Nate and Maam Beckman - June 2007
Dear Praying Friends,
Greetings from Ohio. We arrived home on May 5, and the last month has gone by very quickly. Sorry that we have not communicated earlier, but we have been without a computer up until just two days ago. We have wanted to keep you all updated on everything that is going on, but without a computer it is sort of impossible to tell you all we do not have a computer, if you know what I mean.
We praise the Lord for all that He has done and is doing in our lives, especially for the opportunity to serve both Nate’s mom and dad during this time. Mom is fading gradually day by day. Maam and I are helping to take care of Mom, so that my dad can do his best at keeping up with his own job requirements. It has been our honor to be able to serve in this way.
As far as her condition goes, Mom is very weak and can no longer stand or walk on her own, so we help her get around, help in feeding her meals as
well as whatever else she needs to do. The intense treatments that she had and the heavy medications that she currently takes have affected her ability to speak and her memory. She does very little talking now, but there are many times that we can tell she would like to say something. She cannot really get it out anymore.
We do appreciate your prayers on Mom’s behalf, and ask you to keep it up. Please pray that God will continue to mold Maam and me, so that we can
be the encouragement to my parents that they need. Please continue to pray for Dad also. We have been here for a month, while he has been taking care of her at this level for close to a year now. Dad is extremely tired in every way. Pray that God will watch over and protect him. It is amazing how God gives His Amazing Grace just at the time we need it most. It has definitely been God’s grace that has sustained Dad during this time.
Originally we planned to leave Thailand at the end of July; so when the call came to hurry home to be with Mom and Dad, we had to really get into gear packing up our house, tying up loose ends, paying bills ahead for a year, and turning the ministry back over to our coworkers, Ed and Darlene
Weber. It was one of those situations where when we sat down in our seats on the plane we said to one another, “Hope we didn’t forget anything.”
It was a blast filling in for the Webers in Kabinburi while they were on furlough. God did a lot of great things during that time, and it was not easy saying goodbye to people we love. Please continue to earnestly pray for the new believers in Kabinburi. Pray for their growth and that God will continue to do His work in that needy area.
Please also pray for the Webers. They are dealing with some overload. After we left, our short termer, Amanda Simmers, also went home. Also another Thai girl who worked with us in the ministry decided to leave. The ministry went from having four teachers to having two teachers, Ed and Darlene. Darlene is also pregnant with their third child, due in September/October. I know they would appreciate your prayers.
Thank you for all you do for us. Please continue to pray for Maam and me. We need it. Pray for strength . . . physical, emotional and spiritual. We will continue to do our best to keep you informed on what is going on.
Yours In Christ,
Nate and Maam Beckman
Baptist Mid-Missions, Thailand
Nel Wolfe Funeral
We want you to be aware of the homegoing of Nel Wolfe, one of SBC's former "first ladies." Her husband, Everett, was the Pastor of SBC from 1963 until 1969. They had seven children and you may have know some of them. Their son, Jim Wolfe passed away several years ago from cancer. He had directed the FBBC chorale for many years. Former member, Twila Nilius was Everett and Nel's daughter. The services and visitation for Nel will be at the Ankeny Funeral Home at 10:30 on Wednesday. One hour prior to that, 9:30-10:30 will be the visitation.
Ralph Bills Funeral
Pastor announced to us on Sunday about the death of Daniel's school friend's father, Ralph Bills. Pastor Nemmers has been asked to conduct the service. It will be at Hamilton's on E. 6th and Lyons on Thursday at 2:30. The visitation is Wednesday from 6-8:00, also at Hamilton's. Austin Hoff, son of Ralph, attends many of our youth group activities. Please be in prayer for Austin and other family members as Pastor ministers to them.
We would also like to ask if there are any of you that would like to work in the Coffee Cove on Sunday mornings? Several of the current workers are going to be gone for the summer and Scott & Brooke Shrum are in need of more help. There will be a training session on Monday night, the 25th at 6:00 for all current and new workers. Pizza will be provided for you that evening. If you would like to help on a rotating basis, please contact the Shrum's at brooke_jacobs@hotmail.com or call 963-0592.
VBS Program
Dear SBC Family,
It has been another outstanding week of VBS here at SBC. Heading into the last night we have had 17-20 professions of faith in Christ! Lord willing, this will produce some great follow-up. God was even working in our nursery. This requires a bit of explanation. Two nights ago Laura Pollak and Natalie Bowman shared their testimonies with the other workers. One young helper, Elizabeth, a ninth grader from Saydel High School acknowledged that she did not have a testimony. She does now! Laura and Natalie had the joy of leading Elizabeth to Christ before the evening was over. Please be in prayer for our final evening of VBS. We will cap it off with a live feed conversation with Brian Niehoff, missionary with The Pines Orphanage in S. Africa. He will have with him some of the orphans who will talk to the kids here at VBS. We have a crazy finale planned at 8:00 followed by root beer floats for everyone. Love to have you come. You won't be disappointed you did.
In Christ,
Pastor Pat
Leonards (Brazil)
Just a brief note to let you know that we made it to Brazil!!! Things went so much more smoothly than what we expected. We were able to hand some tracts out on our journey, for which we are thankful. John made the trip very well, and is absolutely delighted to be back on the field. It is hard to say how many times we have thanked the Lord for His goodness.
John was able to speak for the first time this past Sunday evening, and it was so great to see the way the Lord worked. After he preached, the Brazilian Pastor (Celso) went up afterwards to give the invitation and could hardly speak. Through his tears, he did give the invitation, and although no salvation decisions were made, there were approximately 15 Christians who went forward to dedicate their lives completely to the Lord. Continue to pray that God would use us in this new ministry.
We are getting settled into our home, and things are going well. Guess what we have in our front yard? A beautiful poinsettia plant!! Some other good news, our boys are back in the States safe and sound...even though we miss them TERRIBLY, we are thankful that they are "on solid ground." Continue to pray for them and also for the girls who are adjusting quite well to life in Brazil.
Thank you again for your prayers. We appreciate each one so much! We will send more details in the future.
Sincerely in Christ,
John and Bev Leonard
Ladies Bible Study
Dear Ladies of SBC,
Ladies, this Sunday night we begin our summer Bible study/Sunday School class for women. The name of the class is, IN GOD's EYES: A Biblical View of Women. Seeing things from God's point of view will give us the clarity we need in life: Knowing who God is, who we are as women in Christ and how we need to think based on God's Word are the major topics being addressed in this class. There will be teaching time and discussion time, with the goal of learning to apply God's truth to our daily lives. Sign up to join us this Sunday (sign-up is in the foyer). We will be meeting in the fellowship hall, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Dianne DeCleene
New Baby!
I just wanted to pass on some exciting news from a couple new parents. Jordan and Krista Daggett welcomed their baby girl, Emma Leigh Ann Daggett, into the world last night around 6:45pm. Krista and the baby are both doing great. Emma weighed 7 lbs 2 oz and was 20'' long. They think they will be in the hospital until Thursday and they are welcoming visitors if people want to stop by. Her room number is 2024 and they are at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Praise the Lord for this new addition to our church family!
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School will be held June 3-7 from 6:00 - 8:30pm. If you have kids who have completed K - 6th grade, please be sure to register in the foyer today. You can also sign up online! Click Here!
VBS
Dear Church Family,
We want to remind you about the big week planned for our kids and their friends starting this Sunday night and ending Thursday night. Each night begins at 6:00 and concludes at 8:30. Because of all the activities planned there will NOT be any Sunday school or Community Groups this Sunday night and there are NO Wednesday night (June 6th) youth activities and prayer meeting. If you haven't signed up yet, you may do so at the table tonight or Sunday morning. Online sign up is also available at www.saylorvillechurch.com/vbs Tell your kids to invite their friends for an exciting week of music, stories, crafts and games, all with a "Rescue" theme with an emphasis on salvation. I really appreciate all of you who signed up to help. It will be a great week!
If you have any church tables or chairs, they need to be returned TONIGHT because they are all needed for VBS and a wedding on Saturday.
Thanks,
Pastor Abe