wordless books, bracelets and other tools for his ministry. I also gave him the wordless book visualized so that he could prepare to use it in his ministry some day. He also got an embroidered "Wordless Book Bag" to carry his materials in as well as a "Jesus Loves Me bag" for his witnessing tools. His grandmother said he was already studying the wordless book lessons that afternoon. It was wonderful to see a 10 year old so excited to become a witness and to start his new life with the Lord Jesus. This one event made the trip worth it all for me. Of course, other great things happened as well which I'll get around to telling you about.

Saturday morning he signed the threshold of the new church.

It says Declan Beard just turned into a Missionary. 6,4,11 age 10

How awesome is that!!!!!!!
*********************************
I had no doubt that God is calling this young man when I heard him pray for "all the children".
Please pray for Declan as he begins to witness to his friends.

Pow Wow at Clinton June 3,2011

2011-06-04T09:18:00.001-05:00

The sound bite didn't post so I'm sending you a picture of my first pow wow. This is also Clinton's first annual meeting in many years. It was quite colorful and beautiful. I made another new friend who lives right across the street from the church that has common interest with me. We are going to get together next week.

Today at Clinton, OK

2011-06-02T11:38:00.002-05:00

Lunch Wednesday

2011-06-01T13:09:00.001-05:00

Jackie lead devotional today.

Jackie working at Clinton, OK

2011-06-01T13:04:00.001-05:00

With him in this photo is the pastor of the church we are working on. He worked all day with us on Monday and has a stroke/heart attack during the night. Please pray for him and the work here.

Wordless Book Bag

2011-05-21T14:14:00.001-05:00

I am working on these for my next mission trip. Will be teaching how to present the wordless book.

Bibles for Missions 2011

2011-03-10T22:36:00.005-06:00

Recently mom and I were able to shop for bibles to send to a church in Fremont, Nebraska from donations made for that purpose via I Am Able Ministries. It was fun but took lots of consideration to try to decide what Bibles to buy. The pastor wanted the Life Application Study Bible for his adults, and appropriate Bibles for youth and children. We found good prices on bibles for the children and the youth. We had the book stores send directly to the pastor. He was grateful for them and so excited. I guess so.....I absolutely love the Life Application Study Bible and my favorite translation is the New Living Translation. These are a wonderful youth bible also. We were able to purchase a case (12) of the New Living Translation Life Application Study Bibles and 24 of the NLT Gift and Award Bibles for the youth. I hope that they reach hungry hands and hearts so that God's Word will take root and grow strong Christian believers.
We were also commissioned to obtain a number of children's bibles. We were able to purchase 40 of the International Children's bible. When I find the link, I will add it to this blog.
We plan to purchase some children's bibles to have on hand for future mission projects. If you would like to make a donation for Bibles, please use the donation link on this page or through I Am Able Ministries.

Mission Trip to Clinton, OK 2011

2011-03-10T21:35:00.003-06:00

Jackie and I are planning a church building trip to Clinton, OK this summer with the Master's Church Builders. We will be taking our camper and parking at Foss State Parker about 15 miles from the work site. We will be working with teams from north Louisiana. As I get more information on that I will post it. Mean time pray for Jackie and I to continue in good health. He is doing really well right now and so am I. But Satan knows no boundaries on our bodies and will do all in his power to keep us from the work of the Lord. We just won't give him permission to mess with us.

Meanwhile, I have been commissioned to fill in at the piano at HBC while their pianist recovers from an injury. That was my job until I gave it up last year to be able to travel with Jackie on mission assignments. I have missed playing for the church and will enjoy playing again.

Jonah!!!!

2010-11-27T20:09:00.001-06:00

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

I hope I can tell the story half as good as she does.

Louisiana Baptist Convention

2010-11-17T08:32:00.002-06:00

Jackie and I set up a table at the LBC in Alexandria LA. It was great to talk to people about what we've been doing with I Am Able Ministries. I had some CEF materials on display. I displayed the party plan "Heaven, How to Get There" that I am working on for our next mission project. I was able to share the benefits of the CEF material as well as the Children's MINISTRY Resource Bible.

I meant to take a picture of our table but I forgot. I had no idea that the Riverfront Center was so massive. They have escalators and elevators. WOW. Way to go Alexandria. We had to be out by 3pm so the place could be cleaned and gotten ready for the next group comming in. I heard it was another denomination's convention.

If we talked to you at the LBC Convention, please feel free to leave questions or comments.

The Word

2010-11-09T12:32:00.004-06:00

One of I Am Able Ministries primary goals is to distribute the Word of God to those with whom we minister. Many donations are received for that purpose and also the ministry designates monies for bibles. We also supply children's workers with the Children's Resourse Bible published by Child Evangelism Fellowship and Nelson. It has the scripture in the New King James Version, which is our preferred version of the bible to distribute. Of course, we provide other versions if requested. We feel that ministry without the WORD is not ministry. People are hungry for the WORD of God. It speaks life everlasting and also mortal life as well.
If you would like to contribute specifically for the purchase of Bibles,just note that on the paypal comments.

2010-11-03T12:08:00.000-05:00

This year at Anadarko, I asked if I could present a lesson to the children. They allowed me to do so. I had about 20 kids. They were very attentive and I learned a few things. Mom has been very helpful in getting me geared up and ready for these events. I am presently working on "Heaven, How to get There" lesson and party plan. I am making miniature flannel boards for the children to use to present to their friends. I really like the idea of teaching children to be soul winners. I have purchased a Cricut machine and a laminating machine to help with this part of the preparations.
I am also making the song visual aids. I have a wide carrage printer that I bought years ago that still works. Thank you Lord for that. I have tried the cricut and it works fairly well. Haven't tried the laminator. I got the 12" one to do the song visuals with.

Jackie is and will be doing mostly church building and I will find my place of ministry while being where he is. At Anadarko, I just asked the preacher on Sunday if I could share a lesson with their children on Wednesday night. He happily agreed.
The only thing was, I didn't do a game which would have greatly improved what I did and I forgot to provide a treat afterwards. So I am working on getting games ready for whatever lesson I will do. Mom got me several lessons to choose from. I like the Jonah one. Mom has already got games worked up on that one. You are awesome Mom. I hope that one day I can be as awesome as you. I know that I never will be, but I can hope just the same.

10 Things to Learn from Noah's Ark

2010-10-19T11:23:00.003-05:00

I found this poem while surfing on the web today. I should be working on ministry stuff but I was practicing number 8 and 9. Well, sort of. I think the advise here is worthy of note.

Everything I need to know,
I learned from Noah's Ark...

ONE: Don't miss the boat.

TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

THREE: Plan ahead.
It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old,
someone may ask you to do something really big.

FIVE: Don't listen to critics;
just get on with the job that needs to be done.

SIX: Build your future on high ground.

SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage.
The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile.

TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs;
the Titanic by professionals.

ELEVEN: No matter the storm,
have faith ... there's always a rainbow waiting.

~Author Unknown

Working on CEF Materials

2010-10-16T17:40:00.004-05:00

Momma and I have been busy working on tools for our children's ministry. Making flannel boards, games, song visual aids and witnessing accessories. Aunt Joy and Margie is a big help in making the gospel bracelets. Jackie and I have been getting things ready for the upcoming SBC convention in Alexandria in November. I want to display the CEF materials and he wants to show pictures of the work we've been doing and try to get financial support as well as new volunteers to go and do the work.

Mom and I have also asked a couple to consider being our CEF directors for Central Louisiana. They are praying about it and hopefully God will give them that assignment. We really do need them for this work. I think they are a perfect team for the job but it's really up to God. He will have to make that assignment, not me or mom. I will let you know who it is if they decide that is what God wants them to do.

I don't know what our leader is up to but God has kept him busy, busy, busy. We need to be ready to go on the field at all times. I am NOT ready but am trying to get that way. I am such a procrastinator that I like to wait til the crunch time. Mom and Jackie are encouraging me to get stuff in order so we will be ready to go at a moment's notice. Pray for me that I can get it all done. I am just about there.
I've lots of sewing projects that I want to do also. So much to do. Got to stop lollygagging and get busy.

Rebuilding Wichita Community Church made the news.

2010-08-08T22:37:00.001-05:00

New9.com on the rebuilding of Wichita Community Church

Anadarko Church Stays Faithful After Tornado - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

2010-08-08T22:10:00.000-05:00

Anadarko Church Stays Faithful After Tornado - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

Historic Church Hit By Anadarko Twister

2010-08-08T21:46:00.003-05:00

Historic Church Hit By Anadarko Twister

I found the news broadcast the day that the tornado came through Anadarko, OK. This link has a great video and also a written history of what happened to their church and the hope of rebuilding which we were able to be a part of.

Historic Church Hit By Anadarko Twister
National Weather Service Says Tornado Was Probably EF2
POSTED: 12:07 am CDT May 15, 2009
UPDATED: 12:25 am CDT May 15, 2009
Email Print
ANADARKO, Okla. --
Early estimates from the National Weather Service suggested that the tornado that hit Anadarko was an EF2.

The storm demolished homes and buildings and flattened an historic church. Much of the community was still without power on Thursday night.

The Wichita Community Church will have to rebuild after the storm. The twister left the church without a roof and tipping off of its foundation.

"It's been through ice storms and tornadoes nearby," said Pastor Damon Smith. "It's God's way of helping us move on, I guess."

Members of the church, mostly children, dug through the rubble to save what they could.

"It's sad. I never thought it would happen to the church," said member Kalisha Delaware.

Lois Smith at Anadarko, OK making Fry Bread

2010-07-10T22:20:00.003-05:00

I look forward to another meal of fry bread tacos.

The Word of God

2010-06-26T12:33:00.007-05:00

Jackie took some Gideon bibles with him to Anadarko. We had a Gideon volunteer come to our church a couple of Sundays ago. I asked him if they took Bibles to the Native American Indians. He told me that they were not allowed to pass out Bibles to the Nations in the fashion that they routinely do. I asked if we could have some to take on our next mission trip. So I got some bright orange small New Testaments to take. They are the King James Version. They have some Green ones that I wish I would have gotten because they are the New King James Version and the green color would go along with my wordless book presentation. I know what to ask for now.

Jackie took them and gave them to George. It was like giving him candy. George and the children were so excited to get these pocket size testaments. Jackie said that George made the children memorize ten Bibles verses before he would give them their copy. WOW. I was just thinking just pass them out. He is making them work for them. What a great idea. We take so much for granted. Jackie said there were several youth with their newly obtained bibles on the work site displaying them very proudly. I asked about the little children. George is making them memorize too, a shorter version of the verses.

George works with the youth at Wichita Community Church. (He is also the music leader. I am trying to get our church to donate hymn books in our library that we don't use anymore.) We've been so impressed with George and his love for the Lord Jesus. He is the father of the pastor. His whole family serves the church. You can see their desire to win their children and community to the Lord.

Another Trip to Anadarko

2010-06-22T22:01:00.005-05:00

Jackie is with another team working on finishing the church. As we talk, he reports things are going well. It is terribly hot but they are getting lots done.
He says that George has a group of about 30 youth working diligently to help the carpenters, clean up and moving materials as needed. They have had help come in from Shreveport that they weren't expected. God is so good and faithful. They should be finished with the roof tomorrow. Sheetrock and siding are going up simultaneously as well as the roof. They are also having to put in insulation in this heat. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue the work to finish the church.

Wichita Community Church, Anadarko, OK

2010-06-08T17:46:00.004-05:00

Jackie and I along with a team from I Am Able Ministries went to a small historical

Native American town to help the members of Wichita Community church rebuild

after a tornado came through a year ago, May 13, 2009.

We were there May 8- May 15, 2010. We had planned to stay longer but the

weather was bad and bad weather was predicted for the days ahead. The church

members were able to finish getting the foundation ready before the next team arrived.

It was hard work but they got the job done.

A team of 115 people came in and put the building in dry. What

an awesome event for this little community. They also did VBS in town and from the pictures,

it looks like they had a great week. I'm sure they will be talking about it for years to come.

Jackie and I plan on going back for the week of June 21, 2010 to do some finishing work.

He is rounding up a team to go with us. Please keep us in your prayers.

Anadarko, OK

2010-06-08T17:34:00.003-05:00

Wichita Community Church Project Week of June 1-4, 2010.

Jackie and I were able to assist in getting the foundation ready for this church along with a team from I Am Able Ministries. Looks like its ready for the finish work. We plan to go back to Anadarko the 21st of June to help complete this project. Jackie wants to do some landscaping also for them while he's there. Pray for us. It is extremely hot. Jackie was Cardio-converted the Friday before Memorial Day and our daughter is recovering from surgery. They are both doing great. I will post some video of our work, also. Just wanted to get this on first because of the pre-tornado pictures.

Predictions for 2010

2010-01-05T11:12:00.004-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

As we end the year 2009, with all the problems the world is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind. Today, I will share with you ten predications that are sure to come true next year!

Top 10 Predictions for 2010

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on earth.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still honor the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn't it great to remember Who is really in control, and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever." (1 Peter 1:25)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1John 3:16

80 years of Marriage

2009-12-21T18:59:00.002-06:00

Uncle Alvin and Aunt Agnes celebrate 80 years together!

Gospel Bag Tract

2009-10-17T23:08:00.007-05:00

I was driving to my mom's house a week or so ago to deliver some bags for one of the revival team when it occurred to me that I need to some how explain what the embroidery design on the gospel bags stands for. I had already written it up on the blog so I thought I would just use that to make a tract to put in each bag. It would present the gospel as well as connect with the logo. Our logo at I Am Able Ministries is "Sharing the Love of Jesus with the World". It took a bit of work but I think the tract does make clear our efforts to share Jesus. Here is a jpg of the front, inside, and back of the card. I used a whole sheet of paper and folded it in half. If you double click on each picture it will enlarge so that you can read it. If you see something that needs correction, please let me know.

My First Mission Trip to Mexico

2009-09-19T11:48:00.007-05:00

Randy took his second team to Mexico in August 1998. They went to help Doug Millar in his work in Playa Del Carmen. My mom, Yvonne Stockman, who is the director of Children's Ministry with I Am Able Ministries (and my Mom), presented the gospel to the children. Many children accepted Christ. The Wordless Book was used to share the gospel, as were other materials. Bracelets and tracts using the wordless book colors were used to share the gospel. The message was recorded in Spanish on a cassette tape. We could not speak the language but God worked it out so that the Gospel message was heard even though there were no interpreters. Once the workers there heard the message, they could present it in their own words effectively.

You can see what the Wordless Book and Bracelet is all about by going to Child Evangelism Fellowship's web site. The gospel message of the 'Wordless Book' and bracelets have become effective witnessing tools. This methods crosses language barriers and makes the gospel easy to understand.

2009-09-18T21:36:00.002-05:00

I have been sitting with Jackie's mother at the hospital. She had a stroke about 2 months ago. Recovery was slow but she was getting there until she fell and broke her hip 2 weeks ago and had surgery 3 days later. Her blood pressure would not come up and during caring for her they discovered a bleeding ulcer in her stomach. Once they corrected that problem, her blood pressure stabilized. In the mean time, they flooded her weak heart with fluid and she still has more fluid than she can get rid of. Anyway, her mind is not so good since all this has happened. Sometimes she recognizes us and sometimes she doesn't.

Yesterday one of the nurses asked her name and she said "Victory in Jesus". My point is that even as ill as she is, Jesus is using her to witness of His place in her life. The nurses said "Amen, sister!" It was very special to witness that. She is able to share Jesus even in her condition. Those of us who don't have such obstacles should take heart and not let anything keep us from sharing Jesus with the world we live in.

The Gospel Bag

2009-09-13T20:52:00.011-05:00

As I was working on these bags for our upcoming mission trip, I realized that this design came from the Lord. It actually tells the gospel. God gave Randy this design. I understand why now. I will try to explain what I see in it. The wordless book concept falls right into line with the logo.

The GOLD color reminds me of a very special place, heaven. Heaven is a place of incredible beauty where there's a street made of pure gold that's clear like glass! In fact, there is a whole city of gold! On the light house, it represents the light that a sailor sees when he is coming in from sea. He looks for the light so that he can make it in safely. A lost person looks for that light (Jesus) that shines through you and me. Like the light from a candle in the dark, we can lead a person to the light, to Jesus.

Jesus is preparing His children a place in heaven. John 14:2

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

No man comes to the Father (heaven) except through Him.

John 14:6

The DARK cross in this design makes me think of the sin that Jesus died for, my sin, your sin. He took on the sin of the whole wide world and the sin that I hide in heart.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

The RED heart reminded me of the life-blood that Jesus shed for my salvation. Accepting Jesus into my heart washes away that sin.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become

children of God, to those who believe in His name.

John 1:12

The WHITE around the cross represents the sin that is covered by the blood of Jesus.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7

Jesus loves me in WHITE makes me realize that after I accept Jesus, He will do His wonderful work in my life. I will be as white as pure snow because my sins are washed away. He did it all because "Jesus loves me."

For God so loved the world (me), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

The GREEN lighthouse represents Jesus as He is revealed by the Child of God who has the light of Jesus shining through them. Green represents in the wordless book growth. Part of growth is sharing Jesus with our friends, our family, and our world.

We are the light of the world. Matthew 4:14 We are to let our light (Jesus) shine and not hide it under a bushel, but put it on a lamp stand (light house)for all to see. Matthew 4:21

We use the wordless book in our ministry. It is one of the best tools to reach children and adults alike. It provides an easy way to present the gospel and bring people to saving knowledge of Jesus.

If you would like to use my embroidery design to make bags like these, I'd love to share it with you. I can also give you the information on how I made the bags. It's really not hard at all. I'm going to call it the Gospel Bag. Email me for the embroidery design at sparker@iamable.info at no charge. Also, I have made a pdf file for a card to put in the bag that presents the gospel using the colors of the embroidered logo and wordless book.

Jesus Loves Me

2009-09-11T22:11:00.006-05:00

Today I started working on bags for our mission trip to New Mexico for the kids to put their stuff in that we are going to give them during our time with them. Hopefully we will have a good group and be able to plant some seeds, water some seeds and bring in the harvest.

I digitized something similar to our logo but without the world. I just couldn't get the world to work out in the design. I am using denim for the bags and I have some bright variegated red, green, yellow thread that I will use to do the top stitching. I also used the "Wordless Book" colors. How cool is that? I'll get you a picture soon, you know I like pictures.

Some Call her "Lady Moses"

2009-09-04T18:30:00.005-05:00

This is an artical about a Native American woman

who gives her testimony in this article.

We will working in Cuba in October 2009 with

I Am Able Ministries.

This is the same lady in the picture in my slide show on the

Sharing Jesus in New Mexico blog wearing the fur coat.

Reprinted from the November, 2003 issue of Missions Mosaic, Woman’s Missionary Union, Birmingham, Alabama. Used by permission. To receive this issue, or subscribe to Missions Mosaic, call 1-800-968-7301.

Independence, MS April 2008

2009-08-27T12:27:00.003-05:00

Liberty Baptist Church
Pastor Andy Sims
Independence, MS
April 2008

Watch out for Mr. Gene!

2009-08-23T00:01:00.011-05:00

Jackie is working hard to get the foundation work done for the slab at Red Oak, OK in July 2008. This is one of the pieces of equipment that he operated.

Watch out for Mr. Gene, tho. He still can get out of the way pretty quickly. Go Mr. Gene!!!!

Mr. Gene Winegeart is a VIP with I Am Able Ministries. He is one of the older men that volunteers but he doesn't let age or aching bones stop him. He can keep up with any man on the team.

This picture was taken September 7, 2004 at Pine Hill Baptist Church.In this picture he's the one putting shingles on the outhouse while Randy stabilizes the ladder.
He worked hard and still had energy to lead praise and worship at a revival service at the end of the day. He also knows what to do when you come to a fork in the road. Just ask him, he'll tell you. We have enjoyed working with Mr Gene and look forward to future assignments with him.

Movie Link "We Shall Remain"

2009-08-22T22:23:00.003-05:00

I was looking for something on LPB and stumbled upon the movie series "We Shall Remain". From the award-winning PBS series American Experience comes
We Shall Remain, a provocative multi-media project that establishes Native history as an essential part of American history

You can watch the entire movie on line or download it to i-tunes for a small cost or purchase the DVD. Watch it online first. I'd like to hear your comments on it.

How to Make Fried Bread

2009-08-22T20:21:00.007-05:00

I did a search on my desktop for all my videos and this one was among them. I forgot that I had it. The sound is kinda of raspy but it is clear enough to understand. Three teams from Louisiana's I Am Able Ministries was in New Mexico. We were staying at the Dome, Christ for all Nations. A local Native American lady taught Evelyn and Juanita how to make the traditional fried bread. Here they are preparing the dough for frying and then frying it up. It is eaten with a toco like meat dish, then topped with lettace, tomato, cheese, sour cream. It is a very satifying. This was in May of 2004, 5 years ago. We were there with teams to do 3 simultaneous revivals. The churches we were working in were Pine Hill, Tinian, and Eagle Springs. We had children's teams working with the children at each church during the rivial meeting time. We also brought supplies to make a couple of outhouses for Pine Hill Baptist Baptist Church. We even got to test them. (But that's for another blog)

Sheet Rock Going Up

2009-08-21T22:36:00.005-05:00

Sheetrock looking good ! 8-19-09!
This is the sheetrock going up at Red Oak, OK. Still work to do but it is getting done, praise the LORD!!

Church at HBC

2009-08-16T22:45:00.001-05:00

Today we had 14 new converts baptized into our congregation. We had 4 from one family. the mom and dad and two of the 4 children. I've never seen so many baptized at one time. It was moving and really satisfying as a church member to witness such an event. There were several conversions from VBS and several from our revival. God is still moving and calling the lost into the fold.

Bro Jack handled it pretty good. He had all of the candidates except for one in the baptismal at one time. He had them sitting on the steps so they could witness each other's baptism. That was quite a site.

2009-08-15T23:51:00.007-05:00

I just ordered Jackie and me some ministry cards. I was really having a hard time picking out something that would work for both of us. I saw this flag and thought about our freedoms that we have in America. We do have the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech. I do believe that our country is based on Christian priniciples and that if we as Christians would do as 2 Choronicles 7:14 says "if My people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Notice this verse is addressed to us Christians not the lost sinners of our land. It is me and you, the born again, He is talking to. What does that mean? I think it means that I need to confess my sins and seek God's face perhaps by fasting and prayer. Why aren't we doing this as a country? Maybe I Am Able Ministries can help something like this to happen through our outreach to the "Nations".

Letter to Yvonne Stockman re: Leupp, AZ

2009-08-10T11:20:00.008-05:00

Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 12:04 PM

Teamwork Is good! Thank goodness each true Believer has a different gift. Christ's Body has more parts than just feet or lips! It takes all of us working together to share the Good News! Your work was essential to our VBS. "One plants, another waters, and God gives the increase!"

We were able to hand out some of the Bibles sent by Bro. John Miller. We left the others at the hotel where we stayed. We talked to one of the clerks, using the witness bracelets for a door opener. I told her we would give her one if she promised to tell someone what it meant. We then explained it to her (using your tract) and asked her to explain it back to us. She told us she was going to give it and the tract to her boyfriend, a 27yr. old who had attended church for the first time with her the previous Sunday, and had accepted the Lord! Turns out, he had never been to church and he told her that no-one had ever invited him to accompany them to Worship either! Hard to believe.

This should really drive home the need for our efforts here in the U.S. Who knows? One of us will share the Gospel of the Kingdom to the last convert of this Gentile Church Age and the last 7 yrs. of "Jacobs trouble will begin!" Why couldn't this witness of the Good News actually happen here in America, the greatest Missionary Society ever?

I'm coming back. It could be soon.
It will be sudden! God."

I got the impression that Native American Southern Baptists think "Anglos" have abandoned them. Our own Indian Brothers and Sisters in Christ are left to wallow in poverty and hopelessness on these reservations. When you drive up to Leupp the first thing you see from miles off is a huge beautiful Mormon temple. We went to a Luepp Baptist Church. It was a beautiful place of Worship because of the believers there, but it was obvious there was little money for upkeep and operations.

Pastor Jimmy McCabe at Leupp told me he has been "praying and waiting for an "Anglo" Pastor to come," since 1985. I think financial support was cut drastically sometime in the past. He said "Anglo pastors" are respected as authority figures and will be followed by multiple families. Clans will not respect another family leaders authority like him. He seemed very discouraged.(Like many of our Anglo Pastors)I don't know enough to talk about this?????
Our group felt a special need to encourage Bro. Jimmy. Our ladies described him as being "very sad". We all need continue to pray for these brave men who lead their congregations. As each LA Church partners with a Native American Church, hopefully we can look thru our spiritual eyes and not with intellectual reason. (Peter, thru faith walked on the water with Jesus). As a man it is easy to find reasons be negative.

Only 18 enrolled in our VBS effort. Four came forward for decisions, not including the two little boys who pointed at their chests and said "Jesus in my heart too!" As a Christian we look thru eyes of faith and see the "Fields are white for harvest"! How shall they hear if no one speaks? To speak someone has to go. Much like the struggling Indian pastors, those willing to go can't finance the effort or do all the material gathering, e-mails and phone-calls. God has shown I Am Able, He will provide if we all make ourselves available as a team and wait for His guidance. When the Holy Spirit leads us to go, just go, He always meets every need. The hard part is to not look at the waves. Pray God will continue to put volunteers and finances together. The door that has opened with the Native Americans is impossible for man to accomplish. "I am able to do all things thru Christ who strengthens me."

I can't wait for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. I can only imagine seeing my loved ones and the believers of all the ages who have faith in our Heavenly Father's Love, Mercy, and Justice. What a motivational truth!-Eternity in My Fathers House!

As one church sign we passed on our way to AZ. said,

"I'm coming back. It could be soon.
It will be sudden! - God."

The hotel clerk told me, that her boyfriend needed the most basic Christian teaching. AZ. D.O.M. Bro. Al Camson voiced the same need. Scriptural teachers. She asked could I imagine having never been taught anything from Scripture? (With the apathy and "form of religion that denies the power" controlling many Baptist Congregations today, a blank slate may actually be a blessing to him.) I gathered the Child Evang. and other materials you had assembled and also gave her one of the (J.M.) Bibles for her boyfriend. They had free newspapers on the front desk and I placed the remaining Bibles with them after asking permission from the manager. I'm sure, God will use them to speak to many.

Bro. Jean Winegeart was approached about buying some jewelry by a young Navaho lady. He told her that he didn't wear bracelets. She asked him, "What's that on your arm?" He grinned and explained the witness bracelet to her. She said she had seen them many years earlier, in a VBS!! We then told her we would give her the bracelet, if she would tell someone else what it meant. She smiled and put it on her arm.

"Divine appointments" or as Bro. Randy says, "Another God Moment!" These diamonds are there, rough and hidden, if we only step outside the comfort zone of our church sanctuaries and daily routines.

As I started this e-mail thanking you, I will conclude with the same. "One plants, another waters, and God gives the increase!"
In His Love,
Bro. Dwayne

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report on Mission Trip to Leupp, AZ

2009-08-05T15:07:00.009-05:00

Sunday, August 02, 2009 6:12 PM
We got back around 3:30 am this morning from our V.B.S. in Leupp Az. It was a struggle to get this VBS organized. Everything seemed to oppose our effort to go to Leupp. Amiable Baptist Church graciously sponsored our trip. Bro. Jean Winegeart, Angie Bass, Prent and Kelly Colson and I were joined in AZ by Bro. Tim Himel and his wife Linda. They live near Ragley La.

We had small numbers in attendance (avg. 11), but that did not hinder the Holy Spirit. At the end of our VBS each Christian walked forward to stand, sort of like a wedding rehearsal, slowly, one at a time, and then we invited any new Believers to come forward. Four children came to stand with us at invitation time and prayed the sinners prayer!

The highlight for me came after I had talked to one of our new sisters in Christ and I felt a tug on my pants. A beautiful little boy(4-5yrs?), who had not spoken a word during the three days of VBS (according to Angie Bass) told me, "I want Jesus in my heart." Another little boy about 3 or 4 yrs. old, also pointed at his heart and said "Jesus in my heart too." I assured them he would be their life-long friend and we all left with huge smiles. I am sure our Father will water and increase the seed we left with them. Our love was rewarded with the return of their love! Priceless!!!!!

Needless to say, "We had a great time!" God is so-oooo good!! We learned a lot. If we do another VBS on a reservation, we will try to start at a later time. We were told more children would likely attend if we started about 5:00 pm. At 9am no one in Leupp was stirring around yet. We needed to use the afternoon hours to knock on doors and "drum up" the kids. Linda and Tim Himel are excited to be going back to Leupp Az. in October to follow up and help with the Evang. Meeting. They have talked to Pastor Jimmy McCabe about having a block party. He had never heard of one! Pray that this will be used to reach all those outside the church walls. Their efforts are truly a blessing to us.

Team-work is fun! Bro. Bennie Hollingsworth, Pastor of Hosanna Baptist Ball, La. will be our leader in Eagle Springs N.M. as the S.B.C. La. teams go to do simultaneous revivals with our Native American Brothers and Sisters in New Mexico, Arizona, and now Oklahoma. He has two other preachers going with our team. Bro. Bennie will do the childrens program and the three of us will probably each preach one night of the meeting.

In His Love, Bro. Dwayne.

Donnie & Nancy Daniels

2009-07-18T10:54:00.000-05:00

Donnie and Nancy are celebrating 50 years of marriage this year. July 17,1959 is their wedding day. Congratulations!
In this picture I guess you can see that they are shelling peas on a electric pea sheller. They are 1st timers and I think they enjoyed it. Hope you have many more great years together.

Bro Dwayne's trophies

2009-07-17T21:23:00.001-05:00

Turns out Bro Dwayne is quite the fisherman. Great looking catch. Sorry, no details.

LA teams partnering with 35 NM churches

2009-07-15T11:14:00.000-05:00

Double click on article and it will enlarge so that you can easily read it.

Native Americans in New Mexico

2009-07-15T10:58:00.000-05:00

I Am Able Ministries is in the process of facilitating revivals in 35 New Mexico churches. Randy has been working on this all year and it is finally coming to life.
Many more churches are wanting to be involved. That is good because several more states are wanting the same thing. The goal is to bring revival to America through the Native Americans. I don't see, in my limited vision, how this can happen, but God does. We are just to do what he tells us to do and He, in his unlimited power, does the rest. Here is a copy of the article in this week's Baptist Message that tells the story of what is happening. Please be praying for the teams, because as usual, the firey darts are already being fired. We have to wear our shields or be wounded. Prayer keeps those shields stong.

Trey, Corey and Grandpa Willie

2009-06-29T15:19:00.001-05:00

It's pretty cool that a couple of high school aged young men want to do more to serve Jesus. Jackie and Donnie met Trey and Corey at Tall Timbers Camp earlier in June this year. They had come to camp with their youth group from Houma, LA. Jackie and Donnie had been asked to help Tall Timbers introduce the kids to missions doing the type of things they were used to doing on mission. They went to a certain area in Alexandria were mostly the elderly and disabled lived. They went door to door asking the homeowners if there was any work or chores that they do for them. Jackie and Donnie assisted with the carpenter and painting needs. It was exciting to see kids really wanting to do the work to help people in need. Some of the kids wanted to do more. Jackie and Donnie told them about our upcoming mission plans in OK. They wanted to go and began trying to talk mom and dad into letting them go. We sent Trey pictures of the work done on previous trips. It seems that God was calling them to help out. Mom and dad wouldn't let the boys drive all the way to OK by themselves so they talked Grandpa Willie(Corey's Gpa) into coming with them. I think he really enjoyed it as much if not more than they did. It was a good trip for him. They had difficulty getting in touch with us because we had already left home when they decided to go. But they got info from Tall Timbers and were able to get phone numbers and directions. I personally am glad they came and I heard Jackie say that the three were a tremendous help. They put up the window trim, batting and the soffit on the cornice. I even caught Gpa Willie with a shovel in his hands. It is kinda funny because he is a retired District Administrator for the Baton Rouge and New Orleans area. There are a few jokes about state workers leaning on a shovel. Well, anyway, he wasn't leaning on the shovel. He was putting dirt back around the foundation. "Just trying to be useful in downtime" was his comment. Many of the IAAM members of the team are retired from the Louisiana Dept of Transportation and Development. On this trip Jackie and Dwayne are both retired from LA Dotd. Lots to talk about on the breaks.

Wednesday night at church, the song leader did not come so the pastor asked for a volunteer to lead singing. Without hesitation Gpa Willie was ready to lead music. He said he had never done anything like that before but always wanted to. He did a great job for a first timer. Another interesting thing was that Corey and Trey requested and received their Choctaw names. Why didn't I think of that?

We couldn't have accomplished our goals if these three volunteers hadn't made the trip to be with us. I hope we see them again in this great work for the Lord. Thanks for your hard work and welcome to the team.

Cedar Baptist Church June 2009

2009-06-26T14:17:00.000-05:00

Back Home from Red Oak, Oklahoma

2009-06-26T14:01:00.000-05:00

We are home safe and sound. We had a good trip. No major illnesses or injuries. It was very hot as was at home also. The garden suffered a bit from the heat and lack of water but it is ready to harvest. I am having some trouble with my shoulder but it's getting better. I have a slide show ready that will tell the story. Enjoy and post a comment if you like.

Bout to hit the road..

2009-06-17T09:16:00.000-05:00

We are doing the final things to get on the road today. I'll blog if I have wifi, but I doubt that I will. In any case I will blog when I get home. We are to be home June 25th or thereabout. Please keep us in your prayers. As with any mission endevour, we face the enemy.

The Garden is coming in!

2009-06-12T09:21:00.000-05:00

God said not to worry about the garden, but the cucumbers are getting ready to pick. We had some yesterday and they are so good and sweet. I don't believe I've ever had any so good as these. The garden is so beautiful this year. Very green and growing well. The peas are putting on blooms now and the ocra is looking good. I will be able to restock my pantry and freezer this summer. I want to make some pickles this year as I am almost out.

Leaving the garden for others to care for is one of Jackie's worries that he has had to deal with. Going on a mission trip in the middle of the garden season is hard but we can do it. We will have to leave it up to family to help take care of it while we are gone. Hopefully they will do what needs to be done. We are going to take cucumbers with us on the trip and then when we get back, I'll start collecting for my pickles. How is your garden doing?

Getting Ready to go to OK

2009-06-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

Jackie and I are doing what we can to get ready. Jackie is making good progress on getting the camper ready. I made a baking mix to take with us. I was going to make biscuits like my momma was doing but I had a better idea for the trip. My idea doesn't take up freezer room. Anyways, I am washing and trying to get stuff done around here. Trying to sew a few things up, too. Finished a blouse yesterday. Hope to be able to make a few other things.

Cedar Baptist Church

2009-06-10T18:09:00.000-05:00

Building on the new sanctuary began late April and is currently underway. For some reason the slab wasn't poured until the Spring of this year. Jackie and Donnie and several other men went to a sawmill in Texas and cut the boards for the frame work from trees that someone donated. They then put them in a kil to dry. I might not be spelling that correctly. When they were dry enough, a guy (one of the Hunt boy's, I think) from Forest Hill took his 18-wheeler and time to deliver these precious gifts to OK to start the work on the sanctuary. Other materials have been donated as the work continues. At this point the roof is on as you will see in the slide show. These pictures are not mine but one of the team member's. They are very good and I think you will enjoy seeing such a great work in progress. Pictures are from April through May, 2009. See slide show.

Responding to the Call to Red Oak, OK

2009-06-09T10:01:00.000-05:00

The Lord has been dealing with Jackie and me, to become more involved in mission work. We have been participating on a minimal level since 1998, making a trip at least once a year. I will list all the places we have been with the dates just for our record and may be of interest to others.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico 1998
North Bend, Oregon 1999
Jackie had a heart attack and open heart surgery 2000
Filipe de Carrillo Puerto, Mexico 2001
Toledo, Oregon 2002
House of Prayer, Cuba, New Mexico 2003
Pine Hill Baptist Church, Cuba, New Mexico 2004, 2005, 2006
Panfork Camp, Texas 2007
Independence, MS 2008
Red Oak, OK 2008
These are trips that I went on. Some of these Jackie did not go on. He has gone many construction trips without me. (But that was before we had a camper-Ha) I did not keep a record of those trips. I'll see if he can remember them and add them to the list accordingly.

We first started working with Randy Carruth on a trip to Mexico. It was great. God is really using Randy in a great way. We had several people from our church go with us and I got to go with my mom and see her in action. It was Randy's 2cd mission trip. Randy is the director of I Am Able Ministries. Take a look at this website for more detailed information and pictures of work being done.

My mother has been a big influence in getting Jackie and I involved in this ministry. She has a burden for the children and teaches using Child Evangelism Fellowship methods and materials. I have received training from Ken and Lynn Bigalow and my mother through the years. Ken and Lynn were the state CEF directors for many years and held weekly training classes that I attended. The work in Mexico went well because we focused on the children and with them came the adults.

Yesterday, we were planning on going on vacation for our own pleasure until we got a call to go back to Oklahoma to help finish a new santuary for the Choctaw people, Cedar Baptist Church.That's where we want to go anyway. We had planned a trip in May, but Jackie was knocked off his feet with a heart arrythmia. He is up and going now and feels God calling him to work in OK. Our friend and mission's co-worker called and said hey, we are going to OK instead of AL. That's ok with us. So now we are getting ready for a trip to OK. We went last year and did several things. I will put up a slide show of that trip to give you an idea of what we are doing. This was our first trip the Red Oak, OK. The foundation for the slab was finished, VBS was successful, and also held a revival at night. Our church, Holloway had 9 people serve. There were teams from 3 other churches there. It was quiet a large group of folks. July 14-18 2008

Our camping volunteer missionary buddies are Donnie and Nancy Daniels. We are both taking our campers to the church site. Our last visit Jackie and I stayed at a camp with our team because there were so many of us but it was really hard on us to travel and work. The camp was about 30 miles from the church through hilly roads. Thank God for the camper that we can use this time around. Donnie and Nancy got to use their camper on this trip.
Jackie is working hard now to get the camper ready while I mess with the computer. He told me to do some of this and some of this is my idea. But things are popping. I got 2 job assignments today without much difficulty. One is to get some business cards for I Am Able and the other is to check out screen print tee-shirts. so I'm glad to be working again on some projects for I Am Able. I was the secretary for a while but I was too far from Randy to be able to help him do the everyday stuff. Evelyn Wells is now serving that role.