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posted by James on 02/15/10

Last Friday evening, the single staff here at Headquarters worked diligently to host a Valentine’s Banquet in honor of the directors and couples serving with IBLP. But this was no ordinary banquet! The six course meal, lavish decorations, and creatively decked tables attested to the countless hours spent in making this the most memorable event of the year! In this new photo album, you can now see a glimpse of the sumptuous event.

8 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by Donald on 01/7/10

One of the greatest evidences of the Lord’s blessing on our family vacation was the way he timed each stop. In North Carolina, the day of our arrival providentially coincided with the day our cousin needed help packing for a move; in Savannah, Georgia, the one day we passed through was the day after school had finished for a friend we hadn’t seen in seven years; in Florida we found that winter was the right time to find the famous Florida manatees; our day in Lakeland was the only day open in our hosts’ busy schedule there; and now, in Tennessee, at the home of Gil and Kelly Bates we landed on the day of a birthday celebration! (I guess the chances of that happening are higher when you have 19 in your family!)

Being my first visit, I was impressed right away with the joyfulness displayed by everyone. At the same time, it was easy to tell that Mr. and Mrs. Bates had unquestioned but loving authority over all. Mr. Bates welcomed us in to the front room where a glowing wood stove added to their warm greetings. Mrs. Bates gave us a grand tour of their house-in-progress which is now completely enclosed and beginning to acquire the look of home. The children were good story-tellers.

That evening flew by. After a wonderful dinner with brownies and ice cream for dessert, everyone (except Nathan and I) sat down to listen as Nathan gave an exhortation from the Bible about walking in the light.  The Lord helped me to come up with a brightly-colored accompanying chalk  talk thanks to the easel that Mr. Bates had on hand. Then a caving trip was arranged. Even though we tried to go early, it was after 1:00am by the time we returned. Games followed and finally a good night’s rest.

By the way though I must admit that not much time had expired after our arrival before I ended up, along with a couple others, in the “jail”. It was a perfect hideout, made for the children, designed to utilize the space above a staircase. Perfectly remarkable.

The next morning we did manage to get away for the final trip home around 11:00. It had been a wonderful time. The Bates Bed and Breakfast was more than another wonderful stop. It was a reminder that when the important things, such as Scripture and family harmony, are put first, our joy will be full. Thank you again Bates family.

4 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by James on 10/22/09

After a full day of travel, I was grateful to be in Mexico! Robert and I are here with a mission team from IBLP, who will be encouraging pastors who are attending a major conference in Mexico City.

We were all hungry when we arrived, but we couldn’t find a place to eat because it was so late in the evening that most of the shops were closed. Suddenly a boy walked by with his tamale cart! It was a serendipitous moment. We enjoyed his tamales and were able to share the Good News of the Gospel with Him!

This morning we enjoyed a delicious Mexican breakfast with fresh-squeezed orange juice.

I spent much of the day taking pictures of the Conference and trying to communicate in Spanish with those who came by our book table. It was really a lot of fun!

Whether by giving testimonies, sharing special music, or working behind the scenes, today the team was able to fulfill the direction of Titus 2:7: “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works.”

8 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by Jonathan on 10/19/09

For the past years we have always looked forward to a fall Apple Butter Festival. In years past we have participate in “Greased pig contest” and other little activities. But this year sadly we were all too old to join in. What could we do this year that would make this 25^th anniversary special.

A couple of weeks before the Festival we read Psalms 40:9-10 which gave us an idea that we scribbled down, the next Sunday I suggested it in our Sunday school class, everybody liked it so we scheduled to have a meeting after church. In the meeting many possible ideas were suggested and numerous questions asked. Did we have enough time to put it together? We decided we could and registered. Another meeting was arranged for the up coming Saturday. All that week our family had many delightful and exciting conversations around the dinning table.

Finally the long awaited Saturday arrived. Those who could, piled in the  car and headed for the church. The meeting was well organized and each family left with an assigned responsibility. We had began the 2009 “Evergreen United Methodist Church” float!

Our contribution was to make some banners: first, a long banner in front of the float which introduced our theme which said, “The fruits of the spirit are…” we decorated it with fall leaves, baskets of apples, and bright fall colored letters; secondly, two banners for the side of the float which had the name and location of our church, and the life cycle of an apple painted on them.

Our next meeting took place on the following  Thursday night, two days before the parade! We presented our banners and started putting the float together. We miraculously found exactly 9 red wooden apples, for the nine fruits  of the spirit, to go on our plywood tree, painted green. Unfortunately we weren’t able to completely finish the float because of the approaching darkness of night. So we consented to finishing the project the morning of the parade.

Early on Saturday a group of us met at the  church to continue our joint effort on the float. After a breath taking ride from the church to Salem, we enthusiastically put on the last touches before moving into line with the rest of the parade.

We quickly found out how much coordination it took to toss candy to onlookers. Unfortunately we ran out of candy before reaching the end of town, where the people  were packed up to the side of the floats, but were delighted to  “proclaim his righteousness throughout the congregation” of Salem! Later while walking through the fair grounds we unexpectedly found out our float was chosen “Best Float” and given first place!

The next Sunday I read Psalms 40:9-10 in church and exhibited the trophy to the whole church. It would have been impossible if every member in the church wouldn’t have taken some small part in the whole project of the float!

I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart: I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

Psalms 40:9-10

7 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

posted by James on 09/20/09

Sometimes, the intensity of work in ministry requires a retreat;

a retreat to study the past and plan for the future;

to focus on better understanding your fellow laborers;

to reestablish one accord;

to rest;

and to be rejuvenated!

Now we are prepared to press forward;
to tackle the tasks that lay before us!

Follow this link, for more pictures of the IBLP Staff Retreat.

4 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports, Photography