Update from Bonaire- Monday, August 10, 2009

Praise the Lord! Several other prayer and financial partners have come on board even throughout the weekend. God has provided $1,513 of the needed funding for this vision trip and we have been encouraged and protected by your prayers for us.

We had a safe flight to Bonaire, N.A. on Saturday. We had one close call with our connection in Miami going to Bonaire since the flight from Charlotte, NC was delayed. We were very thankful that we only packed carry-on luggage or else we might not have made it to check-in. However, we did arrive in time and God even worked our seating out for each flight so we were able to sit together (our original seating assignments were not near each other.) Additionally, God worked it out so we had exit row seating on two of the flights. What a blessing!

We had a wonderful time worshiping the Lord with the congregation at the International Bible Church of Bonaire on Sunday morning. Brandon sang "Amazing Grace" during the morning service and many church members shared that they were blessed. The pastor gave a very encouraging message on the many spiritual blessings through salvation in Jesus Christ and the Sunday School lesson was about Ezekiel. We were able to meet several Americans living on the island in addition to Dutch immigrants and local Bonaire residents or Antillians (from the Netherlands Antilles.) One of these Antillian families happened to be the family of a dear Liberty University graduate that I met a couple of years back. What a small world!

Today was absolutely packed with meetings and touring the TWR facility. We were able to get a much clearer idea of the vision and vast scope of TWR's ministry to the people of Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil, and the Caribbean.

We learned of many believers/pastors who rely on Trans World Radio-Bonaire's broadcasts for discipleship since they cannot afford or are unable to attend seminary. Some of these believers meet in groups each night for a 3 hour broadcast and afterwords discuss how God used it in their lives. God is giving people a hunger and thirst for the transforming power of His Word through this ministry. What a vital impact this location has.

We also learned of the great need for staff/missionaries here as well as the importance of funding to repair braces on the towers. Without repair, these 4 towers could collapse potentially costing millions to repair and leaving millions of listeners in the "dark."

We thank you for your continued prayers as God shows us His will for our lives and hope to update you as often as we have internet access.