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His
Work Go ... and make disciples of all nations Matthew 28:19
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Volume
24, Number 7 |
July 2010 |
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The Barry Rosie
family have worked on the mission field in Africa for more than 24
years under the oversight of the: |
Fraley's
Chapel |
Elders Mike Whitehurst - 662-287-7631 |
Betikara School Prayer
Meeting
One of the greatest things about having a school at Betikara is that the school is unhindered in the things that we can do both physically and especially spiritually. This last month was a good example of the spiritual freedom that we are experiencing in being able to have a special prayer meeting for all of the upcoming test takers at the Betikara School. The date and time for the prayer meeting was set for Friday, July 9, 2010 at 9:00 in the morning.
The day of the big test was set by the Malagasy government for Monday, July 12, 2010. We made a special announcement to the friends and families of the students inviting them to come to the Betikara School for this special time of prayer on behalf of the test takers. There were 26 students from the Betikara school scheduled to take this big test. Friday, July 12, 2010 arrived and we were pleased to see that several of the friends and parents of the students took time out of their busy schedules to show up for the prayer meeting.
The schedule for the meeting had been decided several days in advance of the meeting. There was to be spiritual singing, bible reading, prayer, and a special biblical message about the need to study and improve ourselves both physically and spiritually. There was also a time scheduled near the end of the prayer meeting where all of the 26 students that would be taking the big test would be asked to come to the front of the auditorium and stand in front of those assembled as a special prayer was uplifted to God asking for them to be protected and guided in the big endeavor that was looming in front of all of them.
I mentioned in the July 2010 Betikara newsletter, these tests are often very difficult and many of the students succumb to the social, mental, and physical stress that is involved with these types of tests. Many of the students do not hold up well under the pressure, and the hospitals are full to overflowing with students that cannot handle the added pressure that is put upon them during these test taking times. Therefore, a time of prayer that is scheduled by the school before the time of the test is welcomed by both the students and their families.
The director of the Betikara School was to lead the special prayer meeting that was being planned. I was asked by the director of the school to be present for the meeting, and I was also asked to participate in the meeting. The director asked that I provide some spiritual teaching for the prayer meeting as well as be the person to lift up a special prayer to our heavenly Father asking Him to watch over these 26 special students.
It did
not take me long to choose my topic for the meeting. Since I was talking to
students who were preparing to take a big test I decided to use the following
passage from 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth." I made a point of telling the audience that the first
important item was that whatever we did in our lives, our lives needed to be
acceptable to God. I told them that both our physical and spiritual lives needed
to be right with God.
Then I told them that if our lives are right with God, both physically and
spiritually, we do not need to be ashamed or embarrassed by anything that we do
or by anything that others say about us. We know that the spirit of God lives
within us and that the things we do, whatever they are, are acceptable to God.
I also spent some time encouraging the parents of the Betikara students to be
the proper spiritual examples that would help their children become the students
and future parents that would put God first in their lives. I mentioned that
families that spent time with their children and take an interest in the
academic and spiritual lives of their children will see good results from their
time spent together as a family. I said that homes that are based on alcohol,
wife beating, and drugs are not good environments for child growth and good
study habits.
Many of the neighboring children come to bible study and worship. However, we
never see their parents at worship. These parents are teaching
their children that spiritual lives and worship are for kids, and that once a
child is of age, married, and has children of his/her own they are no
longer "obligated" to be spiritual or
worship.
Please pray with us that these parents will see the need to be good examples,
both physically and spiritually for their children. Please pray that the parents
will realize that the things they do and say at home are, in reality, teaching
their children. Many parents do not consider their daily examples as a form of
teaching. Please pray that these parents can put God first in their lives, and
in the lives of their children.
Did You Know . . .
. . . that the
AU (African Union), the UN (United Nations) and several international countries
continue to try and get Madagascar (specifically Mr. Rajoelina) to follow the
already agreed upon accords from Maputo and Addis Ababa? Mr. Rajoelina is happy
with the way things are going in Madagascar these days. He even made a statement
that Madagascar does not need international financial aid. Of course, this
statement was made just after Mr. Rajoelina signed a major mining deal worth
$100,000,000.00 (one hundred million U.S. dollars) with China that allows China
the rights to do extensive iron ore mining in the northwest part of Madagascar.
There is also another mining operation that is in the works that is possibly
going to open in the southern part of Madagascar. Everyone is up in arms about
this particular mining operation, including the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), since
the mining operation will reportedly take place inside the Isalo National Park
if approved by the current administration.
http://www.bushcamps.com/destinations/southern_africa/Madagascar/
Our Not So Miniature Missionaries
Havilah is enjoying her reprieve from school work. I
guess you couldsay that this reprieve is well deserved, since most of her
courses for herjunior year at the American School of Antananarivo were AP
courses. She had totake the AP exams, and we are happy and somewhat shocked that
she did best onher French AP exam. All of her results were good and these good
results willmake it easier for her once she finally decides where she wants to
attenduniversity and she gets done filling out all of the necessary
universityapplication forms. Smile here.
Stacy was able to visit with Kit at Faulkner
University over the Fourth of Julyweekend. Stacy reports that Kit is well and
that he is determined to finish hisstudies and get his degree in Criminal
Justice. Kit will soon be looking forsomewhere to do an internship that is
required for his degree. Kit did statethat once he has his degree in Criminal
Justice he has no idea where he wants totry and find employment. He did say that
he might start by looking in theMontgomery, Alabama area.
Monday Teaching Takes a
Break
As the Betikara School comes to the end of another school year, and closes for the winter vacation, the bible teaching that has taken place on Mondays will be stopped. Once school resumes in the first week of October we pray that we will once again be able to meet together and discuss spiritual matters from the word of God. Please pray for the teachers that faithfully attend these Monday teaching sessions. Pray that the word of God will remain with them and influence them in their daily lives even though they are not attending the Monday teaching that takes place throughout the school year.
Wednesday Men's Meetings
The Wednesday men's meetings continue to go well. We continue to have a steady
number of men attend. We are finding that as we continue to meet together we are
feeling more comfortable with each other. We are more willing to share with each
other concerning the things in our lives that hinder us from being good servants
in His kingdom. Pray that the men will continue to grow spiritually. Pray that
they will be soon ready to take on a more active part in His church, and in
teaching others about our Lord and Savior.
Stacy Still in the
States
Stacy has moved on from visiting with the Rosie family in Michigan and is now in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania visiting with her father and two of her sisters and their families. Soon she will be ready to move to the east side of Pennsylvania and visit with her other two sisters and their families. All of this moving around is getting her closer to her final day and place of departure from the United States. Stacy is still scheduled to fly out of Washington, Dulles International Airport on August 10, 2010 and arrive in Madagascar on August 12, 2010.
Stacy finished her onsite doctoral course and attended a conference for the American School of Antananarivo in the month of June. Now she is taking another eight week online course with the University of Phoenix, as well as continuing to work on her doctoral thesis. Stacy was hoping to be able to spend some time with her doctoral thesis mentor. However, due to her mentor being sick this meeting had to be cancelled.
All in all, it has been a good trip for Stacy. She is able to spend more time with family than usually happens when we return to the states to report to all of you about the church in Madagascar and the Betikara Orphanage. Stacy continues to be blessed in her travels by making all of her connections via plane from destination to destination without any delays.
Along with the good things there have also been a few problems. First, the airline tore a big hole one of her suitcases. Second, we have not been able to connect easily via e-mail and Skype during some parts of her travels. Third, Stacy is seeing that her suitcases continue to multiply and get heavier as she gets closer to her departure date. With bringing back clothes, and other needed items things are starting to add up.
Please pray that Stacy's journey will be safe. Pray that the remaining time with her family can be uplifting for all of them.
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EXPENDITURES | |
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Diesel |
$ 216.47 |
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Vehicle
maintenance |
-497.06 |
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Rent
and Utilities |
914.61 |
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Office |
360.21 |
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Travel |
0.00 |
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Misc. |
2.94 |
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Total
expenses |
$ 997.17 |
You can pray!
* Pray for the
island nation of Madagascar. Pray that this present political upheaval can soon
come to and end. Pray that the Malagasy people will be able to survive through
this unsettled time. Pray that they will be able to seek Christ and His ways
over the ways of the world and their
ancestors.
* Pray for His
Malagasy church. Pray that the church can be strong and grow during this time of
unrest. Pray that the church can help others see Christ and turn to
Him.
* Pray for us
as we continue to teach and try to be good examples for the Malagasy people.
Pray that our lights will shine brightly during this time of political
darkness.
We welcome you to join us in this work for Him . . .
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Barry,
Stacy, Kit and Havilah Rosie
Tel. 011-261-32-02-081-14
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