Archive for February, 2010

I took a couple of days and visited our partial shut-ins (those elderly folks who don’t venture out in the winter except for an occasional visit to the church on a given Sunday). One couple I visit about 6 times a year always puts out a spread of goodies. The woman, who is in her eighties, simply loves to bake, and she makes some of the most delicious treats. But the greatest joy that I receive is upon leaving, because she will always follow me out the door and let me know just how much she appreciates the visits, which at times can last 3-4 hours, but it is her mention of how much it means to her husband that gets me the most. This is because he is a very soft-spoken man and it’s through his wife that he communicates his heart. I just smile and reassure her I’ll be back again soon, which brings the biggest smile on the face of anyone I’ve ever seen. It’s amazing that something as simple as a visit, with some time of prayer and Bible reading, can encourage people so much. It is one of my greatest thrills of being in Village Missions.  David & Valerie Wing

I began my internship here in January, which was an exciting month for me as I finally started to do some practical ministry. One exciting thing that I’m doing is a Young Adult Study, which meets every Friday night at 7. So far there are 7 people coming: three young married couples and one single guy. We’re studying the “Truth Project” by Focus on the Family. Wow! What an eye-opener for the whole group. It has been challenging their worldview and what they believe or think they believe. I’m already starting to see spiritual growth! Also, I have started a Youth Band for the kids in the Youth Group. I had ten kids show up ready to play. It is interesting and exciting to be able to help a group of beginning junior high/high school kids start to play music to worship the King.  Shawn Senner, Intern

Being in ministry long enough to become “grandparent pastors” is a wonderful transition. Vicki and I get to be the spiritual spoilers to a lot of kids in Sunday school and Awana. Anytime we sit down there are kids on our laps, or when we walk to the school gym for Awana games we have a brood around us, and maybe one on my shoulders. Because our own grandkids live away from here, this meets a need in our lives, but it also ministers to kids who live in homes wrecked by sin and strife. We get to use our closeness with kids to share spiritual truth. I spent time with two first-graders who’d been in Awana all year but weren’t ready to give their lives to Jesus yet. As we talked about the verse, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved,” both were ready. It is great to be grandparents, but it’s even better to be spiritual grandparents and give eternal truth to eager hearts. Bill & Vicki Devena

God works to give us blessings in the midst of adversity. While we were at the hospital with a church member one Sunday, we felt we could leave him long enough to attend a local church service for morning worship. We never get to be in Eugene on Sundays. We decided to attend Emerald Bible Fellowship. We chose that church because Sandy’s first teaching job was in this area years ago. She taught 2^nd grade. One of her students was our pastor’s son and the ring bearer in our wedding. Well, that same boy is now the pastor of the church we attended that Sunday! What a joy to see God work in the lives of children. Sandy remembers when he helped lead a girl to receive Christ on the playground 25 years ago, and to see him pastoring a church now was a real blessing.  Tom & Sandy Morris