An Incredible Thank You to Southern Baptists!

Southern Baptists give $150.1 million, shatter Lottie Moon giving record

By Shawn Hendricks

RICHMOND, VA (BP)--Southern Baptists topped the 2006 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goal, delivering the largest gift in the offering’s 118-year history.

After the books closed May 31, the final tally hit $150,178,098.06, an 8.9 percent increase over last year’s $137.9 million. Southern Baptists last exceeded their goal three years ago by giving more than $136.2 million to the 2003 offering after missionary appointments lagged (this was why we were delayed) because of insufficient funds.

The offering supports the work of more than 5,100 missionaries across the globe. This year’s gift is expected to have a notable impact on the number of personnel being sent to the field. Board leaders anticipate sending 200 extra missionaries over the next two years, in addition to the normal appointment numbers.

“Because we are a missionary-sending organization, the number of missionaries we are able to send is directly related to the gifts we receive from Southern Baptists through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” said Jerry Rankin, president of the International Mission Board.

“Not only will this unprecedented amount enable us to send more missionaries, it demonstrates the heart of Southern Baptists for missions and the high priority they give to reaching a lost world.

“More unreached people groups will have access to the Gospel, more people will be won and baptized, more churches planted and leaders discipled and trained around the world because of such a generous level of giving.”

Rankin credited Woman’s Missionary Union’s support and loyal friendship with contributing to the offering’s success.

“We are grateful for the partnership with WMU and their conscientious efforts in sponsoring and promoting the offering, as well as the personal sacrifice that gifts to the LMCO reflect in individuals throughout the convention.”

Wanda Lee, executive director/treasurer of national WMU, added her appreciation to faithful support of Southern Baptists.

“Support for international missionaries is critical, and we are so grateful to the men and women, boys and girls, who are a part of what God is doing around the world by supporting international missionaries through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering,” Lee said.

“When WMU sets the [Lottie Moon Christmas Offering] goal each year, we recognize that it can only be attained when believers prayerfully consider the need and give sacrificially so that others may hear the name of Jesus.”

Since the offering began in 1888, the total amount received through 2006 has exceeded $2.8 billion.

GIVING LEADS TO MORE GOING

David Steverson, IMB treasurer and vice president for finance, announced at a May trustee meeting that if early projections held up, the board would be able to send an extra 200 missionaries to the field. Now, the question is whether enough Southern Baptists will step forward to accept God’s call to missions, he said.

“We are grateful to the Lord for the tremendous blessing of this record offering given through Southern Baptists,” Steverson said.

“Pray to the Lord of the harvest to call out those who will go and proclaim His message throughout the world.”

Last year, the board reported that 104 new people groups were engaged with the Gospel, 23,486 churches were started and 475,072 people were baptized.

“Thank you, Southern Baptists, for stepping up to the challenge of global evangelization and funding the highest Lottie Moon offering in missions history,” said Gordon Fort, vice president for overseas operations.

“As a result we will be taking new initiatives to engage unreached people groups and will have the financial resources to increase our capacity to send more missionaries to the front lines.”

To learn more about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, visit imb.org/main/give or call (800) 999-3113.

Bethany's Ready to Pack

This morning Bethany told her mother that she had packed her clothes and was ready to go to Nanny's house - that is Jody's mom. We went into her room and found her clothes on her bed!!

Sixteen more days!!

T Minus 21 Days

Well, we are 21 days from boarding 'the big airplane' - as Bethany now says 50 times a day - to head back to the States. Everyone is pretty excited. We have about 12 suitcases packed already. Although they are not up to the 50 lb limit - they are getting full. I think we are bringing back about '2 weeks' worth of clothes for everyone - looking to hit all the sales in the next 6 months. I am not sure how many bags we'll be able to bring back. The Board allowed an extra piece for everyone and one for the family - so we came over with 16 bags. I don't know if they will make the same allowance - if not we won't have as many.

Josiah and Caleb have 2 weeks of school left. They get out for a long weekend the weekend that we leave here. We are going to leave and spend a couple of days in Johannesburg before we leave. I will finish with Andy tomorrow - he has a cumulative History test and just a regular math test.

One of the saddest parts about leaving is saying good-bye to Dale and Ann Beighle. They live just 3 doors down from us and have been like grand parents. They have been on the field for the last 32 years and they are going on home to Kentucky in August. It's not going to be pleasant to return here and not have them here. However, there is another couple with another organization that should take their place and they have some children the same age as ours. So it is not all bad. We also have some other people that will be coming in January and June of next year - so that will be good also.

I am excited about returning to South Africa because I see all the possibilities. When we came here, there was so much uncertainty about everything. But now I see, just a glimpse of what can happen.

Here is our speaking schedule thus far.

July 23-30: Richmond,VA
August 1: OHBC - FLC - Longview, TX
August 12: Onion Creek Baptist Church - Austin, TX (AM)
August 12: FBC, Sequin, TX (PM)
August 17-21: Immanuel BC, Ridgecrest, CA
September 1-3: FBC, Stonewall, OK
September 26-29: Missions Conference, FBC, Fairfield,TX
October 13-18: Missions Celebration, FBC, Hot Springs, AR
November 8-11: Missions Conference, North Central BaptistAssociation, Loves Park, Illinois
December 3: Oakland Heights Baptist Church, Longview, TX

I am in contact with several churches in Oklahoma finalizing other speaking engagements.

We sent out some prayer requests a couple of weeks ago asking prayer for someone to stay in our house. Within 3 days, the Lord answered our prayer and we found someone to stay in the house while we are gone. We are so thankful for what the Lord continues to do. It was important in our morning family devotions to allow the boys to see this answer to prayer.

I will share later our travel itinerary when we come home.

Mega April Update

Well, it seems like a long time since we have given our last update. We have put on the kilometers in the last couple of weeks in a trip to Jo-burg, Kenya, and our AMTM meeting in Rustenburg. Jody and Melody are to leave next Tuesday to go to a CESA region women’s meeting. Can you imagine the talking (noise)?!?!?! Anyway, we’ll start where we left off and fill you in on the things that have happened.

Extension 39 - We have had a good couple of weeks visiting in the area. We showed the JESUS film the last week in March. There were probably about 150 – 200 that walked to, stood around, watched and then left. It looked like 100 stayed for the challenge and 35-40 prayed a prayer of repentance. It is hard to say how many were sincere, but it is not my job to judge that. We also have seen about 7 come to Christ during our impromptu services during our visitation time. Those that we visited came out, we sang, Moruti (pastor) Ezekiel gave a challenging devotion and some prayed a sinners prayer. We are working on follow-up and I am praying that we have some kind of regular group meeting before we leave.

First Termer’s Retreat – The first week in April we spent a week in Nairobi, Kenya, at a retreat for those missionaries that are in their first term of service with the IMB. We arrived on Monday and left of Friday. Many families arrived early or stayed after the retreat to do some sightseeing and safari-ing on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro. I really wanted to do the same, but with 2 little girls, we didn’t think we would have enjoyed our time. The retreat itself was just about meeting the other missionaries and each telling their stories of service in their first term. There were some high highs and some low lows. Please understand that we are people too and we have our spiritual highs and lows. Missionaries are not in special class of Christianity. Unfortunately, the only part of Kenya that I saw was what was experienced on the bus to and from the airport – believe me, that was an experience. You think it's bad driving where you live!

AMTM – stands for Annual Missionary Training Meeting. This year we only met 2 hours away. This is in contrast to the previous 3 times that we were 9 hours away. Our training this year was called T4T – meaning Training for Trainers. The basis of the training is 2 Timothy 2.2. “And the things that you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” It is not just blind witnessing and teaching, but everything has the direction not just to reach people, but to teach them to reach others. In this verse, there are 5 generations – Barnabas, Paul, Timothy, faithful men, and others. I wish we would have gotten this model a year ago – I am excited about this concept and process and look forward to teaching it when we return next year. I may try to get in a couple of lessons with a couple of people that I know.

Dennis – I have had the opportunity to preach in many different churches in the last several weeks. I have also been teaching about 30 teachers and leaders the last Tuesday of the month about leading a dynamic small group. I will spend the next several weeks while I am in the various church saying ‘Good-bye.’ It is our intention to return, but God may reveal some different plans to us while we are in the States. I am not looking for any and I not asking for any – I am just planning to return.

The Boys- Josiah and Caleb are out the entire month of April and the first 7 days of May for there term break. What a break. They will only attend about 5 ½ weeks of the second term before we leave.

This year Josiah played cricket, swimming, and is in the process of learning to play Chess. He swam in one swimming meet – mentioned earlier in another blog entry. He also played on the Cricket team for his age group. He is quite the little athlete and wants to play everything,

Caleb played mini-cricket and swimming. These are just introductory in nature. He learned the basics in hitting, bowling (pitching) and fielding. They didn’t play any games as this was for many of them their first time to play cricket. He also was involved in swimming – basically it was swimming lessons – the first couple days were shaky, but by the end of the term he was almost swimming. He continues to amaze us at his drawings. He saw the Disney cartoon, Robin Hood, and immediately after watching it drew a picture of Robin Hood with detail in his costume and the trees.

Andy is trying to finish 6^th grade before we leave. School is a challenge for him and for us as we try to teach him so that he will be ready for his friends in Longview in the 7^th grade. His favorite part of school is his 10 o’clock break and being done. He continues to take lessons and play tennis. We got him an MP3 player for Christmas and likes to listen to music that I don’t necessarily care for. He was riding with me on an errand and he asked me how old I was when I started to date. Boy, I wasn’t ready for that one – I have so much experience to draw from!!?!?!?

The Girls – Bethany is growing taller, and is as tall as some four year olds! She continues to increase her vocabulary, and has figured out how to get her brothers in trouble! Her favorite song is “Dem Bones”, which is on a DVD her aunt sent her. She’s looking forward to going to Nannie’s “to buy shoes.” (She’s definitely her mother’s daughter!)

Melody is six months old! She has four teeth, and is working on two more. She has started scooting around and can pretty much get herself moving. I think she will be mobile before too much longer. She’s a wonderful, precious gift from God, and we all love her lots!

Jody – Hello everyone! I just wanted to tell you what has happened since we came back from our annual training meeting. Part of our training included telling “our stories” of what Jesus has done in our own lives. It’s basically telling your testimony, but there is some follow-up that goes along with it as well. Anyway, I decided to tell my story out in the village I’ve been working in. I did that on Friday, as well as my friend who goes with me. I then asked if anyone had a story with Jesus who would like to share, and two women came in front of the group, and told about accepting Christ! I was very excited to hear these testimonies!

Please pray for these women, and for the rest who were too afraid or nervous to share with the group. One of the ladies who told her story has been forced by her husband to join his church which is not a Christian church. She was very bold, however, in saying that she realized she needed to share the Gospel wherever she went, including this church. Well, I hope all of you are well. We will be back in the USA soon! We are all very excited about this. Please also pray that we will finish out our first term well, and be able to see fruit when we return.

Prayer Requests

-- The work in the village of Moshawane where Jody goes

--The work in Extension 39

-- Saying good “Good-byes’ to the churches

-- Someone to stay in our house for 6 months when we are stateside

-- Finishing well!!

We got some hail and it was still hot so it made everything start to steam. We got a good quarter of an inch - it covered the grass just briefly - almost a white Christmas in April!!

Caleb's Turns "7"

Caleb turned 7 years old today - this is his fourth birthday in Africa. He had his 4th birthday just 2 days after we arrived in South Africa. What a joy it has been these last 7 years to be his father. He has an incredible imagination and he keeps us laughing with his comments and "amazing-laughter" with the things that he comes up with and the math that he does in his head - especially related to money.



He received some 'How to draw' books from Jody's parents and spent about an hour and a half this afternoon drawing this. This scanned picture doesn't do it justice. We were amazed - this in free hand, not traced.



We asked him what he wanted for his birthday - since we'll be home in 3 months - we asked him if he wanted birthday here or to wait and buy some things in the States - he wanted a little of both. So we bought him some 'riding gloves' for his bicycle, some Hot Wheels, a water gun and gave him some cash - about $80 from us and various grandma's, aunts and uncles.





This is a coloring/story book that he received from my mom - he said that he was going to like coloring all those pictures.


He just opened a 'mega-water gun' . He was pumped about that. He finally had something that his brothers didn't have and he knows how to use it.



(Eighty-eight)

My Friend, Mark

My good friend Mark Stephens went home to be with the Lord Sunday night. After cycling 35 miles on Saturday and preaching on Sunday, he was watching TV with his wife and suffered an apparent heart attack. His wife called 911, Fire and Rescue came, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. He leaves behind his wife, and 3 girls of 15,13, and 10.

Mark and I spent the last year of seminary together riding in a car 65 minutes to and from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Spending that much time together, we bonded like brothers. I have never had a relationship like that. Jody couldn’t believe it sometimes as Mark would drop me off, drive to his house 15 minutes away, and call me on the phone. He called his 3 years, pastoring in Arkansas, “exile” as he longed to get back to his home state of Florida.

Mark was a University of Florida Gator graduate and fan. I have never seen a fan like Mark. Each year he would receive the Florida Gator Football Press Guide – the book that has all the players, stats, and information that you would ever want to know. He kept that book by his chair and would reference it during the game. Watching a game with him was fun. I know of one time when the Gators were not shown in Arkansas that his father called him, long-distance, and held his receiver up to the TV and Mark listened to the second half on the telephone. He spent 3 football seasons away from Florida and I remember him telling me that all 3 years Florida beat Peyton Manning’s Tennessee Volunteers. Mark could hardly wait to get to seminary that next Tuesday after those victories.

Mark and I went to the Southern Baptist Convention in Salt Lake City and we roomed together. We had a blast. At the time, he had only 2 girls and we had Andy and Josiah was just a baby. We made it a point to go around the booths and get 2 or 3 of everything that they were giving away – pens, stickers, notepads – so that we could give them to the kids when we returned home. He was almost obsessive about it. But that was Mark.

We graduated Seminary together and traffic caused me to miss the Senior group picture. I arrived just after they had all dispersed. He told me that he had saved a spot right next to him as long as he could. He tried unsuccessfully to stall, knowing that I was coming. In choosing our graduation rings – they were identical except for our name imprinted on the inside. We would touch them together and say “Wonder Twin powers activate …in form of a…” Do you remember that from the Super Friends?

He was presently working for the Florida Baptist State Convention. He was Director of Theological Education by Extension. He was working on me coming to his home church to speak when we are home for Stateside Assignment.

It was my privilege to call Mark my friend. He gave me my preaching Bible and I really don’t know if there has ever of time that I didn’t pick it up without thinking of him. My grief is not that he is gone, but with the family that is left behind. I don’t even want to imagine what they are feeling. I don’t question the wisdom of God, I don’t understand it in situations like this; He has been too good in the past not to trust Him in times of grief and sorrow. I know that we will see each other again. Until that time -

I will miss my friend, Mark.

Josiah Mauled by Tiger

Josiah was mauled by a tiger early Sunday morning as he and his brother Andy were both in the cage of two ferocious tigers. They were invited in as the tigers were being fed. As the one of the tigers was eating and Josiah was distracted, the other tiger attacked and mauled Josiah's leg. As the picture reveals, Josiah was attacked by a 3-month old tiger cub.












We were at a the Wawiel Park Holiday Resort just outside of Stillfontien, 15 kilometers from Klerksdorp. We were having a S.A. Tswana Team meeting. One of the benefits of the park was that there were several water slides and pools to swim in. They also had a animal park that contained 3 male lions. I was about 8 feet from the largest lion and it was incredible. His front shoulder came up to my hip and he was about 5 feet long.







Andy and Josiah going down one of the big slides together.











Caleb has just begun to get comfortable with water - he is learning to swim at school. I had to go with him the first two times, but this last week I was unable to be there with him and he was ok with it.









Bethany had fun also. She is getting comfortable with the water herself.
















What needs to be said?











This is what her hair looks like after being up in rubber bands and berets for 2 days.










(one sixteen)

Josiah's Swim Meet

Josiah was chosen for the Swimming Team this year at ISSA. Yesterday was his first Swim Meet at St. Konrad's School in Klerksdorp - about 2 hours east of Mmabatho. He competed in every stroke. He did very well considering he only learned to dive last year. He swam in 7 races. He enjoys all the sports that he plays. He also is playing cricket, he joined the Chess Club this year, and is learning to play the clarinet. He loves school.






































(One nineteen)

The Week in Review in Pictures

Who is who? Well, the top one is Melody a couple of days ago and the bottom one is Bethany two years ago - They were taken when they were about the same age wearing the same dress !!



The little darling has learned to roll over and is now looking around. She doesn't yet know what to do.



We had a cool snap this week and it was down in the 50's in the morning. It was very pleasant. I think Jody put this on not becuase it was that cold, but that she just looked cute.




Again, you can tell by the long jammies that it was cool, usually she sleeps in a onesie and some socks. Bethany was being a nice sister and wanted Melody to wear her sunglasses.



This Extension 39. This is where we have starting visiting and witnessing. We will start a Bible study - that being the embryonic start of a church. There are going to be about 2500 of these houses. The are 3 room houses - about 600 sq. ft. They have running water, but no electricity, yet.

(124)

February Update

Well, it is almost the middle of February before we get this update off. God is so good and again I am learning that things happen in His perfect timing. Things are off and running in Extension 39. This is the area of about 2500, 3-room houses – probably 600 sq. ft. each. Now, that is not much for 2 or 3 people, but for some it more than what they had previous. These are cement floor, brick wall, metal-tile roof houses. They do have running water, but not electricity, yet. It is necessary to say that it has running water because there are a lot of houses or dwelling places still in South Africa that do not have running water much less indoor plumbing. They have to get water each and every day. However, they should get electricity in the next couple of months.

This Monday will start the first night of visitation in that area. I have a young, untrained pastor that lives in this area. He was in an accident a couple of years ago and receives some kind of pension from the government. Apparently, it is enough to live on because he can devote his time to this church plant. The ‘mother’ church and I will be pairing him with a retired pastor that is not yet retired. So, this last Monday, five of us meet together just to pray and dedicate this work to the glory of God. It is so refreshing to see them see the need and take the lead. I am just a resource for them to use as they need me.

This last weekend, Jody and I were a part of a “Lead Like Jesus” training weekend. It was nice to be a student instead of the teacher. We learned some valuable concepts relating to leadership and being a servant and encourager and not just a leader that tells everyone else what to do. I don’t think that is a leader, but it is a concept that many people have.

My calendar is filling up fast for these last four months here. Of the 6 Sunday’s this year, counting tomorrow, I will have preached 4 on of them. That looks to be like the rest of our time here along with a couple of seminars, weekly leadership training times, preaching a couple of times at the International School on Sunday evenings, and a weekly Bible study at the Hotel School (Vo-Tech). These young people are eager to learn.

Our calendar for our time in the States is filling up fast also. If you desire for us to come to your church, let me encourage you to get in contact with us. I don’t want to presume on any invitation. We look forward to seeing you when we come – in 131 days – if I was counting!!!

Hello everyone! – Jody here - It’s been so long since I’ve written anything in the newsletter! I first of all want to say thank you to all the churches that sent boxes for my little Christmas stocking project. Everything went off great! The people were so thankful and excited to receive the stockings. It was fun to see their faces. I think Dennis has told you thank you, but I wanted to add mine as well.

We are busy here trying to get things in order before we return to the States. I am still going to the same village. I’ve been trying something new in the last couple of weeks that I hope will help the ministry continue even after we leave. I’m teaching the women the story first, and then we have them teach the children. We have some ladies in the group who have no trouble at all teaching the children. It has really been exciting to watch.

The lady whose house we meet in is expecting a baby in March so we will continue until then. Culturally, only certain people are allowed in someone’s house after the birth of a baby until the baby is about three months old. We will probably continue to visit out there, but our Storying class will end when Maboka has her baby. Please pray for her. Pray also that we will be able to have time to tell all the stories that God wants us to before we have to stop.

The kids are doing great. Melody is growing so fast. She has started rolling over and laughing out loud a little. Bethany is a little live wire who loves her baby sister and her big brothers. She likes to boss the boys around. Caleb is adjusting well to his new class at school. He’s not real detailed about what he does at school each day, but aren’t most kids like that? Josiah is doing well also. He started clarinet lessons this week. Don’t ask me how he chose the clarinet, but we let him choose what he wanted to play, and that was it! He had a cricket match today. He enjoys all the sporting activities that he gets to be a part of at school. Andy is doing well in his home schooling. He has started tennis lessons again with a new teacher. He seems to enjoy it.

I hope each of you has a beautiful, wonderful day. I love you all, and can’t wait to see as many of your faces that I can.