Archive for the 'Christian life' Category

Cemetery Across from our field in North Lansing, NY

Carole and I did something over these past few weeks that we’ve been meaning to do for a long time—we redid our wills. Our daughter Sarah, concerned about our frequent travels, wanted us to have our affairs in order in case something happened to us. I had also seen first hand the importance of a “Power of Attorney” document when my Mom developed Alzheimer’s disease. We felt it would be wise stewardship to have all these things in place.

A couple of years ago I received a free copy of “Quicken Willmaker,” so I did our will on Willmaker and then made arrangements for all our documents to be reviewed, witnessed, and notarized by a local attorney. I’m writing this blog not to promote doing a will (although I think it is a wise and important thing to do) but because of the reaction we experienced at the attorney’s office.

First our attorney and then one of our witnesses expressed something akin to sympathy for us and certainly commiseration for the difficult thing we were doing in thinking about and talking about our deaths. Their reaction so surprised me that I did a poor job of expressing myself (not uncommon). I said something like, “If you know that you are going to heaven, death is not a fearful thing.” Thinking about and planning for our deaths had not been at all uncomfortable. Their reaction completely surprised us.

Afterwards, I thought about two Scripture passages. I thought of Philippians 1:21. For the believer, life or death is great. Of course, if Carole went to heaven before me, remaining behind would be unimaginably difficult. Yet, I can count on the sustaining grace of God in whatever trial may occur. I can rely upon God’s presence and the sure knowledge that He will do right by His child.

The other passage I thought of was Hebrews 2:14-15. It just seemed that for a brief moment in that attorney’s office the fear of death showed itself. Maybe I’m reading more into it than was there, but dealing with a will, a plan in case there was a death, pulled aside the curtain of illusion we use to hide the inevitable. We will all die. Some of us will die unexpectedly. I cannot confidently say that I will be on this earth next year. None of us can!  Even those who regularly deal with wills seemed uncomfortable by the underlying reality!

At Christmas, we celebrated once again the reminder that Jesus took on “flesh and blood” to become like us. He did so with the specific purpose of dying in our place and for us. Through Him, and Him alone, all my sin, past, present, and future, is forgiven.  By God’s grace He has granted me a place in heaven through the death and resurrection of His Son.  How good to know that there is One who has rendered powerless the one, Satan, who had the power of death! Jesus has delivered the believer from the fear of death. We have the unbelievable privilege of telling others how they too can escape the fear of death.

I’m thankful we had that experience in the attorney’s office at the beginning of the year. Having the right perspective on life and death is a good way to move through a year.

I just thought of another passage, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57.

I recently wrote about our visit to North Lansing (see picture above). If you would like to read more about North Lansing and see pictures of more than the cemetery, click on this link.

Stanley Community Church Stanley, Iowa

Philippians 2:5-8

I started thinking about these verses when I heard some of the news reports involving “Black Friday.” I heard the story of one woman who “pepper-sprayed” several others, in her rush to get a good deal. In other locations, several were trampled, many were arrested, and people pushed and shoved to get the bargains they wanted for Christmas.

How could the celebration of Christmas descend to such a low level? How could the spirit of today’s celebration of Christmas be so opposite to the spirit of the first Christmas? Such questions are above me but I do know that the tendency to grasp lies deep within the fabric of my soul.

The One who had every right to supreme glory let go of that right to come to earth. Surrendering true riches, not the sham substitutes that break within a few months, He became poor for our sake (2 Cor. 8:9). I am so glad that He was willing to take “the form of a bond-servant” for us. I am to obey by having that same attitude.

I am so thankful that I have the privilege of serving Village Missionaries that have followed His example. They have followed Jesus to country places, often far away from family and with little in the way of recognition. They have gone to little Bethlehem-like places where they tell people of the One who emptied Himself to come to earth but now is exalted above every name. Through their efforts, many have willingly bowed the knee to Jesus.

I am also thankful for those who willingly pray and even give to advance the cause of Christ in rural communities. You demonstrate that you are ones who do not “grasp” but “empty” in obedience to our Lord.

Thank you for praying! I know that you are praying that God will call many who will surrender the things they enjoy and follow their Master on the downward yet upward path. I know that you are praying that many more will open their hands to give so that others will learn of the Christ of Christmas.

May you have a truly blessed Christmas and New Year!

Picture taken by Village Missionary Kim Kunkle

We are starting to get reports of flooding damage in communities served by Village Missions in the Northeast.  Many of these communities are isolated and lacking in infrastructure.  Often, the topography is such that the damage will be extensive.  Pray for wisdom and strength as the Village Missionaries will often be called upon to minister in a variety of ways. I will try to keep you updated through this blog on the various situations.  You can find maps of locations and pictures of Village Missionaries at http://www.village-missions.org/contact/.  There is also a “zoomable” map of all locations at http://www.village-missions.org/about/map.php.

This note is from Village Missionaries Bill & Karla Allen in Otego, NY

As I write this there are 4 inches of water in the floor of the church basement and we can see and hear more coming in. The sleepy little brook at the bottom of the hill has already spilled over into several pastures. Emergency vehicles have been going up our little country road most of the day.

Bill was on his way to get sand bags for the church but had to turn back because the water is over the bridge. That end of “our road” is closed. Now he is out helping a stranded motorist. They closed the school but did not run the busses . They had parents come and pick up their children if they could get to them. One of our church members is an aid at the school and is stranded there with her children. (This is the First Day of School this year.)

Last week members of our extended church family got out of the town of Schoharie with only their children and their dogs just ahead of rushing water, sludge and sewage that filled their home to the rafters.

We are supposed to have rain and bad weather for 2 more days. Otego and Oneonta have been under a state of emergency all day and roads are open only to necessary travel. We think this will be lifted tonight.

We are OK, but several of our members are “in harms way”. We are helping those we can get to. And personally we are making preparations in case we loose power.

We are concerned for fellow Village Missionaries Dennis & Leslie Burke in Amsterdam, NY and Village Missionaries Mike & Kim Kunkle in Quaker Street, NY.

Chenango, Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie Broome and Tioga Counties are closed to any traffic. At least 90 houses were condemned nearby the Kunkles after Hurricane Irene. With a team from their church Mike and Kim have been helping folks with their houses, clean-up in the area, etc. in the town of Schoharie. Please pray for Mike’s arm. He has cellulitis and it seems to be growing worse.

Because of Hurricane Irene at least 60 houses were condemned near Burkes. Then, this past Monday a tornado hit Pattersonville, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam Junction. Six of the locks on the Mohawk River have been “blown out” because of the debris and falling trees. Burkes phone lines are down. When we were able to reach them by cell phone Dennis & Leslie were on their way to check on “Solitary Place”. (Solitary Place” is a retreat home for Village Missionaries and other pastors). That town was completely closed to traffic after Hurricane Irene. Don’t know what all of this will do to that area.

More storms coming have the very real potential of making things much worse.

We appreciate all of your prayers as we “hold down the fort” and help those around us.

Bill & Karla Allen

Doing our part “Keeping Country Churches Alive” with Village Missions

**********

Please pray: Howard and Nancy Carr (Moxie, PA)

Hi, Please pray for our people, we are experiencing major flooding here. Many roads washed out, bridges are overflowed. We are in Syracuse and can’t get back. The rainbow bridge which we cross to get home is closed and the water which is normally 25-30 feet below is about to overflow across bridge. We just heard they are airlifting people out of Tunchanock (sp) which is west of us. We are praying for other VM’s Thanks Howard & Nancy

Ed Allan writing note to Village Missionaries after praying for their prayer request.

After forty years of faithful service, Ed Allan retired from his position as member of the board of directors and chairman of the U.S. Board at the spring 2011 meeting. Ed has served on the U.S. Board of Village Missions since 1971 and as chairman since 1991, when Rev. Walter Duff stepped down as chairman.

Ed told the board that he wanted to retire without fanfare but the board overruled him with a small celebration in Dallas, Oregon, where our office is located. We had dinner at a local restaurant in Dallas and invited former board members Alton Williams and his wife Jackie, Paul Cochran, and Margaret Rayburn. Dr. Jack and Norma Canady were invited but unable to attend. Instead, Dr. Jack sent a letter, which I read during the dinner. Board members shared their recollections and appreciation of Ed and Nancy’s service. We played a short video of Ed’s reflections on the ministry of Village Missions, taken from an interview on our 60th Anniversary. This video has been posted on YouTube here. You can also view a longer video (10 minutes) where Ed speaks about the legacy of Rev. Walter Duff. A plaque recognizing Ed’s forty years of service was presented to him. Glen Hanson, our new board chair, closed our recognition meeting in prayer.

Ed grew up on our field in Dalkena, WA. Village Missionaries Bob and Margaret Rayburn were particularly instrumental in his life and he considers them his spiritual parents. Margaret shared at our retirement party that they had great hopes for Ed to go into ministry with Village Missions. They were quite disappointed as he began to pursue a career of law at Whitworth College in Spokane. As they observed his testimony for Christ in his profession and as he began to provide considerable legal help to Village Missions, however, they realized that God had led him to exactly where he was supposed to be.

I have had the privilege of working with Ed since 1998, first in my service on the Board and then in my service as Executive Director. I have found him to be consistently committed to the ministry of Village Missions throughout the years. In his tenure, he has provided extremely helpful legal advice and spiritual advice, both to Village Missions as a whole and to individual Village Missionaries. He has always expressed deep love and concern for Village Missionaries and for the churches they serve. He has led our board meetings with grace and wisdom, always fostering open and frank discussions and never once pushing his own agenda. His wife Nancy has always had an encouraging word for my wife Carole.

In Ed’s remarks during the dinner, he told us why he was stepping down from his positions. He said, “The simple answer to the question is that my sole consideration and motivation is the future well-being of the mission. Over the years, I have seen folks who were in a position of leadership in both the church and Christian organizations who held on and held on to their position while the organization floundered and in some cases died. It died because the leadership continued to administer the ministry as it had for the last 50 years resulting in a failure to keep up with the changing needs of the people and groups, which it was organized to minister to. I do not want that to happen to Village Missions and from time to time I have noticed that my own thinking does not approach nor analyze issues and problems like the younger minds about me.”

Ed challenged and encouraged the board in several areas but made it clear what was most on his heart: “Never, never, never forget that Village Missions is an evangelistic organization. Simply put, it exists solely to bring people to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. That was in Rev. & Mrs. Duff’s hearts and in both Mrs. Helen Baugh and Ms. Mary Clark when VM was organized. That vision had been ingrained in the Duff children by their father and Village Missions was simply a way to implement that vision. Each and every decision of the board members and of the administrators must have that sole goal in mind as the reason for the decision.”

Thank you Ed and Nancy for years of dedicated service to the Lord and to Village Missions!

Colossians 1:25-27

He passed by our display, scarcely noticing the brochures, pens, and sticky notes. Stuart needed to get to class and besides, he knew after graduation he was going on to seminary. He ignored the inner voice that told him to pick up a brochure. He walked further toward class. Again, the whisper, “Pick up a brochure.”

Stuart began to take notice. He had learned to listen to this voice after he came to Christ. For several years, he knew that God wanted him to leave a high paying position, sell his home, and go to Bible school. It took longer for his wife Jennifer to surrender to God’s promptings and leave their beautiful home and neighborhood. Once they both agreed, God had provided and directed in amazing ways.

Their plan was to go on to seminary after graduation. He knew his direction, and even knew the seminary. However, the still, small voice continued its prompting to pick up a brochure. Having reached the classroom door, he finally turned around and went back to the display table. As he read our brochure, his soul burned within him. This was ministry as he had always envisioned it should be. He never realized that there was such a deep spiritual need in rural North America. A growing conviction stirred that God wanted he and his family to serve with Village Missions. When Jennifer read the brochure, the same fire stirred within her and they became convinced that God was leading them to Village Missions. They had never heard of us before Stuart read our brochure and saw our display.

I first heard this story as Jennifer and Stuart shared it at our candidate school chapel service this spring. God continued to confirm their call to Village Missions. I had the privilege of sending them their acceptance letter. Stuart will graduate in May 2011 and begin raising support. He has already been promised much of that support. We accepted five wonderful couples at this school. Each told their story of how God called them into the ministry of Village Missions.

I often worry about our recruiting. The burden of empty fields weighs upon me most heavily. I observe the slow decline of our numbers and wonder when it is going to reverse. Yet, the story of Stuart and Jennifer is a powerful reminder to us that God is still calling people into our ministry.

God seems to be powerfully at work. We are in a strong financial position. We have received several requests for help from churches. God is still dramatically calling couples into our ministry. It is most amazing, given the overall economic and spiritual climate within which we minister.

We hold no illusions that ministry during these days will be easy. The need for child abuse prevention (we are currently implementing this mission wide) and the horrible events that have occurred in our world should quickly disabuse us of that notion. Yet, Jesus Christ is still sovereignly building His church, and He is using Village Missions to do so. God appointed the Apostle Paul in the beginning of the church age and He will appoint Village Missionaries at what may be the end of the church age to proclaim Christ to the lost in rural communities.

The Camera I Used for Uploading

I started a long overdue project recently that has caused me to reflect on the passage of time.  I converted all of our family analog 8 mm videos to digital DVD’s.  Like most projects, this one turned out to be more involved than I expected.  First, our old video camera would not start no matter what I tried.  After a fruitless search on E-bay for a replacement camera (they were too expensive), I finally was able to borrow a really old and big camera from a friend.  At least his worked—sort of!  The camera would play the tapes for a while but then would stop.  That meant I would have to check the progress often and crop portions if there was a time of empty recording.  It took much longer than I expected to finish transferring all the tapes.

The tapes went back as far as 1992 when we received the camera as a gift.  Most of the tapes covered our time in Red Feather Lakes.  Each year I seemed to record the same events: several concerts and recitals, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving finding and cutting a Christmas tree in the woods, decorating the tree with me up on the extension ladder (we always cut about a 14 foot tree), birthdays, many school programs and graduations, and, occasionally, our vacations.

As I watched portions of the tapes being recorded, it was as if a portion of our life passed before me.  My kids were young and cute when the videos started (eight and four years old) and I had darker hair and more of it!  People and events I had forgotten came flooding back, often with a feeling of nostalgia for those long ago times.  I wisely remembered that a video only captures the highlights and not the “lowlights” that we tend to forget.

This intensive, video induced trip down memory lane has caused me to reflect on Ephesians 5:15-16.  I realize that although I can edit those videos (perhaps shorten them), I cannot edit my circumstances, my responses, my attitudes, or anything about the way I used my time in the past.  In a sense, I am a product of all that took place but none of it can be undone.  I can only resolve to improve my walk, my movement through life in the future.  This passage speaks of four ways that we can improve our movement through life in 2011.

First, we must move through 2011 with a careful walk. Paul commands us to “walk circumspectly” (vs. 15a).  This speaks of an accurate and exact assessment of our movement through life.  We must have alertness and exercise great care.  Often, I’m so wrapped up in the busyness of life that I live it without much assessment.  I’m about to have my annual physical, which is meant to be an accurate assessment with the idea of discovering any problems and making some corrections.  Suppose we conducted an annual spiritual, marriage, parental, emotional, and financial assessment—in short, a “whole-person” assessment and made some corrections!  Such an assessment would certainly be fulfilling the command of this verse.

Second, we must move through 2011 with a wise walk. Paul tells us we are to walk “not as fools, but as wise” (v. 15b).  For any believer and especially a Village Missionary, wisdom is putting Biblical truth into practice in our life.  The world’s wisdom surrounds us and constantly seeks to get inside like a termite trying to eat its way into our inner structure.  Worldly wisdom regarding our value, our identity, how we measure success, the response when persecuted, the importance of acclaim, the importance of money and security may affect our thinking as Village Missionaries and sabotage our ministry.  Would that Biblical wisdom govern every response to the unforeseen circumstances of 2011!

Third, we must move through 2011 with a profitable walk. Paul tells us we should be “redeeming the time” or in the NASB, “making the most of your time” (v. 16a).  This is literally “buying up or redeeming the opportunity.”  In the words of one commentator, we are to “purchase all that it offers.”  The word used for “time” is not hours and minutes but fixed periods or seasons.  Thus, a profitable walk is a strategic walk in which we use our time on earth to its greatest advantage for God’s Kingdom.  Today I regret missed opportunities in 2010 to share Christ with the lost.  Will I lose similar opportunity in 2011?  I regret I did not redeem more opportunities with my children in those years covered by the tapes.  Will I be strategic in this coming year?

A friend recently told me of a business opportunity he missed a few years ago.  The old story—if he had only invested such and such then it would have quadrupled its value now.  We possess unlimited spiritual capital but so often fail to do anything but keep it buried in the ground (cf. Mat. 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27).  Perhaps not in 2011!

Finally, we must move through 2011 with a guarded walk. Paul warns us “the days are evil” (v. 16b).  The word “evil” speaks of “vicious, active wickedness.”  True of Paul’s day, it is equally true of our day.  How easy it is for us to fall!  How easy it is for us to begin a self-deluded journey that destines us for the self-destruction of our marriage, family, and ministry!  Perhaps we would not succumb to internet pornography but could easily succumb to the lust of pride.  Financial impropriety might never be a temptation to us but we might quickly subscribe to faithless discouragement.  We must be on guard in 2011, knowing that the enemy of our souls has enough ammunition within and without us to cause our harm if we are not alert.  “Be on the alert!” is a command that often rings out from the pages of Scripture.

We seem to take family videos very infrequently now, although our digital camera would allow us to do so.  The days of concerts, graduations, etc. are over for us until perhaps grandchildren come around.  Yet, whether captured on video or not, our days in 2011 are precious gifts that will pass all too quickly.  Let’s walk carefully, wisely, profitable, and guardedly in the year to come!

In the aftermath of the Gulf Oil spill, we have learned of corruption on almost every level.  It seems that BP cut corners to make a profit.  For example, its disaster plan was barely repackaged from a disaster plan for Alaska that spoke of saving walruses and seals.  Amazingly, the Gulf plan included rescuing walruses!  Evidence exists that basic safety practices were violated although they knew extremely high pressure existed within the well.  Pressure to make a profit and speed up production overcame the pressure that was ready to explode.

Government oversight was no better and perhaps much worse.  Former employees or even individuals who would be future employees of the oil companies oversaw the safety and procedures involved in drilling.  Apparently, they had little time to do so, as “work” involved computer pornography, sexual liaisons, and enjoying the many favors granted them by the oil companies.  Inspections on the oil rigs were mere cursory glances in which the oil company filled out the paperwork in pencil and afterwards the inspector went over the form in pen.  The corruption transcended both Republican and Democratic administrations.  Whistle blowers were routinely fired.  Where else is the government on the job in such a way?

The oil spill is one more witness to the moral collapse of our country.  For those who favor increased government regulation and involvement, the government appears incapable of extricating itself from corruption and extreme inefficiency bordering on paralysis.  For those who favor less government intrusion, companies appear more than willing to cheat, steal, and do whatever it takes to make a profit even if wholesale disaster follows in the wake.

When the moral fabric of a society tears apart, no segment of that society is immune.  Unfortunately, not even the church is immune.  We would have had a fantastic opportunity to proclaim the Gospel in today’s society if the church had been a beacon of integrity.  Instead, pastors such as Ted Haggard and materialistic Christian organizations designed to make their leaders rich are part of the downward slide to moral anarchy.

Although by far most Village Missionaries conduct themselves with integrity, and we have high standards within the administration, even some Village Missionaries fall far short.  Recently I had to dismiss a missionary for behavior that reflected the deepest depths of depravity.  Our three enemies, Satan, the world, and our flesh, gain great power and influence when all morality is in ruin.  None of us is immune or incapable of embracing depravity.

The answer must lie first in resolving to make integrity our priority, nurtured by an intimate walk with Jesus Christ.  At every candidate school, my final challenge to the candidates is a sermon from I Thessalonians 2:1-13.  Reread this passage to see how committed Paul was to integrity in the ministry.  Most of us, because of the nature of the Village Missions’ ministry, will have many opportunities to live out that integrity before people within our community.  We of all people must model integrity.

Second, we must renew our focus on winning people to Christ and discipling them to be committed followers.  Although some believers bear false witness to the Gospel by their corrupt lives, the Gospel is still true.  Jesus Christ does change lives and He does enable us to live lives of integrity.  He is the only answer in our collapsing world.

Finally, we must pray.  The oil spill is only one witness to the devastation a moral collapse causes.  We may indeed be approaching the end times and inevitable moral collapse before Jesus comes, but even so souls need to be won to Christ and Christians need to stand with integrity.  We have seen in Village Missions entire communities transformed by the power of the Gospel.  Pray that Christians in government, business, and in all walks of society might have lives that are testimonies of uprightness.  Pray that they will have the courage to speak and stand against the corruption.  And pray for Village Missions, that all of us might be powerful testimonies to the sufficiency of Jesus Christ to transform our lives and enable us to live lives of integrity.

I have read and reread 2 Corinthians as I have thought about how to handle the wounds, the blows, and the heartaches that often are associated with ministry.  If any letter provides a perspective that prevents ministry wounds from becoming life threatening or chronically debilitating to ministry, it is 2 Corinthians.  Paul, who is “loved less the more he loves” (2 Cor. 12:15), has a perspective that enables him to emerge victorious from the most hurtful of battles.  How can that be?

In my last blog I wrote that Paul understood that ministry would involve stress and frustration.  Satan battles for men’s souls (2 Cor. 2:11; 4:4) and the battle will often be intense.  In addition, Paul did not play it safe by being reserved in his emotions toward those who might hurt him.  Paul continued to love the Corinthians even as they often rejected his love.  He also ministered with integrity, never having to do battle with his conscience in addition to his enemies.

I believe, however, that the critical perspective that enabled Paul to be hurt without becoming devastated was his understanding of his identity in Christ. A key verse that summarizes what Paul expresses throughout the letter regarding his identity in Christ is 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”

We overlook the full meaning of this verse if we think it simply means that someone changes when he or she comes to Christ.  The context (2 Cor. 5:12-16) makes clear that a radical change takes place in who we are and how we view ourselves.  I am a “new creature” whose entire orientation to Christ, to myself, and to others has changed.  I was out of Christ before but now I am “in Christ.”  Because I am in Christ, I have died with Him and now live with Him.  I live or should live, not for myself, but “for Him who died for them and rose again.”

How well we know this verse and how little we apply it!  Note how Paul understands the reality of being in Christ throughout this letter!  The sufferings he experiences are not his but are the “sufferings of Christ” (2 Cor. 1:5).  God “always leads us in triumph in Christ” and because we are in Christ He “through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place”  (2 Cor. 2:14).  Some react positively to that fragrance (aroma of life) and some negatively (aroma of death) but the reaction is to His fragrance not ours.

When Paul is “hard-pressed”, “perplexed”, “persecuted” “struck down”, Paul is not undone because as he moves from hardship to hardship he carries with him the “dying of Jesus” (2 Cor. 4:8-10).  The wrong done to Paul is wrong done to Jesus and is part of Christ’s suffering that extends beyond the cross. Paul responds to the wrong as one having been raised with Christ. The more he does so, the more the life of Jesus manifests itself in him. He does not “lose heart” because any dying he experiences is more than overcome by strengthening in the inner man (2 Cor. 4:16). Christ absorbs the blows of ministry, yet the “light-affliction” produces for us an “eternal weight of glory “(2 Cor.4:17).

Paul confronts those who are in error at the close of this letter. Either they will repent or he will have to deal with them during his third visit. But it will not be Paul but Christ who they will face.  He reminds them: “For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you” (2 Cor. 13:4).

Jesus does not want us to experience those blows, nor as new creatures should we, if we live in the reality of who He has made us to be. He is perfectly willing and able to continue dying and living His resurrection life in us and through us. Somehow, He is able to absorb all the hurtful blows involved in ministry and yet use them for our eternal glory. Knowing this and living this enabled Paul not to ever lose heart. Knowing this and living this will enable us never to lose heart.  We may be struck down but we will never be destroyed!

Doug McGraw

Here is a link to a TV interview with Village Missionary Ken Wagstaff after he returned home from Haiti.

Village Missionaries Terry and Martha Major from Pierceville KS, Village Missionary Ken Wagstaff from Andover, ME, (click on the link and type in their name) and Village Missions’ Board Member Doug McGraw (from Pierceville) are in Haiti as part of an eleven person team planning to put a roof on a church outside of Carrefour.  The team is located in Carrefour–this earthquake is being called the Carrefour earthquake because it was so close to this city.  All of the members of the team are okay.

 The team was working with Dr. Andre J. Louis who is with Independent Christian Alliance .  Terry had been in Haiti for the previous week speaking to a pastor’s conference.  Attendance last Sunday numbered over 1300.  This organization is located in Carrefour, which was only 6 miles northeast of the epicenter of the quake.  Dr. Louis has visited Pierceville regularly since 1973—this is the first time a work team from the church has visited Haiti.

 The earthquake occurred at 4:53 pm EST.  Terry and Martha Major had been in Haiti for the previous week as Terry preached to a pastor’s conference.  Other members of the team had arrived in Haiti about noon.  Please pray for their safety, for the safety of the congregation, for opportunities to minister and be used by God, for their families at home, and for the people of Haiti.

 Terry Major has been able to post to his Facebook page.  Here are his postings:

From before the earthquake:  (From first to last–will keep updating this site)

 1/7/10 First preaching last night went well. Headed back for the morning teaching session. the weather is wonderful – sunny, 75 degrees with a breeze! We’re not missing Kansas at all with its ice and snow! God is good – thanks for praying for our ministry here.

 1/8/10 Finished my last teaching session and had dinner of rice & beans with fish. One more preaching assignment tonight and a brief “sermon” on Sunday and I will be done with the preaching part of my trip! Warm here in Haiti – wish you were here?

1/9/10 Finished our parade to the ocean for baptisms – what enthusiastic worship! It is now 80 degrees and we are glad to be home in the shade. four people prayed for salvation last night after my final message! Praise the Lord for using His Word through me.

1/11/10 Finally back in internet contact. Quiet day of recovery from Sunday celebration. There were one thousand three hundred and forty people in church! It was crowded and a rich blessing to experience. Our team is coming in tomorrow morning and we will begin the projects on Wednesday. Pray for safe arrivals and work!

 After the earthquake:

1/14/10 10:16 PST We are back in internet contact! Hallelujah!! We are safe, well fed, lots of water, no serious issues we have to deal with. We have been able to stabilize Andre’s house/office and help with medical needs around us. No one is hurt at the house, but there are houses down around us. Thanks for praying. We hope to have Magic Jack contact with everyone soon.

 1/14/10 1:07 pm PST The engineer is here looking over the house. He says if we put 2 by 4s under the jacks we put up the house should be fairly safe. We will be getting the lumber as soon as possible and moving forward with the roof project, too, if possible. God is good.

1/14/10 5:05 pm PST The suburb where we are located is not as destroyed as the report says. A house across the street collapsed and killed one. Two or three houses near the church were destroyed. Most houses have some damage, but we don’t know that they will be destroyed. The engineer says that he can save Andre’s house, which is good news.

 1/14/10 5:10 pm PST It is now night. We just had another aftershock, small, but still unnerving. Pray that we will be able to get inside the house and put the timbers in place with the jacks to stabilize the house. We need God’s strength and power to persevere in this battle to save Andre’s house.

1/15/10 3:30 pm PST Internet is finally back up and running. It is now night. We had two pretty strong jolts this AM, but nothing since. No more serious damage, PTL. The engineer came this AM and is sending his men in to brace up the perimeter of the house, so we are now unemployed! We don’t mind. Three of the team went 60 miles west this afternoon to see the damage and all of the churches and schools were either damaged or destroyed. No lives were lost, but many close calls. We will go to the beach tomorrow for R&R and maybe some clean up around that area. We are hoping to work on a church out there that was damaged by the flooding of the hurricane last year for the first part of the week since we can’t do any more work around here. God has blessed our labors thus far and we want to be a blessing as long as we can and do as much as we can. The airport is open, but if we try to leave early and something happens we may be here until the middle of February, so we will go with our scheduled leaving times on Friday.

Thanks again for all the prayers. It is a blessing to wake up in the morning – before daylight – to the praises and prayers of the Haitian believers as they worship the Lord! Pray that many hearts will be open to salvation as the pastor’s preach in these gatherings that are believers and nonbelievers. One of our team’s oldest daughter recommitted her life to the Lord as a result of this experience – it makes the trip worthwhile to see people come to the Lord.

1/15/09 6:00 pm PST The men who went west said that they saw no front-end loaders for cleanup or rescue/police or Red Cross; no one non-Haitian. There was a lot of destruction there, too, two churches totally destroyed and two schools; two damaged fairly badly. We saw army helicopters going overhead, so something is going out.

Clarification Posted 1/16/10: So far, the church has survived the earthquake and the many aftershocks. Other churches and schools in the area have been destroyed. Doug told Saundra that damage in their area is similar to damage from a tornado—one house undamaged and the house next to it destroyed. A man died in the house across the street. The team has ample food and water.

1/16/10 7:00 pm PST From Terry Major: The new church is the second floor of the old church and we were on the second floor when the quake hit. We went to the open area between where the pulpit is and where the balcony will be eventually – a temporary roof over the congregation. There are tall pillars on the sides going up where a roof will be someday and they are what swayed in the quake all around us. We didn’t get off the building until after the quake was over. if the pillars had broke we don’t know what might have happened, but He protected us and gave us a witness, too.

Another 5.8 quake centered west of us where some of the team went to see the damage – and it was great all ready, so we chose not to go to the beach because the roads were already in bad shape.

We had water and electric trouble and were ready to call Samaritan’s Purse for help, but after a season of prayer God gave us the victory in restoring all things and we are doing okay.

Church will be outside tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM. We will meet in the church courtyard and so need to start early before it gets hot. We will not have a lot of time for us to share they say, but it will be a wonderful day of praise.

Six people who spent the night in our courtyard prayed for salvation this AM; 7 in another courtyard, so we are rejoicing in God’s goodness in taking this tragedy and using it to build His church.

We need to check with the embassy on Monday as we are hearing a lot of problems in getting out. We want to stay until Friday to help in any way we can—especially secure a “campsite” for Andre and his staff. (His wife is going to get evacuated as she hurt her back in the quake on the stairs getting out of the house, first of the week.)

Thanks again for the prayers of support. God is working in us too. We will never be the same again.

1/17/10 1:30 pm PST Good day so far, but the water pump has given out so there will be no more clean water. We will go to the airport in the morning and evacuate so that all the resources Andre has can go to his staff and people.

1/18/10 4:00 am PST The sun is rising. No new tremors, which is good. Trying to find another car for transport to airport. Leaving ASAP. Pray for these dear people and the long struggle to normalcy they face.

E-mail From Saundra McGraw: Brian, you may have gotten the word that the team is trying to get to airport as I write, and will wait for a way to get out. Please pray for safety, and Andre’s wife’s priority to get out today. she is in a lot of pain with her back, as she fell trying to get downstairs during the EQ, (and had a back issue before). They feel they have done all they can to help now, and need to conserve the resources he has for those in his care. Thanks, Saundra

‘They are standing on the tarmack waiting in a long line waiting for a military seat. Praise God. They got to the airport earlier than I expected.  Saundra

1/18/10 4:45 pm PST Just received word that Terry Major and the rest of the team arrived safely in Orlando, FL from Haiti and are now rebooking flights home.

1/18/10 5:50 pm PST From Terry Major on Facebook: We are in Orlando, only took 5 hours to get through Haiti evacuation. We will catch a flight in the morning and be in Pierceville by 9 PM (Denver at 3). It is so good to be back in the good old USA! Thanks for your prayers – keep them going for the people of Haiti and esp. Andre as he helps people exist and move forward.

1/20/10 6:45 am PST We are safely home in Pierceville and so appreciative of all your prayers for us. All of the team is home except for Steve who had a two day drive up from Miami to NC. Keep Pastor Andre and his work in your prayers.

“If God were to ask you why He should let you into heaven, what would you tell Him?” I’ve asked that question to many people and received many different answers. In Senator Edward Kennedy’s letter to Pope Benedict XVI, we gather what might be Senator Kennedy’s answer to God.

Kennedy knows that he is dying and asks the Pope to pray for him. In this remarkable letter he appears to assess his life. Looking back on his career he writes,

I want you to know, your Holiness, that in my 50 years of elected office I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I’ve worked to welcome the immigrant, to fight discrimination and expand access to health care and education. I’ve opposed the death penalty and fought to end war. Those are the issues that have motivated me and have been the focus of my work as a U.S. Senator.

Perhaps reflecting on less savory aspects of his private life, he speaks of the role faith has played in his life.

That gift of faith has sustained and nurtured and provided solace to me in the darkest hours. I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith I have tried to right my past.

Mindful of the huge disconnect between Catholic teaching on abortion and his own support of abortion, his advocacy of health care apparently includes access to abortion but,

I believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in the health field and I’ll continue to advocate for it as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop an overall national health policy that guarantees health care for everyone.

At the close of his letter Kennedy assesses his life as a Roman Catholic. He writes,

I’ve always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your Holiness. And though I have fallen short through human failings I’ve never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings of my faith.

I think it is fair to say that the Senator wanted more than prayers on his behalf. This is a man facing eternity, not sure of his eternal destiny, asking for help from the man he thinks is best able to help him. You can read the full text of his letter here and the text of the Pope’s reply here.

Such is the despair and uncertainty of anyone who thinks he or she must earn their way to heaven. Have I done enough? Has my good outweighed the bad? Does my second half of life outweigh my first half? And the unvoiced question on Kennedy’s part, but clearly between the lines of his letter, “Will my support of the murder of countless unborn children be overlooked in light of the other political good I have done?”

The message of the Bible is terribly discouraging to anyone in any religion who would seek to go to heaven by trying to live a good life. You can’t do it. You might as well try to jump across the Grand Canyon as to try to earn the favor of God.

Jesus once was asked to summarize the requirements of God. If we can meet these requirements, then we can earn passage to heaven. Jesus said,

37And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39“The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (NASB) Matthew 22:37-40

The Bible makes clear that none of us measures up to this distillation of God’s requirements. We can fool ourselves by ignoring them or by inventing a less rigorous God but any of our efforts at escaping their implication will not help us when we actually stand before God. Paul makes it clear in his great letter to the Romans:

9What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; 10as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; 11THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; 12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” (NASB) Romans 3:9-12

We chaff at this impossible requirement from God but it is actually a great act of mercy that enables anyone anywhere to be sure of an entrance into heaven. Romans 11:32 (NASB) reads, “For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.” It is mercy we need, not a forlorn hope that somehow our good behavior will outweigh our bad.

God makes known a wonderful and sure way to know forgiveness and heaven in His Word. It is a way that has nothing to do with our efforts and everything to do with His mercy and grace. It is the way that is wrapped up and solely sufficient in the person of Jesus Christ, who was punished for anything and everything that would keep us out of heaven on the cross. Read the clear promise of Scripture:

4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together £with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (NASB) Ephesians 2:4-10

Only God knows whether Senator Kennedy had the faith that rests in the finished work of Christ on the cross as the basis of acceptance before God. Tragically, from his letter, it appears that he did not. How I pray that everyone who reads this would find grace and mercy in Jesus Christ and not cling to the inevitable failure of their own merit before God!