At the board meeting last week, Br. Manley was honored for completing 15 years of service as the director of the mission. The extended EFM family, including missionaries, former missionaries, board members, and staff contributed to buy him a gift. He was given a brand new replica of a flintlock muzzleloading rifle. We may have some pictures in the Missionary Herald of him posing with his gift. It is a beautiful piece of workmanship that is completely functional.
As Rev. Steve Hight moves into his new duties at Faith Mission Church, the Board of Directors had to fill the void he leaves – at least temporarily. They voted to have Donald G. Smith Jr. M.D. serve as Interim Vice President / Assistant Director of the mission until a permanent and full time replacement could be found. Dr. Smith has been working in the home office since August 2008. He has worked in the area of short term missions trips, planned gift giving, and U.S. travel / fund raising. His work in those areas will continue and he will assume some of the duties of Br. Hight. We cherish your prayers for the administration and the home office.
This coming Sunday, in the evening service, Rev. Steven Hight will preach his first official message at Faith Mission Church. He will leave a large hole at Evangelistic Faith Missions. He will still have his office here at the mission headquarters for awhile as he makes the adjustment. He still plans to continue some work with Evangelistic Faith Missions. At this time, the advanced theological classes in Guatemala will still be done by him for a week or so in October. We will miss him sorely here at the home office.
The situation in Honduras continues to be unstable. There is no evidence of possible civil war but there are demonstrations and worker strikes. The hospital personnel in the public hospitals have been on strike and people are not receiving care. Our missionary Daniel Melton tells us that a young boy broke his ankle severely and needed surgery. They helped the family with him in some ways. He was basically left in a bed in the hospital for a week. The military are apparently keeping the hospital doors open but real medical services are lacking. This type of turmoil has placed our plans for a September medical team in jeopardy. The risk of problems with a medical team our numerous and include simple things like road blocks and more major things like violent protests. Please pray for this situation and for our wisdom in knowing what to do.
Our missionary Daniel Melton in Honduras, was recently robbed. His pickup was broken into and his briefcase was stolen. Fortunately no money or computer was in it. However, there were several – actually many – important documents in it including his passport. An award has been offered and broadcast on the news for the return of the paperwork. Please pray for the return of the paperwork and passport. Pray for the Meltons since this has been frustrating and discouraging. Our missionaries face these dangers all the time and need your help.
Faith Mission Church in Bedford, Indiana has been under the leadership of its current pastor for 30 years. However, Leonard Sankey the current pastor, resigned in the fall of 2008. After a lengthy search process the church has extended a call to our vice director Steven Hight. He has accepted and will begin pastoral duties September 1, 2009. We extend our best wishes to Brother Hight. We trust the Lord to bless his ministry at Faith Mission Church. There will be a big hole at EFM when he leaves. We cherish your prayers as we go through this transition.
The summer matching fund is now at $127,000. Thanks and praise to the Lord. It we can raise $23,000 by August 15, 2009 we can receive $75,000 in matching funds. We appreciate everyone’s help.