Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 7:00 P.M.

Missionary Update: The Sinclairs in Cameroon
Dear Family and Friends, Last month began with another trip to encourage our brothers and sisters in the village of Benakuma. Hundreds of tracts were distributed, the believers were discipled and encouraged in the evenings, and more than 20 souls received Christ as Savior during the three days of evangelism. Even the chief of the village and two of his sons professed Christ as Savior on this trip! Also last month, we held a Sunday school seminar for all the fundamental churches in our area. Traditionally, the Sunday school ministry has only been used to disciple children here in Cameroon. When we taught how it could be used in the church to disciple and encourage accountability for believers of all ages, the response was encouraging. Pray for some of our more mature believers to surrender and volunteer to begin this ministry in our local churches. Camp Joy, a fundamental Christian camp located about 30 minutes from our home, has been in full service now for more than five weeks. I have the privilege of preaching twice a week at the camp, and Becca has been able to challenge the young ladies during the girls’ and ladies’ camp. While the total decisions have not yet been reported, we know many life-changing decisions have been made, and we ask you to pray for God’s blessing on the final two weeks. For several months we have been praying for a taxi driver in our town to be saved. His name has been on our Faith Baptist Church prayer list, and some of our people have been seriously burdened for his soul. A few weeks ago, Collins contacted us and asked for some counseling concerning his relationship with his girlfriend. I had the wonderful privilege of meeting with Collins and Bettyla one Sunday afternoon. I explained that the decision of who you marry is a very important decision. When I said that it is the second-most important decision a person can make, they were both surprised. After sharing the Gospel and explaining that what you do with Christ is by far the most important decision a person can make, they both bowed their heads to confess and believe in Christ! Praise God! The greatest highlight for this month was the joy we experienced while ministering together with our visiting friends, the McBrayer who are members of one of our supporting churches, and this family of seven sacrificially spent two weeks ministering together with us. They enjoyed the opportunity of distributing hundreds of tracts in the main market of Bamenda and participating in two VBSs. Through their puppet presentations, the children memorized the fruit of the spirit, and by the end of the second week, a total of 13 children believed in Christ for salvation! We praise God for a supporting church and a wonderful family willing to dedicate two weeks of their lives to serving the Lord here in Cameroon. Our open invitation to you all still stands; come over into Cameroon and help us (Acts 16:9)! In conclusion, we have a very serious prayer request. Most of you know we have been praying for the president of Cameroon to sign the full authorization of the Cameroon Bible Fellowship. The CBF is a fellowship of fundamental, autonomous local churches, and we are part of this fellowship. While the CBF application has been sent to the president by the appropriate minister with his full recommendation that the president authorize the CBF, the president has not done so to date. As a matter of fact, the president has not authorized a single church, denomination, or ministry since 2006! Last week, the same minister who forwarded the CBF application to the president for his authorization, announced that the Cameroon government will be “cracking down” on unauthorized churches. He wrote that, “churches without legally signed papers by the President would be charged and sanctioned.” We are not clear about exactly what this announcement means for us and those we fellowship with, but we ask you to please pray for complete liberty as we minister and serve the one who has “ALL authority.” Please pray that President Paul Biya would do the completely unexpected deed of signing and giving the CBF full authorization to minister throughout the country of Cameroon. We covet your prayers for our protection and provision of this need. All to the glory of God, Ben, Becca, Drew, Kate, Emma and Faith Ann

MEDICAL

Hospital:
1. Lloyd Nevins MMC – CCU Room 4, blood pressure too high, potassium too high. (8/19)
2. Brian Ellithorpe had more surgery this week and is doing very well. He may be going home tomorrow. Praise! (8/20)
3. Rod Stiles, Three Rivers, MI – in rehab following a motorcycle accident last week in which his wife was killed. Shellia knew the Lord. There are 3 children at home: 18,15,13. Rod has a pin in his knee, a cracked vertebra and had surgery on a dislocated hip and has a lot of roadburn. (8/13)

Miscellaneous:
1. Michele Mathey is home after surgery last week.(8/13)
2. Matt Schenk met with a back specialist on the 4th and found there are some problems causing the pain to deal with (8/5).
3. Gay Samson is home recovering from chemo. Cards of encouragement can go to: 5695 Shirley Ann Dr., Harrison, MI 48625 (7/2)
4. Adam Garrison is home and doing therapy at home. (8/13)
5. Diane Dickerson needs hip replacement surgery. (6/11)
6. Marilyn Bronsink ongoing chemotherapy. (8/5)
7. Brian Ellithorpe’s niece, Debra Martin, had a bleeding cyst on one of her ovaries. They drained it, but she still had fluid build-up on her lungs. Now they are waiting for that fluid to drain. She works and goes to school in Indiana. She’s saved but not living for the Lord. (9/13)
8. John Tennant is having problems with a leg. Also, his mother is doing better please keep praying. (7/30)
9. Mary Hillebrand’s sister is home from the hospital, doing better and still in need of salvation. (7/30)
10. Yvonne Trometer’s Brazilian friend, Lady Jane, is going through severe trials and needs much prayer (her husband needs Jesus) (7/23).
11 Jacque Allard, former member, asks prayer for her dad, Frank DeMasi who has cancer. He has decided against treatment. Also, Jacque’s sister-in-law had hip surgery and had an unplanned heart stent after the hip surgery. She needs salvation also. (8/20)
12. Pastor Ray Haselhuhn, former pastor of Open Door Baptist has cancer. Please pray him through this battle. (6/14)
13. Tom Clark (Donna) needs prayer as he continues chemo for his cancer (3rd bout of chemo). More test August 6th. (7/23)
14. Tara Simons asks prayer for her mom who has lung cancer. (7/7)
15. Deb Poupard’s brother, Anthony (Angela) with mental health issues. Also, please pray for their marriage and wisdom for the doctors. Not sure he is saved. (7/30)
16. Kathye Hunt’s father Harry, in hospice in Washington. Her sister Terry (53) has end-stage COPD.
17. Jennifer McCormick’s mom has just been diagnosed with a rare brain disease. Please pray for a cure. (8/20)
18. Doug Kroon is in need of a job very soon. Also, Doug & Janet are in need of a house to rent immediately. (8/20

With Sympathy:
Jean Preston’s mother, Mrs. Mary Garn, with the Lord on August 5, 2008 in McBain, MI. Please keep Jean & Myron and her sisters JoAnn & Joyce in your prayers. (8/13)

Special Missionary Prayer Requests:
Yvonne Trometer asks prayer for Brazilians who are in much need of Christ. (6/18)

Those with special needs and shut-ins:
Bobbie Stockton-Colonial Villa, John Rea, Margaret Engwis-Leisure Living, Nellie Henry-Colonial Villa, Duane Schott, Bill Jacobs, Elsie Jezowski-Brittany Manor, Catherine Holley-Charlevoix, Agatha Cornwell-Stratford Village.

Servicemen:
Michael Engelsgjerd (overseas); Ben Dittenbir; Josh Campbell, Berndt Spittka; Alek Seams, Craig Miller; Chaz Amos

Wanted for Brazil:
Reading glasses you no longer need. Please give to Trometers or leave in church office no later than Saturday.

Library Help Needed:
3,500 books were recently given to CBC. We are in need of helpers to get them ready for our library. Please see Pastor Mike.