Dear Ones In Christ,
We are sending this from Indiana. As you may recall, our annual missions retreat was held at First Baptist Church in Wayland, MO. (near our mission accounting office in Keokuk IA.), August 13th-15th; and what a blessed time it was. The messages from Brother David Jaspers and Pastor Dan Deatrick were both challenging and encouraging, the music program by Paul and Betty Hiscock was such a blessing. The folk at First Baptist treated us like royalty, and it was great to relax and spend time again with our fellow missionaries. We appreciate so much John and Carla Dunlap housing us while there.
The Dunlaps have started visiting a jail in their area on Sunday morning before Sunday School, and invited us to go along. John and Gary met with five men who professed to know Christ as Savior, so they shared scripture and prayed with them. Carla and Bev talked with three young women. Carla dealt with Wendy and Bev with Melissa, and they both prayed and trusted Christ as their personal Savior. It is exciting to see the unexpected opportunities God brings from day to day.
We traveled from there on to Indiana and are enjoying visits with our family, as well as making contact with our supporting pastors. We expect to retun home on September 10th. Meanwhile, things are going well back at Yavapai Apache Baptist Church. We are so thankful to those who are filling in for us in our absence.
Please pray for Wendy and Melissa's spiritual growth, and for safety in our travels Thank you for your faithful prayers.
In His Service,
Gary & Beverly Messick
