Archive for the 'Stories from the Fields' Category

With heavy rainfalls the last week of April, we praise God that the Volga River dike held. The church basement had a few inches of water that we pumped out to save the furnace. Sunday school was cancelled, and we had a water removal “party” for the evening service. We had 18 people show up for a cheerful time of clean-up. God protected us and even brought us closer together! We moved most of our things out of the parsonage basement, and moved much of the first floor up to the second floor. The water in the basement was nearly waist deep, and our freezer, furnace, and water heater were damaged – but thankfully could be repaired! We had help from many people; the Lord has really blessed us during this time and we feel thankful that the town was spared another flood.  Jeremy & Mindi Sarver

I was called to take a patient by ambulance to Seattle, and I asked a fellow believer to pray for me that I could share Christ with the medic I would be going with. I was paired up with a medic I’ve known since he was in high school – he’s now married with two kids. As far as I knew, he had no connection with the church and no interest in spiritual things, but I discovered his wife is a believer.  He said he was “jealous” of the faith she had, and he asked me to share the Gospel with him. He and his wife were in church the next week and he confessed, to his wife’s amazement, that he had received Christ after we had talked.  Cliff & Casey Horr

Things are happening in Seeley Lake. A lady came to us, having problems in her marriage.  Pat and I talked with her, and she prayed to receive Christ.  She and Pat are now doing a one-on-one discipleship program.  A man who is struggling in his marriage is being discipled by a fellow we led to Christ a number of years ago.  Even though these marriages are not instantly better, at least now they are looking in the right direction for answers (Upward). We also got a call from a single man wanting help, so I will be meeting with him.  And, Pat started a program every other Wednesday afternoon for grade-school kids. They get out at 1 p.m. those days, so we’re providing a place for them to go until their parents get off work.  It’s a great way to get to know some of the parents and kids in the school. Ken & Pat Wutzke

We’ve seen lots of new faces in church, and attendance at the prison Saturday night services has increased greatly. We saw three men accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior!  Yet, the greatest blessing has been the men’s Bible study.  The men are on fire and have been coming forward to serve in the church.  Scott & Sandra Simrall

God continues to do a work in this community.  People are attending Bible studies and other activities offered by the church, and we are so encouraged by their desire to do so. While there are only a couple of weeks of Awana remaining, we pray that the kids would finish strong.  God keeps putting people in front of us that we can witness to – pray that we will be faithful to do so.  We praise God for what He has done for each of us, and we thank Him for His continued love and care.   Charlie & Rhonda Hargrove

Village Missionary Mike MacWhinnie, who is suffering from cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy, wrote: “The Easter services were great, and I was able to have the main service.  I talked about our Eternal Home and how we must come to Jesus in faith to have part in the place called Heaven. Two people raised their hands when I gave the invitation.  One was a guest…the other was my daughter!  Mike & Sara MacWhinnie”

I can’t help but think of Paul as he shared a lengthy list of hardships he faced in ministry, and then wrapped up with these words, “Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure of concern for all the churches.  Who is weak without my being weak?  Who is led into sin without my intense concern?” (II Cor. 29, 30)  I think back over our years of ministry and realize that we are so fortunate not to have been shipwrecked, stoned, or beaten with rods. But there is always the pressure of concern…for troubled marriages…struggles with alcohol, pornography, or greed…for people caught up in pet doctrines that draw them away from simple, pure devotion to Christ – and the list goes on.  Then, of course, there is the concern for the lost – how can we reach these people for Christ?  I find myself looking forward to conference; especially having read Brian’s blog.  It looks like it’s time to start advancing on our knees! Del & Colleen Abbey

Senior Bible Study is such a blessing.  It’s each Tuesday at a senior retirement low-income housing, with 180 units and a clubhouse.  It started with a handful of people and is growing.  There are some who have never heard the gospel and others that have served the Lord for years. At first we had an hour, and then they wanted to add a prayer time before the study, so we now have a 1½-hour program.  I brought the hymnbooks from the church one week and we sang for the first time; we’re now going to sing each week!  This is the only church for many of the residents; if I had more time, this could be another whole missionary field!  What a privilege to be able to share the gospel and the love of our Lord each week.  Tim & Bonnie Goold

We are thankful for the progress we see in the Awana Club.  Out of 12 kids, 10 are unchurched children.  They’re having fun and learning truths about God and the Gospel; we pray for their salvation. We are excited about the attendance because it’s beginning to build, one or two at a time.  Little by little, God increases as He sees fit.   Bill & Karla Allen

Our Awana program is doing well. It seems to build momentum each week. It’s a great outreach. I visited a friend last week and one of our Cubbies was there. He came out to the kitchen, saw me, and exclaimed, “You’re the Awana guy!” His aunt told him I was the pastor; he got a funny look on his face and asked if I owned a farm. I told him no I didn’t, to which the little guy replied, “Then where do you keep you pasture?”  We all had a good chuckle over that.  Howard & Nancy Carr