TOM and PATTI WHEELER
WBF Missionaries to
WALES
Field address: Tom Wheeler 52 Penylan
Close Bassaleg NP10 8NW Wales, UK
E-mail address: prediger61@hotmail.com
Sent by: Tabernacle Baptist Church P.O. Box
252 Crane, TX 79731
16
October 2008
“But
lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” Matthew
6:20
Twenty-first
century technology is wonderful…but, as my dad used to tell me,
“Everything can be used for good or for evil.”
What
an unpleasant surprise I had a few days ago when I got online to see
that thieves had broken into our bank account and had started in
Houston, Texas and moved north, going from ATM to ATM until they had
cleaned us out, including our overdraft! The bank has since restored our
funds, for which we are thankful. But this whole episode has given me
pause to reflect.
First, the combination of man’s depravity and ingenuity will
continually lead to new ways of feeding his greed. I know that I have
gained some new perspective of Matthew 6:20b.
Second, ever since 9/11
“security” has been stamped upon our national conscience; but the
truth is that not much is secure outside the promises of God, which are
all yea and amen.
Third, I love that first part of Matthew 6:20! What a joy to know that
what we do for Jesus here in this world will not be stolen in the next.
Whatever kindness we do in Jesus’ name and every soul that we point to
the Crucified One brings honour and glory to the Saviour. Eternal
treasure!
Fourth, thank you mission-minded brothers and sisters in Christ for
laying up your treasures in heaven, where they cannot be taken away.
Retirement funds and investment portfolios may diminish, but the
dividends of heaven are everlasting.
Back
in the summer we were privileged to have Bro. Tommy Raley to come from
Arlington, Texas to speak at (what we hope will become) our annual
retreat. Our four UK missionary families, Miss Dawne Hart from Portugal,
and several Welsh folks descended on Dinas Powys, Wales for a three-day
and three-night time of refreshing and blessing from God’s Word. Thank
you, again Bro. Tommy for the encouragement you brought us.
I
am glad that the vacation times are over. We were down in attendance in
August and the first half of October. We want to build toward the
holidays and launch our new Sunday School after our background checks
are completed (child protection laws).
It
looks as though we will have three teenagers going to Autumn Camp (three
forms have come in, anyway). It should be easier for them than our lone
camper last year who went knowing none of the other young people. Pray
with us that God would work mightily in their hearts, making Himself
real and saving those young souls and lives.
Feeding
a few and fishing for more,
Tom and Patti Wheeler
