Tacos, Anyone?

We received word from our missionaries in Mexico, Steve and Kay Carpenter. A team of nine from TCC are serving with them right now. Below is an excerpt of the letter.

It is great to have nine excited men ready to go to work. But first they will attend worship services at the Northside Church this morning and then, after tacos, we all head up to the Eagles Church for the afternoon service. They came armed with small wooden crosses to hand out and enough toys for over 100 children. That's a good thing because this last Thursday we had 85 children and adults in attendance with at least 65 of those being children. Looks like we're in for a good week.

The Northside Church is the main project for the team. They will be digging, doing plumbing and mixing concrete. They may also lay brick, put in some lights and do a small bit of painting. All the tasks they will accomplish will move the construction along its schedule and bless the church congregation in a big way.

The rain seems to be a big story right now in lots of places. We read about the flooding in the Southeast and pray for those people. There was a need for rain but now I think the need has passed. Hopefully we will have some clear days, at least during the hours that we are working at the church. As an update for those of you who read about the flooding near us due to a break in a huge drainage tube and a lot of runoff water, the city gave appliances and items to the victims of the flooding. Alejandra received a new refrigerator, her son received a new bed and they received new tile for their floors. Their house isn't back to normal yet, but it is getting there.

The community ministry known as Community Health Evangelism is set to begin with a Vision Conference with community leaders from the Eagles neighborhood this October. We have two nights set aside for the presentation to community leaders. It is our prayer that from this Vision Conference that momentum can be built for the ministry in the neighborhood. Please keep this conference and the community leaders in your prayers. We need to bathe this in prayer!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. You are the ones who make this ministry possible and we praise our Lord for each of you.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Please be in prayer for all who are stranded or flooded out as a result of the nearly 20 inches of rain this area has received lately. This is the time for the church to "Be the Church" and support each other, as well as our neighbors. If you have a need as a result of the weather mess, please e-mail the church and we will help, if possible. Please note that we have gallons of drinking water and canned foods readily available.

The photos here are of the overflowing retention pond at Tomoka Christian and the home of our youth pastor, Craig Portwood — one of many flooded out by the rain. Click directly on the photos to see them larger.

Just to give you a different perspective, on Wednesday I talked to Vivek Lall, one of our missionaries in India. They are in the midst of a 10-month drought. They have to carry water from 10 miles away for drinking and bathing.

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray." James 5:13

The Mighty Mississippi: Flooding in the Midwest

When we read of the plagues in Egypt during the time of the Exodus, God’s purpose is often overlooked. His goal was to reveal himself as the one and only living God.

So as I sit not 30 miles from the flood devastation in the Mississippi Valley, what am I to think? When I consider the fires in California or the earthquake in China, famines, AIDS, hurricanes and all the evil of men, what am I to think? Could it be that the Almighty is allowing all of this to remind us that the world is temporary and that we need to look to Him for salvation?

There is one certainty: We will not tame this world as it is dying. In her death throes, she will break apart and cause great pain for millions.

The point: We need to look up, and get right.

1 Thessalonians 4-5