SPEED BUMPS - Stop & Pray

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord.

As a child, I used to hear my mom say, “No news is good news.” I grew up in a time that the phone was only used for important information. We had a party line and shared our phone with several families. So, when the phone rang at our house, only dad or mom answered. We kept a pad of paper next to the phone and, of course, the one and only phone was in the living room.

Now, in 2008, the phone is everywhere. Most of us have a least two phones and of course, we all have cell phones. I was visiting my brother’s family last spring and I heard my sister-in-law walking through the house talking on her cell phone. She disappeared to the other end of the house. Then, I saw my niece laughing and talking on her cell phone in the kitchen. I suddenly realized that they were in the same house talking to each other! We laugh at this and realize that we have become a people that have to know what is going on all the time, even when we are in the car! Isn’t it funny that when we call a friend on their cell phone, the first words we say after “hello” are “where are you?”

The Lord has given us a direct phone line to Him. It’s called “prayer.” And He answers us with His Word, the Bible. Simple enough, but we seldom use this unless we are at the end. My life verse is Prov. 3:5-6, which is about trusting the Lord. I have a coffee cup that my daughter, Rachel, gave me that has verse 6 on it. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” It sounds easy, doesn’t it? I wonder if the Lord would call us one day on our cell phone if He would say, “Larry I have been trying to return your call, but where are you?”

Over the past several months, we have all watched the TV and listened to the radio about the economy, the stock market, banking and the price of gas. I, too, have been troubled by what I see and have become concerned about the finances of Siloam. Then, this morning, the Lord calmed my heart when He said, “acknowledge me, call me and I will direct your path.”

I want to encourage you today, dear friend, to trust and rest, and lean on the Lord. We appreciate so much your prayers and financial support for Siloam Missionary Homes, and all the food that comes in daily for the missionary families. Thank you for faithfully supporting us.

Yesterday, as the bookkeeper was leaving the office, she said, “Thank the Lord, we have enough today to pay the bills. See you next week.” God is able to do the impossible if we keep the line of communication open to Him.

Please pray for the missionary families as they travel this summer. We have a work group coming Sunday night to put up the shell for the workshop next week. We also have a new family moving in next Friday. Pray for them as they are coming from a closed country and are excited about coming home.

We have been remodeling the mobile home next door. We moved a couple of walls and put in some new flooring. This will allow us to better accommodate a missionary moving in next month.

May the Lord continue to bless you today, friend. Click the radio off and open the phone lines to heaven. He is there and anxiously waiting to talk to you.

Because of Christ,

Larry George

President

This is an article from Milton and Betty Wilder, who will be joining SMH as Associate Missionaries in June. 

Entering a new field of ministry has given me a new appreciation for missionaries. Even before they get to the field they must have a deep commitment to their work in order to go through the process of getting to the field to do the work. I can now understand from a personal standpoint that contacting individuals and churches for support turns out to be heavy labor. I have to admit also that it is very difficult to continue to pastor a church and find time to raise support. Betty and I truly need your prayers as we try to do this. Two churches, one ministry agency and several individuals have begun or will begin monthly support when we move to our pastoral ministry to missionaries at Siloam Missionary Homes in June. That brings us to approximately 10% of our monthly goal for the two of us. As of this writing, we have scheduled presentations of our ministry in three other churches. We are very grateful for a number of one-time gifts that friends and family have sent to our account at SMH and for those who have promised prayer support.

We are so thankful to the Lord for providing a house and for the helpful Christian real estate agent, Linda Hagood, who has been working with us. Although the house needs a great deal of renovation, the location is ideal, being within walking distance of Siloam Missionary Homes’ campus. Not only did the Lord provide the best location, but the property was offered to us at less than half the tax value, which is a miracle in itself. This is an amount which is less than what any of us were praying for! Time and again God shows us that He truly “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). We will have to spend some dollars on construction and reconstruction, but a number of gracious and caring individuals have already promised that they will help with this labor and again we praise the Lord for His provision! He also knows where we will find the funds to accomplish all this.

I keep referring to a little card that our tax preparer, Ed Winslow, gave us last week, which says, “Where God guides, He provides,” with some verses from Isaiah 43. When the faith of any of us tends to weaken, this is a truth we need to remember. Please pray that our faith will stay strong; that God will supply our monthly support through His people; that He will enable us to make a clear and effective presentation of our ministry to churches and interested individuals; that He will continue to equip us to serve Him at Siloam Missionary Homes; that He will use us to minister to the needs of others and encourage them in their commitment and service to the Lord. 

Years ago, we used to sing a song, “Nothing is impossible, when you put your trust in God. Nothing is impossible, when you’re trusting in His Word…” Well, what has happened? We trust in Fox News, we trust in people…my friend, have we lost track of the Word? My favorite verses, Prov. 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” The Lord said to trust Him, not people. The wisest man that ever lived, Solomon, wrote this - and he knew!

I praise the Lord for the fruitful trip that we have just returned from. Joyce and I arrived home last night after being on the road 11 days. I believe we calculated over 50 hours of driving time! It was wonderful to see so many of our supporters and friends. The weather here is beautiful - everything is so green. It is good to be home! I told Mike I would help him mow.

Help us pray:

1. One of our missionary couples here was involved in a car accident while we were gone. They had someone pull out in front of them and totaled their car. They are very sore and are borrowing a car at the moment. Santiago and Jackie were planning on returning to Australia in just a few weeks, but due to this, will probably have to extend their stay. Please pray for them. Their support is at around 50%. We know that God is still in control.

2. The new house is almost ready! Praise the Lord, the carpet is being laid today! We have a family who needs the house. Help us furnish it!

3. Summer projects - please pray that God will raise up people to help with various projects, including a new work shop.

4. We have several new missionary families who will be arriving in the next couple of weeks. Please pray for them as they settle in here.

5. Food for Dad’s Country Store - check under “Volunteer Opportunities” on our web site at www.siloamhomes.org. We praise the Lord that He continues to provide daily for the families’ needs.

6. Joyce and I would like to thank all of you for your love, words of encouragement, lodging and for help to cover the cost of our trip to Michigan, Indiana, and Tennessee.

7. Darlene’s Journey…God is so good, isn’t He? We have been in contact regularly with the Evans family. It has been such a joy and encouragement to them to receive so many cards from many of you. Darlene told me yesterday that she will begin treatments next week. Last Sunday, she actually sang in the choir at church! Please remember to pray for her daily, and that God will use her and her husband, Ray, in a mighty way. We will keep you posted. Keep those cards coming and remember that she is counting on you to pray for her.

Thank you again, dear friends, for your prayers and support for us and the ministry of Siloam Missionary Homes. Take a minute to sing “Nothing is impossible, when you put your trust in God…”

Because of Christ,
Larry George, President

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me and find me, when you search for Me with all your  heart.”

These verses were such an encouragement to me this morning. To realize that the God of the universe knows me, He loves me and is wanting to help me. He said that He wants to give me a “future of hope!”

I spend a lot of time driving in my car and usually listen to talk radio, where they discuss the  hot topics of the day. With the election later this year, every politician has a reason to be elected. They have the answers and they will listen…or, so they say. The sad thing is that their intent for running for office is for themselves and how it will better themselves. I have read several articles about how politicians are trained at a very young age to run for public office. They must have a cause and a listening ear. Our Lord had a cause. John 3:16 says that God loved us so much that He gave His only Son. I ask you, dear friend, isn’t that the kind of God you want to serve? Not only did He love us and make a way for us to love Him, but it didn’t end there. Jesus said that He was there to listen and give me hope for the future.

Once again, we are saying goodbye to several of our missionary families as they return to the field. Today, Dale & Carmen Phillips will be leaving for Hungary. Last night, our daughter, Abbey said, “I’ll be strong, but I know I’ll cry when we say goodbye.” Yes, it is hard to always say goodbye, but we know we will see them again. Yesterday, Joyce was talking to a missionary mom in a closed country that will be moving into our new house in July. They stayed here a few years ago and are returning. It will be a reunion day for all of us.

Last Saturday, we dedicated the new missionary home. The weather was rainy, but the spirit was good! We stood in the Family Center, because there was not enough room for everyone to sit down. All of the guest speakers were a blessing. The house is almost complete. We are in hopes of finishing it in the next couple of weeks. We have almost reached our goal. Pray with us that the funds and labor will continue to finish this house. If you would like to help us furnish this house, please call Abbey at 336-376-8200 and she will coordinate this with the decorating committee.

We praise the Lord that Milton and Betty Wilder, our new associate missionary couple, have purchased a home across from Siloam. Lord willing, they will be moving here to start their ministry in July.

In closing, I would like to thank all of you for your daily involvement with Siloam Missionary Homes. I appreciate those of you that gave towards the new home and also the Spring Project. The fellows are working to complete these projects and they continue to be an encouragement to us.

We thank the Lord that He is in control of all things - the economy, our daily lives and the missionary families. We could never thank you enough for allowing us to minister here and thank the Lord that because of Christ, we are able to continue to provide homes for missionaries. Thank you - THANK YOU! 

Please pray as Joyce and I take Al & Lois Mitchell back to Michigan next week. We will visit as many of you folks as we can. Pray that the Lord will provide a hedge of protection as we travel.

It is because of Jesus that we serve,

Larry George

President

This morning in my devotions, I was greatly encouraged by Ps. 31:3 “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy names sake lead me and guide me.” Over the past several weeks, we have watched the swing of the economy. The news tries to convince us that there is little hope. I’m sure the press wants us to think that new president is the answer. I have noticed that even on in our Christian circles, we worry about the economy and our futures. To be totally honest, these worries have crossed my mind on a number of occasions. I realize that our ministry here at Siloam Missionary Homes is to encourage the discouraged, so I need to be the encourager.

Last week, we had a missionary dad that had returned from the mission field ahead of his family to finish his schooling. Because of the devaluation of the dollar over seas, he not only was unable to bring his family with him, but he had to return to the field early. He left last Friday. He told us as he left that his family really needed to come on furlough, and he didn’t understand why the Lord had postponed their furlough.

We have another family that has been here for two years who is returning to the field with only half of their needed support. Please pray for these families - that they will receive the funding they need to carry out the Lord’s work.

Mike and Henry have been working diligently to complete the new missionary house. The dedication is Saturday, March 29th. Yesterday, with no funds, Mike & I went into town to purchase the materials to do the stairway. In order for us to receive the permit to have the electric turned on, we have to have the stairs finished. As it turned out, as we were standing in line to pay for the materials, we received a call from the office saying that $500 had come in for the house! We needed $406.00 to pay for the supplies! Praise the Lord for His provision!

I would like to thank all of the groups who have come and helped us get this house done. Daily, we see God’s hand at work.

The “Spring Project” to complete the entrance way is going well. Thank you for your involvement in this. We have raised about $2,000 so far for this.

In closing, would you please pray for the dedication on the new home on March 29th? We are praying for good weather and a great turnout of people. Also, please pray that we can complete the house for the missionary family who needs to move in on May 1st.

We thank you in advance for standing in the gap for us in prayer and by your giving. May God receive all the glory and praise.

Because of Jesus, we serve,

Larry George, President

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given to you; do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19; I Cor. 11:23-26

A couple of years ago, the song “Remember Me” became a hit. The lyrics of the song want us to reminisce, as we watch our children grow up, or when we look at a beautiful sunset - stop and remember it was the Lord’s doing.

Each of us would like to be remembered for something we did or contributed towards. I recently read that one of the reasons a president runs for a second term is to be remembered, to leave a legacy, that he did something to make a difference. Unfortunately for some, leaving their mark in history was a war, terror attack, or even death.

President Kennedy wanted to be remembered for social change. He wanted the American people to be proud of who they were. Yet, sadly, he will always be remembered for the assasination that took his life in Dallas.

Walking around Siloam Missionary Homes, I see memories everywhere I look. The orchard has a special memory for me. My dad struggled with Parkinson’s and had very little strength in his later years. One day, he was determined to finish planting a pecan tree. My special memory is of Rachel, our oldest daughter, helping him hold the tree and filling in the dirt around the roots because he was so tired. I still remember how happy he was to finally finish planting that tree (which, by the way, was the last tree he ever planted).

Other memories make us laugh. Every time I think about laying the foundation of the mission house I live in, I have to chuckle as I think about the youth pastor who came out to see about doing a project with his church. Not knowing a lot about foundations, I asked if the church could lay the brick. He asked me how long it would take and I said “maybe a weekend.” This got to be a real joke through the years, because it took us many weekends.

Jesus enjoyed the fellowship of those disciples who believed His message of the Kingdom. They were the ones who followed Him, knowing that He truly was the Messiah. They were the ones who left everything in order to follow Him. They had been called to a radical form of discipleship. Jesus wanted them to remember by example, long after He was gone, through all of the miracles, parables and the people He associated with. This allowed His followers to better understand God and His purpose.

Today, dear friend, the Lord is giving us the opportunity to share the Bible with people all around us. How will I live out today, to be remembered tomorrow?

“And Jesus, looking on them saith, ‘with men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’” Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 99 when God told them that the following year they were going to have a baby. Genesis 18:14 says, “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed, I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Is a child from a dead womb too marvelous for the One who called all things into existence? It is no laughing matter! He can do it! Nothing is incredible for those in covenant fellowship with the Lord because nothing is too difficult for Him.

The prayer of Jeremiah 32:17, “Ah, Lord God! Behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”How I praise the Lord today for His wonderful promises. We have no excuses, because we serve a God who can do anything. We live in a day where politicians want us to think they are the ones to solve our problems. It is all about “what I can do.” This is not true. The Lord Jesus Christ came to seek and save. He loved us so much that He died for us (John 3:16). Jesus said, “Come unto me all of you who are weary and I will give you rest.” God hasn’t moved, we have. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are always willing and waiting.

I thank the Lord that He continues to prove His faithfulness here. In spite of us. We have several new families that have moved here in the last few weeks - Michael and Lisa Long and Patrick Cline. I would like to encourage you to pray for them as they travel and share their work.

We need volunteers to help with various projects, as well as more folks like you to help support the ongoing work on the Siloam campus. It’s like old Uncle Sam, “We want you!” Well, we need you to get involved this year in many of the work projects.

We praise the Lord for Pastor Milton Wilder and his wife, Betty, who will begin their ministry here at Siloam of “missionary pastoral care.” Please pray for them as they raise their support and find a home. If you would like them to come and share their ministry with you, please give us a call and we will give you the details.

Henry Hagood has joined our maintenance staff. His years of experience in the maintenance field have already proven to be a great asset here. With 26 acres and lots of building, he will be a great help to Mike and to us. We as a board feel that it is important and Christ-honoring to keep the property in good shape.We praise the Lord, too, that the new missionary homes is nearing completion. We anticipate that we will finish it in time for the dedication service on March 29, 2008.

I know there are a lot of things going on here at Siloam this year. Please continue to pray for all of us. The fields are white unto harvest and we have a lot to do. My prayer is that God will receive all of the honor and glory for everything that is done. We have a great board of directors and lots of people praying.

God bless each of you as we serve our Lord Jesus Christ together to reach a lost and dying world.

Larry George, President

Happy New Year from sunny but cold North Carolina. Yesterday, we actually had a few snow flurries, but of course, nothing compared to what some of the country has had lately.

With each new year, come new challenges and “opportunities” for ministries here at Siloam Missionary Homes. New families will be coming to live here, and our desire, above all else, is to be an encouragement to them and help them in any way we can.