Kenny Cantrell's Communiqué

Last Meeting of Our Furlough

2012-01-24T18:05:00.000-06:00

Kim and I are in Oklahoma City at our home Church. We just got the itinerary for the Missions Conference this week and we are excited. The theme is "The Field is the World."

We met our Pastor in the hallway today and he is very excited about the Missions Conference. Having been a Missionary for several years he has a great heart for Missionaries. He has been a blessing to us.

During the week we will hear a lot of good preaching from Ed Johnson and we will get to see several fields presented.

Friday morning our Church is taking the Missionaries to hear Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher (Joe the Plumber).

Joe the Plumber

He is now running for Congress in Ohio. Maybe we ought to run him for President this year!

All the Missionaries will get a chance to talk with the young people at the Christian School and the OBC students. Pray that these young folks will get a vision and a heart for Missions.

Ecuador Bound

2012-01-20T19:31:00.000-06:00

Kim and I are headed back to Ecuador. We have to make a trip to the Ecuadorian Consolate to get our Visas. Our last meeting is at our home Church and then we will leave a week and a half after that.

We have been in contact with the couple who has gone on to our new city. The great blessing of this is there is already a small group of people waiting for us to come. We have already received a picture of them and it looks like a good group.

Our big need is a car, so please pray that God will supply one in a speedy manner. We gave our car to one of the National Pastors that we help out. He has been using it to haul Preacher Boys around and out soul-winning.

We will be looking for a house to rent and some furniture. We gave some of our furniture to young Pastor who just got married. Fortunately we kept our living room furniture and dining room table.

We are very busy getting ready to head back to Ecuador, but in those few minutes of downtime at night, we bask in the memories of what God has done and the victories we have gained in his strength and for his glory.

Badges & Boots Donations

2012-01-13T14:57:00.000-06:00

Please think about donating to Badges & Boots. All donations are for the tracts and mailing them. We have shipped out several thousand of them; from the east coast to the west coast.
We sure could use your help as we get these tracts into the hands of Soldiers, Veterans, Police and other First Responders.

There is a donation button in the upper right hand of our sight or you can send a check to:

Badges & Boots
4750 Bryant Irving Rd.
Ste. 808 #250
Fort Worth, Texas 76132

Visas

2012-01-13T14:36:00.000-06:00

Our Visa paperwork. Half of it gets done in the States and half gets done in Ecuador. We have one more piece of paperwork to obtain here and then it is a waiting game as we wait on the paperwork from Ecuador.

We should have the Ecuador paperwork here within the next two weeks. Then when we finish our last conference we can get our tickets and take off.

Pray that everything will go smoothly. It is easier for us to deal with the Ecuadorian consulate in Houston and they normally give us a 2 year visa.

Tracts

2012-01-09T23:03:00.000-06:00

Our Badges & Boots USA tracts are catching on. I just delivered a thousand to another Missionary who will be sending them to a Church near a Military Base.

Lord willing I will be delivering several thousand to a Church near Fort Hood before we leave for Ecuador. I also need to talk with a Police Officer in the area.

A church in New York City wants 2,000 more of the tracts. They have all kinds of opportunities there with the high level of security surrounding the city.

I am in the middle of designing a Badges & Boots tract for an African country. This is a special request from a Missionary. I should have it done in a week or two.

Merry Texas Christmas Y'all!

2011-12-24T20:51:00.002-06:00

Badges & Boots

2011-12-23T00:06:00.000-06:00

Hooah!

Got confirmation that 1,000 Badges & Boots tracts reached their destination on 21 Dec 11. An Active Duty Ranger friend of mine who is a Captain wanted them and I was more than happy to send him the tracts.

I can't think of a better person to pass these tracts out, because he is a true Officer and a Gentleman. You might say he is a Soldiers Soldier and he does all this with a great Christian testimony. He worked his way up through the enlisted ranks and then went into the officer corp.

Please pray that these tracts will show some of our special ops Soldiers and their families the way to the Savior. It is a great blessing that we can show these folks that people outside of their families do care for them.

I know my friend will also be getting these into the hands of Policemen and other First Responders.

So you see this Ranger will be leading the way in soul-winning!

Flannel Graphs

2011-12-10T12:41:00.000-06:00

Kim and Melissa Bingham

Jeremy and Melissa Bingham started H.O.M.E. T.E.A.M.S. (Helping Our Missionaries Excel, Teaching Everyone About Missions Support). They are Missionaries in support of Independent Fundamental Baptist Missions work.

Their sending Church is Bible Baptist Church of Rendon, Texas.

Their main thrust is to see lost people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. They want to support Missionaries through special projects. They also want to encourage Missionaries through friendship. Another benefit is that they teach and encourage Churches and Christians to care for their Missionaries.

Kim and I drove to Bible Baptist Church to pick up several sets of flannel graphs that H.O.M.E. T.E.A.M.S. raised the money for and bought. They asked for donations for the flannel graphs and people gave. Melissa also had a cutting party ; where people volunteered to help cut out the characters.

The flannel graphs will be used in our ministries in Ecuador. They always draw a crowd.

A few years ago Mauricio and I went to a city in Ecuador searching for a young boy. We found him and set up our flannel graph on a refrigerator outside of someones home. As Mauricio was telling the Bible story using the flannel graph a crowd began to gather around us. Adults, teens and children all listened intently. There were around 60 people listening and watching by the time we were through.
I do not remember how many were saved that day, but it was exciting.

We want to thank H.O.M.E. T.E.A.M.S., the people who donated money for the flannel graphs and the people who donated time to cut out the hundreds of flannel graph characters and scenery.

New York Subway

2011-10-27T16:31:00.000-05:00

Kim and Sheila labeling tracts

Seven of us labeled 6,000 tracts for Gospel Light Baptist Church this morning. It was a good time of fellowship and the time passed by quickly. We had a great lunch after we finished.

Six of us went to pass out tracts at the subway here in New York City. The sea of people ebbed and flowed within this massive transit system. We passed out nearly 2,000 tracts during the couple of hours that we spent working there.

New York City is a Mission field within our borders here in the States. I saw the faces and heard the languages of a few dozen nations as they passed by me today. This city could use a hundred Missionaries to work this field white unto harvest.

2011-10-25T20:39:00.000-05:00

We had a great Sunday in New Jersey at a couple of Churches that Pastor Dice got us meetings for. It was a blessing for Pastor Dice to go the extra mile for us.

The drive from New York to New Jersey proved to be an interesting morning drive. A Policeman had wrecked his car and they had the intersection partly blocked. I skirted around the Police car that was blocking the intersection.

Sunday morning we showed our DVD and I got to preach at a Church in North Bergen, NJ. The Church had a deaf Ministry with about 20 people. Two of the deaf were from Ecuador. There was also a hearing man that was Ecuadorian. We exchanged information with him and he wants to come visit our work. Pastor Cuzzo and his folks treated us with great kindness.

We left Pastor Cuzzo’s Church in a hurry because we had a 1:30 meeting with a Spanish Church. We got to the Spanish Church just in time to set up our equipment and say a few howdy’s. We showed the DVD of our work on the field. It was fun preaching in Spanish and the folks said they loved the message and that it was very timely. Being in the Spanish Church made us miss Ecuador very much. The Church had three Ecuadorians in it; an older couple from Biblia and a lady from Quito. The older couple is going to visit us when they come down next March.

We finally ate at about 3pm and spent the afternoon at Pastor Swiakowski’s house. He and his wife entertained us until it was time to go to Church.

That evening I preached in Pastor Swiakowski’s Church in Kearny, NJ. This was an English service but the Spanish folks showed up and had someone interpret for them. The folks were very responsive to the message as a good group came to the altar to pray.

The drive back to New York that night was boring as we were in traffic jams most of the way home. It made for a long night after a long day.

Wilkes-Barre

2011-10-16T15:56:00.002-05:00

Kim and I are in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania where we will present the Ministry of Ecuador to the folks of Grace Independent Baptist Church tomorrow night.
We came in last Friday and the Hogge family has graciously hosted us through this time. We have enjoyed fellow- shipping with their family. Their two youngest still live at home, Sarah and Johnny. Sarah has been quite the home maker and Johnny has kept me entertained. Mrs. Hogge has kept us fed well.

Friday night the Church had a bonfire and roasted a pig. Before we ate Dr. Jim Vineyard was talking with a mother who told him her teenaged son was not saved. Kim and I sat on a hay bale next to Bro. Vineyard as we all ate and he relayed the story of the lost teenager to me. He then asked me when he got up to speak if I would go stand behind the teenager and at invitation time if he raised his hand for salvation to deal with him. Bro. Vineyard spoke beside the crackling fire and then he gave the invitation. Bro. Vineyard asked folks to raise their hand if they knew they were not saved; 4 people did that, but the teenaged boy did not raise his hand.

After everyone was dismissed I introduced myself to the teenager and his mother that was standing beside him. I asked him if he died tonight would he go to Heaven and his mother said he was not saved. The teenager had his back to the fire, I spun him around and told him Hell is 10 million times hotter than that bonfire and would he like to go there. He said he did not want to go there and bowed his head to ask God to forgive him of his sins and to save his soul. Praise the Lord!

Saturday Bro. Vineyard and Pastor Brian Korner visited a women named Rae. Bro. Vineyard dealt with her for a long time and about 11:30 that morning Rae bowed her head and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. Our Saturday door knocking did not go as well.

Sunday morning Rae brought her husband Reuben to Sunday School. In between Sunday School and the morning service I told Reuben about my Savior Jesus Christ and how he could be his Savior too! Reuben bowed his head and received Jesus as his Savior. Amen! Two other people accepted Christ as their Savior at invitation time. Glory to God!

God knows what is best! If we did not have a couple of Churches cancel our meetings with them; we would not have been here. It was a great honor to to work alongside Bro. Vineyard and see 9 people turn to Christ for salvation.

Hold my mule while I take a couple of laps around the Church praising the Lord!

Busy Month

2011-09-15T23:41:00.000-05:00

We have been in Church services for the last 8 days and it has been a tremendous blessing. I got to preach 3 nights of a missions conference, be the opening Preacher for a Preachers meeting and then Preach Chapel at Crown Southwest Bible College and teach the Christian living class. I also visited a new start up Church in Burleson, Texas. It is one of the best looking store front Churches I have ever seen.

We will be in several meetings in the central part of Texas until the end of the month. One of the meetings is with a Church near Fort Hood. I love being at Churches that are near Military Bases. September seems to be flying by very fast.

Medical First Aid

2011-08-17T13:36:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday Kim and I took a Combat medical class at our Home Church. It was a blessing to receive this medical training. It covered things from burns, gunshot wounds and many other first responder medical aid. We are hoping to receive some more medical training before we hit the field again. We will try to start acquiring medical bags and supplies. Any learning we can get to help the folks on the field and ourselves will be a blessing.

Medic First Aid International put on the classes for a group of folks in our Church. There were about twenty of us who went through the training, including our Pastor. What our instructor taught us was similar to the TC3 training given to our troops.

Thank you Instructor James Wood for the great classes. James was an Army Medic with 7th Cavalry at Fort Hood. He has been training people in the first responders field for over 20 years. He now contracts out to organizations like SWAT and others.

Sunday Night

2011-08-08T23:52:00.000-05:00

We actually made 3 services Sunday, the morning and afternoon services at Victory Baptist in Yukon and then our home Church Sunday night.

Sunday night was really special because we had a graduation service for the kids that participated in VBS. Bro. Burke showed a DVD of the preaching and the activities of the week. Michael Shaver led the children in the memory verse for the week and then had them sing a song that he wrote.

Pastor Tom Vineyard preached a wonderful message on the duties of the fathers, mothers and the children in the family. There were several parents visiting that allowed their kids to attend VBS and they got to hear how a Biblical home should be and a clear presentation of the Gospel.

To top it all off we had a teenager get baptized and then we treated the parents, kids and VBS workers to a snack in the cafeteria.

Victory Baptist Church Yukon Oklahoma

2011-08-07T16:21:00.000-05:00

We sure had a good time with Bro. Ridge and his folks at Victory Baptist Church in Yukon, Oklahoma. They just started back in October of 2010 and are running around 40 on Sundays. They are in a storefront at this time.


Pastor Ridge and his wife

It was good to see an old friend there, Dale Birchett and his wife.

It was also good to see John Ager and his wife.

There were several other people in the services that we have known for some years now. What a true blessing to see these folks still serving the Lord.

They have a morning service, lunch and then the afternoon service starts at 1pm.

Bro. Tom Sloan Jr. preached the morning service and his children sang a special. It was good to talk to him and get to know him better.

In the afternoon service my wife sang. I showed our presentation and preached the Word of God.
It was good to stay around and fellowship with the folks after the service.

Vacation Bible School Lessons

2011-08-06T15:46:00.002-05:00

Day 1- "The Beginning God's Way." ---------Thought: Evolution is Mind Pollution!
Day 2- "Whale of a Tale"-----------------------Thought: To Obey is the Only Way!
Day 3- "Fire in Your Eye"----------------------Thought: Get on Board and Serve the Lord.
Day 4- "False god's; Who Needs Them!"----Thought: Our God a Hero; False gods a zero!
Day 5- "Sweeeeeet!"----------------------------Thought: What a Treat the Bible is Sweet.

What a great joy it was to preach to the young people at VBS here at Windsor Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I do not think I have ever had a group of kids that listened as well as these young folks did.

The teens that helped in VBS were a big blessing and we had a great time together. We even got one of the boys to volunteer to be Jonah that got thrown up out of the whale. His older brother enjoyed throwing the green slimy stuff on his younger brother. Other teens jumped in to help with skits, registering kids or whatever we asked them to do.

The adults were amazing. I did not here any complaints, just people asking what they could help with next. The OBC Melodies were here to give us a hand as well.

I can't forget to thank all the Church members who donated candy, food and prizes. One member donated boxes of chips.

Because of these workers dedication and desire to see young people saved; thirteen young people trusted Christ as their Savior this week.

Thank you members of Windsor Hills Baptist Church for all that you do for the cause of Christ and winning others to him.

Vacation Bible School

2011-08-05T10:17:00.000-05:00

Thursday night's Vacation Bible School message was titled, "False gods; Who Needs Them." I dressed up like a witch doctor and did a little skit before the message.

Kim painted my face and enjoyed it a little to much. Not even one kid got scared!

My Witch Doctor Outfit

Kim made these two totem poles for me also and they were up front.

We had two saved last night also, which brings us up to nine for the week. Praise the Lord!

3rd Night VBS at Windsor Hills BC In Oklahoma City

2011-08-04T16:12:00.000-05:00

Wednesday night VBS message was "Fire In Your Eye!" I preached about being excited about who Jesus is and being excited about serving Jesus.

We had several young people come down about salvation. Two of them got saved. What a blessing!

I am thankful for all the VBS workers who are helping. We have a lot of workers and they have been a blessing.

VBS at Windsor Hills Baptist in Oklahoma

2011-08-03T16:39:00.000-05:00


1st night

2nd Night

Jonah being thrown up

Jonathan Keeton as Jonah

On the first night not one of the kids was scared of the caveman. We had 5 saved on the second night.

Israel

2011-07-04T16:22:00.002-05:00

Kim and I had the privilege of traveling to Israel for 8 days in June. Among some of those we got to meet was Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon. Mr. Ya'alon is a very intelligent man with a great amount of Patriotism for his Country. I enjoyed so much his resolve to protect the great Nation of Israel.

We also spent several days with families of the Givati Special Forces. Every year they have a special get together for those families who have lost a son in the war. We made several good friends and got to minister to some of these dear folks who have lost a loved one.

We visited several Israeli Military installations. I had the privilege of spending a few hours with the general of the IDF's 91st Division. We walked through a Naval Museum together and he translated the Hebrew signs for me. We had a good time together.

Bro. Vineyard, Pastor Garry Way and Mrs Way, Missionary David Sloan and his wife and us all drove down to see one of the Colonels of the IDF. This was just a mile from the Gaza strip. We had a good time with the Colonel and his family.

We appreciate Bro. Vineyard allowing us to participate in such a wonderful trip. We appreciate Pastor Garry Way for putting together our trip. We appreciate David Sloan for driving us and setting up the meeting with Mr. Ya'alon.

Time Sure Does Fly!

2011-05-18T10:18:00.000-05:00

Seems like it has been forever since I updated this blog. So many things have happened and we have been in a lot of Churches. We spent a lot of our time in Central and South Texas, with a quick run up to Arkansas in between.

We were in a missions conference in one of our supporting Churches in Houston. It was a Wednesday through Sunday meeting. One of the Pastors preaching in the conference gave us a meeting to come and present our work.
The Preacher gave me the morning and evening services on Sunday, what an honor that was. The folks enjoyed seeing the work that has been done during our first term. A couple of people were stirred in their souls about telling others of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A new Church in Houston that we presented to was an encouragement to Kim and me. We stayed out in the parking lot after Church talking to members that were interested in the ministry in Ecuador.

On Ressurection Sunday, Kim and I dropped by a Church to worship the Lord. The people and the staff were very friendly. After Church the Pastor invited us to come to his Missions Conference.

One of our family members has decided to take us on for financial support. What a blessing it is when family members jump in to help see people get saved.

Getting to spend some time with Churches that support us has been a huge blessing to us. To have members walk up and tell us that they have been praying for us is wonderful. You can tell when they have been reading our prayer letters.

Revival Meeting

2011-03-30T17:00:00.000-05:00

I could not get one of my Wednesdays filled in March, but I knew God would have something for us to do. About a week before that Wednesday a Pastor (Bro. Wayne Harden) from Graham, Texas called me. He said he wanted to have a revival meeting and told me the date. It was a Monday through Wednesday night(the Wednesday I could not fill). I accepted the invitation with a humble heart.

I began to pray and asked the Lord to convict me of any hidden sin, so I could confess it. I fasted two seperate times. While studying my sermons I would find myself prostrate on the floor pleading with God for a Holy Spirit filled revival.

The first night I explained to the Church that God would being laying a foundation for a Revival. I told them if they really wanted revival that it would take a lot of hard work through faith, obedience and prayer. I challenged them to memorize Psalms 51:10 to help them out.

The folks packed the altar Monday night after I preached a message on the number one killer of Revivals "Bitterness". It was one of the longer altar calls that I have seen in a Church in a long time.
Each night thereafter the altar was full as people would come down to pray for themselves and others.

Every Sunday since that meeting there has been people saved and baptized. The Pastor called me today to tell me someone got saved this past Monday and is coming to present themselves for baptism next Sunday.

God is doing great things at this little country Church as the people are seeking Revival.

Think not that I am bragging on Kenny Cantrell, for this is the work of the Holy Ghost of God and I am bragging on my Lord. I am enjoying getting the weekly report from an excited Pastor; who has the makings of a Revival on his hands.

Missions Conference Last Week

2011-03-30T16:34:00.000-05:00

Kim and I were in a Missions Conference in Ringgold, Texas at Ringgold Baptist Church last Friday through Sunday morning. This was only the Churches second year to have a Missions Conference. We had a good time with the folks in the Church and with the Pastor (Bro. Rick Tarpley) and his wife. Kim played her new auto harp in the Sunday morning service. I taught Sunday School and Preached in the Sunday morning service.

Sunday Night we went to Central Baptist Church in Alvorado, Texas. We went to meet the new Pastor (Bro. Tom Davis) and his wife. They just came out of a Missions Conference a couple of weeks ago and raised some more money. Their was an excitement in the air and they baptized two people that night.

Navy Seal

2011-03-24T15:02:00.000-05:00

BJ, former Navy Seal and two other Vets shooting pistols. We went out to a range to expend several hundred rounds down range. This was on a Friday during the day while we were at a Missions Conference. We shot .380 auto's, 9mm's, 40's and 45's in pistols. We only took two calibers of rifles, 7.65 and 7mm-08.

We sure had a great time shooting and then we went to Church that night and heard some good preaching. It will be a day that I will remeber for a long time.

Brown Recluse Spider Bite

2011-03-24T14:36:00.001-05:00

Earlier this month I was bit by a Brown Recluse spider. It died very quickly from "two dimensional disease" while I smashed it. I had Kim put some bleach on a rag and hold it in place for a minute or so. The bleach burned my skin a little, but it sure beats what the venom from that species of spider can do! Look what happen to this stranger's hand after he was bit.

Effects of a Brown Recluse bite

Saturday Soul-winning

2011-03-02T12:59:00.001-06:00

Bro. Graf and I

Kim and I went out soul-winning with Gospel Light Baptist Church this past Saturday. This is a great Church located in Sanger, Texas. We try to get here and help as often as we can. This is a new Church that is about 2 years old.

Sunday night meeting

2011-03-02T12:55:00.000-06:00

Pastor John Brown

We had a meeting at Ramseur Baptist Church this last Sunday. Kim and I had a great time. The people were very friendly. We got to spend the afternoon with Bro. Sapp and his wife, we had some good fellowship with them. The services went really well and the Church voted to take us on for support that night.

We got to go out and eat with Bro. Brown and his wife that evening. His wife was so excited to be out with her husband. We at at a Mexican Resaurant, which is one of my favorite foods.

Friends

2011-02-18T21:22:00.000-06:00

Chris and I

Chris is one of my law enforcement friends at one of the Churches that support us. His family is a blessing to Kim and myself.

Baptizing Meghann

2011-02-18T20:36:00.000-06:00

My youngest Daughter in law

One Sunday morning in December our youngest daughter in law asked Kim what we believe about getting to Heaven. Kim began to give her the Gospel, but Meghann had to leave for work. She asked if Kim would finish that Sunday night and Kim agreed. Sunday night Meghann asked the Lord to forgive her of her sins and to save her soul about two months ago. She came to present herself for baptism this last week.

I also baptized her at Crossroads Baptist Church in Gainesville, Texas. Pastored by Garry Way.

Baptizing Klay

2011-02-18T20:12:00.000-06:00

My Youngest Son

My youngest son Klay and his wife were spending the night with us on February, Friday 11, 2011. At around 1:30 am Klay came and knocked on our bedroom door and told us he needed to get saved. I took him through the scriptures and he bowed his head to ask God to forgive him and to save his soul.

Pastor Garry Way allowed me to baptize Klay at his Church. What a joy for Kim and I.

Good Meeting

2011-02-11T16:32:00.000-06:00

Here I am with Pastor Bob Hudson at Bible Baptist Church in Pampa, Texas. I had a great time preaching here. The people were very responsive after the message. Bible Baptist has been faithfully supporting and praying for us for several years.

Furlough Prayer Card

2011-01-29T21:55:00.000-06:00

This is the design for the front our furlough prayer card.

This is the design for the back of our furlough prayer card.

I would like to thank my wife for designing it. I would like to thank Dee Dee Woods (Kim's mom) for taking the front picture of Kim and I.

Sorry For The Delay

2010-11-13T14:34:00.002-06:00

My dad passed away the 7th of November

Kim and I flew home this past Tuesday so I could preach my dad's funeral. It was on Friday, the 12th of November at 3pm in Kennedale, Texas. My dad was saved, so I will get to see him again someday. I did the main service, my youngest son Klay read the obituary and my oldest son Karl did the graveside. We had to do the graveside indoors because of an approaching storm. Dad had a full military burial as he was a retired Vietnam Veteran. I will surely miss him, he was a good man, but best of all he was saved.

After the funeral I led a 16 yr. old nephew and a 13 yr. old niece to the Lord. A third nephew I talked to listened to the Gospel, but did not want to accept the free gift of salvation. I got to talk to several other relatives about their relationship with the Lord.

Mom and dad were married 51 years.

C'mon Preacher!

2010-11-02T18:09:00.001-05:00

The coming of Jesus

I was invited to preach the Sunday night service at Iglesia Bautista de La Gracia. First point was the prophecy of Christ' coming. Second point, Christ came as was prophesied. Third point, Jesus will come again as prophesied. All I can say is, "Look up for the Savior is coming!"

Little Song Bird

2010-11-02T17:59:00.000-05:00

Kim and her auto harp

Kim is singing a special at Iglesia Bautista de La Gracia. Pastor Tito and the members really enjoyed hearing "Written in Red" in Spanish. They liked the sound of the auto harp.

Water Guard

2010-11-02T17:52:00.000-05:00

Wilson

On Sunday mornings at the Deaf Church we have a water guard in place, because drinking water is scarce and the little kids tend to waste it. It is Wilson's turn to guard the water. Thought the water is rationed; the Water of Life flows freely!

Just A Singin'

2010-11-02T17:38:00.000-05:00

I have showed you what the deaf boys do right after lunch- soccer. This is what the deaf girls do when they are not hanging all over my wife. Kim is very popular at the Deaf Church amongst the girls.

Life's Setting Sun

2010-10-28T20:50:00.000-05:00

Sunset

Each life has a sunrise (birth) and a sunset (death). For some people their sunset comes a lot sooner than they thought it would. Sometimes it even comes during youth.

Fortunately there are 8 boys between the ages of 8 and 13 that prepared themselves for their life's setting sun in their sunrise of life this Thursday afternoon. When their temporal sun sets then their eternal Son will shine forever. Also a man in his mid-forties trusted Christ as his Savior. I would say he is closer to his life's sunset.

I am very thankful for my team that goes with me each Thursday into the area of Mapasingue to go soul-winning.

Pizza Party

2010-10-28T17:31:00.000-05:00

Deaf School workers

Tuesday night Kim and I hosted a pizza party for the workers from the Deaf School. We had an incredible and fun time with everyone. It is a special blessing to have these folks at our house. These folks work really hard, so we try to be a blessing to them.

First in Line

2010-10-28T17:24:00.001-05:00

Elisabet is not bashful

Elisabet is the first in line to get some pizza. She is a big cut up, she loves to joke around. She is ready to get some of the pepperoni pizza.

Is the Guest Preacher Being Robbed While He Preaches?

2010-10-22T20:26:00.000-05:00

Michael what are you doing?

The wireless microphone was giving us problems and Michael was trying to do an on-the-fly repair. Pastor Henrry finally just took the mic. off. He preached a good message on excuses. Once again he went from the Old Testament to the New Testament and showed us people that gave excuses of why they could not do what the Lord called them to do.

3rd Night of Missions Conference

2010-10-22T20:18:00.000-05:00

Young people getting ready to sign a song.

Each night a different class from the Deaf School signed a special song. This is Elisabet's class.

Yes, Lord I will Be Obedient.

2010-10-22T20:14:00.000-05:00

People presenting themselves to be obedient to the Lord.

Pastor Hennry handed out a small outline of his message and at the bottom he had a place where you could check off whether you were going to be disobedient or obedient. These folks obviously checked the obedient box.

Just Go!

2010-10-22T20:08:00.000-05:00

Pastor Henrry Preaching

Bro. Henrry preached a message about being obedient to God and just go. He went through the Old and New Testament showing examples of people who were obedient to God's command. The last point was how God told us to go into all the world and that we had a decision to make; to be obedient or not.

2nd Night Presentation

2010-10-22T20:01:00.000-05:00

10/40 Window

The second night of the Missions conference the presentation was about the 10/40 window. Michael is signing about what is being said on the presentation.

Yes, It Is Spelled With Two R's

2010-10-20T22:46:00.002-05:00

Preach on Bro. Henrry

Bro. Henrry spells his name with two r's. He preached a great message on praying for the Missionary and workers. Being lifted up in prayer by the members of the Church is one of the greatest honors that a Missionary can have bestowed upon him. Prayer is what makes the Christian world go, grow and glow.

The 1st night of the Missions Conference was great. Good preaching and people knelt to pray for Missionaries around the world during altar call.

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

2010-10-20T22:39:00.000-05:00

Showing a short Missionary presentation

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a presentation must be worth ten thousand words and a presentation with sign language worth a hundred thousand words. Denis in the lower left corner of the picture is running the electronics, while Michael interprets Spanish into Ecuadorian sign language.

3 Cutie Pies

2010-10-20T22:32:00.000-05:00

Signing a song

The three little girls up front are around three years old and really cute, but do not let that fool you. The girl in the middle is deaf and the two other little girls are hearing. The boy looking at the camera is hearing but he is mute. They all did a fine job.

Hey! Don't Hit Our Guest Speaker!

2010-10-20T22:26:00.001-05:00

Edit and Rut help the kids sing a special

It looks like Rut is going to pound Bro. Henrry in the head with her fist. Actually Rut is leading the children in a song. She is signing the words to the song along with the kids. Edit is singing and playing the guitar. Family members of the deaf that are hearing, love to have music.

Great Crowd

2010-10-20T22:21:00.000-05:00

Deaf Church

We had a great crowd out at the Deaf Church this evening. I am hoping Thursday and Friday more people will come from the other Churches to support the Missions Conference. The folks were real attentive to the preaching.

Sargento

2010-10-19T17:14:00.000-05:00

My wife and I went to Mega-Maxi grocery store. Our first stop was to pay our electric bill at Produbanco, a bank inside of Mega-Maxi. We then proceeded to Sweet & Coffee to get a couple of Coffees, which we have not done in months. We got our coffees and entered the grocery store; just then from behind me I heard a voice calling out my nickname, "Sargento." Most people in Latin America know me by this nickname.

When I turned around to see who was calling my name it was Luis. Luis is a man I met up in Mapasingue on a Thursday while out soul-winning. Luis is all of about 5'4" tall if you put him on a stretch rack and maybe weighs about 95 lbs. I'll tell you later why I described his stature to you. My wife and I spent the next hour in the entrance of the grocery store listening to some of the exciting hunts this man was privileged to be a part of. Kim and I both enjoyed his stories, as he is great at recounting what happened on a hunt.

The first time I met Luis, he was really busy working on a jig saw trying to repair it. I offered him a tract and told him who I was. He did not seem interested at all and told me he was busy. The next week me and my team were working some houses just about a block away. I began to hear, "Sargento, Sargento, hey Sargento." I turned around and there was Luis standing out in the middle of the road with a beautifully mounted head of a 12 point buck. I ran up the road to his house, thinking to myself, am I really seeing what I think I am seeing. I said "Luis, where did you get that?" and "Who gave that to you?"

I think I saw some buttons fly off of his shirt in the chest area. He said, "I shot him with my gun." I asked him if he had gone hunting in the States to shoot that deer. I began to get a quick lesson of all the animals that hunters hunt here in Ecuador. I was shocked and maybe even having some jealousy pains.

What we have here is a little man that is a big hunter. This man is an avid hunter and will talk about hunting for hours on end. He even makes money hunting for other people.

Please pray for Luis, he is not saved yet. He is drawn to me because I love to hunt. As he draws closer to me I want to draw him to the one who can save his soul.

Special Gift from Perú

2010-10-17T16:18:00.000-05:00

Pastor Henrry Morales Merino and me

Pastor Henrry is here to preach the Missions Conference this coming week at Iglesia Bautista de Maranata de Sordos. He is a hearing Pastor and Michael will be translating in sign language for him.

We have had a good time together, he loves to joke around like I do. After Church we were joking around with the deaf kids and having a good time. A couple of the boys were showing us their action packed karate moves.

I taught in Sunday School and Pastor Henrry preached both services. The idea is to use him while we got him here. He is a good preacher and he also has a good rapport with the folks. He has been a true blessing to me and the deaf Church.

Busy and Rewarding Day

2010-10-16T21:34:00.000-05:00

I was suppose to pick up Pastor Henry arriving from Perú at 8am, but buses are never on time here. He finally arrived at around 10am. My wife and I sat out in the van waiting and my left arm got sunburned. Pastor Henry is here to preach the Missions Conference at Iglesia Bautista de La Maranata (Deaf Church). We had a good talk while traveling from the bus station to the Deaf Church, it is about a thirty minute drive.

At around 11 am one of the preacher boys and I went on visitation in the Pascuales area of Guayaquil. One of the people we shared the Gospel with was a Junior High girl, her deaf mom comes to Maranata. She understood everything perfectly, but did not want to pray. Please pray that she will come to Church tomorrow with her mom. We also visited a deaf boy's family and tried to get them to come to Church tomorrow.

After a few visits in the Pascuales area we headed over to Mapasingue where a lady in her late 60's accepted the Lord as her Savior. To get to her house we had to go up a steep and narrow road (if you knew my weak little KIA van, you would know that this was a miraculous feat), parked my van and then walked another 400 yards up a steep hill. She had a house full of grand kids with one about 3 months old that was not taking the hot sun very well, but despite the disturbances the lady accepted Christ as her Savior.

Me and the preacher boy got back to the deaf church just in time to set things up for the monthly youth meeting. We had a great time with the teens. I was racing one of the teens in a tater sack contest and I had to dive at the finish line to win. It is great for teens to see that they can have good clean fun.

*Yes, I know that most of the time I have photos. I will just have to apologize, because I forgot my camera this morning.

The Lord Did It Again!

2010-10-14T17:56:00.000-05:00

Kati

We are very thankful that this 14 year old girl who accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. Kati is standing behind the metal bars to her front porch. Please pray that she will come to Church and accept some discipleship. It is a real blessing to be able to work for the Lord in the Mapasingue area of Guayquil. It tears me up every time I look from the hill at all the houses in this area. I pray to the Lord for more workers in the southern part of Ecuador.

Weird But Good Week So Far

2010-10-14T17:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was going to the tire store over by the airport when this knuckle-head darts into my lane. I raised my hand to honk the horn, but the problem was my hand did not come out of the bag of almonds I had. Oh, well at least the almonds did not spill.
On the way back from the tire store I was trying to get on the road called "Calle de Bomberos", but the traffic was blocked and horns were blaring every where. It was two jay-birds parked in the middle of the road screaming at each other out the windows. Then one guy finally took off and that's when the second guy began acting tough and jumped out of his car. Problem was he was still blocking half the road.

Last night at the Deaf Church the bus came straggling in late with half of its exhaust system hanging down on the dirt road. It is going to the welders shop to be fixed. We had to call Olga's son and tell him to bring their school bus to get the folks home.

He Must Have Known Moses

2010-10-10T18:44:00.000-05:00

Helping José

At each Church service people are chosen to come up front and sing in sign language. This is the first time that I have ever seen José chosen to come up front. Maybe he sings off key in sign language! Ha! Ha! Anyway he is way up in years and it is hard for him to get up and down the steps. Like the champion he is, when they called his name he went up front. He had a hard time choosing a song, so Michael was helping him.

Two Wonderful Servants Of the One and True God

2010-10-10T18:37:00.000-05:00

Denis, me and Michael

Denis is an ordained Preacher from Peru. Denis and his wife are in Ecuador to help at the deaf Church for a couple of years. He and I talked for a long time after lunch exchanging ideas and had a good time. He is a good Preacher and Teacher. I look forward to many good years of friendship with him.

Michael is very special to me, I have known him since our first survey trip to Ecuador in 2005. He is a very faithful and loyal Preacher Boy. He teaches in the deaf school and Sunday school. Michael is engaged to be married in February 2011. Michael and I talked for a long time after Church today about some upcoming things this next week. Michael has surrendered to be a Missionary.

I really love these two servants of the Lord. We had a great time together at camp this last July.

Peek A Boo

2010-10-10T18:23:00.000-05:00

Daniel's youngest son

As everyone was finding their seats and getting ready for the afternoon service this handsome little boy was staring at us through the slats on the back of his chair. I wonder what he was thinking. Maybe he was thinking there is Frosty the snowman and his wife.

He has a couple of cars that you roll backwards to wind them up and he knows how to do it. He is a good kid, but he is a character.

Please Pray for Alejandro

2010-10-10T18:15:00.000-05:00


Alejandro, Me, Elsa and their great niece

If you will remember Alejandro got saved after the morning service two weeks ago. We took them home and on the way home Kim led Elsa to the Lord. They are such a nice couple (muy amable).

I am posting this picture because I am asking you to pray for Alejandro, he has liver cancer. Last week he had 4 liters of water taken out of his stomach.

Kim and I are going to their house in Mapasingue to visit and try to do some discipleship with them this coming Wednesday afternoon.

Six Story Buddhist Temple

2010-10-08T17:33:00.001-05:00

Buddhist Temple in Guayaquil

This 6 story Buddhist temple is near the José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport. It is a couple of blocks south and west of the main road of the airport entrance. This is a Cambodian Buddhist Temple.

One of the members was driving up and gave us a dirty look. He was probably wondering why we were taking pictures of their temple.

There are people from lots of different nations living here in Guayaquil.

The Helper

2010-10-03T18:35:00.001-05:00

I have never seen anyone who loves to help as much as Cesar does. This teenager worked himself to the bone at camp a few months ago. Helping the little kids at camp with things they could not do themselves. Every time you turn around he is helping somebody.

Stick'em Up!

2010-10-03T18:30:00.000-05:00

As my Southern Grandma would always say, "They are showing out!" A couple of the deaf boys showing off as they get ready for the ride home after Church.

Wilson My Little Buddy

2010-10-03T18:25:00.001-05:00

This is Wilson my little deaf friend at the Deaf Church. He was on my team when we went to deaf camp back in July. I love this boy like he is one of my own. He is very intelligent and most things come very easy to him. I'll sure miss him when we go home on furlough in 2011.

The Shadow Visits Our Church

2010-10-03T18:18:00.000-05:00

The man on the left visited our Church for the first time today. (The Shadow was an old radio show from long ago.) This was not my day with the camera.

It's Not Your Eyes, It's My Camera!

2010-10-03T18:15:00.000-05:00

This teenage girl was a first time visitor. I must have moved right as my digital camera was taking the picture.

A Doctor a Day, Keeps The Thieves Away!

2010-10-03T18:07:00.000-05:00

Doc on duty

This is a Doctor that comes to our Church, he is up in his 70's. He is in really good health for his age. He still walks and exercises. He wanted to help out with guard duty and would not take no for an answer. So I told him he could do it today. Myself and another man would check on him periodically.

Other Blog For Ecuador Uprising

2010-10-02T15:55:00.001-05:00

You can read up on the happenings here in Ecuador. I have comments, photos and some Youtube videos.
Go to http://inthump.blogspot.com

Urgent Prayer Request

2010-09-30T11:53:00.001-05:00

At this moment in Ecuador the National Police and Soldiers are on strike, because of benefit cuts. They have seized the airports in Quito and Guayaquil.
The thieves have already begun to work, they have robbed several banks and big chain stores. They are not leaving any stones unturned and are robbing small shops also. I figure once nightfall comes they will begin to pick away at the residential areas.
People are being sent home from work and school.
The Deaf School at the Deaf Church is desperately trying to get the kids home, we can't get out to the Deaf Church because the road is blocked with protesters and some rioting.
Our phones from the States, our local phone and cell phones are all burning up with calls.

Please pray for the people of Ecuador, that this will get resolved quickly.

Full Tummies!

2010-09-26T16:04:00.000-05:00

People coming back in from lunch and getting ready for the afternoon service. Heat and a full stomach sure makes it hard for some to stay awake. There was a 105 people in attendance this morning.

Look at That Big Ostrich Egg!

2010-09-26T15:59:00.000-05:00

Oh! That is a soccer ball! Getting some game time in with people more in my league. They are the only ones willing to get sweaty in between morning services and afternoon services.

Is She About to Pick Something Here?

2010-09-26T15:55:00.000-05:00

No, Kim is singing in Ecuadorian sign language during the afternoon service. Ecuadorian sign is in Spanish of course, but there are a lot of the signs that are the same for ASL.

Scripture Memory

2010-09-26T15:50:00.000-05:00

This is during the main service. We opened with two songs, then adults and children came up front to sign their verses.

Stink!

2010-09-24T10:36:00.001-05:00

I took my camera out to get a photo of me and Juan, the older man that got saved last week, but my camera batteries were dead. We spent some time in discipleship with him and he is a great listener and curios about the Bible.

We walked up one of the side streets and began knocking on doors. One house had a big gate out front and the house sat back on the lot a little ways. I wondered if anyone would hear us as we knocked on the large steel gate, but just about that time their dogs showed up and helped us by barking. A young lady named Rubí came to the gate, she was very shy. She listened to the Gospel and had some questions, but in the end she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior.

Yeehaa Cowboy !

2010-09-19T17:52:00.001-05:00

This afternoon Alejandro accepted Christ as his Savior right after the Church service. Kim and I wound up giving them a ride home. Kim and Elsa sat in the back seat of the van. Kim was able to lead Elsa to the Lord. They are both excited about having a home in Heaven now.
They are a very nice older couple.

On The Road Again!

2010-09-19T17:38:00.000-05:00

The smaller of the the two buses used in the bus ministry to pick up the deaf for Church.

Baptized Deaf Girls

2010-09-19T17:34:00.000-05:00

These five girls got baptized after service today. Bro. Bradley is the Missionary standing behind them.

Love Birds

2010-09-19T17:29:00.000-05:00

Michael asked Edit for her hand in marriage this morning at the Deaf Church. Michael is a Preacher Boy and Edit teaches at the Deaf School.
They make a very good couple and are both really kind people that love the Lord.
I teased Edit and told her Michael got the ring out of a bubble gum machine.

Pancho Villa Lives!

2010-09-19T17:25:00.000-05:00

Wait that is not Pancho Villa, that is Fabricio Z. on guard duty. We have to have a guard for our cars, so different men in the Church takes turns. We have had 4 cars of our members robbed. Some thieves even got the computer ( brain) of one of the vehicles.

Certified

2010-09-19T17:19:00.000-05:00

These young people made it through Paco's class and are receiving a certificate.

Hot Dog!

2010-09-16T18:27:00.000-05:00

The plastic man gets saved! No he is not a super Hero, just a sinner saved by grace. Ricardo and his son collect plastic to take to the recycle facilities. He was busy gathering plastic when we stopped to tell him about Jesus. He got things right with the Lord right there on the spot, it did not matter that there were about 15 people gathered around. He did not have a Bible at home so we gave him one of the Bibles Kim and I had already bought for occasions just like this. He is one of three people that got saved today, along with a lady that got reassurance of her salvation.

Bring It On!

2010-09-16T18:16:00.001-05:00

Juan answered every question correctly about being a sinner, repenting and asking Jesus to be your Savior. He just never had done it, but he was ready today. We witnessed to him on the street and then he asked us to come into his home so he could pray and ask the Lord to save him. He wants us to come back next week to learn more about the Bible.

Mama Gets Saved

2010-09-16T18:10:00.000-05:00

This young mother named Monica realized her need for a Savior. We spent a long time telling her about the Gospel. She said she had never heard it before.

Super Paco

2010-09-15T17:22:00.000-05:00

Well you have heard of an all around cowboy, well Paco is our all around Preacher Boy. He is a big blessing to all of us here at Iglesia Bautista de La Fe.
He is getting ready to preach in Children's Church.

Sam the Ham That I Am!

2010-09-15T17:18:00.000-05:00

Sam Wheelock putting out a little ham himself. They are fired up for Children's Church on a beautiful Sunday morning.

Little Girls

2010-09-15T17:15:00.000-05:00

These girls are enjoying Children's Church and maybe hamming it up just a little.

Arturo

2010-09-15T17:12:00.000-05:00

What is this guy doing? This is Arturo on Sunday morning guard duty. Behind that wall is the street named Bombero.

First Time Visitor

2010-09-15T17:08:00.000-05:00

I believe this is Fabian's brother, he came with his Dad. We are all praying for him.

Families

2010-09-05T14:30:00.000-05:00

What makes our Church great? The families that we have. The Minchala family is just one of the great families that we have.

Special Music Today

2010-09-05T14:09:00.000-05:00

The Farfan family sang a great special for today. They have been a blessing to the Church and like to serve the Lord.

Visitor

2010-09-05T14:04:00.000-05:00

This lady is a first time visitor. If all of our first time visitors from the last couple of years joined the Church, we would have to move to a new building.

Guard Duty

2010-09-05T14:01:00.001-05:00

Arturo gets a little help with guard duty from his fiance.

Urgent Prayer Request

2010-09-01T11:50:00.000-05:00

Please pray for Anita Bradley, the wife of Ray Bradley. She has been in the hospital for about a week and has had two emergency surgeries. She is having problems with her intestinal tract.
The Bradley's have the deaf Church out on the edge of town here in Guayaquil.They are great people and great Missionaries.
I am asking everyone who reads this to put her on your prayer list at Church.

With This Many Preachers, There Could Be Some Preaching!

2010-08-23T16:48:00.000-05:00

What a line-up!

Three Ecuadorian Churches and one Peruvian Church are represented here.
From left to right are: Missionary Ray Bradley, Pastor Henry, Pastor Tito, Missionary Kenny Cantrell, Preacher Boy Michael, Missionary Ken Wheelock, Preacher Boy Paco.
I do not know how Brother Andrés from Peru did not get in this picture. Bro. Andrés came with Pastor Henry.

Peruvian Pastor Slams It In Ecuador

2010-08-23T16:39:00.000-05:00

Pastor Henry

Pastor Henry preached a great message on God's children and how they should act. He pulled no punches in his preaching. He will be leaving Tuesday and heading back to Lima, Peru.

Special Music

2010-08-23T16:33:00.000-05:00

Paco sings with IB de La Gracia

Paco (on the right) our Preacher Boy from Iglesia Bautista de La Fe sings a couple of specials with Iglesia Bautista de La Gracias led by Alex.
Left to right Viviana, Olga, Alex, Carlos and Paco.
(Viviana and Alex are Pastor Tito's children)

Beautiful Song About Missionaries

2010-08-23T16:26:00.000-05:00

Ladies Of IB de La Gracia

The ladies of Iglesia Bautista de La Gracia did a great job singing this special about Missionaries. Pastor Titos wife is playing the guitar.

It Coud Not Be Stopped!

2010-08-19T18:37:00.000-05:00

Diana received Christ as her Savior today, not even the flu could stop it. She is normally not at home during the hour we were working her neighborhood, but because she was sick she was there.
I knew she was not feeling well, but she wanted to continue on. She might have been physically sick, but she got completely cured spiritually. Amen!

Group Photo

2010-08-15T22:53:00.000-05:00

After the evening service at IBG

From left to right are Ken Wheelock, George Dickens, Pastor Tito and Kenny Cantrell. Pastor Dickens, his wife and granddaughter are all flying back to the States in the morning. (This is Heather Wheelock's Dad, mom and niece.)

Preacher Boy

2010-08-15T22:44:00.000-05:00

This is me and Frank after Sunday night service. Frank is one of the Preacher Boys over at Iglesia Bautista de La Gracia (Pastor Titos Church).

Frank has a wife and a small son. Please pray that God will use him in a great way.

Another One

2010-08-15T17:28:00.000-05:00

This young man has been to one of our Teen activities, but this is his first time to an actual Church service. Praise the Lord!