The Baran Family

We went to Virginia Beach to join Bible Believers Baptist Church and Pastor Timothy MacDonald for their Wednesday night service. I have been friends with Chris MacDonald, the pastor’s son for many years.  The Lord has truly blessed this church by literally giving them a beautiful building. It was amazing to see the Lord’s provision for this church family.  While we were in Virginia Beach I was also given the chance to see the apartment where I received Christ as my Savior.  This was the first time that I have been back to this particular location for thirteen years.  Praise the Lord for saving my soul and also for allowing me to serve Him.  I am amazed to see what He has done in my life!

On our way to a meeting in Virginia Beach we were able to stay with some friends in Manassas, VA.  This gave us the opportunity to visit their church, the Fairfax Baptist Temple. It was great to see our friends in a church that is thriving in its service for the Lord.  We are so thankful for these faithful churches still serving Christ all across America.  Our visit lasted for a couple days and being so close to Washington DC, we also went to the Philippine Embassy to answer our many questions about paperwork for my wife and our baby. We were excited to discover that all of our future children will be able to become dual citizens!  This is a relatively easy process that I myself had to go through so we know that at some point we will have to return to Washington with our baby to complete the necessary paperwork.  Unfortunately my wife will never be able to become a dual citizen but we can work on permanent residence.  Please pray for us in this matter!

We were excited to finally begin deputation this year! It was a fresh start for us as we headed to Massillon, Ohio to be in our first meeting of 2011!  Pastor Thayer had me preach and give my testimony.  It was a wonderful night of services and the Lord greatly blessed!  After the message the church graciously voted to take us on for support!  What an unbelievable start of the year! Praise the Lord for this dear church.