Zimbabwe Update (email received August 13, 2008)
We have just received 7 more parcels sent on July 8th, and one sent on June 18th. They all arrived in excellent condition and as we unpacked them we were most impressed with how well you had packed them! Well done! All the contents were so well fitted together that there was very little damage from movement of the contents during transit - even the breakfast cereals showed very little crushing. In one box, the 5 lb. bag of sugar had burst open during the trip (probably from difference in atmospheric pressure between us and you), but because it was safely enclosed in a Ziploc bag, there was no loss and no mess. This was great planning on your part - again, well done! I don't think we have ever received parcels that have come in such good condition before these.
It was such an uplifting time for us as we unpacked the parcels and saw all the wonderful things you had sent. One particular box had a wonderful aroma of coffee, even when we collected it from the post office and this yielded an enormous bag of coffee beans which for me (Martin) was an absolute treat as fresh ground coffee is one of my indulgences that helps me face the many challenges of the day with a little more zip! The flour, yeast and wheat gluten were much needed as we are still having to make bread almost on a daily basis; the coffee creamer is also much and specially appreciated by Rosie. We particularly enjoy the noodles, soups and rice mixes which provide quick easy meals at the end of a busy day, especially when there is no electricity to cook with and we have to use our small gas burner (as little as possible with the problem of getting refills of the gas). With the advent of warmer weather, the breakfast cereals have arrived at just the right time and they are a real treat. We had a group of our daughter, Shannon's school friends for a sleep-over a few nights ago and we were able to give them all American cereals for breakfast - what a special treat it was for them all. The granola bars provide lunches for Shannon at school every day and give her a real boost.
So, again, we want to thank you so much for all the love and hard work you put into those parcels. We feel quite unworthy of so much love and attention from you all. We are so thankful to the Lord for the way He has blessed and encouraged us through your Ladies' Missionary Fellowship. With the supermarket shelves becoming barer and barer these days, we are amazed that, because of your kindness and with thanksgiving to you all, our pantry shelves are being supplied and we are able to share with some of our friends in their needs as well. We are most encouraged that once again, the Lord has showed His faithfulness to us in providing for our needs in a new and wonderful way. May the Lord bless you all and may He continue to give you joy in every area of your service for Him.
With our warmest love and grateful thanks,
Martin and Rosie van Aswegen
The Voice of the Martyrs and
China Aid Associates have teamed up to
distribute Olympic Prayer Bands for Christians in the USA and in China to wear
during the 2008 Summer Olympics to be held in Beijing as a reminder to pray for
our persecuted brothers and sisters in China. SHBC is making these
available--they are on the table in the hallway.
Pray for the following CES staff: Chris Dean, Mary Pate and Summer Missionaries: Derek Batts, Isaac Burton and Rebekah Roughton as they share the gospel this summer.
Van
Ministry
The van ministry kids will be
going to the gym after Sunday School for lunch, small group bible studies and an
activity time. Assistance is needed with meals, games, bible study groups and
spending time with the kids. If you are interested in helping with this
outreach, contact Andrew Clement or Rob White.
Contact Mark Shelley to reserve the chapel building or the activities building, Pam Armfield to reserve the chapel house, and Mark Armfield to reserve the chapel vans.
At the beginning of each new year at SHBC, we
adopt a
new theme at which we should try and focus our efforts, throughout our daily
lives.
The 2008 year theme will be:
“LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE
BEFORE MEN"..... Matthew 5:14-16
The elders would like for the assembly to emphasize “Good Works”. While Scripture clearly declares that salvation is "not of works", it also stresses that believers are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works". In 2008 may each of us strive to faithfully heed our Savior's admonition to "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven". Watch the bulletin for weekly encouragements and practical ideas on how to make this theme a reality in your life this year.
Bring gently used children’s clothing share with needy immigrant children. Agnes Dinga is working with their families. Drop off the clothing in room 9 located downstairs. For more information see Julia Mills.
Consider how the Lord would have you labor in planting or watering the seed of the gospel this week...some ideas (among many) include praying for the EE teams & CEF clubs, volunteering to assist with the van or basketball ministries, helping with the KFC Fall Festival, witnessing one-on-one, inviting someone to SHBC, expressing God's love through serving, and distributing gospel tracts.
Consider helping
on a regular basis in the nursery . See Holly Barefoot, Dana Pfaff or Robin
Burton if you are available to help.
Did You Know?.....DSL
(Digital Subscriber Line) internet service can sometimes interrupt home
alarm systems.
If you have an improperly wired alarm system on your house, DSL internet service
may prevent an alarm system from transmitting alarm signals to the monitoring
station.
A monitored alarm system that uses the telephone line to communicate with a
central monitoring station may have a compatibility problem with DSL high speed
internet service and can prevent the system from operating properly. Though
there may not be any indication of a problem, the security alarm panel may fail
to notify the monitoring service during a break-in /fire/medical emergency
because of interference from the DSL service. The problem can be fixed by using
a special filter. If you have DSL internet service and a monitored central alarm
system you should contact your alarm service for options to remedy this
potentially hazardous issue.