News For December 22, 2014

Merry Christmas to YOU!

Dear Brothers and sisters,

Christmas greetings to you all in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ!

My trip to the United States of America was longer than usual. The only trip I can remember that was as long was back in 2006. I had the privilege to visit with churches in four different states.

I started with the brothers and sister of Onward in Indianapolis. Brother Gary Stump is the minister there and with Connection in Saint-Louis.

I had the blessing of being welcomed into many homes. I enjoyed great fellowship, fine meals with families and church dinners. I visited many brothers and sisters and they all extended a very warm welcome. I enjoyed some quality time with mom Jan Green and played quite a few games, but at the end she was crowned the champ. 

Thanks to all of you who made this trip a success. Thanks to all of you who drove me from place to place. There were so many of you I fear that I might miss one if I attempt to name them all. I do remember that it was my friend Brad Pointer who picked me up in Indianapolis and it was my friend Kelly Hart who dropped me off at Saint Louis. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

When I arrived home after a very eventful trip back I was welcomed like a caring prince. I was welcomed with kisses, bear hugs, a welcome back poster and firm handshakes from wife, kids, friends, church members, neighbors, collaborators, and the list goes on. 

Then the “To-Do” lists surfaced one after another, so much so that I could not send this e-mail prior to today. But I rejoice that I found everything going well. I rejoice in the fact that God has entrusted us with many, many people to serve in different capacities.

Since I came back my jobs as preacher and teacher have resumed. We have also held a number of meetings with leaders and individuals. 

One of those meetings was with the government official responsible to grant the frequency for the radio station. We had a very cordial meeting and he shared with us his challenges. He invited us to come back mid-January. He said he is hoping to have the response we have desired for over two years. 

We also spent many hours on the project of White Mountain. There was a lot of digging to do. Unfortunately the people we contracted to do the digging did not honor their contract even 10 days later. This put us almost two weeks behind schedule. We don’t know what to do because we don’t have that many options in finding rental equipment. Please pray for the progress of the construction of Fred Green Elementary and High School.

We also spent some time working on the farm. The farmers are now harvesting peanuts. It looks to me like they will have had a good harvest. They said it would have been better if they had rain in October. We hired a few guys to start doing some work on the fencing. Also please pray for the progress of this vital step.

This weekend and today we had 12 baptisms between the church of White Mountain and here. We had six on Friday and six today. We praise God for these new princesses and princes in Christ. 

Brother Branson Barnhill of Tennessee, originally from Macon, MO, is with us and will leave for the States tomorrow. Brother Chad Summa is arriving next Monday. So please pray for these soldiers of the Cross. 

Please pray for my dad (biological). He was admitted at our health clinic this morning and is not doing too well. Some of the things that he is saying does not make much sense. Dr. Dan and the nurses are taking care of him.

On behalf of the churches, the schools, the health clinic and all the other branches of Living Water, we wish you a Merry Christmas.

May God bless you all.

In Christ,

Salonique and team