What joy it brings to a father seeing his children walking in truth. Today Sarah headed to school early, which is rather surprising considering that she is really bothered by many of the other students behavior and talk of drugs and immorality. Sarah left before 7am so she could participate in a nationwide program involving students gathering at their flag poles to pray, asking God to work on their campuses among students and staff. We also need to be praying for our Christian students to be unified, for them to stand strong in their faith and for them to have the courage to share Christ.
This past weekend was also filled with joy as it was the opening weekend at the Word of Life Bible Institute. 10 years ago I responded to God's call on my life by moving my family to Schroon Lake and attending the BI. Unsure what He had in store for us we moved forward one step at a time and He showed Himself to be faithful again and again. From selling our house in VT in only 2 weeks, with no real-estate agent to both Meredith and I receiving Bachelors' degrees while remaining dept free. He also raised up the financial and prayer support that allowed us to move to Nigeria as a family in 2006 which enabled us to serve in an incredibly fruitful ministry. To be at WOL for Ryan's opening weekend brought back a flood of memories which stirred my heart and mind with anticipation as to what God has in store for Ryan. Pray for his coming year to have a lifelong impact and for wisdom in deciding what the next step in his life will be after a year at the BI.
We were also blessed this past Saturday evening to be part of a sell-out crowd for a concert by Mark Schultz & Point of Grace hosted at our Church, First Baptist of Johnson City. Sunday followed with an open house and Dedication service of the new building which is now home to a church that is over 100 years old and stands testament to the faithfulness of God. Before we left for Nigeria in 2006, we had been part of a prayer walk that moved about an open field which had been marked out for what we were asking God to bring to a reality. Now to the glory of God an incredible ministry center stands which purposes to provide new ministry opportunities for a group that abounds with people that live their faith, give sacrificially and serve unconditionally. Pray along with us to meet up with the stewardship of such a building and that God will raise up an army of individuals to serve in every aspect of ministry where there is a need so that First Baptist of Johnson City will be all that God expects her to be.
Our furlough is almost half over and we are so thankful for the many individuals that have provided meals, housing and encouragement in many different forms and for the many opportunities we have had to share about what God is doing in Nigeria. God has answered your prayers for our safe travels with over 9000 miles logged since the 8th of July and we would ask you to continue to pray for safety as we travel to the many missions conferences and speaking engagements that we have coming up over the next 3 months. Please continue to pray for the Verkaiks and the ministry staff in Nigeria as the work goes on in our absence only with less hands to accomplish it. We also ask you to pray for an increase in our prayer and financial support base before we return to Nigeria.
To God be the Glory, great things He has done.
Bob & family
