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Roughts-Prayer request from Gretchen

September 29, 2009 in Missionary Updates, Ryan and Gretchan Rought by Katie Crigger

Dear 10-19 Partners,

I write quickly this evening just to share a brief prayer request with you.

Saturday afternoon I was not feeling well. The Lord prompted me to head outside to enjoy some time with the girls and Ryan out in the sun. My back was saying, ‘If you move, it is going to hurt.” My heart was saying, “Just get up and go.”

Within 30 seconds of joining my husband and my girls, the Lord showed me that it was indeed His Holy Spirit prompting me.

I was introduced to Melissa, a beautiful young Costa Rican woman. Single mom. 29 years old. 7 year old adorable daughter. 3 year old precious little boy. Eight months pregnant. In a “serious” relationship with the father of her unborn baby, yet no talk of marriage. The father: a 37 yr old American she’d met while he vacationed in CR. Let’s call him “Josh.”

Within moments the conversation turned to spiritual things, and I began sharing with her some of what the Lord had been laying on my heart in regards to my messages for TACTICA’s women’s conference this October. We connected in a unique way, despite that the conversation was only 40 minutes long.

Ryan and I agreed, Okay, so this couple is definitely now on our “Top 10 Most Wanted List”, as we like to call it. You know, those people you see the Lord working in and you watch the person wrestle with what God is revealing of Himself. It is an exciting time when you have the great privilege of accompanying someone on the journey of answering the question that Jesus asked Peter, “but Who do YOU say that I AM?”

Yesterday as I was wrapping up some closing comments for one of the women’s conference sessions, I was interrupted by a knock at my door.

Melissa stood there. You could tell she had not slept. Her eyes were swollen from having spent the night crying. “Josh” had left that morning, returning to the States after his regular monthly visit with his pregnant girlfriend. He announced he wanted his freedom and would not be coming back.

Isolation. Abandonment. Rejection. Fear. Rage. Bitterness.

Her emotions were poured out in my living room as she recounted her past with me. I hate that the indescribable painful stories of wounded women no longer surprise me. I hate that it is almost something I’ve come to expect to hear after meeting a women the Lord brings into my life. I hate it and it makes me so angry.

I ask that you join Ryan and myself in praying for Melissa. I was able to share the entire Gospel with her yesterday and shared that Jesus is my sole source of hope in a world where people, jobs, family, and reputations fail us. The idea of a source of hope caused her to look up and ask me point blank, “But how can I have what you have? That hope? Not just believing in Him but actually believing Him?”

She spent over an hour with me again today as her tears spilled over my dining room table. In between moments of rejoicing over kicks in her womb from her unborn baby, I was able to open God’s Word with her and show her directly from the Source what the difference is between knowing about God and KNOWING God.

She promised to come by again. She lives only 7 houses down from us. She left saying, “I don’t want to be a bother to you and Ryan- like some needy lady- but I need you to show me the way to Jesus.”

My heart is heavy and excited, all at the same time. I have offered her support in the next weeks as she awaits the birth of her daughter as a single mom. Furthermore, I have offered her the Truth and am praying that it will be what she allows to set her free.

I thank you in advance for your prayers. I do believe that the angels will soon be rejoicing over this one sinner that repents.

By His grace alone,

Gretchen Rought

Roughts Update-August

August 25, 2009 in Ryan and Gretchan Rought by Katie Crigger

Dearest TACTICA 10-19 Partners,

We are wrapping up our time in Michigan quickly this afternoon as we zip closed the last three carry-on pieces and weigh … repack … and re-weigh the check-ins…ah, the joys of furlough traveling J . But all joking aside, this summer has been overwhelmingly full of blessings and joy. We return to the field with a renewed sense of the calling on our lives and a very clear vision for where the Lord is leading our family as well as TACTICA Ministries.

We were able to spend the much desired quality time with both of our fathers, and praise God that He has blessed them both with stable health conditions. The girls made numerous unforgettable memories with both of their grandpas and grandmas, and we cherished every one of those moments all the more.

We have much on our plates in the coming 8 weeks. We desperately need you to be praying for several things. We strongly believe that only through your prayers and God’s provision will the next two to three months see TACTICA Ministries serving the King of kings with excellence, let alone in a fashion that encourages a balanced life, humility and purpose in our service.

We fly out of Detroit tomorrow morning, August 21^st.

Last year, we were welcomed home by a vehicle that had become the host of 1 -2 centimeter thick fuzzy, gray mold all over the upholstery, seat belts…even the dashboard. After hours of “decontamination” and buckets of Clorox, we were able to get back to work at unpacking and preparing the girls for the 1^st day of school. The humidity and excessive rain of the Costa Rican “winter” is so very harsh, especially if you are not there to run regular “mold-maintenance.” Please pray for our home and vehicle to have remained mold-free and a healthy living environment

It was approximately one year ago that Miranda took a terrible turn with her asthma and we began an eight-month battle with nebulizers and ER visits.

Today, she is doing amazingly well and is in “maintenance mode”…please pray for Miranda Joy and Adrianna to remain stable despite the drastic changes in climate and living conditions that they will be experiencing in the coming weeks.

October 2009 Team TACTICA is preparing and currently raising support for their October 16 – 26^th ministry time in Costa Rica. The team of 13 will provide evangelism and training for the Costa Rican federal investigation’s unit. Additionally, several wives are joining the team as we have a Police Wife’s Conference planned.

Pray for their financial needs, that they may have a solid walk with Christ, disciplined time in God’s Word, and that God would bless us with a unique sense of team unity which communicates the love of Christ to the Costa Ricans.

God has been working in and through TACTICA Ministries this summer, many times in ways that have been surprising and extremely exciting.

Please “Stay Tuned” as we begin sharing in the coming months how the Lord is working and our vision and strategy for the ministry.

Needs for the Team TACTICA October 2009: Please pray for hassle-free (hmmm, don’t laugh at that one J ) acquisition of the countless items and business contacts - each could potentially be a “Four-Day time thief” considering capital city traffic, the occasional un-returned phone calls and simply a lack of contacts… We have less than 8 weeks…but God is the Author of time! May we honor Him and be faithful to share Him while we endeavor to take care of each of these needs. We rejoice in the Lord and His goodness, grace and mercy in our lives. Many, many of you have made our mini-furlough a time of spiritual grown, reflection, ministry focusing and refreshment. We praise God for a circle of supporting churches and individuals that continue to be faithful to the Gospel in times when some are tempted to bend and sway from solid, biblical Truth. Our hearts do overflow with gratitude for allowing us to have you in our lives. In Christ’s service, Ryan and Gretchen, Adrianna and Miranda Joy P.S. Attached is a photo of Adrianna and Miranda Joy cheering for a favorite team…

DeVall Update August 12

August 25, 2009 in Richard and Stephanie DeVall by Katie Crigger

Dear Prayer Warriors,

I had asked you to pray for our trip to San Marcos awhile back. We were not able to make it on the scheduled time due to a death in the church here in Vallegrande and I being asked to do a graveside service. Please pray for the Guzman family as they adjust to this loss. Sister Benigna had not been faithful to services recently but in the past had made a profession of faith. She has several relatives who attend the church and others who are very catholic.

Monday Larry Shetter and I did make the trip to San Marcos, we were able to present the reasons for putting an airstrip into the community and also we had a small service. Most of those who attended were intent as I presented the Gospel and one man seemed obviously upset by the truth of the Gospel. Please pray for this settlement and the 75 residents that call it home. Today one of the women who was in the meeting arrived in Vallegrande to let me know that the community does want to put in an airstrip and that they are trying to work out a land deal with someone who owns the land right next to the school for the airstrip.

Please pray for the following people who live in San Marcos, Juan Sandoval, Edil Sejas, Dalcy Sejas, Adan Sejas, Condido and Margarita, Bano another man by the name of Juan. These are the names that I remember of the adults who where in the meeting.

We are planning the Bible conference for the Christian Baptist Church of Vilcas for September 17-19. Please remember this in your prayers. Please remember to pray for Jhonny and Saida to get their paperwork situation taken care of before the confernece.

Please continue to pray for the “delicate situation” as it has not been resolved yet.

Please continue to pray for Pastors for the churches in Vilcas and Vallegrande.

Saved to Serve,

Richard DeVall and family

Baptist Pioneer Mission
P.O. Box 5114
Kincheloe, MI. 49788
906-495-5203

July 2009 DeVall Update

July 17, 2009 in Richard and Stephanie DeVall by Katie Crigger

July 13, 2009,

Dear Prayer Warriors,

It has been a while since I wrote. No excuses it just has been. I thank the Lord for this medio of communication email and that we can take advantage of it. Your prayers are greatly needed and appreciated. For the last 3 weeks we have had a Crown College student Nathan Thomas with us. It was a blessing to spend time with him and allow him to see the type of ministry we have first hand. We both had a first experience in that one Sunday he preached for the first time with a translator and I translated for the first time. Over all it went well.

The brethern in Vilcas continue to attend faithfully and seem to be making some steps forward in their walk with the Lord. However there is a very delicate situation that I ask prayer for. I do not feel liberty to share details at this time, but do ask that you pray. The Lord knows the details.

Please pray for my oldest daughter Rebekah, Wednesday she will be teaching for the first time. Not only will this be her first time to teach a BIble lesson, she will be doing so in sign language. She has chose the story of David and Goliath although it is well know I am sure that the Lord will use this opportunity to teach her something and also teach the deaf. It is a joy to see her desire to learn more sign language and use what she is learning for the Glory of the Lord.

We continue to experience problems with the airplane, however, it seems that this time it is a fuel contamination problem. We are not sure what to do at this point or how to get good fuel. Please pray that the Lord would give wisdom in all the decision making process concerning the aviation ministry.

Once again your prayers are invaluable to the ministry here. Please continue to keep us before the thrown of grace.

Saved to Serve,

Richard DeVall and family

I Thess. 5:24

Baptist Pioneer Mission
P.O. Box 5114
Kincheloe, MI. 49788
906-495-5203

July 2009 Wyant Prayer Letter

July 17, 2009 in Gordon and Cindy Wyant by Katie Crigger

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Greetings from Michigan,

I have just returned from Chad Africa after 12 days of experiences that are difficult to convey. However let me say that this trip helped me see the importance of literacy training in conjunction with Bible translation.

Three of us went to Chad via Paris. Once in Chad we caught a ride with MAF to Sahr. After 2 1/2 hours in a small mission airplane we arrived at our translation center for Chad. Two of my colleagues taught a literacy class for five days with the intention of establishing a national literacy coordinator. Meanwhile I interviewed two of our office workers who are manually inputting,digitally, on a computer all of our 8 language translation projects.

I was able to visit and encourage Mrs. Ouya Bongo the wife of the national translator and language consultant who drowned early this year. She still has her children even though the culture allows the husband’s family the right to remove the children. Her needs are simple yet profound if you do not have an income source. After visiting we went to a Francophone church and enjoyed a sweet African worship service.

Chad will be a model for our other countries and translation works once we complete the translation center. Good progress is being made on the center, however with staff furloughs and medical needs these things are causing setbacks. So our goal is to have the facility workable in 18 months. With this center it will bring all our office work and consulting efforts for Chad into one location. We will have better and more reliable power then we are experiencing in Sahr.

Thank you for praying and caring. I spoke to Mrs. Ouya Bongo and told her that many in America are praying for her. She expressed her sincere appreciation. Enclosed is an attachment with a picture of Mrs. Ouya and 6 of her 7 children. There is also a picture of the graduation class and the goat roast of which we were invited guests.

Lastly for those who have followed the Waalii translation effort we can now say praise the Lord! We have successfully finished the translation and checking. It is off to the printer with plans for a presentation ceremony in Ghana that is scheduled for November of 2009. Thank you for praying for us and for this Bible. Praise God this language has a Bible for the masses.

We will be leaving tomorrow, July 15th for a trip into Canada and then returning through Wyoming and back to Michigan. It will be a time to visit some supporters and also spend a day in LaRonge Saskatchewan where we began our first ministry. Hopefully we can look up some of the people who were saved when we were there if they are still in the area. Our children want us to take lots of pictures as they have many fond memories of LaRonge and the friends they had and years they spent in the Canadian North.

As always we are humbled by the goodness of the Lord as he continues to supply our needs day by day. His mercy and love is never ending. Your prayers and gifts are so appreciated. We thank you for being a part of our lives and ministries these many years that we have served with BMM.

Serving with you for Christ’s Glory,

Gordon and Cindy Wyant Bibles International

8144 W. 112^th St. Baptist Mid Missions

Grant, Michigan 49327

231-924-3126

DeVall Update – July 2008

July 25, 2008 in Richard and Stephanie DeVall by Kipp Crigger

July 18, 2008

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Tomorrow (Saturday) we are heading to Postrervalle and Vilcas as a family. The last time we did this on our return trip the road fell out from under the jeep. I am sure my wife is a little concerned. However, they have recently graded the road. Please remember us in your prayers as we travel. We hope to spend some time visiting and encouraging the believers especially in Vilcas.

Please pray for Brother Ruben Terrazas and his wife Dorilda. She has Read the rest of this entry →

Roughts – July 2008 Update

July 23, 2008 in Ryan and Gretchan Rought by Kipp Crigger

Dear 10-19 Partners of TACTICA,

The team of Berean youth returned to Michigan this past week, and we are now preparing heavily for Team TACTICA September 2008! It is always a joy to share how God is working, the fruit that He is bringing, and the ways that He is growing us along the journey. Read the rest of this entry →

Parmenter – May/June 2008 Update

July 9, 2008 in Missionary Updates, Parmenters by Kipp Crigger

SHARING THE CROWN OF LIFE
Parmenters and the Mission to the Czech Republic
Adam, Marge, Maryellen, & Michael – ABWE Missionaries to the Czech Republic

UPDATE
(adam@parmenterclan.com)
In March, time seemed to stand still or perhaps evaporate, and suddenly it’s July. As I’ve written earlier, in February, Marge’s father, Henry Blunier, died and passed on to eternal life with Jesus Christ our Lord. Marge has been healing emotionally as have the rest of the family.

Then mid March my father, Allen Parmenter, was getting treatment for a leg ulcer and leg pain. The pain medication made him dizzy and he fell and hit his head resulting in a head injury. I was there for two weeks at their winter Arizona home to help get him out of the nursing home and deal with some serious patient care issues. I’m happy to say that mom Read the rest of this entry →

Devall Missionary Update – June 30th, 2008

July 1, 2008 in Richard and Stephanie DeVall by Kipp Crigger

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Just a quick update to let you know we are still alive and serving our Savior. Praise the Lord with us for the different gifts we received to help us pay for the repairs on the jeep. It has been paid for!

Services went well this week in Vilcas. Although our numbers were down and other than myself only one man attended, we are greatful for the response to the Word and the working of the Holy Spirit.

This Friday I wll be preaching here in Read the rest of this entry →