We were up early this a.m. packing and preparing for the beginning of a period of exciting ministry. It began this morning with a mini-concert at Lancaster Mennonite High School. What a blessing it was to be able to minister to the students where Fika and Bo are going to school. We sang several original songs. We look forward to more opportunities to minister there.
"Uncle Moo" helped out by picking the guys up at school so I could be loading the van for the journey. We had been praying since gas was $3.35 per gallon that the price would drop to $2.09 if we were supposed to make this trip to Arkansas. On the very day that we were planning to leave the price changed to $2.09. It was an exciting development for us! We were on the road by 4:15p. It's just under 1,200 miles from Ephrata to Russellville so roughly a 24 hour drive straight through with stops for gas.
Friday , November 11 -
We made it here in a little under 23 hours. We had good weather all the way and when we got to Russellville it was sunny and 65 degrees.
We met Tedd (our host/ministry coordinator) and got moved into our dorm room known as the "Sweet Suite". It's on the 4th floor of one of the nicest dorms at ATU. Nathan, Nathaniel, Neal and Bruce are our hosts until Tuesday and then we move off campus and to the home of Wes and Audrey Thomas for the rest of our time here. We got to sing for a few people here and there around campus before dinner. We ate in the "Caf" and after dinner ended up singing for the students at our table but of course everyone heard us so there was an erruption of applause when we finished. It was nice. We went to Grace Fellowship tonight for a get together of International Students. Though tired we had a good time. We got back about 10:30p.
Saturday, November 12 -
Today we spent the day doing evangelism at a FREE dental clinic held by Simmons Family Dental Group here in Russellville. Dr. Simmons and associates have this "FREE DAY" every year providing an opportunity for many in the community who do not have funds for dental work - to have a chance to get some of their needs taken care of. It was an amazing day. You had to be there to experience it. Evangelism was taking place in each of 14 rooms where dentistry was taking placing from 6a - late afternoon. We were singing and spending time talking to folks outside to help make the time pass more quickly for those who were waiting. It was a great ministry. We enjoyed singing for the people and Fika and Bo used their puppets to evangelize also.
We took time to have some pizza and a nap after our long day at the dental clinic. Tonight we went to a coffee shop just off campus to hear the band "Abel". (Andy Moore - my roommate from previous ATU outreaches is the lead guitar player and song writer for the band). We had a great time there. While hanging out on the porch of the coffee shop after Abel finished we ending up singing for a group of International students from Japan and Africa. They enjoyed our songs.
Sunday, November 13 -
We went to bed late last night. We are tired but having such a good time. Bo has been sleeping on a bunk that is roughly 10 feet off the floor (which makes ME nervous). So far he hasn't fallen out. Fika is in a bunk direcly under him which is approx. 7.5 feet off the floor. It's so funny see them up there. (Pictures are on the way so come back!) Today we sang and taught the Jr. & Sr. High Sunday school class at Grace Baptist Church. It was awesome! We enjoyed our time with them. We were blessed to able to have a pot luck lunch with the college students and others from the church. This afternoon we were able to catch a little nap.
Monday, November 14 -
I got up early this a.m. and went to the caf. to have breakfast with some students. It was really nice. The guys slept in. I had to be at the dentist at 8:30a. (He was doing some work on my partial plate). Dr. Simmons is awesome! The boys and I spent some time reading by a lake till lunch. We met "Miss Emily" for lunch and had a nice time with the Japanese students. We ended up singing at the lunch table. In the afternoon the
guys got to expeience some of the awesome talent of our roommates Nathan-
iel and Neal. Neal is an amazing composer and he shared some of his work
with us. Nathaniel is a great guitar player and he played for them and taught
each of the guys a couple chords.
We went to the caf. for dinner and sat with the Japanese students again. They
are so much fund. Bo was teaching them some greetings in siSwati. They did
good! After dinner we went for a walk around campus before going to the
Baptist Collegiate Ministry Center where "United Voices" was holding their
rehersal for the concert on Wed. They are an amazing group. The boys loved it.
This is another group that Tedd is involved with. He is one of the chaplains for the
group and plays piano. They are new a wonderful song that Tedd wrote called: "In
The Name of Jesus". WOW! This was such a powerful day!
I almost forgot to mention when I went back to the dentist this afternoon to pick up my partial plate - Dr. Simmons decided to fill four cavaties for me. PRAISE GOD! I didn't
feel a thing. He also set up appointments for the boys to have their teeth cleaned tomorrow. This is a our last night in the dorm. Tomorrow we move in with Dr. Wes
and Audrey Thomas.
Tuesday - November 15 -
We got up very early this a.m. to pack up and get ready to move out of the dorm. The boys got their teeth cleaned and there is much work needed on their teeth. We are so blessed that Dr. Simmons was willing to do what he can for us. We sang for some of the staff there. It was a great morning.
TEDD LODES
2005 ATU Ministry Coordinator
FIKA & BO
Enjoying ATU style bunkbeds in
the "Sweet Suite" Summit Dorm.
BO begins the climb to top bunk
The guys with MISS EMILY
Many Thanks to Dr. Don Simmons
and Simmons Family Dental Group - Russellville, AR
BO and Fika take a moment to pray for Dr. Simmons after
the blessing of having their teeth cleaned. It a busy day
for Dr. Simmons who is doing double duty today seeing
his patients and filling in for one of his associates .
What a blessing it is to have a "brother"
who is so willing to be a blessing to others.
Each year Dr. Simmons has a FREE DAY for
folks to come and receive FREE dental care.
We were blessed to be a part of the team of
volunteers on hand Saturday to share the
gospel with those who were waiting for their
turn with the dentists. We did not expect such
a blessing to be ours as well.
Thanks Dr. Simmons and staff for
being so good to us! May GOD
bless you and your patients.
Our friends from Japan
United Voices Rehersal
After the dentist we moved in with the Thomas'. The day started out so warm but wind and thunder storms brought in a cold front that has made it feel like we are back in PA.
Tonight we had dinner with Scott and Bethany Palmer and their kids. They are the adult leaders of Tech Fellowship. We had a great time getting to know them. I lead worship and the boys and I sang some of their songs. My message was about "Living our new life in the power of the Holy Spirit. (Gal. 5:16 - end) We went right from Tech Fellowship to 25 to Life (a Bible study in the dorm where we have been staying). I lead the Bible study on the same subject and we sang one of the songs the boys wrote. It was a powerful time. We are so thankful for what the Lord is doing here.
With the Palmers at Tech Fellowship
What's up Doc?
The student center at ATU is a place where you can really have a good time. There's a comfortable place to watch a giant screen TV, listen to music, play games, get a Blimpe sub, or just hang out and talk. Tech Fellowship meets in the multipurpose room on Tues. eve. Wed. Nov. 16 - UNITED VOICES will have there fall concert in the lecture hall. MESSENGERS (Chris, Fika and Bo) will perform at the concert and Chris will be the MC and also give an altar call.
Many students would be attending the Bible Study at Wes and Aud-rey's house on Wed night but due to involvement of some key people from their Bible Study they will attend the concert. We are so blessed to be getting to know all these people and be able to be a part of such a powerful evening of ministry.
We've met friendlier lions! We're trying to get to know the cat but, we're not sure the cat wants to know us. Wow! Pray for us.
Fika/Bo Home
P.E.I. Home
Hello to our friends at
Lancaster Mennonite High School
We want to take a moment to say hello to: Mr. Sauder, Mrs. Diffenbach, Mr. Miller, Mr. Horst, Mr. Groff, Eliza Booth, Mr. Laws Landis, Mrs. Webber, Mrs. Banks and Mr. Evans. Also hello to: John Stout, Lucas Good, Austin Stoltzfus, Brad Ladley, Seth, Josh Byler, Charlie Kang, Eric Albright, Junior Blue, Jessie Floyd, Brandon G. and everyone is our voice class. Oh yeah and Tyler Landis.
Fika & Bo
Wednesday, Nov. 16 -
We got up early this morning so that we could make it to BCM for prayer with United Voices. We met for a special time of prayer to give praise God for the opportunity we had to praise Him through the fall concert. What a blessing it was to be a part of United Voices concert. We had a great time singing there. United Voices is an amazing choir. We hope to have a recording we can share with you when we get to see you.
Sadly, my Garmin/Palm Pilot w/GPS and Digital Camera disappeared at the concert. I am struggling with that so please pray for me. They are only "things". They weren't even "my things". They were simply on loan to me from GOD for the purpose of ministry. I wish I had a way to give get the recharging units for the devices to the person who took them because they won't be able to use them without them. I will miss having them.
WES & AUDREY THOMAS
OUR HOST and HOSTESS
Marcia, Becky, & Pastor Cliff
Reginaldo
Pastor Cliff, Marcia, Becky and Reginaldo are in the process of moving from
Mozambique to Zambia. Moving in AFRICA is not like moving in the USA. We would simply rent a U-Haul which would be in pretty good mechancial condition and come with a guarantee for help should the vehicle breakdown. It would actually have brakes, decent tires and probably even have the proper number of lugnuts holding the wheels on. No so in AFRICA. After being away from his family for 5 weeks making arrangements and searching for a home for his family, Pastor Cliff arrived in Mozambique to move them. The truck they brought for the move broke down in front of their apartment and there is sat for days. Now it's finally on it's way. The Vincents need to meet the truck at the
border for the inspection of the contents of the truck. Now they are having a problem getting tickets to get there. Everything is sold out. Reginaldo is with the truck and the family dog. There are some struggles with the people who are with the truck that has caused some sadness for Regi. Please pray that this move will end without futher complications at the border and that they will all be happily settled in Zambia soon!
Thursday - Nov. 17 -
It's turned cold here but the sun was shining all day and it was beautiful. We had the opportunity to sing and share with students at Russellville Jr. High during their lunch. They came to the chorus room and ate their lunch while we ministered to them. It was a great opportunity for us to lift up the name of Jesus. The students were touched by our 20 min. program. We have been invited back when we come for our Spring out- reach at ATU.
The boys spent the afternoon working on homework and reading books for their Jesus' Story class. Mrs. Diffenbach and Mr. Groff provided details for homework via email so the guys won't fall behind in their work. Other teachers gave them assignments before they left. Lancaster Mennonite H.S. has been so supportive and cooperative in allow- ing us the freedom to travel to AR for the FALL outreach. We invite you to visit the Lancaster Mennonite Website by clicking the picture to the right of this journal entry. Fika and Bo were happy when they received an email from Miles Yoder (the school principal), after visiting the online journal for this outreach. It's awesome to have a school that is so supportive of what you do.
So many times today I reached for my Palm Pilot and Digital Camera. I appreciate your prayers for my attitude about them being gone. It's amazing how attached to "things" we can become if we are not careful. I was actually thinking tonight that I wish I had a way of knowing who has them so I could give them the charging units that go with them. Without a way to charge the battery in each - both devices are worthless.
Tonight we were blessed to share with a group of ATU - E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) students at their class which was held at Cumberland Presby Church. I taught them a worship song and we sang some of the songs Fika and Bo have written. We had a great time. We stayed for part of the class and then came back for a nice dinner with the Thomas' and that gave the boys time to bless Leah with some play time. WOW - they really went to great lengths to make it a special time for Leah. They were tired when they finished. It was so nice that they could minister to her in that way.
Lancaster Mennonite
Fine Arts Center
Sorry for the lack of photos from here. The digital camera vanished along with my Garmin/Palm Pilot, at the concert tonight.
You've been praying for us - now click on
our "prayer hound" so we can pray for you. We promise we will pray for you.
Friday - Nov 18 -
We are nearing the end of our journey. Today the guys spent much of their time on school work. I spent the day running some errands and preparing for our departure. They are certificates of appreciation to put together and thank yous to all the people who have been so good to us here. We stayed home tonight and spent time with our host family. We praise GOD for Dr. Wes and Audrey for being so good to us. The guys have been giving lots of time to their young daughter - playing and enjoying the little time we have left.
Saturday - Nov 19 -
More school work today for the guys. I completed the certificates and I am working on communications and thank you notes. The guys made their calls to Swaziland today and they were excited about that. Many of our friends came over to visit and we had an afternoon/evening of fellowship! It was awesome. It will be hard to leave here so please pray for us.
Sunday's Schedule
Greater Union Hill - Morrelton, AR
11:00 a.m. Service
Thanksgiving Feast
2:30 p.m. Afternoon Service
Grace Baptist Church - Russellville, AR
6:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Celebration
Excel Bible Study
7:30 p.m.
Gathering of the Flock
SHEEP-MEETING
10:00p.m. Dathan's Apt. - Turner - ATU
Thanks for taking this journey with us. We leave for Ephrata at 11:00 p.m. Sunday night and we will drive straight through arriving in Ephrata around mid-night Monday. If you would like to be a blessing to us - call us after 9:00p.m. on Monday and say hello during our last few hours of our journey! 717-471-8737.
Because Jesus lives,
Chris, Fika and Bo
Greater Union Hill was "On Fire" long before
the building burned down!
Greater Union Hill was "On Fire" long before
the building burned down!
That "Holy Fire" still burns in their hearts. This was a refining fire.
On the morning of our
final day in Arkansas, we
were just about to leave for
a very special day at with
our friends at Greater Union
Hill Church in Morrelton.
The phone rang where we
were staying but, with our
hosts already gone we did
not answer. Then we heard
the voice of my ATU min-
istry co-ordinator telling us
that he got word earlier in
the morning that Greater
Union Hill was destroyed
by fire during the night. I couldn't believe my ears! I quickly
picked up the phone to get more details. The a.m. service
had been moved to 1:00p and the service and Thanksgiving
feast planned for that day would be help at the Morrelton Fire Hall.
I called Pastor Parker to express my sadness about the
building being destroyed. He was as positive and enthus-
iastic as ever and praising God that He has plans for a new
building for Greater Union Hill. I knew the service at 1:00p
was going to be powerful and I was so thrilled that we would
be a part of ministering to our brothers and sisters in Christ
there.
Greater Union Hill was "On Fire" long before the building
burned down! Every service I've attended was blazed as hot
as any fire I've ever experienced. The fire of the Holy Spirit
is present in the people of Greater Union Hill. The name of
Jesus is lifted high and He is worshipped through every word
spoken and every song sung!
When we arrived at the Fire Hall on Sunday, we greeted
everyone and then quickly went to see the building. I cried
when I saw just how badly it was damaged. Some things that were untouched by the fire blessed me. The cross and the steeple remained untouched and still proclaiming the presence of this Christian church. The communion table though it was in the midst of the fire did not burn. Though the wall around it collasped and burned - the Church Covenant remained free from the flames and the part of the wall on which it hung was still standing.
GOOD NEWS! GOD has a plan for Greater Union Hill and when they dedicate the new building (and there will be one), we will be there to be a part of the service. Please pray for our brothers and sisters, for Pastor Parker, the elders and deacons as they move toward rebuilding. In the meantime, Greater Union Hill will continue their services
wherever, whenever and however God leads.
The choir sang: "God will provide" at the service and Thanksgiving feast. What an awesome celebration. Yes, the fire has taken it's toll on the building and it hurts to see that but, it's excting to think about what God will do in the future. The folks of Greater Union Hill have put their trust in God and as the choir sang: "HE WILL PROVIDE".
To our friends from Greater Union Hill - we love you and pray for you during this time of transition. ~Chris, Fika,
