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

Our Christmas Cantata

2007 Christmas Parties

Once again the Christmas parties at Morning Star were a blast this year. From great food and good fellowship to goofy White Elephant gifts, there is no mistake that this year's parties were a success. The host families were the McAdams, Sanchez, Myers, Scotts, and the Metras. A special thanks to these families for opening their homes as well as leading the group parties.

At the Metras' home, we enjoyed good singing with guitar accompaniment, Scripture reading, and a "White Elephant" gift exchange. The gifts this year were, once again, an interesting assortment of household items (in other words, junk) to wedding figurines, and even a singing pig! Yes, I ended up with the pig, and it sings, "I've been everywhere, man, I've been everywhere!" - the song on the motel commercials.

We enjoyed the fellowship with one another, as always! A special THANKS goes to Ed Foster and his family for entertaining all of the children at the church building while the rest of us enjoyed a children-free Christmas party for the adults. The children enjoyed pizza, games, and a movie. I know that the Fosters did not get out of there much before midnight!

By the way, it is not good white elephant protocol to leave your "gifts" around the host/hostesses' house! We have a certain guest who loves to do this every year. I think that we will schedule a party at HIS house for next year....right, Elroy??!!!

Monday Travel in NZ

 

Yesterday (Monday) we left Hamilton to drive through the mountain range to Hawkes Bay. It is about a four hour drive. We stopped at Lake Taupo on the way where GFA missionaries, Jerry and Linda Craven, are pastoring. Silsbees have friends here that they are visiting and I am hanging out with Joe Fleener. Joe teaches at the Shepherds Bible College here, the mini-MacArthur world of NZ. Neat place. Heard Joe teach his OT survey class last night. Enjoyed it very much. will show pics of that later. Head back over the mountain range today. Very curvy, two-lane road. Pray for us!

Snapshots of the ministry here in NZ

From left to right:

1. Daniel, Bob, Heidi at the Lane's home on Friday night.
2. Speaking on Martin Luther at the Lane's home Friday night.
3. Speaking at the Silsbees on the Doctrine of the Local Church on Saturday night.
4. Sunday morning in the school hall where the church meets - Daniel
5. Lori - an exceptional pianist
6. A good congregation - about 40.
7. I think this scene could be anywhere all over the world in small churches - two men counting the offering.
8. We had to set up and tear down for a number of years. This church has been doing it for some time now. I thought this was a nifty idea for protecting the electric piano. (They can store stuff at the school.)
9. The outside of the school building where GNBC meets.

Pastor Bixby has been a tremendous blessing to each of us at Good News Baptist Church. We have kept him very busy by formally speaking to us daily, as well as gathering informally for fellowship and encouragement. His ministry from the Word has been well received. Thanks from all of us down under. We truly appreciate your ministry to us through sharing Pastor Bixby.

From NZ

 

I think it is wonderful that the government school allows the church to have such a large and permanent sign. It really is an ideal situation that God has granted the Silsbees and the believers here.

I am very excited about what I am seeing here. I am really very happy for Scott and Lori.

Praying this week for MSBC as you prepare for your Lord's Day.

Blood Drive on August 1, 2007

Thanks to the hard work of Bill and Nancy Hunt, we were able to have a blood drive. I think that this was a good effort and that it was appreciated by people in our community. This is definitely something we ought to do again next year. Thanks, Bill and Nancy, for organizing this.

Joy returns to Rockford

That's both a figurative and literal statement.

Joy McCarnan is on her way across the Atlantic Ocean and will soon be reunited with her friends at Morning Star Baptist Church.

Be sure to let Joy know how good it is to have her back in our midst this Sunday, and ask her about the snails in the picture. Yes, she did eat them.

Barb Garard's "Farewell"

We enjoyed an ice cream church fellowship after the Sunday evening service in honor of Barb Garard. Barb is leaving to join her parents in Enid, OK, as well as prepare for her wedding day in August. We honored Barb with two dozen roses.

Barb has been involved in many different ways at Morning Star, but her passion is ministering to the deaf. Barb has ministered to the deaf who have attended MSBC by signing for the services. She has also been teaching sign language to our children on Sunday evenings at 5:00 PM.

We love you, Barb, and will miss you! May the Lord bless your new ministry in Enid as well as married life with Paul!

3426 Colony Bay Drive

That's our new address, and we held our first services there on Resurrection Sunday. We had 145 in attendance on Sunday morning and were already pulling out the folding chairs.

Pastor mentioned it on Sunday evening, but it is well worth repeating...Thank you to all of those who worked so hard throughout this whole process, and specifically on Friday and Saturday, to get everything ready for our services on Sunday. I hesitate to mention names because of the fear of inadvertantly leaving someone off the list, but it is appropriate to start with Bill Hunt, who worked closely with the developer to ensure that this project would be completed by our targeted deadline, and then dedicated numerous hours of "sweat equity" to put the finishing touches in place for our inaugural service.

Thanks to Jenna Boeke (at least that's how I think we got the coverage), the Rockford Register Star showed up to chronicle the day. We even got a front page above the fold (in newspaper talk) picture. We'll have more pictures to post soon.