On Mission with Central Baptist Carthage

Romania/Ukraine International Mission Trip 2010

2010-12-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

In Romania we held both a men and women conference. The women talked about each of us being the light of the world. The men heard messages and testimony about what mission is all about and practical ways to be on mission with God. In the Ukraine we spent time with the two different groups of men answering their life questions with scriptural references. The women did crafts and heard evangelistic messages that brought them to a saving knowledge of Christ. In the Ukraine one individual accepted Christ as a result of the conference which lead to a wedding the next day. What blessing and treat for the team.

Marie giving her testimony

Passing out tracks announcing conferences

Arrived Safely

Team enjoying Lane's contribution

Team inspecting New Baseball Equipment

Street evangelism in Ukraine

Jerry Coaching Baseball Team

the Romanian Baseball team with the Texas Mission Team

Men's Conference at Farci Church

Ladies Conference in Romania

Ladies Conference at Farci Church

Ate with Brother Vali.

Ralph Marshall leading singing in Romanian.

Romanian ladies with Marie, Debra (missionary) and Ann.

Setting up for Conference.

Visiting Orphanage & Family dealing with effects of Chernobl

2009-07-16T06:57:00.000-07:00

Ukraine - Preaching & Sharing in Churches

2009-07-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

2009-07-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

Kiev (Key-V) Ukraine

yes, its real

yes, we had to stop

city market

one Ukraine church

Pastors

Ukraine - Day 1

2009-07-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

Had a very blessed day! Visited with Ukrainian pastors about preaching opportunities coming up. We were and will be working within 20 miles of Chornobyl (Чорнобиль), the home of the 1986 nuclear power disaster. Please continue to pray for the mission team.

Ukraine - The team has arrived

2009-07-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

The team arrived this afternoon (Monday 2pm) via Malev (Hungarian) Airlines. Our plans are now in the process of prayer walking some of the villages outside of Kiev. We will also lead the men and women's conferences and youth seminars. Continue to pray for us as we look for every opportunity to do God's will. I will post pictures as I can.

in his service,

John

Romania, Narrative - Conferences & follow-up

2009-07-12T03:13:00.000-07:00

The men and women's conferences were held on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Ann & Debra Richardson led the women and I led the men with Steve Richardson as my steady sidekick. The theme was "The Biblical Characteristics of Marriage & the Family". There were 80 women and 25 men in attendance.

Sunday we are following up the conferences in two churches Betania and Fantanele ( a small village outside Arad).

Romania - Men's Conference

2009-07-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

Romania - Women's Conference

2009-07-11T06:58:00.000-07:00

Romania, trip to youth camp

2009-07-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Romania, prayer meeting for Conference

2009-07-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

Romania, the building - 3rd, 2nd floor & stairwell

2009-07-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

Romania, the building - WOM room & 1st floor

2009-07-10T11:58:00.001-07:00

Narrative Romania Day 1

2009-07-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

We all ate lunch at Betania Baptist Church and were greeted by the Texas and Romanian flags (see picture). Then the mascot needed some ear rubbing, Eliescu the dog. You don't offically get into the Church grounds without greeting the mascot (picture). Later met with the Pastor Brother Vallie concerning the order of the conference. The ladies began setting for their conference (see before & after pictures). Steve (missionary) and I went to the Romanian answer to "Lowe's" for last minute purchases. Oh, by the way notice the hand rail on the steps that last year's VBS purchased (picture). In short it was a long day!

1st Day Romania

2009-07-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Flight over

2009-07-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

(This is Amsterdam Airport)

Left Dallas Monday at 3pm 9 hour flight to Amsterdam,

then 2.5 to Budapest. We stayed in Budapest 1 day

then 3 hour drive to Arad, Romania.

We arrived in Arad on Wednesday Afternoon.

Mission Trip to Romania & Ukraine

2009-07-03T17:29:00.001-07:00

Kenneth Wayne Denniston
(October 2, 1942 - July 1, 2009)

Just like "Barnabas" (the son of encouragement) in the New Testament, Kenneth encouraged others toward the study of, involvement in and going on missions.

Kenneth and Marie were scheduled to go on the trip to Arad, Romania and Kiev, Ukraine next week. His untimely death will make the trip bittersweet. I therefore dedicate this trip to the memory of Kenneth Denniston.

Mission Trip to Quemado

2009-06-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Seven of us went ot Quemado June 8-12th, 2009. We worked at the Cornerstone Children's Home where Steve and Laurie Mercer are the directors. The home is 26 miles north of Eagle Pass & 35 south of Del Rio right on the Rio Grande River. Several of our team transferred beans from 2,000 lb. bags of beans into wal mart bags (3,000 lbs of beans were handed out on wednesday in just one morning), they painted the director's office, also cleaned rooms; while others of us worked on constructing a 30X40 steel building.

Border Mission Trip to Quemado

2009-06-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

Thailand Missionary Ryan Roe Visits Central Baptist

2009-05-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

Ryan shared his ministry

Steve followed up with a thank you

Tex Ryan and me

Ryan's parents (Steve & Judy)

The Welcoming Committee
Ryan is right of center

Galveston: Day 4

2009-03-21T18:29:00.001-07:00

Galveston: Day 3

2009-03-21T17:42:00.001-07:00

Galveston: Day 2

2009-03-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

Galveston: More Day 1

2009-03-17T12:41:00.001-07:00

Galveston: Pictures Day 1

2009-03-17T12:13:00.001-07:00

Carthage Group: Carthage Missionary, Southside & Central Baptist, 1st Methodist & Panola Baptist Student Missions

House #1 - needs scraping & painting

House #2 - needs complete restoration

House #3 needs complete restoration

House #4 needs complete restoration

Backyard Bible Clubs (AM & PM)

Galveston Spring Break Mission Trip

2009-03-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

We have 105 people working at four sites: rebuilding a house completely devastated by Hurricane Ike; a second group scraping and painting a house; a third group installing wiring a two locations (one a preacher's house, another a 90 year old handicapped women's home); then a fourth group installing dry wall at another preachers house, finally we had many, including students from the Panola BSM, do Backyard Bible Clubs both in the morning and afternoon. Praise God we are busy and accomplishing much. Pictures this afternoon!

In Christ Service,

John

Galveston here we come.....

2009-03-06T07:15:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Only one week till the big trip...are you ready? Here are a few pictures from our trip to Galveston last week...enjoy, and start packing your bags!

Galveston Mission Trip (Spring Break 2009)

2009-03-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

Four local Churches and Panola's BSM are cooperating together to rebuild the future of Galveston, Texas. Central Baptist Church, Carthage Missionary Baptist Church, First Methodist Church, Southside Baptist Church and Panola Baptist Student Ministries are venturing to Galveston over Spring Break 2009 (March 16-20). With around 100 volunteers to our credit, we will be a part of an army of over 2,000 from 45 Churches helping the people of Galveston in Jesus name. You can help too as you read this blog by praying for our fellowship, efforts, safety & protection.

Thailand: from a jungle to an awning

2008-08-08T01:50:00.000-07:00

Getting the Bamboo!

Getting to the house!

Building it back at the House!

Thailand: Visiting Kar'in Village

2008-08-07T01:09:00.001-07:00

Main Street
Discount Tire (notice the employee asleep in bay #1)
7/11
Local laundramat

shack

satellite dish

banana tree

We reached the summit for lunch

The Village from 1 mile up

Thailand: Tueng Prison

2008-08-05T20:16:00.001-07:00

Tuesday the team entered the 300 men facility. The prison is about 1 hour south of Chiang Rai. There were 30 men in attendance. Most are in there for drugs. (This is the #1 avenue for opium traffic.)

I apologize for the team picture. They took our valuables at the entrance and only one camera was used and they took all the pictures.

The service consisted of basic church songs, personal (prisoner) testimonies, then Kenneth gave his testimony and John brought the message. Lek was our translator.

Pray for the Christian community within the walls of this prison. God loves them too!

Thailand: Baan Doo School (Grades 5-6)

2008-08-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

Cut fruit & vegetables
School Band

School Rice Field

Thailand: CALL FOR PRAYER!

2008-08-05T18:54:00.000-07:00

I am certain many of you have wondered why I have not posted since Friday. One, we have been busy, but also things have been happening.

I normally do not talk opening like this but please bear with me. We have come under serious spiritual attack. As I have read Michael Johnson's (Baan Athitaan Church Pastor) newsletter he has made it clear that God has been moving among the people of northern Thailand. Our time here has certainly been in God's timing too. Praise God...27 souls were added to the kingdom on Sunday! Satan is not happy with that! Let me explain.

1) The weather has not been very cooperative. The entire team has found ourselves to tire quickly because of the combination of heat & rain but push through.

2) Sunday Satan raised the stakes! Brewer came down with food posioning and had to be admitted to the hospital on Monday. Our schedule has had to be modified somewhat. Ann & I have a slighter case of it too. Ann has made due to stay with Brewer. I have had to make due in order to stay with the team. Brewer will be in the Hospital until he can keep down food and the antibiotics.

3) Michael's car now has clutch problems.

4) There are other spiritual situations but I will not even explain right now.

This is a call for prayer! Serious Godly prayer. If you have ever in your life prayed this is the time. Don't delay as you read this get on your knees and pray!

Pray for the Texas team: Kenneth, Marie, Karen, Brewer (in particular), Ann & John.

Pray for the Baan Athitaan team: Michael, Hope, (their children), Ped, Phet, Aew, Ja, Lek, Kim, Allison, Bum (Boom), Gae, Nun.

Our needs are: health, healing, protection, God's vision, endurance, strength to complete the mission, spiritual warfare (as we see God moving and know that Satan has been attacking).

Thailand: Pbaa Daeng Witaya School (Grades 7-9)

2008-08-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

Thailand: Visiting Grace Children's Home

2008-08-01T18:54:00.000-07:00

This is the new home for the orphanage we visited the last time we came to Thailand. They are now in the middle of downtown Chiang Rai and in a much smaller and not as nice facility. They have 39 girls and 21 boys with a staff of 6. As you can see "Auntie Marie" (with help) cooked spaghetti. Brewer & Karen helped serve the children. Ann brought a message to the children which was translated by Michael Johnson. As we left Marie was overwhelmed with hugs!
It was a good time!

Thailand: Nangbuadang School (Grades 1 - 5)

2008-07-30T20:56:00.000-07:00

We are sharing with the children about the "American" culture, holidays & sports. This event gives an open door to Baan Athitaan Church to build a relationship with the teachers and the students families. Their "Grace Language School" is very popular with a nation interested in learning English and becomes a vehicle to leading others to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Thailand: Texas Team @ Work

2008-07-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

Thailand: "The Lunch Experience"

2008-07-28T01:05:00.001-07:00

Texas Health Department would have a cow!

Day 1: Planning

2008-07-28T00:45:00.000-07:00

Crossing the street from the hotel was a challenge in itself since we are at the opening of the Rajabhat University.

At least we look busy.

Kenneth & Brewer fixing (?) Michael's car.

Thailand: "The Rainy Season"

2008-07-28T00:34:00.000-07:00

It poured on us going to supper on Sunday night!
Michael's car window would not close so we he drove with an umbrella out the window going and a very wet seat returning! Notice he is driving on the wrong side of the road also!

Thailand: Touring the Church & Language School

2008-07-27T23:54:00.000-07:00

Michael Johnson greets us at Grace Language School were they offer ESL

Michael shows us around Baan (house) Athitaan (of prayer) Church sanctuary

Arrival @ Chiang Rai

2008-07-27T23:34:00.001-07:00

Micheal Johnson & Company
meet us at the airport

loading and riding our modern transportation called a "songtaw"!

Our hotel the Baan (house) Doo Hotel
inexpensive, rustic and close to the Church.

Breakfast: eggs and chicken wieners. Eat your heart out Romanian team....
and we paid for this!

Arrival @ Bangkok

2008-07-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

We arrived on Saturday July 26 @ 8:40pm in Bangkok.

We stayed at a hotel at the airport and left for Chiang Rai the next day.

Team Arrived in Bangkok

2008-07-26T09:05:00.001-07:00

I apologize for not having some really sharp picture to post! I just finished flying 12 hours (Dallas to Tokyo) then 6 hours (Tokyo to Bangkok) and have been up over 24 hours. I think everyone who knows me may well think that it is a tremendous undertaking for me to stay awake to get this posting accomplished.

Everything when well to the Lord's credit. The team met up at Nirita (Tokyo) and flew the last leg together. Karen McMath however did get business class accomodation but did come back to see the economy class passengers. I really thought that was big of her. Just a saint in my book wouldn't you agree?! (I did tell her I was going to pick on here for that perk)

We are staying at the airport hotel tonight and leave for Chiang Rai in the morning. I will send pictures as I can. Please keep praying for us and remembering the Mission work being done in Jesus name among the Muang people of Northern Thailand.

In Christ Service,

John

Centrifuge @ North Greenville, Youth Camp July 6 -13

2008-07-10T08:23:00.001-07:00

Touring Budapest

2008-07-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

The Team in front of Heros Square

The Anonymous Monk

The castle on the Buda side of Budapest

An overview of Budapest

The Main Market

The downtown shopping area

We return home tomorrow.

Sunday Services - In Pictures

2008-06-29T13:18:00.000-07:00

The Team gathers in the morning

Ralph sings & gives tesimony

Mixed Choir sings

Ralph & Paul sing in Romanian

Pastor Vali talking to the Congregation

John bringing the Word

Betania Baptist Church, Romania greeting

Central Baptist Church, Texas

How'd he get in the picture?

Saturday - The Men's Conference

2008-06-28T08:56:00.001-07:00

bine ati venit (welcome) The Men's Welcoming Committee!
Ralph Marshall & John Boland

prayer partner proud

Men arriving 10-ish

John (Mr. Powerpoint) notice it's in Romanian

men talking men talk in breakout sessions,
no girly crafty stuff here!

Coffee break time, more manly talk!

Lunch with the Women (brings us back to reality)

Saturday - The Women's Conference

2008-06-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

bine ati venit too Baby! Here's our Women's Welcoming Committee
Melissa Ogden, Lily Marshall & Lynn Puryear

The Women arrive 10-ish

Crafts are a big part of Women conferences

Coffee breaks & conversation are too

Typical Romanian Women

Going to all the world, while making friends!

2008-06-27T04:27:00.000-07:00

Having a great time here in Romania. We made a pact that what goeson in Romania, stays in Romania. Ha. Weather has been beautiful and overcast today with some sprinkles of rain. This has overall been nice because it has somewhat kept the temperatures in check. AC very rare here as compared to US of A. Had a good big breakfast with our host family, Nicolas, Elizabeth and Michaela. Consisted of bread, cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, boiled eggs, hot tea, salami, and ham. My what a good breakfast, will be expecting same from my wife when we get home. LOL.
Today went on tour of downtown Arad and checked out shops and bought some souvenirs. Also went to central market and checked out breads, pastries, and farmer's produce. Prices very inexpensive as compared to US. People here are friendly and want to put on their best for Americans. It helps considerably having Debra, our missionary here to help translate. A real blessing to be here and have chance to visit folks from other nations. Pray for John and my helping to lead men's conference on Saturday, tomorrow. John will be doing the studies and I will be leading the music aspect of the program. It will be interesting ( and potentially embarassing) to sing some of the well-known songs in Romanian. God bless all who read this.
Ralph and Lily Marshall

Romania: What day is it?

2008-06-27T04:19:00.000-07:00

Ciao Baby! So as you can see that I am learning to speak the language with style. I wish that you could have seen our driver Nick's face when I said "CHOW BABY" to him when he picked us up this morning. Now I can not tell you eactly what morning that would be...I think that it is probably Friday. We had our children's program yesterday and it was amazing. I am so honored to have been able to participate in that. WOW...we learned about Jonah! The kids are beautiful and so sweet. They loved the puppets and I wish that you could have been here to see their faces. Cant wait to tell you all about it!

love you all...see you soon!
LYnn

Mexico - In Pictures

2008-06-26T09:18:00.001-07:00

Dryer delivered!

Washer delivered!

Clothes delivered!

New Rabbits & Cages at Casa Hogar

Putting together PETS (PErsonal Transportation Systems)
for handicapped men in Mexico

Testing the new system

Mexican Pastors picking up PETS

Brother Frank ministers in Mexican barrios & prisons
He uses the clothes & food as a witnessing tool.

Pallet of Rice

Romania day 2 - VBS in Pictures

2008-06-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Children were waiting

Lynn talking about Jonah & the Whale

Humm.....some big kids in the crowd?

Sometimes a demonstration helps!

Sometimes not!

Ann helping create a fish

Melissa & Lynn, puppet masters

Brother Vali (Pasor) & Puppets as seen by children

Brother Steve (Missionary) a child at heart

Setting up for Saturday's Conferences

Women's Conference area

Proudly displaying the dinnerware we carried over!

Romania day 1 - in Pictures

2008-06-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

Roman ruins

Rural church being restored

What a blessing to be a member

John & Brother Vali in deep thought

Ladies touring the room adopted by CBC's WOM

Ralph learning to sing in Romanian

Romania Here we are!

2008-06-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

I hate to plan! Why you ask?
1) If you were going to have van problems where would you want them? Would halfway between Beckville & Tatum be close enough to home? No, I am not kidding! Poor Walter had to bring the other van to us (we were one hour late on "our" schedule). We left him standing on the road with a dead van after transferring all the bags to the green van.
2) If you want to park at a remote site at DFW figure it will be "FULL". So will the next cheapest parking area! Of course we had to leave the van next to the terminal.
3) How about getting some sleep on an airplane. NO! Food was good. Attendants were excellent. No turbulence.

The best thing about this part of the trip is the teammembers! They put up with me, my frustration and my crankiness. I praise God for them.

Thanks for your prayers. We are here after 31 hours of no sleep. Planning to get some now.

Good Night!

Bro. John

Romania or Bust...Lynn's Story

2008-06-16T14:58:00.000-07:00

I must have been crazy when I agreed to go to Romania…It sounded like a great idea when it was just an idea, but now past the point of no return I find the whole thing terrifying. The truth is at first I was honored that someone would ask me to help lead a children’s conference…..me of all people, how could I say no to that! However, they failed to mention that this ten day journey on which I would be embarking in June would change the rest of my immediate life. The first task was easy, I could handle getting a passport, and I am now the proud owner of the world’s worst passport picture ever, and I bear that title proudly(just let me know if you would like to see it). The next step I wish I could say was less painful, but unfortunately not so much …. SHOTS! Ok so shots aren’t really a big deal to me but I was a little behind on some of my immunizations and ended up having to get a few more than I was expecting (4 down 1 more to go). So with those very important tasks done I felt as I was off to a pretty good start to my planning, after all there was really only one more things I had to do. Our missions minister who I will call “the turtle” assured me that I was totally capable of handling this particular task with stride, after all finding several thousand dollars to spear is easy….right? So desperate times call for desperate measures, and I have become the queen of odd jobs. I have spent my nights and weekends working in our church activity center, being a nanny for three crazy kids, having garage sales ( which I am totally against), and even more depressingly had to cut back on my shoe addiction. So now not only do I find myself utterly exhausted and wearing the same shoes on a daily basis. To make it even more depressing I am still short . So with only few days to go I still have a lot of work left to do, and many more prayers to pray. We still have to plan our conferences. I still have to convince myself that going to the bathroom on the plane is not that scary. The “turtle” still has to find a way to smuggle 38 boxes of silver wear into Romania. However, the most exciting and terrifying part of the whole experience is how God is going to use ME this summer in Romania….and I can’t wait to tell you about it!

Mexico Mission Trip

2008-06-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

Wow, you would think after 13 years being on mission with God would get "old". However, I have never seen God to fail to produce miracles everytime I enter His mission field.

This year Ann & I were the only ones able to go to Eagle Pass because of scheduling conflicts but appearently that is all God needed. Obviously we did not complete any major construction project but we were able to put together enough personal transportation systems (PETS) to allow 10 men along the Mexico side of the border to experience more freedom than they had seen in several years. A majority of the men had lost both legs and only had use of their arms to get around. These carts will allow these men to get around in all terrains.

Now for the interesting part:
Near Bastrop TX the rear passenger tire of the van unravelled and went flat. It took 3 good samaritans with 2 vehicle jax, a wait at 2 tire stores for 3 hours and 2 new tires to get back on the road. Those that stopped to help us couldn't believe how "loaded" we were (washer, dryer and clothes to the roof is that loaded?).
In Quemado we discovered that the director of the casa hogar which we work with in Piedras Negras needed "tires". We replaced all 4 tires on their van. Two were not the right correct size, the spare was being used and the one it replace was tearing apart. One tire ripped off as it was being replaced. They needed new tires! What a blessing it was to be in the position to be able to provide. So we spent another several hours in the tire shop.
In Bracketsville TX the "check engine" light came on! we limped into another tire store just outside of town. There we met Tom, who volunteers with Baptist Men, he filled our radiator with two quarts of water/antifreeze. We were on the road within an hour.
We returned on Thursday and as soon as I pulled into the Church parking lot all the water and antifreeze leaked out. Everybit!