An Amazing Answer to a Prayer!

I wanted to share a post that Kami did on her blog (www.adayinthelifeofamissionarywife.blogspot.com) about a huge blessing and amazing answer to one of our prayers! 

This is a 'copy & paste' from her blog:

"About a month ago, a dear friend of ours called to tell us that he wanted to pay for a tour trip for us in Israel. We would just need to come up with the $ for the plane tickets. He wanted to pay for the tour, bus tickets, food, hotels, etc. Wow! Israel? Patrick and I had never really thought too much about seeing the Holy Land because of the expense. It's just not in the budget at the moment!!
He said that going to Israel and seeing where Jesus walked changed his life.  He said that he wanted to "hold the preacher's hands up" like in the Bible.  What a blessing!  The problem?  We didn't have the $2,000 for the plane tickets.  We began praying, "Lord if you want us to go, please provide." 

Well, the $$ didn't come in, so we called and told him that it's just not feasible for us to go.  He said, "Let's pray a little longer and watch God work."  So.....I went to a Youth Conference a couple of weeks ago.  Beth and Brenna were super excited to meet Bob Gray!!  He is one of their favorite preachers that we watched via internet while in St. Barths.  They were so excited to finally meet him!

After a great preaching service, we all waited in line to have him sign the girl's Bibles.  There were a lot of kids snapping pics and meeting him.  It was loud and chaotic!  When it was the girls turn, we snapped a pic and spoke to him briefly.  He looked at me and said, "Where are you all from?"  I said , "Florida."  And then, for some reason I blurted out, "We're a new church plant."  I don't  normally say that.  He looked at me strangely and said, "Really?"  "I have a check for you for $2,000!"

He called Patrick the next day and told him all about what had happened and why he was giving us the $$. The day of the conference a man from his church gave him a check and said, "There will be someone come to you at the conference.  They will tell you in these words "We are a new church plant."  That's the family that has a need, that's who to give the check to and for them to use it for their family." 

Can you believe it!!!!  I don't normally blurt out to random strangers, "We're a new church plant!"  It's so exciting to see God work and provide!! So.....I guess I'm going to Israel!! :)

Spring updates @ VSIBC!

Here are a few more updates & pics from the past few weeks here at VSIBC. 

On Mother's Day, we had a special blessing.  One of the Mothers who had recently accepted Christ, followed the Lord in believer's Baptism on Mother's Day!  We praise the Lord for Mrs. Kellie.  Her 17-year old daughter also just accepted Christ as her Savior last Sunday (May 29th)!

We had a great Mother's Day service.  As we did last year, we provided flowers to honor our mothers and the mother of our children.  Each person was able to come forward, take a flower, and then present them to their mother/mother of their child.  It was a sweet service.  We also provided all the moms present with a free book from a book table we set up in the back of the auditorium.  It was a great day!  Here are a few pics from Mother's Day:

We were also able to celebrate Kami's 40th birthday as a church at our Sunday Evening service on Mother's Day! 

Kami's parents were able to drive up from Fort Myers and surprise Kami for her birthday. 

We also had a 50+ Fun Night at church on May 28th.  It was a special activity for all those 50 years and older.  We provided the fried chicken and the rest of the folks provided all the fixings & sides.  We had funny songs and hilarious skits for the evening as we enjoyed a special time together!

As for right now, all of our kids have finished their school for this year.  It has been a great year with many "up's & down's" and we are glad to have a summer respite from school work. 

Kami, another lady from church and 5 teenage girls will be leaving on June 8-11 to attend a Teen Conference in Gulfport, MS with Faith Baptist Church.  Everyone is so excited about the trip and this Pastor wishes that he could go hear exciting preaching!  But my job during that time is to 'hold down the fort' and take care of 3 little ones: Silas, Callie & Micah.  I just hope the house holds up under my watch!!!

Kami's Health: Kami has had a difficult time with her health situation.  She recently learned that the last blood test came back negative for a particular condition that the doctor was looking for.  Having another negative test really took the wind out of Kami's sails.  It was really discouraging for her as her symptoms were taking their toll on her physical and emotional state over the past couple of weeks.  After asking several folks to really be in prayer for her, she has had a very good week as I write this.  The doctors are not quite sure what to look for next and Kami's next doctor appointment is in July. 

Please keep our family and the families of VSIBC in your prayers.  Many of the families at VSIBC are going through some great physical, financial and emotional trials right now.  As a missionary pastor, it is difficult to watch as some families go through the growing pains of faith and Christian growth.  Prayer is what we need most.

Until next time...