just a pair of flip flops

The past two days have been amazing down in the DR! God is allowing us to plant many seeds and I am so thankful for that!

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go into the public school and present the Gospel twice to over 700 students and their teachers. We took the puppets and although the sound system was down, we had great translators that were able to read the puppet skit for us. After thinking about it, it was almost better that the team didn't have the mics so they children really had to pay close attention to what was being said. They seemed to enjoy it and they really liked the goody bags that we passed out.

We also distributed the shoeboxes at Collegio both yesterday and today. They were passed out in each classroom after we had presented a skit and the plan of Salvation. Even though they are Christian schools, we all know that just because they attend a Christian school, it doesn't mean that they have asked Jesus into their hearts. Our team leaders have been very intentional about making sure every single person knows that more important than the gifts they are receiving is the gift of Eternal Life.

One thing we realized as we were sorting the boxes on Monday is the great need for boxes for the older male students. But, with that being said, all of the kids seemed to really enjoy getting their gifts... especially the candy!!!

This afternoon, we were able to see God show up in an awesome way. Yesterday we went into a village called Palm Village. Extremely poor with many children. As we were playing, Brandon noticed a little boy with a broken flip flop. He followed the young boy home.. he was maybe 3.. so he could see where he lived to come back with some new shoes for him since we didn't have any with us that were his size. 5 of us went back with a translator who spoke Creole, as she was from Haiti. She also had another child named Franklin who was about one year old. He was very malnourished and the mother said that he was very sick. She told us that he was on meds, but he was still very feverish at night and as we were there, we noticed that he had very labored breathing. He was a tiny little thing and you could tell he needed immediate care just by looking at him. We asked her about her Salvation and she said she was a Believer, so we just left the shoes, prayed with her and left.

When we got back, Brandon told Tony Luther about the child and he immediately got on the phone with a Dr. at a clinic who made house calls. He went to the home with Tony and Brandon and told the mother that the child was very ill and needed to go right then to the hospital. The mother agreed and as they were driving them to the hospital, Tony was asking her about her husband who had passed away in the earthquake in Haiti last year. Through their conversation, he began asking her if she knew what would happen if she were to die. She said she didn't know, so he began sharing the plan of Salvation with her. She told him that she did want to pray so they pulled the car over and she prayed to receive Christ right then and there! We were thrilled to see that Brandon saw the need for the pair of shoes and was obedient to go back and provide a very basic need for him. In turn, his mother found out that her greatest need was met today, as well, and now we are just praying that the baby will be ok and can be nursed back to health quickly.

God is definitely at work in the D.R. and it is exciting that our team has gotten to be a part of that this week. I know that God has personally ignited a passion in my own heart to raise awareness of all that is going on here and what the James and Luther families are doing to reach others for Christ. I can't wait to see what He has in store for us the rest of the week and for them in the weeks to come!!

Day 2 in the Dominican Republic

Hey!
Sorry to just now be getting on the internet to send a message. The trip is going very well. The children at the Christian Schools are thrilled to be receiving their shoeboxes and we love sharing the Gospel with them. We also were allowed into a local public school where we did a morning assembly and an afternoon assembly. We did a salvation skit and a puppet show and handed out small gift bags. We have visited in two villages, playing games and doing crafts with the children and a few of us visited door to door. At one village two people prayed to receive Christ, one of whom is a prostitute. The New Missions staff is doing to follow up with her and help her find other employment. We also attended a local church service last night where we sang and did a puppet show. A missionary shared the 4 spiritual laws at the service and two men prayed to receive Christ.
This afternoon we are hosting a dodgeball tourney for the International School students. These are weathy students who are difficult to reach. Brandon and Nikki have been building relationships with them and we hope to be helpful in showing God's love to them today.
One thing that has been of great concern was yesterday Jessica Shelton was hit in the temple with a baseball that had been thrown from a baseball field adjacent to the school yard where we were. She was taken to the emergency room for evaluation and x.ray. She is doing fine with praise and thanksgiving to God! She is my roommate and I am keeping a close eye on her. She is amazing! Please do pray for her. She still has a lump on her temple and her jaw is very sore.
You would be very thankful to see the James and the Luthers productive work here. The Lord is blessing them and their ministry! Nikki is doing better with her pregnancy and looks so cute with her little tummy.
We certainly appreciate your prayers. We are thankful to have your support as we are representing our Lord and our Church here in the DR.
In His love,
Susie

Hola from the Dominican Republic!

We arrived yesterday afternoon and spent the evening meeting with the some of the New Missions missionaries. That included Melissa and Tony Luther and their family and Brandon and Nikki James. It was so great seeing them and I know they were all excited to see some familiar faces. Especially the Luthers. I am pretty sure that this was the first group from FBCH since they arrived here last June. Melissa shared with us a little bit of their responsibilities, which include heading up the child sponsorship program through New Missions and she is also heading up ´2 women´s Bible studies... one for church members and one for the pastors´wives. Brandon is heading up the trip this week and quickly dove into the schedule and why we are doing what we are doing. More on that later.

Today, we went over to the New Missions health clinic, unloaded all of the supplies and then made goody bags. Tomorrow, we will have a unique opportunity to go into the public schools and present the Gospel, as well as distribute the bags to the kids. This is a great opportunity for many to hear as their are about 700 kids at the school. We are so excited to be able to go in and hang out with them tomorrow!!

Also, we got all of the shoeboxes that were donated for Christmas sorted and ready to go for the school visits this week. I was amazed at the thought that many people put into their shoeboxes and am excited for the children to open them and get all their treats! What a privilege to be able to deliver these for the people at our church who couldn´t be here to do it themselves.

Some went tonight to a prayer meeting with Brandon and then the Bible study with Melissa. I will hopefully be able to share some specific requests from both of those once the team members return.

For now, a few specific requests.....

1. That tomorrow as the team members present the Gospel, that the children will be attentive and will receive it well. That God will be glorified in all that we say and do and that seeds will be planted at the public school.

2. That God would bless the New Missions ministry here in the DR. It is amazing hearing how He is using the Jameses and the Luthers to make His name great here! Also, the other Missionaries and their families. What a sacrifice they have all made to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the DR people!

3. That God would continue to provide sufficient funds for the health clinic. They are currently able to see about 25 people each of the 3 days that they are open. Also that they would be able to buy the meds at a good cost so they can serve the people well.

4. For the children here. They are just precious! Their joy is infectious and I am excited to see how God will work this week!!

5. For continued health for our team. We do have one team member that had a bit of sickness today and spent the day in her room, but hopefully she was able to rest and will be able to go out with us tomorrow.

God Bless you as you are reading this and we thank you for your prayers for us while we are away!!

Haiti Construction Team Article

Eighteen members of FBCH traveled to Haiti in November to assist rebuilding after the earthquake of January 2010. Follow this link for an article in the New Missions January edition of their newsletter:

http://www.newmissions.org/news/newsletter/newsletterarticle/tabid/163/smid/538/articleid/84/reftab/164/t/construction%20team%20nails%20lt/default.aspx

Canada-2010 Part 2!

Our days begin as usual with a prayer and inspirational message from Jimmy Cobb. As the day went on we continued painting apartments and found several potential volunteers. Lynda Ryan helped to reorganize the kitchen and helped with inventory at the bookstore.

Others continued preparing the campus for a truck load of sod. After a hard day we all attended Cowboy Church. This is a church that meets every Tuesday for the local ranchers and cowboys who are unable to attend church on Sunday. It is not unsual to see a horse or two tied up in the parking lot.

The sodding party began with all hands on deck while we waited for the sod to arrive. After unloading enough sod to cover a football field we began to lay it out. We had so many people helping it only took a few hours to complete. It was so awesome to see what the power of God can accomplish through volunteers. Everyone was working so diligently but yet smiling, laughing, and having a blast!

-Emily Hopper

Canada Mission Trip-2010!

Day 1 at the Seminary.

The mission team meets at FBCH to head off for Canada eh. The first day at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary consisted of the revealing of the "white board" and assigning people to each task. Emily Hopper, Brent Nason, Mike Ryan, and Thomas Witherow started the morning off moving some playground equipment to the other side of the campus. Rick Milewski, Linda Staley, and Mike Semich began the day painting student apartments to prepare for the fall semseter. Rhonda Nason took on the huge task of weeding around the campus. Lynda Ryan spent her day in the Administration building helping to move books, etc. out of the way so they could re-carpet the area. As the day went on Emily took on the mowing job. Thomas, Mike R, and Brent then pulled carpet for the rest of the day. In the afternoon Rhonda, Emily, and Rick began to landscape the Seminary welcome sign.

After the longggg day of work everyone pitched in to help cook chili dogs for dinner. It was a GREAT dinner filled with laughter and fellowship. It's so amazing to see what God has in store for us this week. We can't wait to see all the things we can accomplish this through the power of God.

-Emily Hopper

Montana Mission Trip - Day 6

Our time in Missoula came to a close. We had the day to drive and see some of the beautiful landscape of Montana and see just our great a God we have. In the morning we headed north to visit the National Bison Range. We saw, of course, bison, but we also saw some elk, deer, and antelope. It was a breathtaking 19 mile drive. We were at about 5,000 ft and had a gorgeous view of the Missoula valley with Mission Mountain range in the background. I don't see how anyone could see such beauty and not believe in a God who created it. While we were taking pictures we met some folks from a church in Olive Branch Mississippi. Small world!

After lunch we headed east to visit one of the mining ghost towns in Montana. We went up a dirt road to the top of a mountain and landed in the city of Garnet. This was a prosporous mining town in the late 1890's but by 1920 had become a ghost town. There were over 20 buildings that were still standing and it was like stepping back to the pioneer days to see how people lived in the mountains during the turn of the 20th century. It was a true taste of the old west and we had a great time.

We ended the day back in Missoula and went to a cookout at Bonner park near the University of Montana. We were able to see many of the members of E3 and tell them how much we enjoyed being a part of their ministry for one week. They were very appreciative. We really felt that we have had a hand in the beginning of a great work for E3 in Lolo and will pray as they get this faith community started in the fall. Pictured above with our team in the middle are Danny Siedelman, summer intern from NAMB, and Bill Self, associate pastor of E3. Bill and Danny were great leaders this week and we are thankful for their leadership.

Saturday we head back to Nashville after a week of work and ministry. We look forward to sending more teams back to Missoula next year to continue the work of helping them as they share Christ with the residents of Missoula. Please make this congregation a matter of prayer as they work in a very pioneer area. We thank God for His goodness to us and allowing us to be his hands, feet and voice in Missoula this week.