A Letter from Kerry Mauldin

First Christian Church Berryville actively supports missionary work in Haiti, India, and worldwide through the efforts of our Youth Ministers Scott & Amanda Frame and their Youth Ministry participants. Following is a letter we've received from Kerry Mauldin, a Good Friend in Christ who works in India:

Dear Friends,

PTLord, We made it to the villages and are off to fast, packed start!! We visited 7 villages today and gave for 4 new churches, 1 well and blessed with many talents!! Five took baptism in water!! Dedicated 3 churches!! I was overjoyed at 2 villages especially!!

At LLaxmi Village in Oct. we went along the canal to where about 70 believers meet with first coming to Christ 12 years ago. They said they were poor and could give nothing to improve their simple shed. I did not know what to do or give, so we waited on the Lord.... Finally a chicken began to crow and I asked if any had chickens... They all had!! We agreed to trade a good chicken from each to put a roof on a new church!!

Today, we dedicated a beautiful church with plenty of room to grow and painted so nice! The Cox family gave to help build this. The people were all so excited and learning to give, have taken ownership of this awesome church!! Two handicapped women are taken care of by Pastor Isreal. We gave a good buffalo for them to have milk and strengthen pastors hands!!

At Sarvaram Village, we went 2 Octobers ago and in the night, many people gathered around 6 holes dug in ground for pillars. We shared Salvation bracelets and gave to help build the Church--CowBoy Church in Antlers, Ok gave...

We dedicated a big nice church, not painted, but has 150 members and 80 baptised!! Pastor Prabudas has done well! Only he has only 3 of 150 are tithers. Some give offerings. I asked them who would like to learn to be tithers? Only 3 indicated they wanted to. Most looked down. Then I asked how many WANT GODS BLESSING? They all raised their hands and were with enthusiasm... I said, "Something doesn't add up here..."

Taught on Malachi 3 and said if we put a "Talent" in Pastors hand how many would like to learn to tithe?

Pastor took 10000 rs to use as test. He has1 month to send report on his plan of putting something in peoples hands to learn to tithe... Multiply chickens or etc... They were all excited after the teaching and we said out of their giving, they can paint , plaster and put tile down...

Pastor Prabudas had accident and crushed his heel in church construction. He found he is diabetic and at 210 blood sugar avg. his foot would not heal.. I encourage with insulin and diet... So many have no knowledge and we can help them!!

Tonight after giving bore well, we met in a home for supper! I was so sleepy from jet lag... Melody and I were hanging on...

There was dancing, clapping and singing!!

Nathaniel got up and put scarf on and as all gathered and shouted and clapped, he danced with all his heart a traditional Indian dance. Then Melody and I sang all a song... as I said dancing clapping, singing and at end much squirming!!! But we thought we needed to sing for our supper....

We may not have to worry about eating supper from here on...HA!!

Thanks so much for praying!! 6 dedications today!!

With love thanks and prayers,

Kerry Mauldin

For more information about Kerry Mauldin please visit http://www.mauldinministries.com/

Are You Ready to Plant Your Garden?

The world of gardeners is sometimes a strange one. For example, our Little Sprouts were hard at work two days before Valentine's day planting lettuce and snow peas...and just in time for our first snow fall of the year!

What their experience proves is that gardening isn't just a summer time activity; serious gardeners garden all year long. In mid January a couple of our gardeners traveled up to Mansfield, MO to buy heirloom seeds. The picture above is one of the varieties they picked up, an old favorite named Rutgers which was developed at Rutgers University back in the 1920s. In total, there will be about 10 different heirloom vegetables grown in the garden this year. We'll see how they do--literally.

In the next 10 days or so we'll be preparing seed trays in the beautiful greenhouse the Hale Family has allowed us to use. If you would like us to grow some seedlings for you, just let us know and we'll acquire the seeds if we don't have them now, and get them growing for you.

As you can see, rain, snow, or shine, we can--and do--garden in any weather!

Springing into the Garden--2012

As you've heard us say before, "It takes 5 years before a garden is really a garden." Well, we're ready to start Year 4--and we're really excited. Most of our essential infrastructure--dirt, fencing, raised beds, water lines--are in place. Barring another year of drought and excessively hot weather, we're expecting a bumper crop of really wonderful vegetables. Here's what will be happening in the next couple of weeks:

Mulch from the big pile in the back yard will be barrowed over to trenches between planting beds. Drip irrigation lines will be connected and strung out. Old blueberry bushes will be drug up and transplanted. Trays will be filled with potting soil and seeded to get plants started in the Hale Greenhouse. Rocks will be located and used to finish the small prayer area near the garden fence. Potatoes, onions, snow peas, and garlic will be planted. A couple more raised beds (boxed) will be constructed.

If you have time we'll be glad to have your help hauling mulch, preparing seed trays, and hooking up drip lines. If it is possible for you to donate any of the following items, it would be a good thing:

A bag(s)of potting soil, seed trays, 2X6/8/10 for raised bed construction, BALES OF STRAW, and composted manure. Talk with Dan or Jennifer to arrange.

Please remember that the garden is your garden and you are invited--enthusiastically--to go into the garden any time to pick for your family. Your gardeners DO NOT EXPECT payment of any kind. Yes, donations of time and materials are gratefully received, but are not ever expected. Our only goals are to be good stewards of God's many gifts to us, and for you to enjoy the beautiful spot that is the First Christian Church's Community Garden.