Thanks for the Prayers

I returned home from China yesterday. My Discovery Trip was very rewarding and successful. Over the next several weeks I would like to tell you about my trip to China and about the people of China.

I do appreciate your prayers for me while I traveled to China. The day that I left for China I was very sick. The 13 hour flight over to China was trying and at times I wonder if I was going to make it. I knew that my church family was praying for me and I felt the Lord's presence as I went to this new frontier.

There was 57 people from the United States that went to China. We represented many of the states on this great country. None of us had met each other before so we had great time meeting new friends. Most of the group was younger than myself but it was good to see some of the energy and excitement that came from this group.

Yesterday, as I got back in Labelle I enjoy seeing some of you about town and I knew I was back home. As I look out at the people of Labelle, I'm grateful God has called me to serve him here in Labelle. I know this is my place of service but opportunities like going to China, help me broaden my vision and challenge me in ways that benefit my ministry. I just want to thank you for allowing me to go to China and your prayers for me and my family while I was away.

Thanks

Recommendation for New Youth Director

Our Search Committee is recommending that Preston Long be our New Full-Time Youth Director. As many of you know Preston is a member of First Baptist Church of Labelle. In the last three years Preston has actively served in our church. He is a Youth Sunday School Teacher, works in our Sound Room Ministry, a Deacon in our church, has worked in our Children's Choir Program, has been part of our Jamaica Mission Team and participates in our Wednesday Night Youth Program.

Preston knows many of our youth and has a relationship with them. On Sunday, June 1st, in our evening service we have called for a special business meeting to vote on Preston as our New Full-Time Youth Director. If the church approves his placement as Youth Director, he will begin Monday, June 2, 2008. Please be in prayer as we take this important step in the life of First Baptist Church.

Mother's Day Offering

This past Sunday, we collected a special offering for the Florida Baptist Children's Home. We have collected $1,057.00 for this Mother's Day Offering. I would like to thank each person and family who contributed to this special offering for the Florida Baptist Children's Home.

Each year this church has participated in offering and I believe we have been bless by it. Just to think that we have helped a child through those young years and gave him Christian House parents to help him or her in their life is a blessing.

Please keep in your prayers the workers and children of the Florida Baptist Children's Home.

Yard Sale

This Saturday, May 17th we will be having a Yard Sale at Parsonage 2 on Bronoc Drive. The proceeds of this Yard Sale with helps us with our expenses for our Mission Trip to Jamaica. The dates for our Mission Trip is July 11-18th. For the last 4 years we have gone to Jamaica to work with churches and conduct Vacation Bible School and do Revival Services at night.

Our Mission Team thanks all who have help with bringing items for our Yard Sale. Please be in Prayer for our team as they prepare for this trip. We have 21 people going this year to Jamaica.

Florida Baptist Children's Home - Mother's Day Offering

The Mother's Day Offering is extremely important in Florida Baptist Children's Homes' ability to serve boys and girls who desperately need a Christian home, good medical care, nourishing food, proper clothes, and education. First Baptist Church of LaBelle has for many years supported this offering to the Children's Home. Sunday, May 11th in our Morning Worship Service we will take a special offering for the Florida Baptist Children's Home.
Please give generously to this Offering.

Myanmar assessment underway in aftermath of Cyclone Nargis

Southern Baptists are moving to respond in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia also known as Burma, early May 3 with winds of up to 120 mph.

The storm knocked out electricity in Yangon, the country's largest city, and left up to 1 million people homeless, according to the Associated Press. The latest death toll stands at 22,000, with another 41,000 missing. The United Nation's World Food Program said some villages have been virtually wiped out and vast rice-growing areas destroyed.

Baptist Global Response and its local partners in Myanmar are trying to get an on-ground assessment of the situation, but the massive disruption of communications and travel ports is making that difficult, said Jeff Palmer, executive director of Baptist Global Response. Stringent rules placed upon foreigners by the military government also complicate matters.

"At this time, BGR is doing all it can to assess and respond to this urgent need," Palmer said. "We have made initial contact with some on-ground partners and have readied funds to be used for food, shelter and other emergency needs.

"It looks, however, as if it will be a few days before we can get government permission and resources in place to respond in an adequate manner," Palmer added. "This seems to be a pattern that all relief and development agencies are experiencing at this point."

"Please pray for the people of Myanmar and those who are suffering. Pray also that we will find ways to get to the people in need in a timely manner."