The Baran Family

After our return from Bible Baptist Church, my wife and I were able to spend time with a few of our friends at Niagara Falls. Bro. Nate St. Pierre along with his mom, brother, nephews, niece and sister-in-law were able to stop by at Pastor Seth’s house this Labor Day weekend.  So we decided to meet together at the American side of the falls. It was so nice to enjoy Labor Day with great friends and their families. Bro. Nate Saint Pierre was one of my teachers at Bible College. We became good friends at college and we share many wonderful memories. It was also neat to see Pastor Seth and Nate St. Pierre react  to each other. My worlds were again colliding. I am glad God has given me some God loving friends. Praise the Lord for them.

We were very thankful the Lord made it possible for us to return to Niagara Falls, Canada.  This has become a very special place to my wife and I for many reasons. We not only enjoyed our honeymoon there but also the services and friendship of Bible Baptist Church. During our honeymoon, we were just going to slip in and enjoy the services and then slip out.  But Pastor Kiper recognized me from our prayer letter and asked if I could present our work that Sunday night.  This was the first time ever I was able to introduce Elizabeth as my wife in a meeting. This dear church provided us the funds to buy our new prayer cards and also gave us a generous love offering. So when Pastor Kiper asked if I could fill in for him this past Sunday I was quick to say yes.  We had a great time!  I preached all three services and also showed our new updated presentation.  It was wonderful to return after almost a year and see the church folks.

It was wonderful to go back to Open Door Baptist Church!  Pastor Aabye has been a friend for many years. The last time I was with them I was still single and I had just put together a temporary display board.  I didn’t even have prayer cards at the time.  I remember saying something like this, “Yes I am not currently married.  The problem isn’t me, SHE needs to get right with God and marry me.” Little did I ever imagine that I’d be married at the end of that same year.  God is good. It was great to return to Open Door with my display board, prayers cards, and my wonderful wife.

We were asked to join a missions conference in Upper Sandusky with Pastor Bucklew and Heritage Baptist Church. We stayed with the pastor and his dear family during the meeting.  We had a great time, Pastor Bucklew and his wife had recently taken a missions trip to Israel and shared their experience with us.  Just looking at the pictures and seeing the different sites where Jesus walked was amazing.  I pray that someday, if the Lord wills, my wife and I will be able to go ourselves.