Address: P.O. Box 4200, Salem, OR 97303-8200
Mission Agency: Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE)
Mission Field: Missionary At Large
Dear Ones,
The summer has ended and except for some raspberrries, the produce is about gone. Since we have lived in Oregon and when we are in town, we have enjoyed rhubarb, onions, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, cherries, plumbs, grapes and apricots. Lest you think we have reaped large amounts, I hasten to say that this year the plumb tree produced 17 plumbs and the cherry tree had just 20 cherries. It was hardly worth the effort, but we look to future days of harvest. The only large amount of fruit came from the tomatoes, raspberries and grape vines. However, it was fun. We plant the seed, water, cultivate and pull the weeds, but the Lord gives the harvest. So too in our ministry. These last two months we have reported to the folliowing supporting churches: First Baptist in Elmira, CA, Bible Baptist Church of Burein, WA, Orchard Ave. Baptist Vacaville, CA, Tabernacle Baptist, Shoreline, WA, and Campton Heights Baptist in Fortuna, CA.
We also ministered the Word three Sundays at the Christian Fellowship which meets in the Madrona Assisted Living home here in Salem. This place is near to our home and the spiritual leaders have become our friends.
For some time now, we have gathered good used Christian books to ship to pastors in the Philippines. We have access to all the culls at Corban College. We also scour the used books at the Union Gospel Mission store for good things. Because we are seniors, we are able to purchase the books from the UGM on Mondays for half price. We pack the books in shipping boxes that are limited to 70 lbs. We are able to ship the box for $65. This figures out to a little over a dollar a book. The books are distributed to Filipino pastors and Bible College students. Some of the books are put in lending libraries.
Recently there was a storm in Iloilo City, Philippines. The flooding was the worst in fifty years and many people lost their lives. Some of our pastors lost their small libraries. Before the storm we had shipped a box to Iloilo. One of our fine Filipono associates, Rev. Ruperto Alparaque, wrote the following:
"The big box arrived today filled with a very good selection of books. Thank you so much for taking the time to pack and spend your own money to transport them. We have a good number of pastors who lost their precious books in the flood last June 21. One even cried because his books were very dear to him. He is one of the recipients of your books. I think I save five books for the library and the rest will be given to our pastors victimized by the flood."
Perhaps you have some Christian books that you would like to share with a pastor or worker in the Philippines. You can ring me at 503.375.3235 and we can help get your books to someone whou would deeply appreciate them.
October 30, we leave for Sydney, Australia where we will teach another course for the Asian Baptist Theol. Seminary. We will return on Nov. 22.
"…in the service of the saints…
Larry and Jacqui Armstrong