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Cathy Reich, administrative assistant to Bishop Ron Ramsey, is scheduled to leave on a cruise this weekend. She and several other friends. Here’s the original plan:
What’s the chance of that happening?
When I traveled with Scripture Press, I always took books with me, since I sold books. I tried to read all of the Victor Books, which Scripture Press published.
But I also took a Louis L’Mour book with me wherever I went. A good Louis L’Mour book averaged 250 pages, and I could finish it on a flight from Chicago to L.A. A one-flight book. Some people can do work on a plane, but I can’t.
I don’t read much fiction now. I like Tom Clancy, John Grisham, and Lillian Jackson Braun, who writes the “Cat Who” books about her Siamese cats.
What do you like to read? Any particular authors?
George Rhodifer (right) learned today that he has bone marrow cancer. A doctor told him he has three months to live. George, a longtime ordained minister in our denomination, is pastor of Olivet UB church in New Lebanon, Ohio. He is also a cluster leader.
George says:
“My blood count has been low for several months and they could not find a reason for it. They sent me to a blood doctor and she wanted to do a test on the bone morrow which makes blood. She read the report to us today in her office. It seems that I have bone morrow cancer–leukemia of the bone morrow. She told my wife and I that I have about three months to live. With low-dose chemotherapy, I could possibly live six months, but that is not a guarantee.
“This came as a complete surprise to us. I have a pinched nerve in my back which has affected my right side. I was getting ready to go on pain management, but the doctor told me I may as well cancel that and just take pain medicine.”
Please remember George in your prayers. You can contact George by email or by writing to:
George Rhodifer
109 Solar Drive
Tipp City, OH 45371
Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries
George Rhodifer (right) is one of my cluster leaders. In addition to pastoring the Olivet UB church in New Lebanon, Ohio, he leads a cluster of churches located in Ohio and Indiana. I’ve appreciated working with him over the past three years.
Today, George was told that he has bone marrow cancer. He’s been given three months to live. He sent me an email about this a short time ago.
“My blood count has been low for several months and they could not find a reason for it,” George wrote. “They sent me to a blood doctor and she wanted to do a test on the bone morrow which makes blood. She read the report to us today in her office. It seems that I have bone morrow cancer–luekemia of the bone morrow. She told my wife and I that I have about three months to live. With low-dose chemotherarpy, I could possibly live six months, but that is not a guarentee.
“This came as a complete surprise to us. I have a pinched nerve in my back which has affected my right side. I was getting ready to go on pain management, but the doctor told me I may as well cancel that and just take pain medicine.”
George asked that we remember him in prayer, and he states, “I believe that God is able to touch me and take care of the problem.”
You can contact George by writing to:
George Rhodifer
109 Solar Drive
Tipp City, OH 45371
In exactly one month, the Mt. Zion United African Church in Philadelphia, Pa., will relocate. They’ve been needing a bigger place, and they found one about 2.5 miles from their current meeting place.
The grand opening is October 12, with a reception afterwards. Pastor Joe Abu invites you to attend, if you’re able.
Michele Vigil, Youth and Discipleship Pastor, Hillsdale UB (Hillsdale, Mich.)
What an amazing week in Honduras for the Hillsdale UB Youth Team! From the very beginning, when their flight was cancelled in Detroit, and then postponed in Atlanta (leaving them stranded for three days), to them finally arriving in Honduras four days later than planned…this group saw God protect and provide for them each step of the way!
Twelve teens and adults traveled to Honduras July 14-21. Our goal was to bless those less fortunate than ourselves, but we were blessed even more by our new friends in Honduras. Each day in Honduras, we were able to visit orphanages, villages, and churches. At each location, we performed songs in Spanish and a skit in Spanish about being a Good Samaritan. We also gave away over 250 soccer balls to kids from needy families.
In addition, we visited a local high school and performed at their assembly. After performing each day, we came back and worked on painting the mission and laying new cement sidewalk. We also were able to provide funds to fix the mission’s bus and van while we were there.
Finally, each day we were able to meet new friends and enjoy the relaxed culture of Honduras, as well as share our message of hope and good news. It was a life-changing experience for all of us who attended. We saw God open doors for us to serve, and had our eyes opened to how privileged we are as Americans, and how even a little sacrifice on our part can change the lives of an entire village. We hope to bring that same heart of service back to our own community and back to Honduras in future years.
The Huntington University site posted a lengthy article, with photos, about this summer’s teacher training project in China.
In buying a vehicle for Sierra Leone, Randy Fennig (above) looked for something that ran on diesel fuel. He finally found a 1982 Toyota Land Cruiser in great shape. All part of a plan.
“One long-term development project I’d like to work on is encouraging farmers to grow jatropha, a tropical oil seed related to the castor plant. There are huge jatropha projects in India and Africa.”
Jatropha seeds contains up to to 40% oil which, when crushed and processed, can be used in a standard diesel engine.
“You can run the oil straight and make high quality diesel. A diesel vehicle means I would have access to cheap fuel, rather than pay $7 a gallon, which is what fuel costs right now in Sierra Leone. If you’re spending so much money on fuel, it can limit what kind of ministry you can do.”
This weekend, 22 people will attend the Mission Team Training at Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. That’s twice the number who attended the August event in Chambersburg, Pa. Of which enthusiastic attendees said:
That leaves two Mission Team Training weekends to go:
The cost for the two-day event is $60. You can register online.
When I talk to churches about the governance model, several questions typically come up. One involves voting.
In many of our churches, 10-25% of the people are on the board, and you vote for people on those boards. The issue of American democracy and having a vote is vital to people– they want to have a say in who sits on the board. But as I talk to people, I look at them straight, and say, “Would you agree that your voting doesn’t necessarily put the best people in the best spots?” Their answer is generally “yes.”
Voting is not a biblical model for putting leaders into place. It’s an empowerment issue. Under the governance system, we encourage letting people nominate persons for various positions. But your leadership team makes appointments to put gifted people in proper places. This follows the Acts 6 model. Deacons were “nominated” by the people but appointed by the Apostles.
