NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2008 

As we begin another new year, it brings us many new opportunities for service to the Lord and blessings.  We have, first of all, the opportunity to lay aside the failures and shortcomings of the past.  Paul, the great Apostle, wrote in the Book of Philippians of “forgetting those things which are behind”.  That means forgetting past failures and defeats, and even forgetting past victories, in the sense that we dwell on the past.  We cannot live today on yesterday’s blessings, even as we cannot live today on yesterday’s nourishment.  We also can look forward to the opportunities of the future.  God will give us all many opportunities to serve Him as we progress through the year of 2008.  Let us willingly look forward and accept the opportunities and challenges of the future.

2007 was another wonderful year for the WBF Mission Family.  Our missionaries report that many souls were won to Christ  and believers baptized in 2007.  New works were started and some were organized as churches and turned over to national leadership.  That is the goal of every missionary; to see the work in the hands of the nationals and them going forward for the Lord.

2007 was also a year of challenge for some of our missionary families who battled illness and difficulties during the year.  God’s grace proved sufficient for them and we are confident that His grace will be sufficient in this new year as well.

Missionary Widow Marie Miller went to be with the Lord on December 19, 2007 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  She entered into the presence of her Lord and was reunited with Bro. Shorty on that day.  It was a day of release and rejoicing for her.   For the past couple of years she had been confined to a nursing home in Starke, Florida.  Her daughter, Deana, was an almost constant companion and provided for her every need during this time.  Funeral services were held in Starke, Florida on December 22, 2007.   When I try to think of a one word description for Mrs. Miller, it has to be the word, “joy”.  She was one of the most joyful people I have ever known.  Now her joy is complete.   

The Andy Briggs family has returned to Latvia after a very short furlough.  Pray for them as they continue in the work, especially in the building program for their church there.  Rick & Jackie Washburn have arrived from Colombia for their furlough.  They will begin to visit their supporting churches in January.   The Bill Rose family has arrived from Spain for a six-month furlough.  Visa requirements in Spain limit them to only six months out of the country.  Pray for all these missionary families.

Please be in prayer for our missionaries with health problems.  Juanita Bowen, Phil Gagnon, John Malanowski, Marjorie Malanowski, Gayle Sparks and Ernie Brown are all recovering from surgery and all are doing well at this time.   David McClure has undergone testing on his heart, and the doctors have ruled out a heart attack.  Debi Harris, Monnie Bacon, Gloria Higgins, Mary Gagnon, Joe Hawkins, Sammy Jo Myers (cancer free), Sandy Janky, Eliana Densmore, Amber Cato and Jane Mock all need your prayers as they battle ongoing health problems.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support in 2007 for our missionaries and for the General Fund.  We appreciate your ongoing faithfulness in the days to come.

 Tommy Raley