Missions Conference

Hi. This last week I participated in the missions conference at South Church in Lansing, Mi.

The week was power packed.

Saturday, Oct 23 Welcome & Meeting

Sunday, Oct 24 I had youth Sunday school, as well as a short part in the first service.

Sunday Night service.

Monday, Oct 25- Breakfast meeting with missionaries, Lunch with Seniors, Home meetings

Tues, Oct 26, Breakfast with missionaries, Lunch meeting, Tues Night, supper & communion meeting.

Wednesday, Oct 27, Mens prayer breakfast, lunch with church members, International dinner wed night.

I spoke in Awana as well. Both Sparkies & T&T.
Caleb's friend send a special greeting to him.

Smiley sparkies

A pic from our Missionary communion evening.

Thursday the conference was over, but I was able to meet with local pastor from another church for lunch.

Sunday Oct 31... Heading to Rockford, MI for a special retirement celebration for Eadelmans.

After the morning service and reception, I'll be heading back to home.

Thanks for praying for us.

God really enabled me to speak clearly and well this week. I felt like I had a lot of chances to answer questions etc. People seemed to be engaged, and relate to the stories & ideas I shared.

We do have some support to raise before we go back to Mali... and we really need a car...

Our goal for the car is $6000. Pray with us that God would touch people to partner with us.

Pray that they would pray, and give, and be willing to come and visit and see the work.

If you think there is an opportunity for us to share at your Bible study, small group, sunday school class, youth meeting etc... we're willing. Please contact us... and we'll do our best to make that happen. Now is the time to book for January, February, March...

Hilary has made a very positive turn for the better at college. Thanks for praying for her.

We really need her to be settled and in a good place as we leave her in the USA while we return to Mali.

Thanks for stopping by

Tom & Lisa

Minnesota trip and Support FAQ's

Hi. Last week was very busy. Tom spoke in 4 church groups over a long week.

Sunday Oct 3rd, he was with First Baptist Church of Long Prairie, MN.

Wednesday Morning, Oct 6th, he was with Hayden Heights Baptist Church.

Wednesday Evening, Oct 6th, he was with Maranatha Retirement Center.

Sunday, Oct 10th, he was with Lake Phalen Community church.

The sharing times went well, and I got to see many of our friends as well. There were many more I wanted to connect with but wasn't able to. I'm sorry I missed you.

Everyone wanted to see Lisa, as well. But she was not on the trip because of the boys being in school.

Please continue to pray for us as we share in churches and meet with families.

First, so that we could be a help and encouragement to the people we come across.

Second, that people would be lead by God to join our support team. Missionaries need team-mates to come alongside and pray and support them.

If you've been considering supporting a missionary, here are some quick answers to questions you may be thinking, but haven't asked anyone.

**Should I give half my tithe to my local church and half to a missionary. NO- we would counsel you to give your tithe to your local church. But then to give what you can to support a missionary. Maybe skipping a lunch out once a month could provide $20-30 to use for missions.

**If I support a missionary, do I have to support them forever and ever? NO- it is fine to make a 1, 2, or 4 year commitment. Communicate your commitment to the mission you want to begin supporting.

**If I only can give $10-$20 a month, that is too little, and I feel like I'm wasting the effort. NO- you are not wasting the effort, every gift helps and if you are giving what you feel you can give, that is great.

**I would rather give one time a year, than give every month. Are missions able to make that work for support? YES- they will pro-rate your one time gift and use it as a monthly support figure. NOTE- there are a lot of one-time needs that missionaries have that you could help with.

Car fund, Air Travel, Shipping costs, lots of these are good one time gift opportunities.

**I don't need to support a missionary couple that my church already supports, so should I choose someone else? NO- not necessarily. Maybe your church is supporting a missionary. But it is 99% sure they are not fulfilling ALL of the need that missionary has to do the job God has called him to do. Your church supporting a missionary is an endorsement that your church has knowledge and approves of the work the missionary is doing. It also means that missionary will be visiting your church in the future to give reports in person. A missionary your church supports is an ideal person for you to choose as a missionary to give to.

**Who should I support? You should support a missionary who is doing a work you are interested in. Maybe you're interested in computer work or building construction. Maybe you're interested in youth work, or womens' ministries. Maybe ESL or literacy classes. If you support a missionary who is doing a job like you are experienced in or interested in, you'll know better how to pray and support that missionary. Maybe you would be interested in taking a short term trip to visit them on the field and use your gifts alongside what the missionary is doing.

World Missions, in other words, reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a team effort. No one missionary can do all the work by themselves. We need to partner together to do the work. Partner up with a work you are excited about and watch God work up close!!!

Thanks for stopping by

Tom & Lisa