July 9, 2014
WHILE AWAY FROM HOME
In many parts of the world today people are fleeing from the tyranny of armies and merciless dictators, hoping to find safety in immigrant camps across the borders of adjacent countries. They dream of going back home, not knowing what they will find left of their old life. In the meantime, they are at the mercy of others for the bare necessities of existence. Africa has had more than its share of such uprooting of people from their homes.
One large migration has been from Sudan across the border into Ethiopia. These people will soon return to their homes in South Sudan as all Sudanese are being repatriated back to their homeland by the United Nations. In the midst of all of this suffering is a story worth telling. It is about Ethiopian brothers in Christ who have seen this as an opportunity to spread the gospel in the otherwise hopeless setting of refugee camps.
Faith in Christ resulting in many Sudanese churches has come out of this work near the Ethiopian border, with these hurting people. More than one hundred preachers among them have been trained to carry the gospel with them as they return home. More are currently being trained. Some have already returned and others are returning early ahead of the forced repatriation. They are eager to share with their own people what they have learned about Christ.
In this effort, our Ethiopian brothers are setting a needed example of being alert to opportunities to spread the gospel, especially those that come with migration. Africa is not alone in such mass displacements, for poverty as well as wars have driven many to leave their homes to seek survival in strange lands.
In some parts of Mexico, as many as seventy percent of the men of working age have come into the United States seeking work. In many ways these hard working people have been a boon to farming and other kinds of blue collar labor. In some border states, Hispanic populations now represent nearly fifty percent of the total. Impoverished people from farther south in the Americas are also flowing this way.
While most of the present pros and cons about immigration are being driven by economics, Christians need to think beyond dollars. We are thankful that some have seen this migration as an opportunity for the gospel. People who have been taught that they must go through another earthly man to gain access to God are eager to learn that each of us has a direct route through Christ. Mexican brothers and sisters in Christ are easy to love.
Many other waves of immigrants have sought American soil in the past. My European ancestors were among them. Yo soy un immigrante. We also now have many U.S. citizens who are of Asian descent, such as the Vietnamese and Laotians. We could have done more in reaching out to them with God’s Word. In an unsettled world, with more migrations ahead, we need to remember what is now happening in Ethiopia.
– James Gibbs (From the Files)
WHAT A WEEK AT CAMP!
We are SO blessed to experience God and the Holy Spirit and the saving power of Jesus in so many special ways. We cannot thank you, as our church family, enough for all of your support and love! On top of all the MANY blessings, we got to witness eight young people give their lives to Jesus in baptism!
Our West Main members who were baptized are:
Katelyn Hamilton, daughter of Mark & Angie
Olivia Holt, a regular member of our youth group
Elannia Lake, daughter of Nathan & Dawn
Campers who do not attend West Main who were baptized are: Issaic Belden, Katie Covington, Kenzie Cox, Natalie Davis and Esther Gunselman.
Write these names down and pray for them, as we now start the task of walking along with them on the FRESH path that lies before them!
Camp Lost and Found – If you didn’t make it home with all your stuff, be sure to look through the Lost & Found items in the courtyard.
Vacation Bible School is less than two weeks away. We still need a few more things!! We need someone to hang the VBS sign outside the building; we need a couple more food items; and we could use a couple more people to help Shawna with crafts and to help with the carnival on Friday. Mark your calendars for Wednesday evening, July 16, for the VBS Work Night! We can use all the help we can get to get everything ready for VBS!! See Denise if you can help!!
Our theme this year is: Kingdom Rock - Where Kids Stand Strong for the Lord, and is for kids who have finished Kindergarten through 6th grade.
*****VBS Meeting this Sunday, July 13, at 4:30 p.m. in the East Room.*****
KIA and Service Projects Calendar -- Wednesday Evenings 6:30-7:30 p.m.
July 16: Set up for VBS and Laundry Night; 6:30 p.m.
July 23: NO Evening Activity; VBS Week
July 30: Game Night; VBS Question Race; Pizza & Ice Cream
August 5: Family Fun Night: Bowling; 6:00 p.m. (Note change of date.)
Wedding Shower and Ice Cream Social -- Please join us as we honor Kayla Christopher and Caleb Walker with a Wedding Shower on Sunday evening, July 13, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. There will be a “60s” theme for the evening. They are registered at Macy’s, Target and Bed / Bath and Beyond. Contact Corinne with any questions.
**We will also be having our Ice Cream Social in conjunction with the shower, so please bring your favorite homemade or “store bought” ice cream to share.**
Prayer Requests . . . Wade Bryant had surgery on both of his arms and is in a lot of pain. Pray for comfort and healing...David Mayes asks prayers for Cora, Layla and Mikey to be open to the gospel and for him to be a good example...For Emma Tompkins - she would appreciate cards and visits. Phone calls are difficult for her, as she has trouble hearing. Please pray for improvement...For Peggy Woods who will be having cataract surgery this week - please pray for complete healing and a successful surgery...Dawn Lake asks prayers for baby Ava who is having complications, and for the Rardin family who are grieving from a death in the family...For Mike Spodnik for safe travels as he drives back to Los Angeles...Nanette Murphy asks prayers for a co-worker, Heather, who is having brain surgery this month...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.
Announcing the Birth of Silas Anthony Robbins -- oud parents are Jared and Callista Robbins. Silas was born on July 7, 2014, and weighed in at 7 pounds and 15 ounces and was 20 ½ inches long. Mom and baby are doing fine. Proud grandparents are Buck and Debi Robbins and John and Charlotte Winters.
Calendar of Events
July 19: Jasmine Frunk and Thadd Flock Wedding in Estacada, Oregon
July 21-25: VBS
July 27: Sunday Night Live; Congregational Singing
