NOVEMBER 7, 2005

TRAVELS WITH A PURPOSE
by Pastor Connie Larson DeVaughn

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? I had very modest goals when I was a kid. I remember wanting to be a cashier in a store, and the girl that rode the elephants in the circus (both unfulfilled dreams to this day, I am thankful to report). My daughters are more ambitious. They want to be: a pilot, an artist, a pediatrician and a teacher (plus, the four year old adds, a bike rider).

I'll bet, whatever dreams you had, they didn't include growing up into poverty. Yet this is exactly what **Z and B** have chosen to do. Z and B are overseas workers in Northern Africa. Their life goals are huge. They want nothing more than to bring an entire people group to Jesus, so that when the words of Revelation 7:9-10 are fulfilled, the people they love will be represented before the throne of God: "After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"

In order to accomplish this enormous task, Z and B have chosen to live in poverty, because poverty is the lot of the people they love. They work and live in a country in which the average income is $430 per year; literacy rate is 41.7%; arable land is less than 1%, unemployment is high and income generation options are few. They are committed to rooting out the underlying causes of poverty in the lives of people in their slum through development work, never losing sight of their ultimate goal of bringing people to Christ.

Z and B have been working towards their dream for a few years, learning culture and language, learning about poverty and real needs. Now they are on the verge of launching their development project in the form of a community center that seeks to encourage a small business and entrepreneurial movement among their neighbors. It is at this point in their work that they have felt the need for prayer, so they invited me along with some others to come and pray with them on their turf! As it turns out, I am the only one able to go, thanks to the generosity of the Deacon Board and several ABCers. I will be visiting them in their territory, encouraging them spiritually, praying and letting my heart be open to their people group.

Along the way I will also be able to visit the Dodrills in Spain. The Dodrills have an equally massive life-goal, to see Spanish youth come to Christ. They've been at it longer, and I have a sneaking suspicion that they will encourage me in my youth work.

I know that I always dreamed of going to Europe and Africa, and I couldn't be more pleased that this dream is being realized with a missions twist. What more worthwhile way of visiting another country than to be on a mission to pray for its people!

And I am asking you to pray with me. I will be gone Nov. 11-22. I plan to write a couple more Messenger articles while on the road, to share my trip with you. You can pray for me (because solo travel across an ocean is new to me), but I ask that your prayers for me be brief–a launching point for your prayers for the people of Spain and Northern Africa, and for the **s and the Dodrills. They need your prayers much more. And through your prayers you are also active participants in some of the goals that come straight from the heart of God, who loves the whole world.

** Names deleted in this online version of the Messenger due to the sensitive area they are in.

---

Homecoming Sunday Reflections

Last Sunday we enjoyed visitors from out of town, wonderful music, worship around the Word and Communion, fellowship at the potluck dinner.

The highlight of the event was the honor given to Administrative Assistant Alice Blackwood for her 13 years (so far) of service to the Lord and his church. She was given a corsage, a certificate, two weeks’ sabbatical leave, a substantial money gift and an album of memories, pictures and greetings from many friends.

Also, we remembered those who have served in this role in past years:
Sue Ann Kelsey (1989-92)
Pat Losie (1979-89)
Nita Stankey (1964-79)
Dorothy Wade (1958-64)
No one’s memory in the current ABC congregation goes farther back. Perhaps some Messenger readers can help

Thanks to everyone who helped make this a memorable Homecoming Sunday.