I learned that a church in Alabama had been sending mission teams to their country for several years, so there were already two families who were eager for her to come and would be the primary sponsors. I have been a part of the support team and provided transportation and overnights at our house on each end of school breaks for Mari, and also her brother who arrived this school year.

This weekend I attended graduation – Oneida style.  No airhorns or the raucous behavior I’ve experienced at the last few graduations that I’ve attended.  This was graduation as it should be.  God-honoring, dignified, yet fun and deeply emotional.  Every student in the 2012 class was individually recognized.  Granted, this is much easier to do with a class of 48, but it was still a three-hour ceremony!  I lost count of how many states and countries were represented in the class.  As each student’s name was called, there was a slide of pictures of that student on the screen, and his or her significant accomplishments as an Oneida student were noted.  And then Dr. Davidson read from each student’s essay about his or her Oneida experience.

The essays had a common theme – initial adjustment to a boarding school in “the middle of nowhere” was hard. Some students came with attitudes about school and authority.  Others had come from other countries and had to adjust to American culture and cope with homesickness.  But the common themes continued as over and over the students did adjust, discovered a “family,” learned the value of work (every student has a job), and made changes in their lives.  Quite a few spoke of their new faith in Christ as Savior or the spiritual growth that they had experienced at Oneida.

I was most impressed with Dr. Paul Davidson, the new OBI president, and know that this beloved school is in capable hands. His experience as a missionary is an asset in this setting which includes students from so many countries.  Dr. & Mrs. Underwood were there to celebrate the graduation of their grandson who was the 2012 class president.  It was so good to see the evidence of a smooth transition in leadership.

We “packed a pew” (actually one full pew and parts of two more) to celebrate with Mari.  The families from Alabama came with a few more folks and I did not quite learn all of the connections.  We were thrilled that she not only received the “most likely to succeed” award, but also received the Williams Evans Loving Cup Award, the TOP honor for an OBI graduating senior.  This award is determined by the faculty for an outstanding senior. 

I’ve always been impressed by the reports from Dr. Underwood about the ministry of Oneida Baptist Institute.  Today, I had a first-hand glimpse into the impact this school makes on students.  Not every student who attends OBI decides to stay through graduation. Some come for a season and then return home, often having made needed academic and social improvement.  Not every student who comes stays, but those who do find OBI to be strict, yet loving as evidenced in the essays shared today.

While waiting for graduation to start, I noted the “hall of fame” pictures hanging in the chapel  There was even a Kentucky governor in the mix of significant OBI graduates. In addition to helping students from Kentucky, there are students from other states as well. And above all, Oneida is touching Kentucky and the world with the gospel.  Students from countries like Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, South Korea, Germany, Liberia, and others were part of the 2012 graduating class.  Every one of these international students has college plans and many will eventually be leaders in their home countries.  Who knew in 1899 when Oneida was established that God would use a school in the mountains of Kentucky to teach and share the gospel with students from around the world.  I am thankful for the faithful giving of Kentucky Baptists through the Cooperative Program which helps make the Oneida experience possible!

As an auxiliary to the Kentucky Baptist Convention, our role has always been that of “helper” to the convention and to Kentucky Baptist Churches. So who we help and the missions priorities to be pursued will change in the months ahead, but our role as helper will continue.

Kentucky WMU will also continue to challenge Kentucky Baptists to be radically involved in the mission of God.  We will continue to equip believers to respond to God’s call.   And we will be partners in fulfilling the Great Commission.

WMU has six objectives which guide our work.  The objectives are our priorities and we set goals, plan events, and utilize our resources in fulfilling these objectives.  While the WMU objectives are familiar to many, it is vital that we revisit them often.  Everything we do in WMU should help us achieve one or more of these objectives:
- Pray for missions.
- Engage in mission action and witnessing.
- Learn about missions.
- Support missions.
- Develop spiritually towards a missions life-style.
- Participate in the work of the church and denomination.

Kentucky WMU will continue to partner with the KBC and all Kentucky Baptists to achieve these objectives.  We are grateful for Cooperative Program support that allows us to have a top-notch missions education staff and for the Eliza Broadus Offering which helps us provide missions materials, events and resources.  Above all, Kentucky WMU distributes Eliza Broadus Offering funds for Kentucky state missions through the KBC, as well as grants to Kentucky Baptist Associations, and a host of ministries across our state.  Here are some thank you notes recently received:
From Pauline White, MSC Missionary, Shepherd’s Pantry, Lynch, Kentucky:
“We were able to purchase 240 of the Outreach Bibles. We are working with the people who have received John/Romans and if they have need and are interested are giving a Bible. We expect to give out all before 2013.  Thank you.”
From Irvine Baptist Association:
“The $500 grant was given to East Bernstadt Baptist Church for tornado relief. The tornado tore through the community, destroying several homes,  and killed several people. East Bernstadt Baptist Church along with Laurel River and Irvine Baptist Association are helping the survivors.”
From the Food Pantry of Blackford-Breckinridge Baptist Associations:
“Our food pantry serves the community and in 2011 averaged serving 70 families a month…With your donation were able to purchase a freezer, eight cases of Bibles, and food items.”
From REACH of Northern Kentucky: “Just received our grant notification. Can you hear our hearts singing ‘O Happy Day’?”
From Haven of Hope Pregnancy Services:
“The EBO grant was used to purchase Spanish Bibles for Spanish-speaking clients, literature for new moms and dads, abstinence literature, and curriculum for moms about parenting.”

As is true of all KBC related work, including allocations to the KBC agencies and institutions (such as Sunrise, Oneida, our Baptist colleges, and Crossings), Cooperative Program funding to Kentucky WMU was decreased this year and will decline again in 2012-13 as we increase the funds going for missions beyond Kentucky.  At the same time, we have increased the EBO allocations for missions through the KBC.  Please keep us in your prayers as we are careful stewards of the resources entrusted to Kentucky WMU.  Wise management across the years has allowed us to continue our work in spite of budget cuts.  Continued diligence and reliance on the Lord will be required in the days ahead.

Your gifts to the Cooperative Program, Eliza Broadus Offering, and the Kentucky WMU Heritage Fund are all ways that you can support the work of Kentucky WMU and help us keep the vital missions objective of WMU as our top priority.

Learn more about the KBC Reorganization at www.kybaptist.org/relaunch

This was actually the third time Kentucky has hosted one of these week-long hands-on missions experiences sponsored by National WMU.  Each time MissionsFEST is held, it is a joint effort between National WMU, the state WMU, and the local Baptist Association.  We are grateful to Bell Association for all of their hard work and preparation to host the 2011 MissionsFEST in Kentucky.

FamilyFEST is another opportunity for hands-on missions and the whole family is invited to participate! George and Cathy Chinn, directors of Mississippi River Ministry, would like to see a big Kentucky contingent at the upcoming FamilyFEST this summer in Memphis, Tennessee.  As directors of MRM, the Chinn’s know the great needs all along the Mississippi River.  The Memphis FamilyFEST will be July 7-13. 

The Memphis FamilyFEST includes opportunities for
- prayerwalking
- light construction
- servant ministries
- ministries to children
- elder care
- block parties
- evangelism

The deadline for registration is May 10.  Go to http://www.wmu.com/index.php?q=ministries/world-map/ministry-around-world for links to registration information.  Note that their is a participation fee of $125 per person for individuals.  Fees for families are at a reduced rate.  The participation fee helps to cover costs for things like participant T-shirts, insurance, and ministry supplies.  Participants make their own arrangements for lodging.  Some meals are provided.

FamilyFEST is a great opportunity for those who have never been on a missions trip to have the opportunity to go and experience hands-on missions without having to do all of the project planning.  The 2012 FamilyFEST in Memphis is jointly sponsored by National WMU, Tennessee WMU, Mid-South Baptist Association, and Mississippi River Ministry.  They are planning together for projects that will make an impact and help share the gospel in Memphis.  

Let’s return the favor to those who have come three times to Kentucky for MissionsFEST.  Take your family to Memphis this summer!

Foretaste of Heaven
June Rice

     I had a foretaste of what heaven will be like when I attended the Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Woman’s Missionary Union in Somerset, Kentucky, last week.

      I have been attending the Annual Meetings since the one in 1969. I remember the theme as being “Shaping the 70′s” where they changed some of the names of organizations and streamlined the W.M.U., which had been organized in 1888.

     That particular year the meeting was at a church somewhere in West Kentucky, and the speaker was an employee of the National WMU, Betty Jo Corum. She was an effective speaker and she was blunt in saying that the WMU raised millions of dollars for missions each year and handed it over “for the men to spend.” According to what I learned last week, these days we are doing a pretty good job of spending the money that comes in on missions of our choice! That year, I remember a very young Anna Mary Hack (now Byrdwell) who only retired from the state WMU office a couple of years ago. She was a ball of fire then, and has been a wonderful encourager all these years.

     Since 1969, I have gone to as many Annual Meetings as I have been able. I have been on the WMU Executive Board for three three-year terms, meeting lovely missions-minded women from all over Kentucky each year. Through WMU, I got to go to England, to Brazil, to St. Lucia, to Arizona to a National meeting, for training in Birmingham, to Richmond, VA, for the WMU’s 100th birthday celebration; all the time meeting more and more lovely people who loved the Lord.

      Last week I was blessed to be able to go with my daughter, Cathy, who has also spent three years as a WMU Board member, and we were joined by granddaughter Jennifer, who is a WMU member at her church in Danville.

      The theme this year was “Live Sent,” and we were reminded that we Christians are a letter sent from God to everybody we come in contact with, and our job is to spread God’s message.

      I was so happy to see so very many of the ladies I had got to know as I worked on projects with them as we were Board members together. We had one dinner for all ex-board members and we got to see each other and smooze for an hour or so. I was happy to see Uneva Graves, who was such a good influence on my daughter, Patti. She played the piano at First Baptist Church in Paintsville, and taught with me at Paintsville High School. Her little boy, Steven, was just a year or so younger than my son, Steve, and they were very good friends.

     It was wonderful to see Laverne Sublette, from far west Kentucky, Sara Billups Murray, with whom I got snowbound in Birmingham one time, and found that she is now President of the West Virginia WMU! I saw ever so many of my WMU buddies that I have known over the last forty years that I will know when I get to heaven, I will really enjoy getting together with all those wonderful friends.

      I was impressed that the WMU ladies had furnished 5,000 small blankets to give to the Disaster Relief Team to give to children  whose homes have been destroyed and their toys gone and their parents distracted trying to get their lives back together. My daughter has been helping get ladies to sew labels in the blankets telling the recipients that God loves them, and the blankets are gifts from the Kentucky Baptist Convention. When the labels are sewed on, the blankets are folded, put in a plastic bag, and the air sucked out and the envelope sealed. This helps keep the blanket clean until needed, and much easier to store. Many of the blankets have already gone out to the recent tornado victims.

      Linda Cooper, the state President, gave us a hilarious recap of all we heard. I will share one of her observations:  “We are a letter of Christ that anyone can read by just looking at us. Christ Himself wrote it, not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; a message written on our hearts in the red blood of Christ’s great sacrifice. But have you ever said, ‘That’s not what I had in mind, God?’ Why do we explain to the Sender why we aren’t being sent? If we are teaching going, we need to be going ourselves. We also learned that we can lose our job if God wants something done! Thank you Debby [Akerman, who challenged us each session]! You truly challenged us to Live Sent!”

     There was a lot more, but you had to be there to understand what heaven is going to be like!

Wow! God has been among us!  We asked Him to Shine on Us and He sure did!  Now, may we be a Shining Light to the Nations.  Thank you, Dr. Jay…yes, we have a Dr. Jay…Padgett that is.  Thank you for leading us to the throne through song.  Welcome home Jeannie!  Your talents on the piano are “sent” from God.  And you birthed a missionary.

We are a letter of Christ that anyone can read by just looking at us.  Christ Himself wrote it, not with ink but with God’s living Spirit; a message written on our hearts in the red blood of Christ’s great sacrifice. But, have you ever said, “That’s not what I had in mind, God?” Why do we explain to the sender, why we aren’t being sent? If we are teaching going, we need to be going ourselves.  We also learned that you can lose your job if God wants something done!  Thank you, Debby!  You truly challenged us to “Live Sent!” And I knew everyone would love you.

First timers! To annual meeting, that is. I’ve got a feeling they’ll be back.  Were you recognized?  Missionaries, missionaries everywhere!  Did you get a ribbon?  We are honored to have you. 

My DOM was here! Thank you, Bro. Jeff for your support.

In Kazakhstan, you can have a 5^th child that is the oldest in the family.  Hmmmm.  Planting churches, sharing Jesus and loving students, driving a Toyota Siena…makes you say thank you KY WMU.  Because we are not reaching the world fast enough, God is “sending” the world to us, even if they are building Mosques, we can go inside and still pray in Jesus’ name.  Thank you Harold.

Rebecca, an MSC Missionary led us to pray for missionaries having a birthday today.  Be sure and tape the prayer calendar over the kitchen sink so you can pray.  You’ll be able to recognize a missionary because they look just like you!

Thank you Dr. Toby, Diane and committees, and Beacon Hill Baptist Church.  We can’t thank you enough.  I know you don’t have enough restrooms but you could have provided some depends!

God is everywhere!  Even in our gas tanks! Have you ever questioned God?  Raising troubled teenage girls can make you do just that.  But, prayer works, not fear.  Thank you Sunrise.

Then we had a Celebration…singers that is who taught us that we need Jesus to come to our rescue.  Where else can we go?

To Macedonia, maybe?  Have you heard the Macedonian call today…Joe did and he is plowing through concrete there.  There are so many lost people.  2 million in population.  Can 2 Baptist Churches handle that?  If they had WMU they could! I wonder what would happen if you yelled sic ’em to those large and expensive shepherd dogs.  They could maybe speed up that mule they entered in the KY Derby!  Thank you Joe…we will pray.

Give to ministries to missionaries.  Those missionaries can really stretch a dime. You can pray that your children become a missionary…stay faithful, it might be the youngest child.  You have to come to my home church to announce your call to the mission field.  It’s been happening since 1952.  But where are the days when every lady is signed up with a WMU group before you get to seminary.  Did you know there is a Land Rover named Lottie in Nigeria?  Fruit cocktail – pity party- chicken, rice and tea – priceless.  Thank you WMU for always being there and you NEVER stopped praying but what is this about a trap door???? I need to find out about it!

Joy didn’t know the video from Dr. Eliff was coming…but God did.  He sent a personal thank you to us for keeping the Great Commission in the forefront.  We learned that:  A person left with a Bible, becomes a Christian, but a Baptist left with a Bible becomes a missionary.

Happy retirement, Bro. Cheek.  Now, reach out and take the hand of the person next to you, envision God touching you…now be sent, but turn off those cell phones and wear your name tag.  Register! You might win a prize.  What room can you go in and hear, “My husband is going to kill me?” You do have to pay for the baskets you take.

Missions displays, WMU store, boxed lunch, items for collection projects, silent auction, KY WMU Heritage Fund and for goodness sake, turn to pages 38-39 in your program!

Go eat lunch, but come right back.  By the way, you will love your lunch box.

Here I am Lord because I know that You are Mighty to save.  How many of you have claimed the promise of Jeremiah 29:11?  To truly “Live Sent” we need to be encouragers and nurturers…and we can do that through WMU because the Lord has gone before us and will instruct us in the way we should go to declare His glory among the nations. 

EBO is down…will you give?…please put it in an envelope.

Arlene said you can’t tell a DOM no.  Read the note in your pocket and call the man back!  Miss negative is not good.  You know God will meet your EVERY need…check your pocket.

We’ve got a story to tell to the nations!!!  Now the meeting can officially begin.  But you must first turn off your cell phone and turn to pages 38-39.

Now down to business.  The Boys are back!!!!  Do we need a second?  No, the president will appoint him…she was elected again, she might as well do something.  A new board…meeting at 7 am. In the morning.  You have been called out, a special calling.  Don’t worry, He will enable you.  He’ll have to…there’s 4 Linda’s!!!!  Thank you Peggy Hicks…you have remained faithful.

WMU is financially sound.  EBO allocations makes spending money fun.  But don’t forget to teach tithing!

Thank you staff and Dr. Joy Seuss.  We have the best!

Announcement!!!  WANDA IS NOT FOR HIRE!!!!!!!!  Good luck finding the conferences though,…some have moved rooms.

Welcome to the piano, Eddie.  Are we really in a Baptist Church?  I’m loving that music…thank you Beacon Hill Choir.

He is Lord and He is sending you all to live missionally because God’s timing is always perfect. 

Let’s go to dinner.  Do you want Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Austrian, Ethiopian, Irish, or Southern?  Well, what language will we have to speak?  Spanish, German, French, Russian, Hungarian or maybe English.  Never mind, I’m not hungry any more.

WMU charter members are found in Luke 8:1-3.  They went on mission trips sharing the things of Jesus to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and then to the ends of the earth.  That’s how we heard.  Because it’s a God sized job to transplant a mature tree to Myrtle Beach.  I told you not to ask if you didn’t want to hear the answer.  Where is your Samaria?  I hope you “Live Sent” there.

Susan PROMISES to have us out of here for that little game later tonight but right now we need to have a talk with some RA’s GA’s and CIA’s.  You remember the time when the North fought against the South,…well, the East is about to fight the West.  Thank you Bill, John, Melissa, George, Cathy and Arlene.  Those questions they fired at you, were challenging.  You dodged the bullets well so the entire state wins.  They’re yelling, SEND ME, O LORD, SEND ME!!!  As did the Missionary of the year, Lee.  You know he goes to the airport every day and hasn’t flown out yet!  We’ll have to pray that he learns that you have to buy a ticket first!  But, he is talking a mean green bean, though.  I’ve got mine…I’m going to carry them around with me until I lead someone to Christ!

I’ll be sure to watch all the messes out there…I’m prepared to clean them up one by one.

LISTEN!!! There is power in that.  WMU, keep praying, loving, and listening….Live Sent, you’ve been doing it a long time.

You even helped the economy in KY!! By purchasing over 5,000 blankets.  Can we cover the state with that many?   Or maybe just the areas of disasters.

Speaking of disasters, did you hear about the 3 golfers who died?  It’s ok, it has a good ending…one of them came back as Joy Bolton!!!!  We don’t care if man lists famous men by name…no….because God lists famous women and they were there when the greatest event of all time happened.

How can 20-25 at preaching and 18 in Sunday School assess damages after a tornado, send a shower unit, a kitchen unit, chain saw crew, and communication set up?  Through CP, EBO and disaster relief and we can do it too!!  Are you a Mrs. Smith or a Mrs. Cox to a little boy at your church who has caused a storm?  More storms are coming and we’ve been sent to tell them there is a shelter in Christ.  Thanks Dr. Chitwood.

Now, turn off those cell phones and turn to pages 38-39 for the last time or you will get a bad evaluation!  Now let’s fall down and cry Holy as we sing to the king!  Because He is all we need.  All 755 of you found that out this weekend.  Did you win a basket?…then pay up!

“…you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”  I think I got it!  Thanks you so much Debby.  But, you know how you said you like to research a word in the Bible?  Well, there’s a lady in our church who did that once, too.  When asked why she never married, she said she found the answer in the Bible after putting several verses together.  It says, “I would not have you, ignorant brethren.”

Glory is the fullness of God.  “When God gives His glory, He gives Himself.  He cannot parcel Himself out in pieces – no man receives a portion, but all.  The one who receives His mercy also gets His love and all else that is the fullness of God.” The most important words in the Bible are come and go.”  And WMU does just that.  From Mission Friends to Women on Mission, WMU equips those who have come to Christ, to go with God on mission!

The disciples were the first RA’s…much like todays RA’s however they raced boats instead of cars!  Did you hear that boys speak a different language.  But, prayer will open doors. Thanks, John.  Those boys are really living sent!

Lottie was an Acteen!  The “Heathen Helper!?!?”  I guess they didn’t have to be politically correct back then.

WE ARE WMU!  AND YOU ARE PRICELESS!  How has God spoken to you @755?  More give aways!!!  What kind of car did those set of keys go with.  The keys probably belong to the person who lost their glasses…without the glasses, they couldn’t see the keys!  What kind of car do they fit anyway?

Thank ye, Thank ye, Thank ye!!!  NO, missionaries, thank you!

We really have a circle of friends – thank you.

I need a break!!!  Forget the restroom………

Oh my, I’ve got to get an outfit…for annual meeting next year in Hopkinsville!  I’ve been invited!  Should it be 125 years old?  I hear there’s a party going on!  I hope it’s not a disaster!

Out of the mouths of babes:  “Can we stay a little longer with the Disaster Relief?”  I think they saw Jesus.

I say Glory to God!  ‘Cause my chains are gone.  The Acts 1:8 team has it all together.   They’re going to work our camps…and help me with my computer!

Now, I am ready to Live Sent.  Let’s shout it to the North, South, East and the West…to the whole world with our voices and our lives!   I’m a Christian!!!!!!!!!!! And you can be one too.  Let me tell you about my Jesus.

Many of you have encouraged me this weekend.  Please continue to pray for me…I know you will.  Let’s pray now.

Thank you for coming!!!!!

The first blankets went with Disaster Relief Chaplains who took them to give to children as they ministered to families who have lost so much.  Then our new Childcare Unit was called up to West Liberty.  It has been exciting to see pictures of children holding or laying down on a blanket that was sent by loving Kentucky Baptists.  Thank you!

Join us this weekend, March 23-24, at Beacon Hill Baptist Church in Somerset for the Kentucky WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting.  A missions packed two-day event is planned.  The program includes international, North American, and Kentucky missionaries.  Fourteen missions conferences plus ministry projects will be offered on Friday afternoon.  The Kentucky WMU Annual Meeting is the gathering place for everyone who cares about missions.  Women, men, girls and boys are all invited. 

Tom Westerfield, President of Kentucky Baptist Men on Mission and KBC Disaster Relief Communications Leader, will lead a Disaster Relief conference during the Kentucky WMU Annual Meeting.  He will provide information on the ways you can be involved in Disaster Relief and give us an update on the work of the new Childcare Unit. For a schedule and other information, go to kywmu.org/annualmeeting.

Because of your gifts to EBO and the Cooperative Program, our Kentucky Disaster Relief units are ready to go when disasters strike.  While additional gifts for disaster relief are always welcome to meet overwhelming needs such as the recent tornados, EBO and CP provide foundational support that is vital.  This year’s Eliza Broadus Offering allocations includes $28,000 for Disaster Relief.  $7,000 of that amount was allocated for the new Child Care Unit.

 We have not yet reached the $1,250,000 goal for the 2011-12 Eliza Broadus Offering.  Your gifts will help support missions across Kentucky.  Start a chain reaction.  Give to the Eliza Broadus Offering and come to our Annual Meeting for a missions celebration!

PS: If you have access to a RA racer, bring it along to race against mine or others made by our WMU staff.  A RA racer track will be set up in the display area as we say “welcome home” to Royal Ambassadors!

This is a mail for friends at Friendship International (FI). I am not sure who might be reading this mail, somebody from the church or from FI…. Well, I am so excited I am able to get on your website. I am one of the ladies who had been attending FI and have been so blessed by the ministry you do for the Lord and for women like me. My husband and I with our little boy moved into Louisville Village Manor apartments in 2005. I was very sad and bored there because I was so far away from home and family. But ever since I started attending Friendship International, my life changed.  I made a lot of friends, who cared so much for me, my interests and also cared for my boy and later on BOYS!

I remember many of the volunteers who helped me, Mary (the one who had served in Japan for a long time), Mary Bolton, Phronsie Quinn, Peggy – pianist, Martha – the Bible study teacher, My cross-stitch teacher, and many others! I looked forward to meeting all my friends on Wednesdays. When we left after my husband’s studies at SBTS, I made up my mind on helping women like me in India with a similar kind of place like FI. But due to certain circumstances and a few changes in life, I was unable to do exactly what I had in mind. I still have this in mind. I am praying about it and want to help the women here in India. We are in North India … living in a village area where more than 90% of the people are Hindus and women don’t have any opportunities of working or even hearing words of encouragement. I just pray that God will give me the courage and open ways for me to do what He wants me to do. Please remember me in your prayers. Just want to say…that I still have lots of fond memories of Friendship International and I miss being there. You have a very important role in molding my life. Thank you very much. Please convey my love and regards to all our friends at FI. God Bless. Please don’t ever stop this ministry!

Among the letters to the editor was one from a WMU group that had provided a baby shower for 30 women in Jasper, Kentucky. They worked with Bessie McPeek, also known as the diaper lady.  Bessie was featured on the front of Missions Mosaic several years ago thanks to a story by Shirley Cox.

And then on the last page, Wanda Lee wrote about a visit to Korea  and of being in the KBWMU office.  During the visit with Sook Jae Lee, executive director, Wanda had noted a picture of Lucy Wagner, an IMB missionary, who influenced the development of WMU in Korea.  Because Kentucky WMU had a partnership with Korea WMU from 2006-10, I was most interested in this article.  During my own visits to the KBWMU office, I had also noted the picture of Lucy Wagner and heard how much that Sook Jae appreciated  her influence. 

Please continue to pray for Sook Jae and Soonshil (who came here to seminary and worked with us).  Soonshil has been named the new executive director and is serving as co-director until Sook Jae retires next year.  We are thankful for our connection with Korea Baptist WMU and will always rejoice in the Lord’s blessings on their work.  Likewise, give thanks for Lucy Wagner whose name still appears on the missionary prayer calendar on Feb. 21.

Betty Montford, Association WMU director, did a great job of planning the program.  Shirley Ragan shared about the ministry at the Whitney Young Job Corps Center. Amanda Grace Richey presented two stories of changed lives through World Crafts, a ministry of WMU.  There was a matching puzzle to see how much we knew about WMU.  And involving about 20 people, was a presentation on our theme, Unhindered.

Betty assigned ten people each of the letters in Unhindered, and asked them to prepare a skit, song, poem, or other presentation of what that letter meant related to our theme.  Those ten enlisted others and each presentation included words that began with the assigned letter and interpreted unhindered.  The first group did a skit about the excuses we make, claiming we are unable, then reminded us of our scripture verse and how we are to throw off those things and be unhindered.  The second group did a skit about meeting needs.  Next was a cheering group of children reminding us that it takes heart to be unhindered.  And so it went with various presentations.  One speaker challenged us just to do what was needed. One skit was wordless - a series of signs as music played telling the story of someone who had been touched by the empathy of WMU to meet her need and care for her.  

Shelby WMU also took up an offering for the Eliza Broadus offering and raised over $400.  Thank you, Shelby Association WMU!

First Baptist Church of East Bernstadt has a lovely building and is obviously reaching children.  They were everywhere!  As the service began all of the leaders with Mission Friends, Girls in Action and Royal Ambassadors were recognized.  There were quite a few of them, too!

During the service, a report on the start of a new Baby Boot Camp ministry was shared.  The Women on Mission are taking  materials from Kentucky Baptist Nursing Fellowship and implementing this ministry in the community.  They are working with area heath care providers to make this part of a comprehensive approach to working with teen moms.

My message was based on our WMU “Unhindered” theme utilizing Hebrew 12:1-3.  I shared three main points and told about Kentucky missionaries who personify aspects of this passage.
- Throw off what hinders  – Eileen Mullins & Haven of Rest
- Run the race and persevere – Lee Bean & Open Door of Hope
- Consider the example of Jesus who endured the cross – Robin Reeves &  Christians By Choice Creative Ministries.

At the end of the service, Pastor Norm Brock encouraged all of the ladies to be involved in Women on Mission and the work of WMU.  He emphasized what an important avenue WMU provides for connecting and ministry.  Wise Men Understand!

I learned after the service that the church records (audio) the messages and posts podcasts.  If you’d like to listen go to: fbceastbernstadt.com.  

It was a good day in East Bernstadt.  WMU is making a positive impact in outreach to children, missions support, and mission action.  I was honored to be in their midst.