by Norma Gunter
The American Baptist Women’s Ministry Focus for April, 2017 is See…the Poetry of God. The scripture is Luke 24:1-.35, John 20:19-29. April is designated National Poetry Month, which seems fitting for Easter. The word poetry comes from an ancient Greek word that means. “I create.” Through the story of resurrection, God creates God’s people in new ways! The writer of Hebrews tells us that “faith is the assurances of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” But the Easter story is all about seeing. The resurrection became real for Mary when she saw Jesus in the garden. Thomas could not believe until he saw the nail prints in Jesus’ hands. Jesus was recognized by Cleopas and another when they saw him break bread. This month we’ll try to see with new eyes!”
We, Beckley First Baptist American Baptist Women, can see a new thing in our 2017 SPECIAL PROJECT. We are joining the American Baptist Women of West Virginia in a state wide effort to make the Sunny Day Leadership and Activities Center a reality. The new facility, being built at Camp Cowen, is scheduled to be open for the 2018 camp season. The building will house three class rooms and a gymnasium. Our goal is $12,000 for furnishings of the meeting spaces.
Another new thing we can see in 2017 is our MOP (Mission Outreach Project) to help our new missionary family to Mexico with a 4-WD VEHICLE. Juan and Denise Aragon are raising money now for their support and will be working in an area of Mexico that requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Lizzie Lewis Mission Circle members rolled over 80 bandages along with 4” x 4” cotton squares for hospitals in Africa. Watch for the dedication of these gifts made with our hands for God.
While going through old mission papers I found a thank you letter written July l, 1974 from a missionary in Nigeria that proves that Beckley First Baptist Church American Baptist Women have been making the roller bandages for over 43 years. In the letter the missionary wrote, “We surely thank God for your help and share in the work here. Thanks to all who spent so many hours making them and packing them so beautifully, and also for the expense and effort it was to get them sent. It’s not an easy job, but we know it was a work of love. Please pray with us that the hospital may be a true light for Jesus Christ in this part of Africa.” After the dedication the supplies will be shipped to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland where they will be joined with roller bandages from all across the USA and shipped to Africa. Thanks to everyone who supplied old sheets, tore the strips, sewed them together, measured the length and rolled each bandage, using our hands for God.