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There’ve been many a new year that have come and gone in my lifetime. When I was in my “schooling years” it was one of those holidays that I loved to ob- serve. It was an excuse to stay up late and to be with other people. In most of my younger years, there were church gatherings (keep in mind that my dad was a Baptist pastor, too, so social events tended to take place around church gather- ings). As I grew older, I got together with my high school friends. In col- lege, my fraternity brothers took it to an extreme that I’d never even dreamed possible before. Now, quite frankly, it’s just an- other night with way too much hype and attention. I’m all for shut- ting down the night at around 10 so I can be at home ready to go to bed at a decent hour. I don’t watch new year’s programs and if a ball drops somewhere it’s really not a big deal to me. So what’s all the fuss about a new year? Believe it or not, I think I understand the focus. A new year is also the sign of an end to the present year. For people who’ve been through some particu- larly difficult times, it’s good to be able to put all those things behind you. It’s the chance to put some things away and realize that the events are past and we can begin to put them behind us mentally. Some experiences might include sickness, death, financial problems, troubled relationships, or other things like college, trade school, or something else that we particularly pleased to be “finished” with. We can finally say we’re done! At the same time, we enter the new year with expectations and hopes. “Things are going to get bet- ter.” “Now, we can start to do something different.” With the new year, we can move on to new goals and dreams for ourselves, our ca- reers, our families, or any number of other things. A new year is often filled with lots of hopes and visions of what might be accomplished. There’s one more thing that hap- pens with a new year: resolutions. These are our “resolves” to correct the problems of the past. It’s a de- termination to do better. It’s a com- mitment to change. We’ll stop do- ing the things we shouldn’t be doing and we’ll start doing the things that we should’ve been doing. Resolu- tions are tricky, though, because they require some introspection … some self-evaluation. It involves a frank admission that we can do bet- ter with our lives. As we dive into the new year of 2011, I do so with a deep desire to help us reaffirm a solid foundation. In the language of my southern up- bringing it’s “repentance” and “revival.” It’s a recognition that we need to live out our Christian com- mitment more consistently. In short, we not only need to “talk the talk,” but we need to be more intentional about “walking the walk” of the Christian life. Every once in a while (such as at the new year) we consciously begin to think about such things. We re- solve to “do better.” We commit to change some bad habits. We decide that we’ll make a conscious effort to do better at living for the Lord. And I would add that it’s a great oppor- tunity to do just that! I would hope that we will “seize the moment” and do just that. On Sunday evenings (6:00 PM) we’re looking at a video series called “Framing Your Worldview” that’s produced by Rick Warren and Chuck Colson. Their series highlights the importance of living our lives with integrity … especially with re- gard to our Christian commitment. They make the case that if we say that we are a follower of Jesus Christ, then we must know him and follow him obediently. Our life choices should reflect our commit- ment to Christ. I’d like to invite you to join us on Sunday nights as we explore this concept through Bible study and discussion. It has the potential to have a powerful, positive impact on our church and community. Come join us! Annual Bus Meeting ........... Page 2 Poinsettia Donations .......... Page 4 Potluck Dinner & Games .... Page 5 Winter Reading 2011 .......... Page 6 Bill Clemmer Journal .......... Page 7 Buzzard, Bat, & more .......... Page 8 First Baptist Church · 315 Walnut Street · Manistique, Michigan 49854 · Church 906/341-2814 · Parsonage 341-2839 Pastors Ponderings Friends pointing the way to a safe harbor through the light of faith First Baptist Church Manistique, Michigan www.FBCmstq.org e-mail = [email protected] January 2011 The Informer A L k Inside

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Page 1: Manistique, Michiganharbor through the light of faith Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year's Day 2 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Morning Worship 5:00

There’ve been many a

new year that have

come and gone in my

lifetime. When I was in my

“schooling years” it was one of

those holidays that I loved to ob-

serve. It was an excuse to stay up

late and to be with other people.

In most of my younger years,

there were church gatherings (keep

in mind that my dad was a Baptist

pastor, too, so social events tended

to take place around church gather-

ings). As I grew older, I got together

with my high school friends. In col-

lege, my fraternity brothers took it

to an extreme that I’d never even

dreamed possible before.

Now, quite frankly, it’s just an-

other night with way too much

hype and attention. I’m all for shut-

ting down the night at around 10 so

I can be at home ready to go to bed

at a decent hour. I don’t watch new

year’s programs and if a ball drops

somewhere it’s really not a big deal

to me.

So what’s all the fuss about a

new year? Believe it or not, I think I

understand the focus.

A new year is also the sign of an

end to the present year. For people

who’ve been through some particu-

larly difficult times, it’s good to be

able to put all those things behind

you. It’s the chance to put some

things away and realize that the

events are past and we can begin to

put them behind us mentally. Some

experiences might include sickness,

death, financial problems, troubled

relationships, or other things like

college, trade school, or something

else that we particularly pleased to

be “finished” with. We can finally

say we’re done!

At the same time, we enter the

new year with expectations and

hopes. “Things are going to get bet-

ter.” “Now, we can start to do

something different.” With the new

year, we can move on to new goals

and dreams for ourselves, our ca-

reers, our families, or any number

of other things. A new year is often

filled with lots of hopes and visions

of what might be accomplished.

There’s one more thing that hap-

pens with a new year: resolutions.

These are our “resolves” to correct

the problems of the past. It’s a de-

termination to do better. It’s a com-

mitment to change. We’ll stop do-

ing the things we shouldn’t be doing

and we’ll start doing the things that

we should’ve been doing. Resolu-

tions are tricky, though, because

they require some introspection …

some self-evaluation. It involves a

frank admission that we can do bet-

ter with our lives.

As we dive into the new year of

2011, I do so with a deep desire to

help us reaffirm a solid foundation.

In the language of my southern up-

bringing it’s “repentance” and

“revival.” It’s a recognition that we

need to live out our Christian com-

mitment more consistently. In short,

we not only need to “talk the talk,”

but we need to be more intentional

about “walking the walk” of the

Christian life.

Every once in a while (such as at

the new year) we consciously begin

to think about such things. We re-

solve to “do better.” We commit to

change some bad habits. We decide

that we’ll make a conscious effort to

do better at living for the Lord. And

I would add that it’s a great oppor-

tunity to do just that! I would hope

that we will “seize the moment”

and do just that.

On Sunday evenings (6:00 PM)

we’re looking at a video series

called “Framing Your Worldview”

that’s produced by Rick Warren and

Chuck Colson. Their series highlights

the importance of living our lives

with integrity … especially with re-

gard to our Christian commitment.

They make the case that if we say

that we are a follower of Jesus

Christ, then we must know him and

follow him obediently. Our life

choices should reflect our commit-

ment to Christ.

I’d like to invite you to join us

on Sunday nights as we explore this

concept through Bible study and

discussion. It has the potential to

have a powerful, positive impact on

our church and community. Come

join us!

Annual Bus Meeting ........... Page 2

Poinsettia Donations .......... Page 4

Potluck Dinner & Games .... Page 5

Winter Reading 2011 .......... Page 6

Bill Clemmer Journal .......... Page 7

Buzzard, Bat, & more .......... Page 8

First Baptist Church · 315 Walnut Street · Manistique, Michigan 49854 · Church 906/341-2814 · Parsonage 341-2839

Pastor’s Ponderings

Friends pointing the way to a safe harbor through the light of faith

First Baptist Church Manistique, Michigan

www.FBCmstq.org e-mail = [email protected]

January 2011

The Informer

A L k Inside

Page 2: Manistique, Michiganharbor through the light of faith Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year's Day 2 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Morning Worship 5:00

Page 2 The Informer

A donation was made to

the Mortgage Reduction

Fund in memory of Bill

Gillette Jr. by Lloyd &

Betty Smith.

And Vivian Nelson has made dona-

tions to the Memorial Fund in mem-

ory of Alphild Ekblad, Mildred Setter-

gren, Eleanor Peterson and Roy Nel-

son.

Thank you to everyone who pitched

in to help decorate and un-decorate our

church building for the holidays in-

cluding the outside Nativity scene.

A special thank you to our behind

the scenes in-house mail sorters, Jan

Martin & Bev Marks.

Thank you to those that pick up the

shovel whenever we have a snowfall

and shoveling that needs to be done.

Special thanks to Mr. Don Linderoth

for keeping us plowed out!

Your 2010 financial statements will

be handed out at church as soon as we

get them completed. “Unclaimed” re-

ports will be mailed. Please notify the

church office right away if there are

any problems with your contribution

statement. We will make sure to get

you connected with our data entry offi-

cers.

The ABW thanks everyone who do-

nated gifts for Schoolcraft County

Medical Care Facility. We really out-

did ourselves this year!

Thank you very much,

First Baptist Church American Baptist

Women

We extend our sym-

pathy to the family of

Richard Vaughan who

passed away December

24th. Richard joined

First Baptist Church on

April 25, 1943.

Please also keep Patsy Berger and

her family in your prayers as they

mourn the recent loss of her husband

Bill.

Regular monthly board meetings

will be held on Thursday, January 13

with Board Chairmen meeting at 5:30

PM and All Boards beginning at 6:30

PM. Please note: new officers will be

elected at the annual meeting and will

not take effect until February.

There will be a Social Hour

January 16th immediately following

our Morning Worship Service. This

event is scheduled in conjunction with

our Annual Meeting.

Look for our Annual Meeting,

January 16, 2011. We will be re-

viewing 2010 and looking forward to

2011. Elections for church officers will

take place, too.

Plan to be in attendance for this

important meeting.

The Book of NUMBERS for FBC (through 12/31/10)

YTD Income..................... $116,717.66

General Fund Budget ......... 121,929.00

YTD Gen Fund Expense .... 115,752.19

Total 2010 New Construction Income

............................................ $53,720.80

Current Mortgage Balance . $39,595.58

Page 3: Manistique, Michiganharbor through the light of faith Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year's Day 2 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Morning Worship 5:00

January 2011Friends pointing the way to a safeharbor through the light of faith

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1New Year's Day

29:30 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Morning Worship

5:00 PM Youth Group at Hickeys - theme "Gift Amnesty"

6:00 PM Evening Service

36:30 PM PioneerClubs

41:00 PM Bible Study

3:15 PM Girl Scouts

6:00 PM Wolf Cub Scouts

7:30 PM AA Meeting

51:30 PM Medicare Chapel Service

3:30 PM Webelos II

5:30 PM Basketball inMPR

6:30 PM Worship Choir

7:30 PM Mid-Week Bible Study

66:00 PM Survivors of Suicide Support Group

6:00 PM Tiger Cubs in MPR

7 810:00 AM PieceMakers

12:00 PM Pinewood Derby

99:30 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Morning Worship

2:00 PM Challenger's Meeting

6:00 PM Evening Service

101:30 PM American Baptist Women Meeting

111:00 PM Bible Study

5:00 PM Home School Gym in MPR

7:30 PM AA Meeting

126:30 PM Worship Choir

7:30 PM Mid-Week Bible Study

135:30 PM BoardChairmen

6:00 PM Tiger Cubs in MPR

6:30 PM All Boards Meeting

14Church Office Closed

1510:00 AM PieceMakers

169:30 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Morning Worship

11:45 AM After-Church Social

1:00 PM Annual Bus Meeting

6:00 PM Evening Service

6:00 PM Youth Group Meeting

176:30 PM PioneerClubs

181:00 PM Bible Study

3:15 PM Girl Scouts

6:00 PM Wolf Cub Scouts

7:30 PM AA Meeting

196:30 PM Worship Choir

7:30 PM Mid-Week Bible Study

206:00 PM Tiger Cubs in MPR

216:00 PM Wolf Cubs

2210:00 AM PieceMakers

239:30 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Morning Worship

2:00 PM Challenger's Meeting

6:00 PM Evening Service

246:00 PM Wolf Cubs in MPR

251:00 PM Bible Study

3:30 PM Girl Scouts

5:00 PM Home School Gym in MPR

7:30 PM AA Meeting

2612:30 PM Housing Coalition in Choir Room

5:00 PM Brown Trust

5:00 PM Great Start

6:30 PM Worship Choir

7:30 PM Mid-Week Bible Study

276:00 PM Tiger Cubs in MPR

28Church Office Closed

2910:00 AM PieceMakers

309:30 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Morning Worship

6:00 PM Evening Service

6:00 PM Youth Group Meeting

31

Dec 2010

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

Feb 2011

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28

Page 4: Manistique, Michiganharbor through the light of faith Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year's Day 2 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Morning Worship 5:00

Page 4 The Informer

The first Sunday in January marks

the completion of year number 32 for

Pastor Jay as pastor of First Baptist

Church. Jay and Jan arrived in January

of 1979 straight from seminary in KY.

Thanks, Martins, for your ministry

with us here in Manistique!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR

POINSETTIA DONATIONS

In Memory of Family by Harry & Dora Toennessen

Tribute to the newlyweds, Andy & Marlie Nauta by the Birr’s

In Memory of Loved Ones by Clare & Vi Freeland

In Memory of grandson, Tom Kasun by Colleen Cody

For the Birth of Jesus Christ by Dave & Darcy Robere

In Memory of Loved Ones by Bill & Patsy Berger

In Memory of Loved Ones by David Strasler

In Memory of Loved Ones by Clyde & Sally Strasler

In Memory of Laurel Heminger Reed by Lawrence &

Glenda Heminger

In Memory of Leo DeMars by Jean DeMars

In Memory of Carlene Finck & Kim Repp Spencer

by Janice Repp

In Memory of Loved Ones by Betty Harding

In Honor of Mabel Patz & Shirley Patz by Fern Robinson

In Memory of Charlene Sellers by Ron Sellers & Family

In Memory of Loved Ones by Elna Jones

In Memory of Marlyn Thorell by Lynn MacGregor Thank you to the families of Bill

Berger and Richard Vaughan for shar-

ing the beautiful flower arrangements

with us for use in our Sanctuary.

Are you interested in

joining a newly-

formed handbell

choir? If so, please

sign up on the

“Interested in Bell

Choir” sign-up sheet

located at the back

of the Sanctuary on the media board.

We’re anticipating regular practices on

Sunday afternoons.

Each week we make updates to our prayer concern

list and in turn we “get the word out” to our Prayer

Network on-line to start praying for those in need of

prayer. If you are interested in becoming a part of the

First Baptist Church Prayer Network please give

us a call at 341-2814 or email us at [email protected]

and we will be happy to add you to our network.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and

his ears are attentive to their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12

If you could ask anything about

heaven, what would it be? Here’s

your chance to ask about heaven.

Pastor Jay wants to know what ques-

tions or thoughts you might have

about heaven, so please write down

your questions and put them in the

box outside the church office.

Page 5: Manistique, Michiganharbor through the light of faith Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year's Day 2 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Morning Worship 5:00

First Baptist Church Page 5

Thank you to everyone who helped

to make the Children’s Christmas Pro-

gram a huge success. The children

were magnificent in the production of

“Miracle on Bethlehem Street.” They

all did an excellent job learning their

lines and songs. The Costumes were

out of this world! (Special thanks to

Carol Dixson for making the beautiful

costumes that we will get to use for

years to come.) Thank you to Rae Birr

for making the great camel costume

and to all of those that donated the

gobs of material and supplies. Thank

you to Ken Seeley for donating and

constructing the stable frame.

A huge thank you to Amy Seeley

who put in hours upon hours making

signs, props, scheduling rehearsals and

organizing parts so that all Sunday

School children could be a part of this

amazing production. She couldn’t have

done it all by herself, she had plenty of

help from Stacie Zellar and Leann

Espinoza who worked very hard be-

hind the scenes pulling it all together.

We would also like to thank Brenda

Swanson’s Preschool class for sharing

the Lord’s Prayer with us and the beau-

tiful poems they recited from memory.

The Birthday Cake for Jesus do-

nated by Guerda Frenette was enjoyed

by all of us after the play in the multi-

purpose room where we enjoyed the

excitement of the season with each

other.

Join us January 23 for a Hymn

Sing Sunday at 6:00 PM in place

of our evening service.

The new 2011 sign-up sheets for

Greeters, Hostesses and Men’s Set-Up

have been posted on the media board

when you first enter the Sanctuary.

Anyone can be a greeter! Our greet-

ers make that first impression when

someone walks into our church, it is

that of “Welcome, thank you for shar-

ing your worship time with us today,

we are glad you could come.” Feel

free to sign up as many times as you

can!

Our Hospitality Committee and

Men’s Set-up Committee are an impor-

tant part of our church. They are the

ones who receive the first calls of not

only funeral luncheons but also, pot-

lucks and special church events. It

takes many loyal volunteers to get

things done and we appreciate all who

help out in any of these important min-

istries.

If you have any questions, please

give us a call and we will be happy to

help or connect you to someone that

can answer your questions.

Thank you.

Our Deacon Board invites you to a

Potluck Dinner & Game

Night, Saturday, January 15th begin-

ning at 5:00 PM. This is a fun family

night so come ready to play some of

your favorite games. Challengers will meet January 9th

and 23rd at 2:00 PM at the church.

Like to be a part of our Prayer Cir-

cle ministry? Here’s your chance. Sign

up on the sheet at the media center and

be sure to include your phone number.

We’ll be adjusting the prayer circles

soon, so be sure to let us know if you’d

like to be a part of it!

Page 6: Manistique, Michiganharbor through the light of faith Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year's Day 2 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Morning Worship 5:00

Page 6 The Informer

Our FBC Winter Reading

Challenge 2011 begins January

1st. Please consider being a part of

this fun challenge. We are blessed to

have so many wonderful books to

choose from in our Church Library.

1. Sign up in the church library in

January. (You will be given a card to

record your reading on and receive a

bookmark.)

2. Read three books from our

church library in the months of Janu-

ary, February and March. Two can be

titles you would normally choose to

read. The third should be something

outside your usual choice to “stretch”

your reading habits!

3. When you have completed a

book, record the book on your card in

the library.

4. On completion of the third

book, you will be rewarded with a

magnetic fridge pocket filled with

useful and tasty things (samples are in

the library).

THEN….We would love it if you

would share your thoughts on the

book by taking a few minutes and

filling out the short “review” sheet;

we are interested in what you

thought of it and if you would rec-

ommend it to anyone. Reviews may

be published in the Informer; we do

not mention the name of the re-

viewer, just the book information.

Happy winter reading!

So Many New Books to Choose From! Just in time for our 2011 Winter Reading Challenge are all these new

books ready to jump off our Church Library shelves and into your

hands. The following are brief descriptions of the newest additions. FICTION

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by Ginger Garret - Written in a

diary format, Esther reveals what happens when she finds herself at the mercy

of King Xerxes.

In the Company of Others by Jan Karon - The second Father Tim Novel where

Cynthia and Father Tim spend a vacation in Ireland where they unexpectedly

learn more about reconciliation and forgiveness.

Who Do I Lean On? by Neta Jackson - This is the latest in the Yada Yada

Prayer Group sereis. The next book, Who Is My Shelter? is coming in March.

Harry Bentley's Second Chance (book 1) and Second Sight (book 2) by Dave

Jackson - Companion novels to the Yada Yada Prayer Group given through a

husband's perspective.

Jesus Chronicles: Luke's Story and John's Story by Tim LaHaye and Jerry

Jenkins - Authors of the Left Behind Series bring to life the stories of Jesus

through the eyes of Luke and John.

Who Stole My Church? by Gordon MacDonald - Discover how one church

adjusts to meet the needs of all believers without abandoning the dreams of

any.

BIOGRAPHY A Game Plan for Life: The Power of Mentoring by John Wooden - John

Wooden's last book includes seven people who mentored him and seven sto-

ries from those he mentored.

In a Heartbeat by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy - Continuing the story of the

"Blindside", the Tuohys teach us lessons about the power of cheerful giving.

The Joy of Living by Willard Scott - “Today's Show" weatherman shares his

story about never losing sight of principles that really count.

Chosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman - Wife of singer Stephen Curtis Chap-

man shares the tragic story of her child's death and the painful recovery.

When Hope Wins by Marli Spieker - "Project Hannah" airs Christian radio

programs to women around the world. Each chapter is a different woman's

story about how God's Word transformed her life.

NON-FICTION When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada - Confined to a wheelchair, Joni

relates why our suffering matters to the Almighty. This comes from someone

who knows.

The Cure by Deanna Favre and Shane Stanford - Wife of Brett Favre shares

how Christ's redeeming life will speak to the deepest of our struggles and

hurts.

Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur - A study on the disciples; how the

Master shaped them for greatness and what he wants to do with you.

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman - Chapman identifies five distinct

languages we all use to express love. Couples who understand each other's

language have an advantage in love that lasts a lifetime.

Crazy Love by Francis Chan - It's crazy: The God of the universe loves

us! Chan addresses how to come out of religious complacency and fall in love

with God.

Page 7: Manistique, Michiganharbor through the light of faith Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year's Day 2 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Morning Worship 5:00

First Baptist Church Page 7

It was a last minute decision, but a

good one. Our 17-year old daughter Cassie

was on vacation from The American

School of Kinshasa and wanted to take a

trip into the interior. I had a pile of work in

my office in the capital city of Congo,

where we have lived for the past 10 years

since war broke out in the interior…..work

that involves supporting dozens of hospi-

tals but like many administrative jobs,

keeps me out of touch at times with the

lives of those we serve. We threw some

clothes in a backpack, and boxed up bot-

tled water, fuel, medicine, and mosquito

nets and headed out. Cassie and our driver,

Mr. Mayele, took turns driving the Toyota

four-wheel drive jeep further into the inte-

rior as tar roads turned to dirt roads, and

byways into grassy trails.

I was in the back seat with papers

spread out, one hand sorting memos and

letters and the other attached to my cell

phone discussing problems with our staff

back in Kinshasa. “Hey Cassie,” I yelled

above the roar of the engine as my head

bumped the roof for the 3rd time spewing

papers across the floor. Eventually I lost

cell phone coverage as Cassie and Mr.

Mayele progressed further along and the

weaving back and forth and cloud of dust

made it impossible to read or write memos.

Four hours into the trip my mind

shifted to the present as we passed village

after village and our speed slowed from 50

miles an hour to 20, traversing water,

swamps, forest, and plains. “Dad…I forgot

how beautiful this place is,” said Cassie,

artfully shifting the jeep in and out of 4-

wheel-drive while dodging trees and

branches and yielding to an occasional pig

or goat; and only getting stuck three times

during the 10-hour road trip. Though I

spend a third of my time on the field, I

found myself looking anew at the horizon

where still lakes were not breeding

grounds for malaria or schistosomiasis but

a lucid reflection of the flowers, trees, and

hills around them. It was as Cassie noted…

beautiful.

We had a full agenda: four villages to

visit where we had put in capped springs to

lessen outbreaks of dysentery, an elemen-

tary school to distribute school materials

sent by Cassie’s Hope project, a visit with

a handicapped boy (Manwana), and stop-

over at a hospital, a maternity, and a nurs-

ing school.

The culmination of the trip would be

spending a day and a night at the Vanga

mission where Cassie grew up before

abruptly leaving at the age of 6 when re-

bels entered the area forcing the overnight

evacuation of her and her siblings to an-

other country and eventual resettlement in

Kinshasa.

Things are safer now and I visit the area

frequently but never with Cassie, who

longed to visit the home she grew up in,

the room where she homeschooled, the

trees with ropes and vines that stretched

forever, a river full of hippos, and memo-

ries from yesterday.

“Dad it is just like I remember,” she

said as we opened the gate and walked into

our yard extending down to the river.

The grass needed cutting and reeds and

palms had overgrown the garden where

Ann had planted vegetables and the straw

huts where Eli and Joel raised chickens

and rabbits. Branches dipped onto the roof

and obscured the windows; but the inside

was as we left it…and just as Cassie re-

membered it. She walked from room to

room “this is where we would talk on the

short-wave radio to other mission stations,

this is the hallway we bunkered down

when gunshots were all around, this is

where you set up a film and we watched

Snow White, this is where we played

cards, where we kept our toys, the bunk

bed that the boys made into a fort, Dad it is

all here.” I, too, relived each forgotten mo-

ment of what it was like raising four young

children as Cassie uttered memories from

her early childhood. Then visitors

came….by the dozens. A man who baked

banana bread for Cassie once a week came

to the door and cried when he saw her.

“Mampa Monkondo!” Cassie exclaimed

(the word for banana bread) as she and

Tata Milabu were joined in a long and ten-

der hug. It was a day and a half of precious

memories…and Cassie wanted to relive as

much of her childhood as possible.

We took a canoe ride along the Kwilu

River where the forest meets the river.

Cassie insisted on paddling as the boat

owner recounted the story of a snake as

thick as his thigh and as long as the boat

that had pulled someone in the river in that

same area a few months ago; an unfortu-

nate passenger never to be seen again. I

knew the man must have been pulling my

leg but I couldn’t help but tell Cassie to

steer clear of the moss-laden branches that

overhung the river bank. Later back at

home we munched on finger bananas and

pineapples as big as melons. I forgot how

wonderful cool water tastes on a hot and

humid day. We played cards by candlelight

that night as we used to years ago and

turned in at 9 pm because we were tired

(life would just be getting started at 9pm

back in Kinshasa).

We awoke at 6 am to the sounds of

church bells and someone sweeping mango

leaves in the next yard. The sounds of ba-

bies crying, mothers singing, sheep baying,

and roosters crowing reminded me of life

in the middle of an African village.

Cassie spent the day walking around

and talking to everyone…practicing her

Kituba and wishing she had remembered

more of the local dialect which she had

just started to speak when we left. She took

mental notes of each word and then re-

peated them to the next person she met

upon the path. I have not seen her so ani-

mated (especially before 10 in the morn-

ing) in a long while. “Dad,” she asked,

“why did we have to leave this area when I

was young and move to the city? I wish we

had spent more time here ….this is the real

Congo and I miss it!”

Cassie will travel to the United States

in 7 short months to start college; her re-

turn to Africa never certain; her path and

destiny in Another’s hands. We are so ap-

preciative for your love and support over

the years…. but hardly moreso than today

watching one of our children relive pre-

cious memories almost forgotten….and for

me, the chance to remember why we came

here in the first place nearly 16 years ago.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

Bill & Ann Clemmer

In Congo Yesterday was Waiting for Their Return Missionary, Dr. Bill Clemmer Journal 11/20/2010

Page 8: Manistique, Michiganharbor through the light of faith Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 New Year's Day 2 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Morning Worship 5:00

THE BUZZARD: If you put a buzzard in a

pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet but that is entirely

open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to

fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is

that a buzzard always begins a flight from the

ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space

to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to

fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small

jail with no top.

THE BAT: The ordinary bat that flies around

at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air,

cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed

on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle

about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it

reaches some slight elevation from which it can

throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off

like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE: A bumblebee, if

dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until

it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the

means of escape at the top, but persists in trying

to find some way out through the sides near the

bottom. It will seek a way where none exists,

until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE: In many ways, we are like the

buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee.

We struggle about with

all our problems and frustra-

tions, never realizing that all

we have to do is look up!

That's the answer, the escape route and the

solution to any problem! Just look up.

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but

faith looks up!

Live simply, love generously, care deeply,

speak kindly and trust in God. He loves us.

—submitted by Dave & Judy Olson

First Baptist Church 315 Walnut Street Manistique, MI 49854-1413

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Nonprofit AUTO

U.S. Postage Paid Manistique, MI Permit No. 11

Buzzard, Bat, Bumblebee, & People

January Birthdays & Anniversaries 1 Janet Hickey 4 Marilyn Pitts-Johnson 5 Bill Orr Jared Martin 8 Kelsey LaLonde 9 Don Kennedy 10 Tracy Block Natalie Olson 13 Brody Carlson Honey LeMaster 14 Blaine & Shirley Beckman 16 Jeremy Orr 18 Amber Orr Betty Danko 20 Ashton Hutchinson Donna Woodruff 23 Dick & Sandy Martin 24 Sheila Marks 25 Jim & Connie Ellis 27 Chuck Baker 29 Danalee Henry 30 Kim Hayward 31 Barb Ryan

Greeters: 1/2: Barr family 1/9: Robere family 1/16: Bev Marks & Cheryl Kane 1/23: Seeley family 1/30: Harry & Dora Toennessen Communion Setup: Corey Barr Hostesses: Open Men's Set-up: Open Media … Sound Operator: Trevor Thill — Computer Operator: Anna Mooi — Worship Leader:

Clyde Strasler — Song Leader: Pastor Jay

The Informer

Published monthly for members and friends of FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

315 Walnut Street Manistique, MI 49854

(906) 341-2814 - Church (906) 341-2839 - Parsonage e-mail = [email protected]

www.FBCmstq.org

Ministers: All Members and Friends Pastor: Jay Martin, D.Min. Secretary: Lisa Slavinski

Custodian: Brenda Swanson

Church Services

Sunday School 9:30 AM Morning Service 10:30 AM (Nursery care available)

Sunday PM Service 6:00 PM