September ended with the annual conference for our mission board, Northwest Baptist Missions, in Grantsville, Utah. James and Pastor Hartman went together, since Mrs. Hartman was away traveling and Elizabeth had not been feeling well for the last couple of months. James was very busy with music and A/V during the conference, and was glad to have help from Pastor Hartman and Phil Kliewer on the AV and many others with the music.
At the conference, it was announced that the mission will be starting a year of transition with the leadership. Our current director, Ron Ehmann, is stepping down in a year, and fellow missionary Matt Murphree will be shifting into the role of director. We are thankful for the many years of Ron's leadership, and we look forward to the leadership of Matt. It is a blessing that we have someone to fill the role for the next generation. However, as a mission, many of our missionaries are approaching retirement age, and we are woefully short of replacing missionary pastors, let alone reaching new areas in the West. If you know of anyone called to the service of Christ but looking for a place to minister, put them in contact with us or directly with Northwest.
After the conference, during the first week of October, we were able to take a much-needed getaway. We stayed in a host home in Eden, Utah, and enjoyed a quiet week of relaxing together.
Continue to pray for Elizabeth. She has been fighting a stubborn infection for many months, and also had to get another infusion a few weeks ago to keep her immune system suppressed. We are thankful that it was almost a year between infusions, and that she should be bouncing back from the side effects in time to enjoy the holidays, but pray for the many rough days she has in store for in the next few weeks.
James has been getting some needed chiropractic care and now some physical therapy to help with the effects of a previous injury from his military days. He is also continuing to work toward getting hearing aids through the VA, but unfortunately that has been a multi-year process. He has yet another appointment, in a town several hours away, the day before Thanksgiving. Please pray with us that he would be able to receive the hearing aids soon, so he can focus on other things!
In Kemmerer, continue praying for wisdom as we are in increasing need to expand the building or find a bigger space. We are amazed at what God has been doing and give God all glory and praise. As He works, it is also bringing logistical challenges for which we need wisdom. Pray that we will know and pursue the best course of action, and be wise with the funds the church has been saving for building.
In Cokeville, we are also looking at building challenges, both because of the bats and other environmental allergens that are affecting Elizabeth, as well as needing a more suitable space for children's church. We are also in need of regular help with the children's ministry. The Hartmans come and teach the children on the weeks they do not go to Manila, Utah, to do the service there - and we are very grateful for their help - but we are still praying for someone (individual or family) who would move to Cokeville or Kemmerer and serve with us there.
Additionally, keep praying for BR’s savlation as well as RG, C&J, R&R, B; and for the growth of LC and BC. LC and BC come almost every other week, and they have brought visitors along multiple times. I think we have had more new faces at Sunday service since VBS this summer than in the previous six years.
On the housing front, we are thankful that the interest rates have dropped since this past summer, and are praying they continue to do so. Prices are coming down slowly as well, so we are hoping to resume looking late this fall or next spring. Pray for God to provide us a place we can use for ministry and a place of our own to rest.
We also ask you to remember in prayer the upcoming outreaches in Cokeville. First, this month, we will have our annual Pie and Praise around Thanksgiving, and we usually have many locals join us. Second, in December, we will have special Christmas services in Cokeville and in Kemmerer. Pray that these special events and services will plant the Gospel in many hearts!
As always, we appreciate your faithful support in prayer and giving! God is always working, and we look forward to seeing the fruit of all our labors!