Odali & Kathy Barros April Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We hope that all of you are well. We are doing fine. God has sustained us though all our difficult moments. We know that we are blessed to have so many friends around the world praying for us and the children here at the home. Things are quiet for the moment. The official judge is back and reading all the processes. There are 4 volumes of paper work to read though. Each volume probable has around 1000 pages. Well I’m glad I’m not the judge aren’t you.?!! Pray for the judge as he studies the documents, that God will give him wisdom. Pray for us and the children that we Do what he wants us to do. Pray for the children that left. We know that some are not doing to good. Their homes just aren’t good situations for them. But at the moment we can not take any one in.

There are a still some things that we need to do to get the home were it needs to be according to the Health department. For sure not as much as there was. Thanks to so many of you we have accomplish many things. We are going to try and get some more things done while we have fewer children. We still have several roof that need changing are major fixing to do. Rooms need to be painted again. Actually the rooms need to be paint every year. We you consider that you have about 25 to 30 living in a Hall “house”, you can understand why it needs painting every year. Some of the floors need the tile replaced. The money for the dinning room floor has already been donated. We are getting granite for the dinning room. It can take all the wear and tear. On the outside of the home other things need to be done. We have not a whole lot because they are not a priority. But for the health department that is not so. I’m sure you understand. The facilities where the animals (pig, chickens, ducks and any things else) are the facilities that were here when we moved here. So obviously laws have changed for farm things. We need to get that in order also. I know that for many of you that may not sound to important, but when you live with 100 kids you need all the activities you can possibly get to keep kids busy and out of trouble. Because what most people do with kids is just put them in front of a computer or a TV. Trust me, that is not what they need.

While all that is going on there is tons of things going on with the church. The church is relocating. The structure of the church is old and the fire department was starting to give a hard time. Since the building was bought some 25 years ago there the area around it has changed. Because of the big businesses around the church, regulations have changed for that the area. We started checking the price to make the changes and it would we pretty expensive to do the work. So the church decided that they would buy part of the land where Alpha and Omega home is that has not been purchased yet. This decision has really been interesting. There has always been people from church that were not involved with the home but since we have moved the services to the home it has been interesting to see the changes in attitudes. Today we are going to have a big activity day. A big group is going to visit the areas around the home to let people know the church is at the home and another group is having an activity day for the youth and teen that come to church from the neighborhood. The party hall here at the home is being prepare a little each day for the services. The sound equipment, benches brought from church building, some painting done, etc. Every body is getting involved. This is really exciting. With all the facilities we have here at the home we want to use it more to reach the children and teens that need help and need Jesus. There are so many that need help and don’t need to live in the home. Pray for us and the church as we try to reach these kids. We have many people from church and friends that teach in the public schools and they tell us how bad things are out there. Pray for us!!!! Pray for the church!!!!! Pray and see what God would have you to do!!!! We love and appreciate each of you. We would love to have you visit and see for your self what great things God has done. We are excited to see what more great things God has in store. Want to be a part of this??? Feel free to contact us at any time. We would love to hear from you.

May God bless each of you. 
Love in Christ,
Odali and Kathy Barros

Contact Info:
Av. Victor Hugo Boaretto S/N
Garça, São Paulo 17.400.000

OdaliAlfaOmega [at] hotmail.com
odali_kathy [at] hotmail.com

www.aohome.org

Tax Deductible Offerings:
725 N. Green River Rd.
Evansville, IN 47725

Nathan & Carrie Radford March Update

April 8, 2008

Dear Praying Friends,

Another month has come and passed so quickly, and we hope that this update finds each of you doing well and busier than ever in service to our Lord. This update will share current prayer requests, as well as ministry updates.

We are very busy now in churches reporting about the ministries in Kitale. We also are doing our best to visit and keep up with any individuals who are interested in our ministries. Even though it is very tiring, we  now that our labour for the Lord is not in vain, even in a time of reporting during our furlough.  One of my favorite verses is 1 Corinthians 15:58, which states, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” What an encouragement this verse is to us, as we know that nothing we do for the Lord is in vain, including the time in the States to raise the needed funds for our ministry.

We do have a DVD of our ministry available, so if you would like a copy, please email us in response to this update and we will be sure to send one to you free of charge. We wish to thank each person and church for
their interest in the work in Kenya. We are thankful for the funds that we have received recently, but are still in need of around 200 dollars per month, as some previous support has ceased. We are trusting the Lord for these needed funds, and are waiting on the Lord’s timing. Psalms 31:15a states “My times are in thy hand…” May we ever be faithful to wait on the Lord, and trust Him to provide in His plan and time. 

Please pray for my wife, as she is now very near to her delivery date. We are hoping and praying that all goes well this month, and that our child would be born without any problems and with good health. We are very excited, but also we desire to be faithful to the Lord in raising our child. We have an exciting opportunity ahead of us, and please pray for us and our new parental responsibilities. 1 Samuel 1:27 says “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him.” We are certainly
praying for our daughter, even while she is still in the womb, and so thankful that the Lord has blessed us
with a new addition to the family this month, Lord willing.

Please pray for our ministries while we are away. Both the prison and hospital ministries seem to be doing well and having no problems, so we are thankful for this. Please pray for the nationals that are overseeing  the ministries in our absence, that they would remain faithful to the Lord and desire to serve Him.

That is all the current news from Kenya. Please continue to pray for us, and we thank the Lord for each one who calls, sends a card, or writes a word of encouragement. Philippians 1:3 says “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,” and we certainly thank the Lord for your prayers, support, and interest in our ministry. We could not do this work without your help. May God bless you richly in 2008. 

In Kenya,
Nathan & Carrie Radford
naterad [at] yahoo.com

For Ministry Donations:
Pastor George Sledd
BFM Treasurer
P.O. Box 471280
Lake Monroe, FL 32747-1280

*The prayer requests in green were highlighted by Sarah.  Please don’t use them as an excuse to skim the letter!  They’re just to highlight the things to pray for!  :o)  Thanks! 

Weekly Announcements (April 6-12)

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS (April 6-12)
Wednesday, April 9
Join us at 7:00 p.m. as we continue our series, “The Way of the Master.”  This week, Comfort & Cameron will deal with evolution and have lunch with one of our “ancestors…”
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Sunday, April 13
10:00 a.m.- Sunday School (1 Timothy 5:17-25)
11:00 a.m.- Sunday Morning Worship (1 Peter 1)
6:00 p.m.- Sunday Evening Worship (Exodus 15)
*Sunday School Devotion: Steve D. (following week: Roger)
*Ushers: Harry & Jason (alternates: Paul & Roger)
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Monday, April 14-Wednesday, April 16
Baptist Faith Missions 2008 Spring Conference
Thompson Road Baptist Church
Complete Schedule is Here
*Please note that our April 16 Wednesday Evening Service will be held at Thompson Road!*
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♥ Happy Anniversary to Norris & Becky on Wednesday! ♥
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Attention Ladies: Sis. Helen is giving you one more week to turn in your forms with your preference for her class.  Please turn them in this Sunday!
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Missionaries of the Month
Paul & Wanda Hatcher
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Memory Check!!!!
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So I think this is what I’m going to do: any new announcements that come up during the week will be added to this post, but I’ll try to bump it up where you notice it.  Check often!  :o) 
Also, I really appreciate your comments, whether encouraging or critical.  If you have an announcement you would like to add to the above list, please leave a comment below and I’ll stick it up there!  Thanks!  :o)
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“When was the last time you laughed for the sheer joy of your salvation?  Today, think deeply on what you have been saved from…and let your gratitude to God motivate you to bring the lost to Him.” 
~Anonymous~

Monthly Manna from the Pastor’s Family Table

We want to share some of our favorite recipes from our family table with you each month.  Many of our fondest memories and happiest moments have been spent sharing food and conversation around our table.  Whether it be among our small family of three, friends and relatives, or those who God has sent our way who have become just as close as family to us, we have been blessed to learn about various cultures and hear countless stories of days gone by.  This month’s featured recipes are not only palate-pleasing, but they’re quick, easy, and easily doubled to serve a crowd.  

Menu
Chicken & Rice Casserole
Orange-Almond Salad
Steamed Broccoli
French Bread with Dill Butter
 

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Chicken & Rice Casserole
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 box long grain & wild rice (not the quick-cooking kind), uncooked
1 can cream of chicken soup (undiluted)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (undiluted)
1 can cream of celery soup (undiluted)
1 soup can of water or milk
½ stick butter or margarine (4 TBSP), melted
Parmesan cheese, to taste

Preheat oven to 350º.  Spray a 9×13″ baking dish with cooking spray.  In a medium mixing bowl, combine soups, water or milk, seasoning packet from the rice, and melted butter and stir with a wire whisk until well blended.  Pour one-third of the soup mixture in the bottom of the baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula.  Sprinkle the dry rice evenly over the soup mixture.  Pour another third of the soup mixture over the rice and spread gently to cover.  Place chicken breasts on top of this layer and cover with remaining soup mixture.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, as desired, and bake at 350° for 1 hour and 15 minutes. 
*To prepare ahead, put the casserole together up to the baking point, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until baking time.  This is a good recipe to prepare Saturday night to put in the oven Sunday morning before church!  (Just be sure to take the plastic wrap off before baking!  haha!) 

Orange-Almond Salad
Salad:
1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 bunch Romaine lettuce, washed, drained, & torn
2-3 green onions, sliced, including tops (optional)
¼ C. sliced almonds, toasted (to toast, place on baking sheet and broil until light brown—-watch closely!)

Combine all ingredients in large salad bowl.  Add dressing (see below) and toss.  Serve immediately.  Yield: 4-6 servings.

Dressing:
½ C. vegetable oil
3 TBSP vinegar
1 TBSP lemon juice
2 TBSP sugar
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. dry mustard
1/8 tsp. onion powder

Mix vinegar, lemon juice, and dry ingredients together with a wire whisk in a small bowl.  Add oil and mix well.  Pour mixture into a jar or salad dressing cruet.  Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.  Shake well and pour over salad just before serving. 

Steamed Broccoli
1 bunch fresh broccoli

Peel and trim stalk, remove leaves, and cut into spears.  Place a steaming rack in bottom of a large pan.  Place water up to the level of the rack.  Bring to a boil.  Add broccoli spears.  Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until broccoli is to desired tenderness.  Season broccoli to taste with butter, salt, and/or lemon juice.  Serve immediately. 

French Bread
Buy at the store and follow package directions! 

Dill Butter
½ C. softened butter
¼ tsp. garlic powder
1-2 tsp. dill weed

Put above ingredients in a small bowl and mix together with a fork or spoon until well blended. 
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Blessings from our family table to yours! 
We would love some “feed”-back from you!  :o)

Sheridan & Anita Stanton March Update

April 4, 2008
Dear Friends,
       As many of you can imagine, furlough for Anita and I has taken a different course than that which we had planned.  Usually furlough time for missionaries is a harried and always busy time trying to visit and share the work all of the supporting churches.  I had my plans all ready making appointments, getting directions and filling in the calendar.  But God had bigger plans for us!  In His grace and provision He allowed Anita and I to be in the United States when we discovered that she had breast cancer.   We know that He has allowed this in our lives in order to teach us some new lessons about Him and how to better minister to others; for this is our calling in life! 
     We still hope to be able to visit churches and share of His great love for the Peruvian people that we have come to love so dearly.  But how much visiting we will be able to do will depend upon whether Anita will be feel well enough to travel.  I don’t like to travel without her because it is like giving only a partial presentation of our ministry together in Peru.  However, there may be some week-ends where that will be the only solution.  In most cases I will be able to give only short notice of a possible visit because, so far, we don’t know from one day to the next how she will feel.
     So many of you have sent cards, e-mails, and phone calls that have been of such encouragement to us.  Several have brought meals to the house for which we are very grateful!  We thank all of you for your sincere expressions of love and concern for Anita.  We know that you are praying because we have felt God’s presence in our lives more intensely than ever before.  Thank you for your prayers and please continue to lift us up before the Throne of Grace!  We still have a long road ahead and we really do need your prayers.
     Anita had her first chemo treatment on March the 28th.  The day of chemo and the following day she had no negative signs at all and we thought “wow, this isn’t going to be so bad!”  But then Sunday the 30th came and she was one very sick lady!  Fatigue, nausea, cramps and sleeplessness seem to be the main symptoms so far.  She is so brave, and in the midst of all this she rejoices in the Lord!   We are learning what to expect in the future rounds of chemo.  She will have six chemo treatments in total; each one being three weeks apart.  Please Pray!
     So many of our dear friends in Peru have called and written.  Many of the women consider Anita their “mother in the faith.”  The reports are all good; most of the works have reported a good month for March.  We keep them informed in Spanish as we do our dear friends here in the States in English.  Please feel free to write or call.  We love you all and hope to have the opportunity to see you sometime within the next six months. 
Trusting and resting in HIM,
Sheridan and Anita Stanton

The Tate Family’s Website

Our newest missionaries, the Tate family, have a website now! 
I strongly encourage you to go and visit their little corner of cyberspace.  Be prepared to shed tears of joy for the sacrifice they have made for the glory of God.  It’s very touching. 
You will find a lot of news, letters, pictures, and more…
Keep them in your prayers!  4/5 of them have already been bit by the malaria bug (pray that little Amy doesn’t get it!). 

www.TatesInAfrica.com
Be sure to click on “Visit Our Virtual Space” in the upper right corner. 

Anita Stanton’s First Chemo Treatment

From Friday, 3/28

Hey everybody,
Anita had her first chemo treatment this morning and did very well. No
sickness. We arrived at the hospital at 8:25AM and left at 1:15PM. She had
a light lunch and so far no sickness, just a little tired (she didn’t sleep
Thursday night!!). Thank you for your prayers, cards, e-mails, and phone
calls. We love you all.

Sheridan

Send them a note of encouragement at sestantonperu [at] terra.com.pe!

Check it out!

Be sure to check out the “Missions” section at the top of this page!   
There you will find April M.O.M. info and also a schedule for the BFM Spring Missions Conference. 

Prayer Requests

From Wednesday Night (April 2)

• Leslie- a few unspoken
• Dr. Pitman (Leslie)
• Mollie- asthma flaring up a lot
• Mary (Brenda’s sister)- stint in kidney
• Kim (Brenda’s daughter)- blood pressure still not regulated; sell something; neighbor
• Dorcie- taken off his blood pressure medicine: eye problems, etc.
• Gene (Steve D’s dad)- stroke; admitted to hospital Tuesday night
• Landon- pneumonia: antibiotics
• Shawn, Jr.- tonsillectomy
• Nicholas- arm
• Robert (Barb’s bro.)- waiting for test results
• Laura- pregnancy
• Emma (Laura)- 3-year-old with two brain tumors; has yet to be determined if they are cancerous
• Harry- waiting for test results; skin cancer spots removed soon
• Kristin & Tommy- waiting for test results
• Hannah- aches and pains
• Donny (who has visited before)
• Tyler (Sherry’s nephew)- strep
• Pam Anderson- eye surgery went well; return May 1
• Anita Stanton- recovering from first chemo treatment
• Anchor Baptist Church- couple joined; another couple visiting (hope to join soon)

*Pray every day for the Lord to send someone your way who needs to hear the Gospel!*

Hello world!

Hello All! 

I have been thinking about doing this for a while now.  The start of Bro. Daniel’s blog encouraged me to go ahead and take the plunge. 

Hopefully, this blog will serve as a means of communication with continually updated prayer requests and announcements (that don’t flood your inbox!).  It will also hopefully contain encouraging verses, devotions, thoughts, and quotes, in addition to missionary updates!   

Subscribe today and don’t miss a thing.  :o)