While I have never had the pleasure of meeting you or your husband, I felt that I needed to write to you and express a very deep feeling that I have in my heart.
I, as a person, am not brave. I do not tackle things head on, as I hate confrontation. I will travel 100 miles out of my way just to avoid a conflict. I am an American woman that has no idea what is going on in the military other than what I hear on the news.
I have never had to let go of somebody so that they could fight for people that they don’t know, people that sometimes do not appreciate or understand what they are fighting for. I have never had a sleepless night of worry because of a report that another bomb has exploded and I still haven’t heard from my husband. I have never had to wait for months on end to hold the one I loved so.
I have never had to tell my children that daddy was not coming home tonight because he was so far away fighting for something they aren’t old enough to understand. I have never had to hold my head high and suppress the tears as I hear that it will be at least another six months of separation before my loved one gets to come home.
I never had to deal with a holiday away from the one that I thought I would share every day of my life with. And I have never had to feel the panic rising in my heart at the sound of a ringing phone or knock at the door for fear that it is the news that everyone is terrified of getting.
For the reasons listed above, I can NOT tell you that I understand how you feel. I cannot tell you that you must be strong. I cannot say that you shouldn’t be angry, because you "knew what you were getting into when you married a military man". I cannot say these things because I have never had to walk in your shoes.
What I can say for certain is that because of your unselfish acts of bravery and your husbands willingness to stand up for those who see him as "just another soldier" — I will never have to walk in your shoes.
I do understand that as a military wife you are expected to uphold a certain amount of control, but I never understood how you could do it, until now. I have figured out that you are not like other women. You are a special breed. You have a strength within you that holds life together in the darkest hours, a strength which I will never posses. The faith you have is what makes you stand out in a crowd; it makes you glow with emotion and swell with pride at the mention of The United States of America.
You are a special lady, a wonderful partner and a glorious American. I have more respect for your husband than I could ever tell you, but until recently I never thought much about those that the soldiers leave at home during deployment.
Until this moment I could never put into words exactly what America means to me. Until this moment I had no real reason to… Until I heard of you. Your husband and his military family hold this nation close, safe from those who wish to hurt us… but you and those like you are the backbone of the American family. You keep the wheels in motion and the hearts alive while most would just break completely down. Military families make this nation what it is today. You give us all hope and you emit a warming light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
Because of you and your family ...I am able to be me. I am able to have my family. I am able to walk free in this great land. Because of you and your family I can look ahead to the future with the knowledge that life is going to be okay. Because of you and your family, I can awake to a new day, everyday. I realize that you are a stronger person than I will ever be because of these things and I just wanted to take the time today to say thank you and your family for allowing me that freedom.
I will never be able to repay you, as it is unmatchable. However, I hope that you know that no matter where you are… what you are doing … or what will happen tomorrow… Your husband will never be "just another soldier" to me… And you, dear sweet lady, will never be forgotten.
You are in my prayers everyday and I pray that God will bring you back together with your loved one safely.
May God Bless You!
(Author unknown)
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I, as a person, am not brave. I do not tackle things head on, as I hate confrontation. I will travel 100 miles out of my way just to avoid a conflict. I am an American woman that has no idea what is going on in the military other than what I hear on the news.
I have never had to let go of somebody so that they could fight for people that they don’t know, people that sometimes do not appreciate or understand what they are fighting for. I have never had a sleepless night of worry because of a report that another bomb has exploded and I still haven’t heard from my husband. I have never had to wait for months on end to hold the one I loved so.
I have never had to tell my children that daddy was not coming home tonight because he was so far away fighting for something they aren’t old enough to understand. I have never had to hold my head high and suppress the tears as I hear that it will be at least another six months of separation before my loved one gets to come home.
I never had to deal with a holiday away from the one that I thought I would share every day of my life with. And I have never had to feel the panic rising in my heart at the sound of a ringing phone or knock at the door for fear that it is the news that everyone is terrified of getting.
For the reasons listed above, I can NOT tell you that I understand how you feel. I cannot tell you that you must be strong. I cannot say that you shouldn’t be angry, because you "knew what you were getting into when you married a military man". I cannot say these things because I have never had to walk in your shoes.
What I can say for certain is that because of your unselfish acts of bravery and your husbands willingness to stand up for those who see him as "just another soldier" — I will never have to walk in your shoes.
I do understand that as a military wife you are expected to uphold a certain amount of control, but I never understood how you could do it, until now. I have figured out that you are not like other women. You are a special breed. You have a strength within you that holds life together in the darkest hours, a strength which I will never posses. The faith you have is what makes you stand out in a crowd; it makes you glow with emotion and swell with pride at the mention of The United States of America.
You are a special lady, a wonderful partner and a glorious American. I have more respect for your husband than I could ever tell you, but until recently I never thought much about those that the soldiers leave at home during deployment.
Until this moment I could never put into words exactly what America means to me. Until this moment I had no real reason to… Until I heard of you. Your husband and his military family hold this nation close, safe from those who wish to hurt us… but you and those like you are the backbone of the American family. You keep the wheels in motion and the hearts alive while most would just break completely down. Military families make this nation what it is today. You give us all hope and you emit a warming light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
Because of you and your family ...I am able to be me. I am able to have my family. I am able to walk free in this great land. Because of you and your family I can look ahead to the future with the knowledge that life is going to be okay. Because of you and your family, I can awake to a new day, everyday. I realize that you are a stronger person than I will ever be because of these things and I just wanted to take the time today to say thank you and your family for allowing me that freedom.
I will never be able to repay you, as it is unmatchable. However, I hope that you know that no matter where you are… what you are doing … or what will happen tomorrow… Your husband will never be "just another soldier" to me… And you, dear sweet lady, will never be forgotten.
You are in my prayers everyday and I pray that God will bring you back together with your loved one safely.
May God Bless You!
(Author unknown)
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by Al Sligh
Greetings from Freedom Baptist Church. We wanted to share what God has done so far with the work here in Guam. We were able to get a suitable building in which we can hold three services a week. We have made dividers for the class rooms and also a pulpit. We’ve had two people rededicate their lives to our Lord. Four children have accepted Christ along with three adults. We have a wonderful nursery and several Sunday School class rooms. A soul winning program has also been started and the church is growing. "Thank you" to all who contributed to the Norma Sligh memorial fund, thereby making all these blessings possible.
May God Bless You!
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Greetings from Freedom Baptist Church. We wanted to share what God has done so far with the work here in Guam. We were able to get a suitable building in which we can hold three services a week. We have made dividers for the class rooms and also a pulpit. We’ve had two people rededicate their lives to our Lord. Four children have accepted Christ along with three adults. We have a wonderful nursery and several Sunday School class rooms. A soul winning program has also been started and the church is growing. "Thank you" to all who contributed to the Norma Sligh memorial fund, thereby making all these blessings possible.
May God Bless You!
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There is a possibility that some military bases will be closing in Germany. The speculation is that the U.S. Military may open up bases in Eastern Europe. If they do Dr. Kennard is working now to get new missionaries ready to go into those areas.
Back on December 7, 2003 the Faith Baptist Church of Misawa, Japan celebrated 20 years of ministering to the U.S. Military and Japanese community. The Monteiths were saved and called to missions 15 years ago . They have now been serving in the pastorate at F.B.C. for over six and a half years. A number of our BIMI military missionaries are pastoring mission churches where they were saved.
Brother Robert Heath led a Japanese girl, Kanako to the Lord. Later he joined her and her Australian boyfriend, Nathan in matrimony. Nathan was a Christian and it was he that was instrumental in bring Kanako to the church.
Many missionaries in Europe are experiencing financial difficulties. The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar against the Euro dollar has dropped considerably in the last year or two. This of course makes it difficult when the missionary is not permitted by the host country to take a job to help with his finances.
>May God Bless You!
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Back on December 7, 2003 the Faith Baptist Church of Misawa, Japan celebrated 20 years of ministering to the U.S. Military and Japanese community. The Monteiths were saved and called to missions 15 years ago . They have now been serving in the pastorate at F.B.C. for over six and a half years. A number of our BIMI military missionaries are pastoring mission churches where they were saved.
Brother Robert Heath led a Japanese girl, Kanako to the Lord. Later he joined her and her Australian boyfriend, Nathan in matrimony. Nathan was a Christian and it was he that was instrumental in bring Kanako to the church.
Many missionaries in Europe are experiencing financial difficulties. The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar against the Euro dollar has dropped considerably in the last year or two. This of course makes it difficult when the missionary is not permitted by the host country to take a job to help with his finances.
>May God Bless You!
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The Navatos who are on deputation were visiting some dear friends, the Ramirezs. The Ramirezs also invited some other friends over so that the Navatos could witness to them. The husband, Oscar is a civilian and the wife, Mila is active duty military. Both of them trusted Christ as their Savior. Brother Ed was also mentoring a man in the Bible Baptist Church in Arizona to be a soul winner. On their second time out soul winning they were able to lead an older man by the name of Jorge Sanchez to the Lord which really excited the new soul winner.
Missionary Harold Pierces rejoices in the privilege of seeing eight people come to Christ in February through personal soul winning efforts in Germany. God is still using soul winning to build military churches.
Steve Nutt, military missionary in Okinawa, Japan mentioned that they have seen 47 people saved at Maranatha Baptist in the last month. Many of those saved were former Presbyterians, Seventh Day Adventist, Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses and some unsaved Baptist.
Dave and Mary Williamson have been helping out in Puerto Rico since Billy Aulds accident. Over eleven students have been saved in Mary/Mrs. Aulds class. Many of the school children’s parents and other relatives have been saved through the weekly visitation program.
The Sage’s serving the Lord in San Juan, Puerto Rico have had six people following the Lord in Believers Baptism with others planning to be baptized in the near future. They have a growing discipleship class which meets Sunday evening at 5:00 pm.
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Missionary Harold Pierces rejoices in the privilege of seeing eight people come to Christ in February through personal soul winning efforts in Germany. God is still using soul winning to build military churches.
Steve Nutt, military missionary in Okinawa, Japan mentioned that they have seen 47 people saved at Maranatha Baptist in the last month. Many of those saved were former Presbyterians, Seventh Day Adventist, Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses and some unsaved Baptist.
Dave and Mary Williamson have been helping out in Puerto Rico since Billy Aulds accident. Over eleven students have been saved in Mary/Mrs. Aulds class. Many of the school children’s parents and other relatives have been saved through the weekly visitation program.
The Sage’s serving the Lord in San Juan, Puerto Rico have had six people following the Lord in Believers Baptism with others planning to be baptized in the near future. They have a growing discipleship class which meets Sunday evening at 5:00 pm.
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Many of BIMI’s Military Churches have a variety of out reaches similar to those in most local Baptist churches here in the States. They have children’s ministries, youth and school ministries, etc.. Many of the military churches over seas also have some unique ministries such as reaching out to the citizens of their host country.
The Heneise’s mentioned that they have an out reach to the German people. Recently a lady was saved through their German Bible study ministry.
The Pierces in Germany are pouring their lives into the single service personel ministry with Bible studies on Friday nights and a home cooked meal after church on Sundays.
The Simensens also in Germany are rejoicing in the way the Lord is blessing at the confinement center where men, waiting for trial, often seek the Lord.
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The Heneise’s mentioned that they have an out reach to the German people. Recently a lady was saved through their German Bible study ministry.
The Pierces in Germany are pouring their lives into the single service personel ministry with Bible studies on Friday nights and a home cooked meal after church on Sundays.
The Simensens also in Germany are rejoicing in the way the Lord is blessing at the confinement center where men, waiting for trial, often seek the Lord.
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Families are being torn apart physically, but the common bond of a loving Savior holds them together. Unsaved servicemen have no comfort or hope as do those who are saved. The men and women from our military churches are having great opportunities to witness at this time to others in their outfits who are afraid and have no place to turn but to drugs and alcohol to try to handle the fear. They can see the calm and peace that the Christians have in comparison to those service personnel who are unsaved. In time of stress, danger and separation it is wonderful to have the Comforter within, the Bible to read for encouragement and instruction, and a hope that is eternal. Lets continue to remember those in harms way and the families that are left behind who are anxiously awaiting their safe return. May God’s divine hand of protection be upon all who serve their country in these troubled areas.
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Missionaries of the Day
Thursday, September 9, 2010
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jonathan & Heidi Huff - TOGO
Robert & Gail Huffman - FRANCE
Don & Helen Hughes - USA - NEW YORK
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jonathan & Heidi Huff - TOGO
Robert & Gail Huffman - FRANCE
Don & Helen Hughes - USA - NEW YORK
Military Director
Dr. James & Gail KennardRead more about the Kennards.
Email: Dr. James Kennard
He can be contacted through the BIMI office
(423) 344-5050.
Assistant Military Director
Jeff & Joyce AlversonRead more about the Alversons.
Email Jeff Alverson
He can be contacted through the BIMI office
(423) 344-5050.
