Update from Royce

Hemley Rd Church Puts New Baptistry to Use.

This past Monday I received an excited phone call from our partner in the gospel, Daphne German from the Hemley Road church of Christ. On last Sunday they had their first baptism of the year, and in the church’s brand new baptistery. A 51 year old widow was baptized by brother Billy Spalding. What joy the church shared as they witnessed this event.

The baptistery is not trimmed out yet, but it held warm water (a very positive thing since the church has no heat, or A/C for that matter) and this was the first of what will be many, many baptisms at HRC. The baptistery was a love gift from a sister church at La Place, Louisiana. When they learned that their brothers and sisters in Bayou La Batre were in need they responded. Many thanks to the church in La Place for their expression of charity.

Since its inception after Hurricane Katrina, the Hemley Rd church has had no less than 10 baptisms each year. For a congregation with only a few mature believers they are doing a wonderful job of getting out the gospel and loving the people of the Bayou. They have an on going food pantry, still repair citizens houses and give tons of clothing, food, and furniture each year, facilitate an on going Grief Share ministry, and put the gospel in shoe leather in their community.

Never have I met any Christians who are more determined, live more sacrificially, and are more filled with faith than Christ’s ambassadors at HRC. Against overwhelming odds and in the face of severe opposition they have continued straight ahead. They live by faith and are bringing hope and deliverance to the folks of the bayou through their Christ centered ministry and message.

I thank God for our friends at Hemley Rd church in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. They have many needs, not the least of which is an air conditioning unit for the church building, the fellowship building, and the house on the property. Last summer when the temperatures were in the high 90’s they fed children, had classes, and worshiped with only a couple of fans to move the air. They have ministered all winter without heat, but have continued because of the warmth of their hearts.

Do you know an HVAC contractor who loves God? Tell him about the needs at HRC. Why not stop fretting about the decline of the DOW index and invest that money in something with an eternal benifit? At a minimum, please put these dear people on your prayer list and lift them to our Father.

I couldn’t be prouder of my forever family at the Hemley Rd church of Christ in Bayou La Batre. Many thanks to them for being examples of what a church should look like. May God continue to bless them and you.

For the very good news about Jesus,
Royce Ogle

Bywater Church of Christ New Orleans

I had the privilege to attend church serve at the Bywater CoC in New Orleans this morning with Brother Jones and his family. They had aprox 25 people in attendance. I spent about 3 months there after Katrina working with Brother Jones at the mission. It sure was nice to get back there and visit with them. Nate and his family have been serving the community for many years. This week they are making repairs on the roof of the church building that was damaged by Gustav. Photos below are of the main entrance, meal being served after church service and the new building that has been built just across the street. I am going to try and have lunch with Nate and his wife Yvette before I head back to Florida. It is amazing to see how much work has been done but also more amazing to see homes and business that look about the same as they did the day after Katrina hit.

Update from Don

The Howell Church, for which I preach and serve in a missionary capacity, had a wonderful period of fellowship, last Sun. Ev. On the third Sun. Ev., at Howell, after our evening worship, we engaged in another period of fellowship in which we enjoyed a common meal together. Sun. night, we went to the Catalpa Church of Christ, had evening worship with them and then joined them for another period of fellowship in sharing a common meal with them. It was certainly a great period of exhortation. I was asked to speak on the mission efforts of "Disaster Assistance" . This congregation which is only about 10 miles away, had greatly helped us in the disaster work last summer and fall. We wanted to tell them first hand of the great effect that they had in helping feed so many needy people and setting up so many bible studies. I also explained what an opportunity we have in reaching Hispanic people and that I was spending an hour a day in trying to learn the language so that we can better serve and help in mission work.
The Catapa Church is very interested in helping in the mission work of "Disaster Assistance" as we stay in contact thru email, phone calls and when possible personal visits and updates as to the numbers of people we are helping not only physically but also spiritually in our success in setting up bible studies with people.
Some of the members of Catalpa also told me that they would like to volunteer and go on some missions with us. We can sure use volunteers who want to help people both physically and spiritually.
Mike, our Director, is keeping a very watchful eye on weather reports and forecasts. We certainly hope that there won't be any weather related incidents this spring, but if there are, we want to be ready to help. And because of your prayerful support, we expect to be ready. When people see us pulling up in our rigs and our Orange Shirts that reads "Disaster Assistance" Church of Christ, they know the Church of Christ is there to help. They are thankful and grateful for Christians showing they care. Don

It is not an overstatement at all to say that those who worked with "Disaster Assistance" during the hurricane damage of last year helped greatly in introducing people to the Church of Christ. Many people who knew nothing about the Church of Christ signed up for bible studies and members of the church from across the country joined in helping, spiritually and physically this great work in introducing the love of God by helping feed people in time of need and by showing and teaching God's word to them.
Because of your generosity we in "Disaster Assistance" are going to be able to greatly expand this ministry in helping and reaching even more. We are in preparation right now for any disasters that may occur because of spring floods and other weather related incidents in which we (you & us) may be able to help in an effective way. It is always our aim not to just feed and care for people physically, but to also use this time to teach people the word of God. We have found that as we provide meals and other necessities, that they are appreciative of us and want to know more as to who we are and to study and learn God's word. Hence over 500 signed up for bible study during our work in the hurricane season of last year.

Remember, "Disaster Assistance" is under the elder ship of the Alachua Church of Christ in Alachua, Fla. 14505 N.W.145 ave Alachua,Fl.32615 Thank you for your involvement and we will do all we can to live up to your faith and confidence in us and this work for the Lord. Don

The Buzzard, the Bat and the Bumblebee

THE BUZZARD:
If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.


THE BAT:
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash .


THE BUMBLEBEE:
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.


PEOPLE:
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing all we have to do is look UP!

Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, But faith looks up!
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our Creator who loves us.