Dear Praying Friends,

Sometimes it’s the simplest things that God uses to encourage a person in ministry.  I have been dealing with some very intense counseling situations recently.  In fact this year has been an extremely involved time of ministry for us in many ways.  I’ll share more about that in a minute.  Anyway, to continue my story… my daughter, Christy, and her children have been visiting with us.  The other day, I am sitting in my office (in my home) working on the computer.  (It seems like missionaries are always working on the computer these days.  Yes, I know the Apostle Paul dealt with a lot of correspondence also.)  Sometimes working with people who are having great difficulty in their lives can be a bit overwhelming, and I have to admit, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.  While I was sitting there thinking and praying about what to do, my six year old granddaughter, Laurie, walks into the office and says, “Grandpa, what do you do?  I mean what is your job?”  I think maybe she was wondering why I get to stay home and not leave for work every day.  She also was probably trying to understand why I get to travel all the time.  It was a sincere question.

I paused and told her, “I work directly for God.  He has given me the assignment of helping His people, including pastors and missionaries, love Him more.  He asks me to tell others who do not know Him about Jesus.  That’s why I travel sometimes and why I work in my office a lot.”  Laurie, who was saved and baptized recently, had a little tear run down her cheek.  She hugged me and told me “thank you for doing that.”  That statement seemed to come directly from God.  Suddenly, I had tears in my eyes.  I thought of the verse that says, “Out of the mouth of babes…”

A couple of hours later, Laurie walk back in to my office and handed me a piece of paper.  On it was printed in her handwriting the words, “God takes care of His little children.  Being a Christian is the best thing.”  She told be to keep this paper so I would remember to tell others to pray for her.  She told me she wanted to do what I do.  She wanted to tell others about Jesus and help them love God more!  So please pray for Laurie that she will continue to love God and listen to Him, and please pray that she will be able to do what God has placed upon her heart.

So what has this year in ministry been like?  It has been a very challenging time with many opportunities.  Here is a short list: The Lord had me drive 5002 ministry miles.  The Lord opened the door for me to teach and lead 29 church meetings including Church services, teens, and children meetings.  The Lord allowed me to participate in 16 leadership meetings, both teaching and consulting.  And the Lord has given me the privilege of being involved in 42 personal counseling sessions as well as multiple phone conversations.  I look back on the year so far, and I am amazed at what God has done and what He gives strength to do.  I also want to share about Beabea, who has worked many hours as a caregiver.  Her unique abilities to work with elderly and individuals with special challenges are God given.  The organization calls her for tough jobs that others do not want to do.  Because of this, she has a powerful testimony for Christ.  Even though she is not allowed to talk about God unless her clients ask, God makes sure that they ask for one reason or another.  It is special to see God work through her.

We want to thank you for your prayers and financial giving.  I know missionaries often say that, and in a sense it is expected to be said, but it is true.  We are still less than 50% support (although we are getting close), but the Lord always provides, often in a way we do not expect.  Please continue to pray for my health.  It has its challenges.  Finally, pray that we will love God and help His people love Him.  And pray for little Laurie.  She is a work of God in preparation to help reach the world for Christ.

John

John (and Beabea) Rogers

jtrbem@gmail.com

Commissioning Church: Shepherd Road Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1054, Mulberry, FL  33860

Please send all financial gifts to Barnabas Enrichment Ministries with a note designating the gift for the ministry of John & Beabea Rogers.