No Greater Joy!

We are continually receiving weekly reports from home (Honduras) of spiritual growth among the believers as well as growing attendance in several of the works.  Construction of the mission church in Quebrada de Lajas, under the direction of our co-worker and fellow missionary, Jason Stevens, is going very well and the people in that community are excited about having their own church building.  Last month, our evangelistic teams from our main church, Iglesia Bautista Nueva Esperanza (New Hope Baptist Church), saw 25 people in the outlying Lenca communities come to know Christ as their personal Savior!      

Only a pastor, missionary or Sunday School teacher can truly understand the unspeakable joy you feel when you see those whom God has placed under your spiritual care (your “children”,  so to speak), walking in the truth of God’s Word and having a burden to share the Good News of the Gospel with a lost and dying world!              

God willing, we will be on our way home next month! Mike is waiting for me to be free to go home with him.  (He says he is NOT going back until I can go back with him!)  Just the thought of finally being home with our dear people once again fills me with “joy unspeakable and full of glory”, as the old hymn goes!!         

But as always, in the life of a foreign missionary, it is a bitter-sweet joy.  It seems that, no matter where I am, I am missing someone and my heart is longing after loved ones.  When I am here in the States, my thoughts are consumed with our precious people in Honduras.  When I am in Honduras, I ache to see my family, my children and grandchildren!  (How sweet Heaven will be when there will be no more “goodbyes” and no more tears!)                                                                     

As I leave the States this time, two things will make going home especially difficult.  I will leave my mother living alone as a widow.  Always before, I knew she and Dad had each other on which to lean.  But, Dad is now in Heaven.  Also, I will leave an additional grandchild behind.                                                                  

Brayden Lane, Born March 24, 2012

Our newest blessing!

For the last six weeks, I have been in Tacoma, WA, helping out after the birth of our newest grand baby.  On March 24, Brayden Bobby Lane was born to our son, Brandon, and his precious wife, Kathy.  His older brother and sister, Dakota and MaKayla, could not be any prouder of their new baby brother.  And rightly so!  For he is truly a little sweetheart (as are ALL seven of our grandchildren!)  Yes, I am proud of them all!!                                               

However, as much as I love my “grandies”, you will never hear me say, “Had I known how great having grandkids would be, I would have skipped having kids and had the grandkids first!”  I LOVED having kids!! Besides my salvation, our two children were, and continue to be, the greatest  gifts and the greatest blessings that God has ever bestowed upon Mike and I!   When they married, their spouses just increased our blessings and happiness by two-fold!  And our seven grandchildren are just the “icing on the cake” and the “cherries on top”!                     

On Monday, April 30, I will be leaving my son and his family, my newest grandchild and his two older siblings.  The time of my departure is approaching much too quickly!  Instead of focusing upon leaving my loved ones, I am trying to focus on the positive side and looking ahead to seeing my dear loved ones in Honduras.  At times, I succeed in this endeavor and, at times, I do not.       

Something else that is fast approaching is Mother’s Day.  Always, at first I think of my own precious mother and her example to me of unconditional love.  She and Dad did not send us, but instead, faithfully took us to church.  I remember her singing hymns as she worked around the house and many times, even after I was grown and married and would come to visit, I would find her worn, red Bible open on the kitchen table where she had been sitting and reading.  Whatever I may be, I owe to my own dear mother and her example to me.                                        

Secondly, I think of what a blessing, responsibility, and privilege it is to be called by that name: Mother.  God entrusts these precious little gifts to us and He expects us to, not only instruct them in the things of God, but to be an example of the believer.  In addition, if we lead them to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, our children are the ONLY things we have on this earth that we can take to Heaven with us when we die!

As a mother of two and grandmother of seven, I have been TREMENDOUSLY blessed of God!!!  I want to share my blessings as a mother with you.  Now mind you, I am NOT bragging!!  Just sharing my blessings and my great joy!!  What a joy it is to see my children and their spouses, and my grandchildren, faithfully serving the Lord!                                                         

Since 2000, our son and his wife, Kathy, have been on staff at the church where Mike was the pastor for fourteen years. Brandon is the Minister of Music and Kathy is one of the secretaries.   During my visit here, I have had the privilege of, not only hearing my son sing and play the piano in church, but also, I have been able to hear him teach his Family Foundations Class and preach in the pastor’s absence! What a joy and what a blessing!

Last month, our daughter and her family left Idaho and a church in which they had been serving the last few years and dearly loved.  Their hearts were broken to think of leaving such precious friends - friends in the Lord who had become more like extended family.  Her husband’s work had moved them to Elko, NV.  However, as much as they missed their “family” in Idaho, they immediately found a church home, began to meet new “family” members, and find ways to serve the Lord in the new place to which He had brought them.  I received a text message from her just this morning asking for prayer.  They have asked her to be the speaker at the Mother/Daughter Luncheon at their new church!                          

Another joy and blessing that I would like to share with you is the fact that, as of last November, ALL OF MY GRANDCHILDREN (except for the newborn, of course) HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR!!  They are ALL being raised to know and love God’s Word!  They are ALL being raised to love and appreciate the sacrifice that a Holy God made for a lost and dying world so that they might be able to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.  

I have attached, for your viewing pleasure (or not), videos of my greatest blessings and continual joy!!  Yes, I’m a proud Grams!  And if you take a moment and watch my six older grandchildren as they share their praises to the Lord, you will know why “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

Our son’s daughter, 7 year old MaKayla, tells her favorite Bible story… with illustrations!

Her 9 year old brother, Dakota, recites Ephesians 6:10-20.

Our daughter’s 6 year old, Josiah, also quotes scripture…

…and has been doing so since he was 4!

7 year old Abigail, his older sister, tells her favorite Bible story - Noah’s Ark.

(She likes horses!)

Esther (age 13) on the piano and Hannah (age 12) with the violin play the song 

“One Small Child”.  They are my daughter’s oldest children.

Finding Encouragement Even in Tragedy

In my recent article entitled “Twelve Years After Columbine”, I posted the testimony and prayer of Darrel Scott, the father of Rachel Scott who was killed in the Columbine School Massacre.  Twelve years later,  Rachel’s testimony is still making an impact and touching hearts.

I think that too many times, Christians fail to stand up for Christ as we should.  Why it should be thus could be for a myriad of reasons: fear, apathy, lack of interest or knowledge, etc.  But when a man, woman or even a child stands tall and names the name of Christ, giving no importance as to the consequences of doing so, they are not soon forgotten.  They leave a legacy and an example for many, many years to come!

I shall never be famous nor well known.  Moreover, that is just fine with me, for fame, world renown and riches have never been a desire of mine.  But, I do want to make a difference in this world… or at least in somebody’s world… even if it is only in the lives of my children and grandchildren!  Even if they never receive an inheritance, I pray they receive a legacy from me… a legacy of faith in God and a love for lost souls.

Today I received an email from my precious daughter, Kristy.  It was about another true story, a testimony that has lasted through the years - 100 years to be exact!

This is by Vision Forum Ministries:

To Be a Titanic Widow:

                                 Finding Encouragement Even in Tragedy

If you are like me, then it never hurts to get a healthy dose of encouragement. Sometimes encouragement comes from understanding the sacrifices of those Christians who came before us. In less than two weeks, the world will observe the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, an event which shook the world and presented to the modern era a living parable of God’s sovereignty over man’s hubris, but also of tremendous hope in the midst of judgment. But the story of the Titanic cannot be reduced to the legacy of icebergs and supposedly unsinkable vessels. It is the story of real people who experienced both real loss and real physical redemption because of the Christian ideal that men sacrifice for women. The story of Charlotte Collyer is just one of thousands, but it is a precious insight into the way one Christian woman loved, lost, and shared her experience with those closest to her. Read it and be encouraged that you serve a sovereign, just, but merciful God. 

Women and Children First,
Doug Phillips
President of Vision Forum Ministries
Founder of the Christian Boys’ and Men’s Titanic Society

 Brooklyn, New York

Sun April 21st, 1912

My Dear Mother and All,

I don’t know how to write to you or what to say, I feel I shall go mad sometimes but dear as much as my heart aches it aches for you too for he is your son and the best that ever lived. I had not given up hope till today that he might be found but I'm told all boats are accounted for. Oh mother how can I live without him.

I wish I’d gone with him if they had not wrenched Madge from me I should have stayed and gone with him. But they threw her into the boat and pulled me in too but he was so calm and I know he would rather I lived for her little sake otherwise she would have been an orphan.

The agony of that night can never be told. Poor mite was frozen. I have been ill but have been taken care of by a rich New York doctor and feel better now. They are giving us every comfort and have collected quite a few pounds for us and loaded us with clothes and a gentleman on monday is taking us to the White Star office and also to another office to get us some money from the funds that is being raised here. Oh mother there are some good hearts in New York, some want me to go back to England but I can’t, I could never at least not yet go over the ground where my all is sleeping.

Sometimes I feel we lived too much for each other that is why I’ve lost him. But mother we shall meet him in heaven. When that band played ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ I know he thought of you and me for we both loved that hymn and I feel that if I go to Payette I’m doing what he would wish me to, so I hope to do this at the end of next week where I shall have friends and work and I will work for his darling as long as she needs me. Oh she is a comfort but she don't realize yet that her daddy is in heaven.  

There are some dear children here who have loaded her with lovely toys but it’s when I’m alone with her she will miss him. Oh mother I haven’t a thing in the world that was his only his rings. Everything we had went down. Will you, dear mother, send me on a last photo of us, get it copied I will pay you later on.

Mrs Hallet’s brother from Chicago is doing all he can for us in fact the night we landed in New York (in our nightgowns) he had engaged a room at a big hotel with food and every comfort waiting for us. He has been a father to us. I will send his address on a card (My Horder) perhaps you might like to write to him some time.

God Bless you dear mother and help and comfort you in this awful sorrow.

Your loving child Lot.

“...Where, then, does this rule which prevailed in the sinking Titanic come from? It comes from God, through the faith of Jesus of Nazareth.


It is the ideal of self-sacrifice. It is the rule that “the strong ought to bear the infirmities of those that are weak.” It is the divine revelation which is summed up in the words:“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”


The ideal that the strength of the strong is given them to protect and save the weak, the ideal which animates the rule of “Women and children first,” is in essential harmony with the spirit of Christ.


If what He said about our Father in Heaven is true, this ideal is supremely reasonable....Think about it. Is this ideal to survive and prevail in our civilization or not?Without it, no doubt, we may have riches and power and dominion. But what a world to live in!


Only through the belief that the strong are bound to protect and save the weak because God wills it so, can we hope to keep self-sacrifice, and love, and heroism, and all the things that make us glad to live and not afraid to die.”


Sermon preached by Henry van Dyke
Princeton,N.J., April 18,1912.

Titanic 100: An International Centennial Event The story of Charlotte Collyer is just one of the many true stories that will be told through reenactors, in story, song, and message at Titanic 100: An International Centennial Event. To learn more about this event, or to register, click here. Download a Free Copy of Our Commemorative Brochure and Souvenir Book Please enjoy a free copy of our commemorative brochure and souvenir book by downloading it here. To Help Us, Share This Message With The World Help Vision Forum Ministries share the Gospel message of hope embodied in the principle, “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend.”

??? The BIG Question ???

In the strongly Catholic mountain villages where the more than 100,000 Lenca live and work, Satan has had free reign for centuries. These people have never been taught God's Word. Their hearts and minds are filled with superstitions, traditions, and the lies of a false doctrine. They are unbelievably poor, the vast majority of them living in mud houses with dirt floors and without running water or electricity. They have no hope of ever being able to better their lives and, because of what they have been taught, they have very little hope and no assurance of a better after-life. They are not really recognized by their government, nor accepted by mainstream society. Even most missionaries are not interested in working with them because it's a very slow, very difficult ministry with seemingly very little return for your months and years of work. They are, basically, a forgotten and an unreached people.

But, God loves them and He has not forgotten them! He died on the cross because He loves the Lencas as much as He loves you and me! They have a right to hear, and we have the responsibility to tell them the truth of God's Word! In fact, as Christians, we are commanded to go and tell them about God's plan of salvation. 

These are the people to whom God has called Mike and I to minister and we dearly love them! We have claimed  for Christ those mountain villages and the precious people who live and work there! We will continue to go and preach the Gospel and teach them God's Word as long as we are physically able. And when we can no longer go, our prayer is that others will have caught the vision and continue to seek them out and tell them of God's love.  PLEASE pray with us, that more will answer the call of God in their life!

You see, the big question is not,  “Why won’t God call more people into missions?”  If you are a born-again Christian, He has already called you!  The big question is,

"WHY WON'T YOU ANSWER HIS CALL?”