A great time!!

Tonight we had a "Pizza Throwdown" between the young adult class tonight at the Metras' home. We played sports (soccer and basketball) and had a challenge from God's Word on Psalm 40: 1-5. A special thanks to all of the kids for their great spirit and desire to be together as a group.

For the record, the toughest job of the night was performed by Chris and Jake. We had to be the official judges of the pizza throwdown contest. Wow, what a sacrifice! We are committed, though, so we "toughed it out" and performed our duty with honor. By the way, we were willing to take bribes too!

Anyway, the teens divided into four teams and "battled it out" in the kitchen. The winners of the contest were Team 3. Great tasting pizza, people....good job!

Go here for some awesome photos!

Spiritually Refreshed and Thankful

Two years ago we were able to attend the Impact Conference. Due to the cost and logistics of going, last year we just ordered the audio recordings. A month or two ago, Pastor Bixby sent orders (with funds) for us to attend this year's conference (held last week) and we were delighted. Our church family here also voiced their support to see us go to the conference. One family here at GNBC graciously agreed to look after our children and insisted on looking after the puppy, too! Another family insisted that we use their car for the eight-hour round trip, instead of our van, to reduce the gas prices (at US$6.21 per gallon!).

Ministry challenges in recent months have drained our spirits a bit, and we were so blessed by both the preaching and fellowship at the conference. It would be hard to determine which blessed us more.

We were able to meet several other American missionary/pastors and their wives serving in other parts of New Zealand. We also very much enjoyed fellowship with an Australian pastor. (A family from his church worshipped with us last year while they were in New Zealand visiting family, and we were all pleased to put faces to the various connections). The conference itself is held in an area where we used to serve under BWM, so we were also able to minister and fellowship with former teammates and friends in the church there.

The preaching centered on God's grace and our pursuit of holiness, a theme not planned by the organizers but providentially guided. Both of us were challenged and encouraged by the ministry of the Word. The absence of our own ministry duties also afforded us the opportunity to sit together during the preaching. We had almost forgotten what that was like!

Most of the time we were neglecting the camera, but we did remember to take a few quick photos.

Our lodging was free since we stayed in a caravan loaned by someone in the host church. That was our first ever caravan stay.



Three meals a day were served in this tent. The conference has grown to around 400 in attendance, so the buildings don't accommodate the crowd. The tent was heated with a large open fire gas heater. When walking by the heater, one was reminded of the story of the king's men dying when they cast Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fiery furnace. It was hot!!

The services were spiritually invigorating. Crowds this size are extremely rare in Biblically sound New Zealand churches.

Please accept our sincere thanks and appreciation for the insight of the leadership at MSBC as well as to all who support the church financially, which made it possible for us to receive this blessing.


Scott and Lori

Tool and Book Bash

The men at Morning Star had a great time "storming" gifts on our most recent groomsmen to be. Both Joel and Matt walked away with some awesome "loot". Now we know where to get some great tools for our "honey-do" projects!

It was a great night for a cookout although a little cool. We enjoyed playing some basketball as well as a hammer, screwgun, and handsaw relay race. Ask one of the men for details.

Thanks to all who came and brought great gifts for these guys. Both Joel and Matt asked me to tell all the men how overwhelmed they are with gratitude for their generosity.

I have included a few pictures. Congratulations Joel and Matt!

Click here for photos.

Tool and Book Bash!

Here are some items that Joel Foster and Matt Geisemen need. I asked them if they could get me an "idea list" of things that they would like to have or have been wanting but have not yet bought. Here are the lists.

Joel's wish list: (books)
1) An ESV Bible
2) "Sketches from Church History" (S. M. Houghton)
3) A Systematic Theology (Berkhoff, Reymond, or Grudem)
4) John Owen's "Temptation and Sin" (Volume VI) TAKEN
5) "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" (Whitney)
6) "Valley of Vision" (A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions)
7) "Attributes of God" & "Sovereignty of God" (both by A. W. Pink)

Joel's wish list: (tools)
1) Screwdrivers (philips and flat)
2) Drillbits (larger than 1/4") TAKEN
3) Elelctrical tester (ammeter)
4) Extension cord TAKEN
5) Skilsaw TAKEN
6) Crescent wrench TAKEN
7) Channel locks TAKEN
8) Pliers (needlenose, and regular)
9) Level
10) Wire brush
11) Oil pan, filter wrench, funnel (oil changing tools)

Matt's wish list: (books)
* Any book that we recommend

Matt's wish list: (tools)
1) Wrench set (open/boxed ends) TAKEN
2) Socket/rachet set TAKEN
3) Drill (cordless)
4) Tape measure TAKEN
5) Any tools that you would use around the house


When someone purchases something on this list, please shoot me an email to let me know and I will adjust the list. Looking forward to Thursday!

NIU Care Boxes

Today we were able to pack the 150+ care boxes and take them down to the NIU Student Affairs Office. They will be in charge of distributing the boxes to the students and family members of Geology 104 - the class in which the students' lives changed forever on 2.14.08.

Praise the Lord, enough donations came in to provide the following gifts:

For the 18 injured and family members of the deceased:

- ESV Bible

- John Piper's Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ

- John Piper's Suffering & The Sovereignty of God

- Steve Green CD - Somewhere Between

- Jerry Bridges' Trusting God Even When it Hurts

- John Piper's  Don't Waste Your Life

- Jim Berg's When Trouble Comes

- Chris Anderson's Gospel presentation CD - Sinners Can Be Right with God

- iPod Shuffle (preloaded with sermons)

- iPod content CD

- Don't Waste Your Life Tract

- McDonald's $10 gift card

- Starbuck's $10 gift card

- Walmart $10 gift card

For the rest of the students who were enrolled in the class:

- ESV New Testament

- Don't Waste Your Life Tract

- John Piper's Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ

- John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life

- Jim Berg's When Trouble Comes

- Chris Anderson's Gospel presentation CD - Sinners Can Be Right with God

This project was not done by our church alone.  Many other individuals and churches donated resources to ensure that all of the students, the teacher, and the family members of the ones killed received a gift letting them know that people care.

A special word of thanks to the staff in the Office of Student Affairs at NIU for distributing the care boxes.

  

Jamaica Missions Team

Praise the Lord, our Global Grace missions team to Jamaica is home safely.  They have enjoyed God's blessing as they labored for Him.

You can read about their trip at Global Grace's blog.

Welcome Home, Berrymans!

Today Pat and Lacey brought Lovette (now known as Bayee) and Yekekou home from Liberia.  It was a time of rejoicing in God's provision.  Let's remember the Berrymans in our prayers as their family goes through many adjustments.

    

Morning Star "Date Night"

Last night many couples from our church enjoyed a Valentines Date Night.  Couples either joined other couples for dinner or just enjoyed a dinner by themselves.  Then we all met at Megs after dinner for some fellowship, dessert, games and a devotional brought by Pastor Bixby.

Pastor used the example of Aquila and Priscilla to encourage Morning Star's couples.  He said that Aquila and Priscilla were examples of 1. Sacrifice 2. Service & 3. Strength.  After his devotional, we kept our annual tradition of couples holding hands while Pastor prayed for the couples of Morning Star.  

The success of the evening was made possible by the sacrifice / servitude of several individuals.  Chris M. did a great job of organizing and "MC-ing" the event.  He came up with a few really fun games for us to play at Megs.  

                                            The atmosphere at Megs was enhanced by having the Koloch sisters provide a string trio.  And many of the couples could enjoy the time together because several people volunteered to watch the kids at the church.  Our hats are off to: Mel G., Joy M., Joel F., Annie B., Sarah D., and Lydia D. for volunteering to help watch the kids.

 

All in all, it was a great night.  We look forward to another date night, maybe we shouldn't wait until Valentines Day to do it again....hmmm... something to think about.  

      

MSBC Member in the News

One of our members, Steve Johnson, is making a good impression on the small community where he teaches shop in one of the schools. Here is the article.

Faith's Parents: People of Faith

Faith Sanchez has parents that have done much for the Kingdom of God. You should read this article where they are honored in the GARBC website!

New Year's Party