The Baran Family

I was asked to preach at a Pastor’s Tri-State meeting in Greenville, PA this month.  It was a privilege to speak with Pastor Ryland and Evangelist Bill Lystlund also preaching that day.  Pastor Ryland has been faithfully serving in the ministry for fifty-three years now! Just recently it was discovered that he has cancer, but despite this he has continued to have a testimony of strength.  Praise the Lord for these men and their godly examples! It was a blessing to be in God’s house and hear both these men preach.

We are excited to report that we’ve sent three boxes of personal items to the Philippines! This is just the beginning of the moving process but it’s great to finally start!  It is amazing to think that in a little less then a year we’ll be in Cebu!  What an exciting thought!  The next shipment we send should leave in October 2011.  Thanks to all who have been praying!  By the way, many of you have probably already noticed, but our blog has a new look!  If you get a chance take some time to check it out.

Pastor Seymour and the Fellowship Bible Baptist Church invited us to be with them for their Sunday services.  It was neat to go back to this church as a missionary!  I had been to the church there in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania for several teen tri-states and preached there as a young preacher boy.  My wife also knew several of the church folks and was excited to be in Wattsburg as well.  Unfortunately, earlier that week the church lost their furnace and had to meet in their jr. church building. The church handled the unexpected problem so well that if we had not been told, we would not have known there was a problem.  It was wonderful to see God’s people react so gracefully in the midst of a trial!

We joined Pastor Schag and Calvary Baptist Church in Shelby, Ohio for their Sunday evening service.  I was able to preach and Elizabeth played her violin.  We were again blessed by the people, who though we had never met, knew of us and our ministry.  We are looking forward to the time when deputation will be over and we’ll be on the field but our time of visiting churches has been sweet.  We have been greatly encouraged by all the people we have met on the road!  The Lord has taught us so much in this time.