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Edition Issue 40 Let’s Fish Bible Fellowship Churches sharing resources to evangelize the world. A place for the exchange of ideas on short term missions projects and local outreach. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." All responses can be sent to office@bfcbom.org Current and past issues can be found on the web at: look in Let’s Fish, Archives
Greetings from Allentown! Well, tomorrow is just another holiday that we spend with relatives and friends and eat like there is no tomorrow, WRONG!! It was begun as a day of thanksgiving, a day when we remember how blessed we are, how fortunate we are, how spoiled we are!! For those of you who have traveled with me in the past, this may be a repeat, but we are truly spoiled. The cereal sections in most of our grocery stores are larger than most stores in other countries. We are in the minority when it comes to buying meat in Styrofoam and plastic wrap. In most of the rest of the world, you just pick out what you want and they cut it right there before your eyes, often after they have chased the flies off of it! I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time I went to bed and could not sleep because I was afraid of someone coming to burn my house and my belongings. Now there is something to be thankful about. As Americans, we have more than just about everyone else in the world. SO, how are you planning to share that MORE with others outside our great country in 2004, think about that this coming Thanksgiving!!! The BOM will conduct a Culture Link Seminar for short term mission leaders on January 23-24. This Friday thru Saturday event will give you hands on experience in building team spirit and adequately preparing your team for cross culture ministry. You will learn a seven step process from picking a ministry to follow-up phase six months after the event. This will be a fun, eye-opener event that will include team building exercises, and cross culture flexibility. From the food you eat to the place you sleep will all be part of the weekend process.
SAVE THE DATE! (Jan. 23, 7:00 p.m. thru Jan. 24, 3:30 p.m.) WHO should attend: All leaders of future short term mission teams. PLACE: Bethel Bible Fellowship Church Emmaus COST: $70.00 includes Saturday Breakfast and the Student and Leader’s Culture Link Manuals. The only additional cost will be Saturday lunch at a local restaurant. REGISTER NOW at office@bfcbom.org. Dana
Please add the Bethel
Mission trips of TFE to the Let's Fish list if they aren't already on there:
Write to me . . I love mail! The Board of Missions is keeping statistics of all short term missionary trips (both by teams and individuals). As you can see the 2003 trips are quickly coming to an end (we have had over 50 ministries this year!). Please register your 2004 trips as soon as they materialize. WHO, WHAT, CHURCH, MISSIONARY, COUNTRY, and DATE. Contact: office@bfcbom.org OR Check out the short-term trip webpage on the bfcbom.org website. Click on Short-Term Trips. You can also register your trips through the website. The statistics for 2003 – There were 56 short term trips by 27 different BFC churches!
Aug. 30 - Dec. 1 Pastor Carl & Charlene Cassel in Kenya, Carl to teach at Moffat College of Bible and Charlene, hostess at Kijabe Motel. November 12-29 Sandy Wolfinger and Nancy LoRusso to Tanzania Trips highlighted need our prayer support RIGHT NOW!
2004 Jan 28- Feb 5 Blandon & Coopersburg Team to Guadeloupe with Duane Moyer & Chris Merrick
Feb. 5-12 Dottie Sterner & Beth Szilagyi, Coopersburg to Magny, France to assist Jerry & Carolyn Moyer.
June 12-18 Paris Prayer Conference, Riddells & Moyers Coopersburg hopes to send representation. Open to partner with other interested BFC people.
June 19-26 Coopersburg Work/ Ministry Team with Chris Merrick to work with Slomas in Maine. Possible openings for BFC people.
Emmaus
Brooklyn BFC Church Planting
VBS Ministry July 24-August 8
Emmaus
Slatina and Craiova, Romania July 15-28, 2004 Emmaus Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (with Art and Vicky Reyes)
August 20-22 Don’t forget to register your 2004 trips!!! Missionaries get cravings!
In my visits I have hand carried peanut butter, horseradish, Kool-Aid, Lebanon Bologna, Beef Jerky, Hot Dogs, chocolate chips, marshmallows, graham crackers, cranberries, and TastyKakes. However, the most unusual request I have ever had was for a hoagie!
I had to go to a particular store (J’s) and order this hoagie. I got it on a Thursday night and we left Friday morning at 4 a.m. The sandwich tucked in my carry-on oozed the aroma of onions and oregano during the long international flight. Arriving late the next night, I offered this now soggy thirty-hour-old warm sub to the awaiting missionary.
HE consumed the whole thing even though by now the lettuce was brown and wilted and the meat a bit slimy! He ate it with the delight of a child who just received a cup of cold milk and a warm just baked chocolate chip cookie!
A missionary wrote to me this week so very excited that she found a can of Yams. Celebrating half-way around the world from us, this Thanksgiving will be special to this family because of the simple addition of a can of yams!
Missionaries and their families are not some super hero untouchable spiritual geeks. They are simple human beings just like you and me. They crave a J’s Sub or delight over a simple piece of Hershey’s chocolate. They enjoy a can of yams as if it were some rare find. Remember that when you pray for them. The simple missed tastes from home can be particularly difficult during the holiday season.
Remember that also if you have the privilege of partnering with them on a short term trip.
Always ask if you travel to see a missionary, “What can I bring for you?” Don’t be surprised if it is something that seems odd like the time a missionary asked if I could bring sapodilla jellybeans. (but that’s another story!)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Most of all, Keep Fishing!
A cooperative effort of the churches of the BFC to win the world for Christ Your response is always welcome at: office@bfcbom.org 610 398-8776
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