In a few short hours it will again be snowing in the northeast. It is amazing that a weather forecaster some place in an office can predict my weather for Thursday night! Sometimes they are correct many times they are wrong!

There is a future event that is not a prediction, but a genuine fact. Jesus is indeed coming back to earth. His return is directly connected to the completion of the missionary task. (Matt. 24:14)

I have heard it said, there is not much we can do about the weather. That certainly is true, BUT there IS something we can do concerning the return of Christ. We can be about our Fathers business. Missions is not a future plan we make, but a daily decision. What are you going to do TODAY? Dont go to bed tonight without contemplating your next step!

You can leave a comment on this article at our Lets Fish weblog

Work Team needed for Kiev

I just spent about 10 days in another city. During that time, I traveled to a small town and visited with a church planter there. He is starting a new work and has been constructing a church building.

The building itself is well on the way. But the interior needs to be finished. Some electrical work; lots of drywall; maybe some plumbing that kind of work.

Depending on the Lords leading, I may become a part of this ministry venture. I am seeking the direction of our Lord about this potential change in ministry location.

Is there a possibility that a BFC work team could come and finish this church building?? This little town is about 4 hours from the capitol city of Kiev.

Please let me know what you think of this opportunity and whether a team could be put together to do this work.

Thanks, and blessings to you all. Rick Erb

Contact the BOM office office@bfcbom.org

As many of you know, five of us representing four BFC churches traveled to Slidell, LA last week to help with the reconstruction of homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. We worked and stayed at Faith Bible Church in Slidell. Chris Merrick, Steve Klase, Scott Yuill, Jim Fisher and myself had a great time. We worked at one home all week focusing on the drywall but we also did some wiring, plumbing and other miscellaneous items. Hopefully the elderly couple will be in their house by Christmas. The night before we left Slidell a large bus pulled up and twenty or so choir members from a church in Statesville, NC arrived. We learned that they had come just to be an encouragement to all those that had suffered so dearly. To them this was their short-term mission trip, they had ridden fourteen hours on the bus that very day. The next morning just before we left to return to Pennsylvania they began to sing around the breakfast table, oh what a wonderful short concert they provided. Even though I only heard two songs, they brought tears to my eyes, and all I could think about on the way home was how much those that would hear them over the next three days would be blessed by their talents. I also learned a very valuable lesson!! Short-term missions isnt just about construction or aid distribution, God can use you with whatever gifts you have, you just have to ask God to put you to work. While I cant promise another concert, we are headed back to Slidell on Sunday, January 8 and will be there until Saturday, January 14. If you are interested, please call our office. Thanks!!

URBANA 2006 December 27-31, 2006

URBANA is only 376 days away.

NOW is the time to begin to plan for this great experience. There is no getting around the fact that URBANA is expensive. If you immediately begin a consistent savings plan there is no reason why this important missions conference should be out of your reach.

Get all of your questions answered at:
http://www.urbana.org/u2006.faq.cfm

Urbana offers a multiplicity of experiences and opportunities under one roof. Participants hear the word of God, learn about the current state of global missions, worship and study with thousands in a diverse gathering of world Christians, and interact with hundreds of different missionaries and agency
representatives. Anyone who is serious about discovering their place in Gods mission will benefit from Urbana 06s program and the abundant resources present.

click on the picture for more information

Date: January 28, 2006 to February 5, 2006

Description:

Mississippi Mission 2006 This is the second mission trip being organized for Gulfport, Mississippi. Community BFC in Red Hill is leading a team of 15+ to help with reconstruction and clean-up. The team will be working with CrossPoint Church in Gulfport. Because of Hurricane Katrina, the needs there are still great. We want to respond like the Salvation Army's ad: "We combat natural disasters with acts of God." We are going in Jesus' name and doing acts of God.
 

Contact
Pastor Michael Tannous michaelj111@msn.com

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 (Js) 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 Js Sub or delight over a simple piece of Hersheys 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? Dont be surprised if it is something that seems odd like the time a missionary asked if I could bring sapodilla jellybeans. (but thats another story)

Your Response is Always Appreciated

Send us your ideas, journal entries, or write an article for Lets Fish. Remember I LOVE mail! You can contact me at weller@bfcbom.org.