The Baran Family

Our next meeting took us to Newark, Ohio where we visited Pastor Biggs and Grace Baptist Church.  My wife had been to this church several times as a child visiting her grandmother.  At one point this was the church where Elizabeth’s parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all came to worship the Lord.  It was a special time for us to go back with our grandma and see the church family. I was given the opportunity to preach both services and my wife played her violin.

For the first time ever Elizabeth and I were part of a joint missions conference.  For several years now, First Baptist Church of West Seneca, NY and Hedstrom Baptist Church of Cheektowaga, NY have come together and shared their missions conference time.  During the day we were able to visit the West Seneca Christian school and talk to several elementary classes about the Philippines.  It was fun to meet the kids and see their interest in our field. Perhaps the Lord would use that time to plant a seed in their hearts and someday call them to be missionaries.

It was great to go back to Old Time Baptist Church this week!  My very first missions conference as a missionary was with these folks. They have been great friends of our ministry and have supported us for a little over a year now.  This particular meeting was the first time my wife was able to go with me.  It was exciting to see our friends and update them on all that has happened.  They were thrilled to see my wife and her growing figure.  Knowing my sense of humor, they could only laugh when I introduced Elizabeth and said, “No, my wife is not normally this big.” It was wonderful to enjoy the fellowship of the brethren!

We were invited back to Evangelical Baptist Church this year for their missions conference.  Not long after we were with with them last year, the church took us on for support!  They have been a faithful partner ever since.  It was wonderful to see the people and give them an update on our ministry.  After asking about our needs, one family provided a digital scale for our future home in the Philippines.  This is something that we won’t be able to get in Cebu and had planned on buying here in the States.  We praise the Lord for families with such sweet spirits.