With the weather changing, school preparing to close, and summer quickly approaching, How 2 Women's Ministry Team is planning a number of exciting summer adventures.

Game night was a big success last year, so the team is planning two nights of competitive fun. Thursday, June 17, and Thursday, August 12, beginning at 7:00 P.M. in the youth building women are invited to meet for fellowship. Card games, board games, dominoes, and more will be offered. Have a favorite game? Bring it along. Snacks will be served and everyone is encouraged to bring a friend.

Christmas in July is a new event being planned for Thursday, July 22. Women in the church and the community are invited to come shopping. Vendors will be set up on the church grounds and refreshments will be served. In addition to door prizes every 30 minutes, there will be a large Christmas decorating package given away - including a live tree, gift wrappers, fresh cookies, and more. Make plans now to come out and enjoy an evening of early shopping and bring your neighbors along. There are a few surprises planned that will guarantee to get you in a festive spirit.

An exciting change that is sure to provide more opportunities for fun and personal ministry will be Secret Pals. Coordinator Carol Wietstruck will be focusing on new ways to expand this special ministry. Plans are to provide monthly prayer, gift, and card suggestions. Pals are still encouraged to be creative and secretive while serving, honoring, and lifting their sister in prayer. Those currently participating will keep their pals until Christmas when their identities will be revealed. New sisters will be chosen January 1.

A fall Bible Study is being prepared. Leah Cessna will be teaching this study and the time schedule will follow the Awana dates. Watch for more details and be in prayer for Leah.

Each day brings new adventures for women in the First Baptist family and Bellville. Billie Jo Schiel is proud to share that her daughter Neelie earned a beautiful saddle as best overall in Pee Wee girls at the Central Texas Youth Rodeo program in May. Congratulations to Neelie.  Proud grandmother Gail Sisson shares photographs of her grand daughter Hayley's cupcake creations. How amazing are these?  Hayley made and decorated these by herself. Pretty good for a 14 year old.

The Children's Ministry is preparing for High Seas adventure. This Vacation Bible School experience will be June 28 - July 2 from 9 - 12. Children's coordinator Billie Jo Schiel is searching for crew leaders. The most important job of the week, crew leaders will be responsible for five-six children and will spend the week getting to know them, helping them make their way through exciting stations such as story time, crafts, and games, and become a strong witness of love and caring. Please feel free to contact Billie Jo at the church office if you are willing to give this one week to God's service and bring children closer to Him. There are other areas to work, so please, contact the church to find a place. Training is underway and children are signing up. Be sure to register your children or grandchildren online at the church website.

Women's ministry is encouraging church members to submit photos, activities, and praises to the address how2ministries@yahoo.com Your prayer requests and praises are one way that we as a church family can continue to grow.

Prayer praises include:

Praise for Susan Phillips' mother Kate Spalinger - released from rehab and returned to her assisted living home in time for her birthday.

 Praise that Clyde and Lou Reeves' grandson Gareth has been prayed safely home and is gaining weight and healing.

Praise that Charlotte Pool, Priscilla Allen's sister-in-law will not need kidney surgery.

Prayer requests include:

Prayers for wisdom and strength for Pam Baley, Vicki Porter's daughter-in-law facing cancer treatments.

Prayers for Marsha Toole as she mourns the loss of her sister Melanie Brunette.

Prayers for continued strength for Sherry Villyard, Carolyn Ogden's cousin; Brenda Flisowski, Trevor Flisowski's stepmother; and Judith Watson, all facing more treatment and surgery for continuing illnesses.

Please be sure to share your needs, praises, and reports with us to share with your church family.

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:21

While the Mission Belize team may not have suffered, they certainly didn't find much rest as they are close to completing Phase II. All that is left is for the local workers to finish the walls and the upper beam.

The team of John Paget, John Grimes, David Nelson, Ken Franz, Don Mitchell, Jerry Sisson, and Matt Lewis left Bellville around 5:00 A.M. Monday, May 10, after starting with an early breakfast hosted by Mike Newman of Newman's Bakery. What a blessing his meal and prayer support offered.

Day One consisted of laying out and installing the plumbing and drains that were to be under the slab. The number of toilets and showers amazed the locals especially since 4" PVC drain pipe is hard to find and must be ordered from Belize City. This installation was the third most expensive element of the work thus far. In addition, on day one the men leveled and tamped the dirt and installed the expansion joints.  

Another day was spent laying out the plastic and rebar to be under the slab. While the men were working, the two 50 foot trailers filled with  blocks arrived. Each block weighed 15 pounds a piece and the men were ready to work.

Bright and early the next day, the cement trucks and equipment began to arrive. Three mixer trucks, a cement pump, a hopper, and a conveyer arrived along with a dump truck of cement. There was an estimated 69 cubic yards of cement. Already on a budget, the men worked to keep their measurements exact. They ultimately used only 63 cubic yards saving over $600 USD. Once again, God proved Himself faithful in every detail.

By Saturday evening, the men were exhausted, but didn't let that deter them from setting up "pews"  - basically blocks and boards - for a Sunday morning service. They even found the energy to build a pulpit for Brother Bob Farley to use. They had spent the week inviting people to the service to be held at the new training center. Sunday morning, Brother Bob picked the people up in the bus and God's sight was grand as He listened to the praises of His children. All gathered together, praising God on the site of His training center, Manuel, one of the workers sang in Ketches, and Matt Lewis sang in English. One of the people, Cristina, prayed to accept the Lord as personal Savior and the group praised the Lord for His continued blessings.

One of the events that only God could have arranged concerned Philip, the cement company supervisor. The men had visited with him during the week and he accepted their inviation to worship. He brought his wife and four children, driving two hours just to join their little service. Prayers are being lifted for Philip and family to come to know the Lord. 

Each team member had duties other than the work on the center. David and Ken cooked the meals often starting by 5:00 A.M. so work could begin by 7:00. Don showed a servant's heart handling the cleaning duties keeping the cabin comfortable. Jerry is a Gideon and was able to hand out Bibles much to the joy of the children and their parents. Matt, and both Johns served in worship. Once again, God brought together the perfect team filled with wisdom, energy, and a serving spirit.

The Seekers Bible Fellowship Group from First Baptist Bellville purchased a hot water heater for the Farley family, so in addition to their work at the center, the men also worked to install the unit. While a challenge to install, Jerry and Matt were able to get it working and Rhonda had hot water at her kitchen sink and washing machine for the first time in years.

The rainy season started early this year and the nightly down pours were quite heavy. The men were frequently rained on during the day and lightning and thunder shook the small cabin, but God's protection was enough to provide shade from the sun during the day, gentle breezes, and peaceful sleep in the evening. Another mission team working on other facilities had to postpone their cement pour and will have to return to finish. Even with daily rains not a drop of rain fell on the Sunday worship service - once again, to God be the glory.

The original plan was for Brother Bob to drive the team to Belize City Tuesday, May 18, but the rain washed out the bridges. The men were forced to take a small commuter flight from Punta Gorda, but it allowed them to get in a few more hours of work.

WIth Phase II complete, the entire team from the United States and Belize are still trusting God to provide the funding to complete the work. To God be the glory who continues to provide for His children as they serve Him.

"His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step." Job 34:21

His eyes truly are on the ways of men and He has had his eye on every step that the Mission Belize Construction team has taken. From the smooth flight to the accomodating weather, from the material arrival to the "fire from heaven" concrete truck, God has had His hand on the workers and the work being done on the training facility in Belize.

A team of four men from Texas, (l-r) Ken Franz, John Paget, John Grimes, and David Nelson, arrived in Belize to meet Bob Farley and start the Phase I work that would get the project started.

 The first day primarily consisted of measuring and laying out the lines for the building. A lazer level was used to plan the wall layout and the arrangement of rooms and then the tractor was brought in to dig the trenches for the placement of  forms. Forms for the walls were laid and concrete poured to secure them while concrete blocks were hauled in by hand to stack. Once concrete was dried, the blocks were stacked and more concrete was poured into them for stabilization.

But the hand of God wasn't just on the construction. The Spirit was truly moving across Punta Gorda while the team was there. The Sunday service was an emotional time for the team as village leaders shared life changes and the entire congregation encircled them to offer forgiveness and friendship.

The small group of men  - older men by their own admission - had set out to do a monumental task, but the Spirit not only gave them physical strength, emotional and mental strength to meet the daily needs of their efforts was the Spirit'sblessing. About Thursday of the first week, they realized that they were setting a torrid pace when three of the locals shared that they were not able to keep up with the pace being set! The team claimed Isaiah 40:31 and continued on knowing that they would be tired, but not weary. Each day was filled with new challenges and God stayed one step ahead of them.

From bare dirt to wooden forms, from the cement pour to the last two courses of block stacking, the men forged ahead coming in not only under date deadline, but under budget.

The building is not the only success in Punta Gorda. The comradery that was built between the team, the villagers, and the staff will last a lifetime. Days started around 5:30 with devotion time and each evening was spent in personal reflection of work accomplished and hurdles overcome. The Spirit moved in more than physical accomplishments in the lives of the the Texas team. It was obvious to them that God's work was being done in this place and they just felt priviledged to be along for the ride.

While in Belize, only days away from finishing, team member John Grimes recevied word that his sister was losing her valiant fight with cancer. As God was preparing to move her to her heavenly home, John struggled being torn between his duty and love for family and his commitment to the project. John wrestled with God and his commrades surrounded him, praying as they laid hands on him for his decisions and choices. John stayed to see the finish line and although had to leave early, was able to be with his sister before she moved to heaven. Once again, God cared for every detail of the trip.  

The Holy Spirit and the plan of God is truly being brought to life in the building and the development of the training facililty in Belize. God's work is not only eveident on site as the building takes shape, but in the lives of the villagers and the Farley and Ezelle families. The team was able to bring a sermon message, worship with the villagers, and be a part of baptisms in the river. They visited in the homes of the villagers, shared stories and gospel messages with their fellow workers, and left their hearts there, with plans to return in a few weeks to begin Phase II.

Praise be to God for the work He has done and the work He still has planned as the team and their new workers are planning to return in early May.

Welcome to the HOW2 Ministries Church Family Blog. Our women's team is excited to have this opportunity to share the lives of the First Baptist Family. God has given each of us unique situations that allow us to share His blessings and love and this blog will hopefully provide ways for our sisterhood to keep up with all that He is doing in our lives.

This blog will be updated as needed, but is designed to share all the family activities, ministries, opportunities, and current events God uses to bless our church family. Please send photos, news, information, and any suggestions to our e-mail address at how2ministries@yahoo.comWe appreciate the opportunity to share your children's praise reports, your families prayers needs, and your life situations with our women and look forward to hearing from you. We'll share anything from your grandchild's first steps to a great book you've recently finished to a new recipe for broccoli! Sharing our lives and building relationships is one of God's greatest gifts and a way to worship Him for all He provides.

The February HOW2 Women's Conference was a great blessing thanks to the effort of the women's ministry team and all those that participated. Speaker Becky Bader, musicians the Mathis Trio, and the pull-out session speakers gave us all so much information and wisdom that we will be busy the rest of the year growing in godliness. Many of the vendors will be back for Christmas in July, so be watching for them. Plans have already begun for next year and attendees are asked to share their likes/dislikes/suggestions with the team so next year's event can be an even greater blessing.

There are many upcoming events at the church that women can participate in and help support. We encourage you to select one and call the appropriate staff member.

GOOD NEWS CRUISE children's Musical, under the direction of Teresa Howard will be presented May 2. Call Teresa at 865-1304.

AWANA'S AWARD NIGHT is set for May 5. Contact Billie Jo at the church if you can bring refreshments or help in the kitchen.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLdates are set. June 28 - July2 our children will be participating in the High Seas Expedition program. Billie Jo has requested volunteers for kitchen help, crafts, games, class leadership, and pre-school areas. Please contact her to sign up. More information will be out, but set your calendars to bring your children, grandchildren, and the neighborhood friends.

NURSERY VOLUNTEERS- Every Sunday God's most precious little ones need to be cared for while their parents grow in the Lord. If you have a Sunday that you can offer to rock a sweet baby, play with a toddler, or read to a pre-schooler, please contact children's ministry team coordinator Teresa Howard, 856-1304, for a time to serve.

Be sure to check our pages How to Grow, How to Serve, and How to Lead for more information and updates. If you have any info that you'd like to share or activities to put on the women's site, please contact Lou Reeves at the HOW2 Ministries e-mail shown above.

Ladies, we look forward to hearing from you and keeping you updated with information on women's activities here at First Baptist Bellville. Be sure to contact us with any prayer needs or information you'd like to share with your church family.

PRAYER NEEDS and PRAISES LIFTED :

Rick and Denise Evans are expecting their fourth grandchild in October. Pray for Alison Evans as she is experiencing the first trimester of morning sickness while raising a two year old.

Members of the Library staff, Trisha Williams, LaNan Baker, and Susan Phillips are working to organize and coordinate the Library services. Contact one of them if you have books of videos to donate or materials that can be used. Stop by and see the amazing work these women have done and pray that our church will continue to grow in the Lord through this ministry.

Continue to lift our sisters Lillian Schindler and Celia Kincaid in prayer.Lillian's husband Marvin moved to be with the Lord in December and she recently lost her brother Marion, and two other family members as well in the last few weeks. Celia's husband Doug moved to heaven as well, recently, and she is adjusting. Prayers for comfort and peace as they go through this time are appreciated.

Clyde and Lou Reeves grandson, Gareth, is still recovering in Neo-Natal ICU in Dallas from surgery immediately following birth. Pray for a speedy recovery and trip home.

Susan Phillips' mother is recuperating in Columbus. Pray for strength.

Vicki Porter's daughter-in-law, Pam Baley, is fighting caner and traveling to Chicago for treatments. Pam has two-year-old triplets and an older child. Remember Vicki, Jim, and family as they all work together to get through this time.

Dena Meyers' daughter, Meghan, made a recent move to Austin. She and Braeden are working to get re-adjusted. Please pray for them as they are finding peace in their new home.

Lauren Cashion need to sell her house in Sherman.

Billie Jo Schiel is coordinating VBC for June and needs volunteers and prayers.

To submit prayer requests and praise reports, please send information to how2ministries@yahoo.com

"To God be the Glory; great things He has done."

     It's fascinating to watch God work. The Mission Belize Team is beginning to form and dates have been established for activities.

      Phase I will begin on March 20 when the team of John Paget, Jerry Sisson, David Nelson, Ken Franz, and John Grimes flies to Belize City and makes their way to Punta Gorda - about a 5-6 hour drive. The men will be staying in a temporary building which is a very basic shelter, hopefully with power. The environment will be primitive with cots (if available) and a privy already on site. Mosquito netting, bug spray and additional clothing are just a few of the things the team will need to bring in addition to their personal needs.

     The team is committed to completing Phase I before they return to the states on March 28. They will be sending updates on a regular basis, so please watch for progress as the Training Center becomes a reality.

     We are currently praying that God prepare them for the spiritual warfare they will face and open the hearts and doors for them as the come alongside Bob Farley and Cohen Ezelle in God's mission of this training facility.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

What a mighty God we serve that the works He began with creation are still in progress and we, His children, are blessed to participate! This progress continues with the Mission Belize Training Center. In the beginning, is was a vision Bob Farley had, a dream he felt God had given him. But when visions and dreams are set in motion by God, reality soon takes shape and He is glorified.

Currently the team is preparing for Phase I construction to begin. Funds are in place and available for the March trip where five men will begin work. John Paget, team leader, is currently securing and raising funds for Phase II which is scheduled in late April. Jerry Sisson, project manager, is scheduling workers, supplies, and equipment. Bob is coordinating the laborers and land preparation in Belize. All efforts are being made to get the center going before the rainy season begins in late May.

While the team is in Belize, we will be updating on a regular basis with photos and information. If you would like to be informed on these updates, check back with us regularly or e-mail us at missionbelize@yahoo.com and we will be sure to notify you with needs, prayer requests, and current activities. If you would like to contribute financially to this effort, simply click on God's Provisions at the right and you will be re-directed to addresses where you can share in the joy of this effort.

Most of all, be in prayer that our timing will align with God's, that our efforts will honor Him, and that His gospel will be shared in every aspect. Pray for the team and the Farleys and First Baptist Church as we work together to serve our Father.

"O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revelaed this to your servant saying, 'I will build a house for you.' So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer." 2 Samuel 7:27

The Mission Team made it home safely last night about 9:15 p.m. Thank you for all your prayers. Come out this Sunday and celebrate with us as we hear what God has done.

Today is the final day for the mission team to be in Belize before heading home tomorrow. They will spend the day in Belize City. Thank you for all your prayers for the team. We praise God for the forty-two people who turned to Christ. Pray for their spiritual growth and for the efforts of the local missionary and church as they follow up with these.

The mission team is schedule to arrive in Houston at 7:20 p.m. tomorrow night. Pray for their safe travel. Next Sunday the team will give testimony to all that God has done during their trip.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

PRAISE GOD! Read Pastor Wade's update from Day Four. Also, come next Sunday, August 16, and hear all that God has done this week as our Mission Team will be sharing in the morning service.

Mission Complete!!  Today was our gospel focus. Over 200 people heard the gospel, about 70 came forward for counseling, and 42 prayed to recieve Christ as their savior! Ther were 165 kids at the morning vbs, and 185 people attended the concluding service tonight. Praise God!!

I pray that the Lord will stir in your heart for you to be a missionary no matter where you are!!

Thanks for all your prayers, and well be back to Bellville on Tuesday!

Your FBC Bellville Missionary Team!

Today is the last day for the mission team to conduct Vacation Bible School. Each day the number of kids attending VBS has increased from 100 to 160, all to the glory of God. Pray this morning for more children to come out and hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray also for the strength of the misison team. It has been a busy week.

Also, this evening there will be an evangelistic service held for the families of the children in VBS as well as the adults of the village. The team will go out this afternoon visiting people in the village and inviting them to the service. Pray for many adults to come to the service and for many to come to repentance and faith in Jesus.

If you have not read the report and seen the pictures from Day Three, please see the posting below.

The mission team had another wonderful day at VBS. They also had a constructive afternoon. Read Pastor Wade's update below and see the pictures from the day.

There were about 160 children that showed up today! Glory to God! Jesus is being exalted, and gospel seeds are being planted!

We also learned about an amazing work that is being done by our great God through the two missionary families that live here. We will share more about this on Sunday the 16th! Please plan to be ther to hear all of our testimonies, and to celebrate what God has done and is doing in Central America.

We also had a special treat today as we used saws, hammers, and drills to do some much needed light construction at one of the missionary's home.

There is a lot of work to be done in many different ways in Central America. Pray!

Your FBC Bellville Missionary Team

Pastor Wade has sent an update from day two along with pictures. We praise God for answered prayer and bringing all the children.

We just found out that the hotel we are staying in has reserve water tanks, caught from the rain each night. So thank God, we do have water!! He answers prayers in ways we couldn't expect! The rest of the city is out due to a water main bust. The city service department turned the water off to repair the main. So this is only a tempoary problem.

Day two was amazing! There were 125 kids, to the praise of God. The story of Noah's ark is amazing. Jesus is our ark, and by placing our faith in Him we are spared the judgement of God. Keep praying for God to grant salvation!

Your FBC Bellville Mission Team

Well Day Two did not get started as the mission team may have hoped. Please read the previous posting "Prayer Request - No Water."

Today the team conducted the second day of Vacation Bible School. Yesterday they had around one hundred children attend. You may see the photo of the children  located in the post "End of Day One." We pray that these and more children attended this morning and will again tomorrow. Pastor Wade is able to send updates in the evenings so be sure to check back tonight and in the morning.

The mission team will continue to conduct VBS in the mornings and go out visiting people in the village in the afternoons through Saturday. Continue to pray for them. Pray they will maintain their strength throughout the week; that they will continue to work together as a team; that God would grant many opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus; and that God would open the hearts of chidlren and adults to receive Christ as their Savior. Oh, yah, and that God would restore water back to the town of Punta Gorda.

Thank you for all your prayers. Again, you may attach your prayers for the team by adding it as a comment to these postings.

...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6:18-19 ESV)

Pastor Wade just emailed (Wednesday 11:00 p.m.) the following prayer request...

"Prayer request: The city we are staying each night, Punta Gorta, is without water for the next two days, possibly longer. We will be bathing in a natural spring, and there are possible issues with food contamination due to the lack of water to clean things."

Please pray that 1) members of the mission team will be protected from possible disease; 2) water to be restored to the city of Punta Gorda; 3) the peace of Christ will guard the mission team members' hearts and minds; 4) and God would be glorified in this situation.

It is in times such as this that we learn what we know to be true; we are to trust in God. We hope and pray that everything goes smooth in life, and on a misison trip. But experience teaches that life is not always smooth.

In my time of prayer leading up to the mission trip I prayed for all things to go well for the team. And then I would pray that if/when a situation arose, the team would turn to God and depend upon him in troubled situations. This is one of those times. May God be glorified.

We will notify the church as we get more updates on the situation.

You may leave your prayer by adding a comment to this entry. Just click on 'Add a Comment'.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2 ESV)

Below is an update received from Pastor Wade along with a photo...

Wow!!! We had about 100 kids show up, standing room only. We told them about our awesome God, how He created the earth and every living thing. We sang songs about Jesus with them. We loved them, and took them in our arms, just as Jesus would have done. Keep praying for God to grant salvation!

FBC Bellville Mission Team