FROM NO HOPE TO NEW HOPE

        The people in Ukraine believe they have no future because they have a “God void.” Therefore, they have no hope. They just exist from day to day, going about life as if it’s a drudgery. Larry and Tammy Wood spend their days in Ukraine trying to offer the people hope—the hope that can only come through God’s Word and Jesus Christ.

       The Woods have spent over the last 2 years in the country, learning the language and helping organize churches. They had a plan, but so did God. Needless to say, God showed them how much better His plan was. They had hoped to organize a church after many months. Instead, God worked things to get the Water of Life Baptist Church going by November of 2019, just after three months on the field. Within a year that group averaged 65. A second church plant, Grace Church is also moving along. God’s timeline is faster than the Wood’s.

      You may wonder how the work is growing so fast. Well, besides the fact that God is obviously in it, the Woods use the concept of teaching the English language to gain the confidence of the people. At first, they were able to teach in person, as they had done many times before on mission trips. Now, however, due to the pandemic, they have to use the virtual teaching over the computer. They also gain help with learning the language there, spending two to three hours a day in a coffee shop studying and making friends with the ones who come in. They have learned a most important lesson to “wait on God.”

      In Ukraine, “Christian” simply means being part of the Orthodox Church. Yet, many don’t even know who Jesus is. Sometimes the people ask Tammy or Larry for “help” and what they mean is “prayer.” They don’t understand all the concepts of Christianity that most of us grew up with. It usually takes about three years for a person to move from being interested in the gospel to being a follower of Christ in Ukraine.

      The Wood family came home on furlough during the pandemic of 2020. In that time, they also got the corona virus. Besides causing health problems at the time, it also slowed them down some. They returned to find the work was continuing. Now they are back for a brief stay for family reasons. The Sunday before they left was Easter Sunday in Ukraine. That was May 2, 2021. Seven members were baptized into the Water of Life Baptist Church in Lutsk that day. Larry and Tammy are excited to see what happens while they are away as the new believers trust Jesus to give them new hope in Him.

 

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Dear National WMA,

 

     Happy Easter weekend!  It is Good Friday today, but it is hard for me to call it that, when I think of the suffering that our Savior did for you and me.  I am so thankful that he loved me that much, aren’t you?  Hallelujah!  The tomb was empty! He’s alive and He lives in the hearts of those who believe in Him today!  May our lives glorify Him as we serve in the WMA!

     I want to thank those who took the time to send me their vote on the business items we needed to take care of.  I received 87 votes and 87 voted unanimously in favor of all 3 items of business.

     I want to thank Pat Duncan for her many years of service as our National Treasurer  and Janet Widger for her travels and the two of them working together in making the transition from one Treasurer to another a smooth one.  That is a big job!

     I want to thank each lady that contributed to “Missionary Care”, our National Project this past 2 years.  We need to keep this ministry in our hearts and in our prayers. May God bless Bro. Jerry Kidd and those who work with him to help meet the needs and care for our BMAA missionaries.  

     It is time to start promoting our new Project for the coming year, “The Darlene Carey Christian Academy” in the Philippines.  You can find the promotional information attached.  It can also be found on the website, www.nationalwma.org.  Please print this off and share with your local, district and state groups.  If you have questions, Beth Caldwell will be the new Project Promotion Chairman.  Missionary Bro. Jimmy Walker and his wife are willing to speak at WMA events to help promote the project.  Let’s all do what we can to promote and raise money for this very worthy project!

     I am praying for Bro. Jeff Swart as he makes the decision in June whether we are to have the National meeting in August.  I have had my COVID shots. I hope you have had your COVID shots. I hope we all get to see each other in Waxahachie, Texas, in August!

 

Love,

Jodi Rhea

 

Reaching Women for Christ

February is the month that the Women’s Missionary Auxiliary promotes growth and enlistment to our ministry groups. God’s Word is filled with stories of how He has worked in and through the lives of women of all ages. These are great stories of women who were faithful in service.  Many of these stories portray women of different ages learning from each other and growing in their faith. Remember Miriam, the big sister who watched over her little brother Moses hidden in the reeds along the Nile, yet she dared speak to the princess to protect him (Ex. 2:1-10)? Then there are the stories of relationships like Naomi and Ruth (the book of Ruth) or Elizabeth and Mary (Lk. 1:39-56). When I read these stories in Scripture, I am reminded that God’s message is for every woman – no matter her age or season of life.   But when you look inside, we are still women with similar needs, desires, hang-ups and worries. By focusing on God’s message and encouraging women from each generation to serve and learn together, we will all be blessed and much richer for the experience.  Here are things to remember when building an intergenerational ministry for women: be intentional to reach and involve all ages, and minister to women of every generation; make sure women from every age group are part of the planning team and get their input and ideas; have women from each generation carry out the plan – serving in every area, side-by-side, using their gifts to the benefit of all, but especially the Kingdom; and produce, growth, friendship, and to be a blessing to each other.We have so much to learn from each other during every season of life. Focus on what each generation has to offer and allow these strengths and gifts to be used to the fullest. What a wonderful time we will have! Here are some questions to think about when looking at your women’s group:

Pastor/Staff Appreciation October is coming, and the question is, “Have you thought about your pastor, youth minister and deacons’ appreciation for the service they do for your church?”  We shouldn’t just wait until one time of the year, but we should show appreciation often for the service they give to your church.  “Often pastors feel like they’re in a NASCAR race, It’s hard to manage it all. You hit the gas and you just go, go, go.”  I want you to know that I know being a pastor or church staff member is the most difficult job in the world. While it has unbelievable high, we know leading volunteer armies and facing an enemy (Satan and his demons) we may or may not encounter on a regular basis. Pastors have given their lives to serve people only a daily basis. Two of the most important words that we can ever say is “thank you.”

In conclusion, we will thank you every day of eternity for serving us, the church and our Lord so well. “Thank you” is not nearly enough, but I hope these two words encourage you today.