Missionary Update: The Wacasers in Brazil [January 2013]
Bobby, Charlene, Jessie, and Brennen Wacaser have served the Lord as church planters in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, since 1985.
Dear Friends,
We may not be able to explain or understand why God allowed it to happen, but one thing is certain, He was taking care of four of our missionaries in their recent accident. When our Projeto Vida bus engine was repaired near the Argentine border, four leaders drove 1,000 miles to pick it up and planned to return in doubles with the two vehicles. Just about 100 miles before they reached the city where the bus had been repaired, the car they were riding in hit a puddle of water and began to hydroplane. The driver lost control of the car as it spun twice on the pavement then hit the grass shoulder causing the car to roll 6 times and then fell 20 feet into a trench. The Lord amazingly protected all four occupants and no one suffered any serious injury, only minor scratches and sore muscles. We are very thankful for His protection. The mechanic who had repaired the bus drove the 100 miles to pick them up and they have since returned with the bus. The car was insured and it was a total loss. We’ll use the insurance funds to replace it as best we can.
Charlene, Brennen and I have moved to a new address after selling our house. We are applying part of the residual funds to complete the construction and supply the sound system to our new church plant. We were very excited to have several new families attending our services in December and we are planning to start new member classes this month. As we get to know these new families we realize just how much we need the Lord for guidance and strength. The issues that many of them suffer from are so severe that only with God’s help can they be resolved or overcome. We know that God specializes in such cases and that His name will be glorified as He uses us to counsel these folks and meet their needs. Our new house is only a block and a half from the church building and that puts us right in the community with those we are seeking to minister to.
In a recent letter I shared that we were beginning outreach to a new neighborhood called Corbélia. We took a group from our new church to visit this community around the Christmas holidays and we had a very good reception. There are thousands of residents in this neighborhood and not a single church of any kind. Please pray with us that the Lord would enable us to plant a church there that would be used in sharing the gospel and teaching the Word of God in the most efficient way possible.
We are really looking forward to the challenges and opportunities for making Christ known and praised in 2013. Thank you for your love and support through prayers and resources as we seek to serve Christ faithfully.
In Christ’s love,
Bobby, Charlene and Brennen Wacaser
Rua Laudelino Ferreira Lopes, 279-1
Bairro Novo Mundo
81050-310 Curitiba, PR Brasil
(813)436-9980
robertmw[at]brturbo.com.br
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2013 BFM Winter Conference
– 1 Corinthians 2:1 –
2013 Winter Missions Conference
January 20-23
Hosted by Park Ridge Baptist Church, Gotha, FL
Street Address | 3629 Crystal St. | Gotha, FL 34734
Mailing Address | P.O. Box 12 | Gotha, FL 34734
407-295-6296
Pastor Benton Glover | 407.719.9861
Sunday, January 20
6:30 pm Leroy Duncan
Monday, January 21
5:00 pm Supper
7:00 pm Randy Jones
8:00 pm Randy Jones
Tuesday, January 22
10:00 am Dr. Sewnauth Punalall
11:00 am Doug Armstrong
12:00 noon Lunch
5:00 pm Supper
7:00 pm Terry Adkins
8:00 pm Bob Jones
Wednesday, January 23
10:00 am Open
11:00 am George Sledd
12:00 noon Lunch
5:00 pm Supper
7:00 pm David Parks
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HOTELS:
Being close to Walt Disney World, we have several hotels in the area. The Budget Inn and Suites at Winter Garden is about 5 miles away, but very nice, and quite a bargain. They can be reached at 407-654-1188 or toll free at 1-800-947-7478; $38.00 if you ask for the “Park Ridge Baptist Church Special Rate.”
DIRECTIONS TO PARK RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH:
GPS: 3629 Crystal St, Gotha, Florida 34734
MapQuest
FROM THE TURNPIKE:
Take exit 267B (Ocoee / Hwy 50). Go east on Hwy 50 approximately ½ mile to Blackwood Ave. (Health Central is on the corner). Turn right and go 3 blocks (block one is four lanes; blocks two and three are a single lane) to Crystal St. and turn left. The church is just ahead on the left.
FROM THE 408 EXPRESSWAY:
Take exit 1 (last exit before Turnpike) to Hwy 50. Turn left and go one block to Blackwood Ave. (Health Central is on the corner). Turn left and go 3 blocks (block one is four lanes; blocks two and three are a single lane) to Crystal St. and turn left. The church is just ahead on the left.
FROM INTERSTATE 4 (WEST OF ORLANDO):
Exit at US27 and go north to Hwy 50. Go east on Hwy 50 approximately ten miles to Blackwood Ave. (Health Central is on the corner). Turn right and go 3 blocks (block one is four lanes; blocks two and three are a single lane) to Crystal St. and turn left. The church is just ahead on the left.
FROM INTERSTATE 4 (EAST OF ORLANDO):
Exit at the 408 Expressway and go west. Take exit 1 (last exit before Turnpike) to Hwy 50. Turn left and go one block to Blackwood Ave. (Health Central is on the corner). Turn left and go 3 blocks (block one is four lanes; blocks two and three are a single lane) to Crystal St. and turn left. The church is just ahead on the left.
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A Word document of the conference schedule is available for download here:
2013 BFM Winter Missions Conference Schedule
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Obituary for George A. Lock
George A. Lock, 76, of Mansfield, passed away on Friday, December 14, 2012, at Mifflin Care Center, after a long battle with Alzheimers.
George was born on September 6, 1936, in Dyersburg, TN to Joseph R. and Mary L. Hardin Lock. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the submarine USS Piper during the Korean Conflict. George was ordained into the ministry in 1967, and graduated from Lexington Baptist College in 1969. He was a pastor for 43 years in various churches throughout Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Florida. He loved people and wanted them to come to know Christ on a personal level and preached many sermons on the joy of living a Christ-centered life.
He is survived by his wife Judy Lumpkin Lock, whom he married on February 14, 1959. Also surviving are one daughter, Karen (Tim) Campbell of Mansfield; one daughter-in-law, Kimberly Clever Lock of Valrico, FL; seven grandchildren, Tara (Angel) Rojas of Valrico, FL, David (Joelle) Campbell of Lucas, John (Kate) Lock of Lakeland, FL, Jessica (Paul) Green of Mansfield, Adam Lock of Riverview, FL, Amber (Justin) Hays of Plant City, Fl, and Ashley (Joshua) Velazquez of Valrico, FL; ten great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Joe R. Lock of Mulberry, FL and Shelby Scholz of Fraser, MI. George was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Michael Lock; and one sister, Sandy Lock.
Calling hours will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at Werner-Gompf Funeral Services, LTD., 1106 Park Avenue East (St. Rt. 430E), Mansfield. Funeral services will follow at 12:30 p.m. with Pastor Richard Folger officiating. Burial with full military honors will be held in Ohio Western Reserve, Rittman, OH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Baptist Faith Missions, George Sledd, Treasurer, P.O. Box 471280, Lake Monroe, FL 32747. You can donate securely online by clicking here.
Online condolences may be made at www.wernergompf.com.
Brother George was a personal friend and beloved brother to so many of us. He loved the missionaries who partnered with Baptist Faith Missions and was a faithful and passionate supporter of their ministries. We thank God for allowing us to know him and share his life and fellowship, and we honor his memory.
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June Bean is with the Lord
June Bean, who faithfully served 31 years as a missionary in Brazil with her husband George, passed away peacefully the morning of Wednesday, December 12.
In 1964, the Beans went to serve the Lord in São Luís, capital of the northeastern state of Maranhão, Brazil, until their retirement from active missionary service in 1995. They also spent a couple of years relieving furloughing missionaries.
Bro. George Bean went Home to be with the Lord in May 2000. Sis. Bean had dementia for several years and had declined rapidly in the last six months. Her daughter Mary Ellen [Bean] Jerden faithfully cared for her in her home, which was one of Sis. Bean’s wishes.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m. at Rudder Funeral Home in Scottsboro, Alabama. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Baptist Faith Mission General Fund.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
This previous post contains notes of appreciation from their daughters.
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June Bean is with the Lord
[Last updated 9:45 am, Thursday, December 13]
It is Wednesday morning, 12 December. I am adding this update to the report below. Sister Bean’s daughter sent me this email this morning:
Bro Dave, Mom passed peacefully this morning. We thought it was going to be last night, and all her kids and grandkids that live in the area were here last night. We cried and laughed as everybody had a story to tell about her. She is at peace now. Thanks for all your prayers and support.
In Christ, Mary Ellen
Their other daughter, Cathy Pereira, sent us the following note of appreciation:
I just want to thank you for your faithfulness to my mother and father especially after dad went to be with The Lord. I am Cathy Pereira, George and June Bean’s other daughter. They taught us the love of Jesus and that is something that no one can take from us. They were loved everywhere they went and are remembered with very fond memories from friends in Brasil–believers and non-believers as well. They impacted many lives. Thanks for giving them the opportunity to serve their Savior as missionaries in Brasil and for us kids, the opportunity to be a part of that. For us it was home and having married Mauricio we go back as often as we can. And going we always visit the church and visit with our brothers and sisters there. We will miss mom but would not bring her back if we could and I’m positive she would say, “No thank you, I’m staying right where I’m at!” 🙂
Thanks again.
In Christ,
Cathy Pereira
We have posted the arrangements for Sister Bean’s memorial service here.
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Many of you will remember two of our faithful missionaries, George and June Bean. They went to serve the Lord in Brazil in 1964 and labored there for 31 years until their retirement in 1995 from active missionary service. For all of that time, they labored in Sao Luis in the northeastern state of Maranhao with the exception of a couple years when they went to relieve other furloughing missionaries.
Brother George Bean went Home to be with the Lord in May of 2000. Sister Bean has been in declining health for the past several years and is now in the last days of her earthly life here. Their daughter, Mary Ellen [Bean] Jerden is caring for her now in her home. Mary Ellen sent us this note:
Date: December 9, 2012, 6:27:47 PM EST
Please pray for the Bean family. June Bean who was a missionary along with George Bean for many years in Brasil is not doing well. She has had dementia for several years, but has been declining in last six months. She has been receiving hospice care for about a month and has really been declining. This last week she must have had a stroke, and is just hanging on. Please pray that the Lord will be merciful and take her in a peaceful way. It is hard to watch her struggle to breath, and she looks so tired. I know it is not in our hands, so must wait on the Lord’s timing. One of her wishes was not to go to Nursing Home, and I’m thankful that we have been able to keep her at home. Will let you know when she does pass away.
Thank you, Mary Ellen (Bean) Jerden
maryjerden29 at gmail.com
Her mailing address is:
JUNE BEAN
401 County Road 213
Hollywood, AL 35752
Ada Mayfield Hunter
Also – Ada Mayfield Hunter is the widow of Del Mayfield. They served the Lord as missionaries in Peru for 18 years [1960-1978]. She, too, is in weak health and is currently residing in a skilled nursing facility in Litchfield. IL. She suffers from congestive heart failure with the accompanying shortness of breath and swelling from fluid retention. Their daughter, Loretta Hokenson, lives nearby and cares for her mother daily.
Please offer prayers to God also for her and her family.
You may correspond with Sister Mayfield-Hunter at Loretta’s address:
ADA MAYFIELD HUNTER
c/o LORETTA HOKENSON
305 South Street
Coffeen IL 62017
Harold Draper
Missionary-Pastor Harold Draper is still rehabilitating from his double-knee-replacement surgery on November 29. He has been receiving his rehab therapies in the Lourdes Hospital in Paducah KY – but as of today, Tuesday [December 11], he is being discharged home. He will continue his rehab exercises nearby where he lives. They request and appreciate our continuing prayers for him and Ursula.
Their home phone #: 270.628.9517
Their cell #: 270.562.0828
Their mailing address is:
HAROLD AND URSULA DRAPER
P.O. Box 395
Bardwell, KY 42023
All three of these dear servants of the Lord are faithful missionaries who have served in support partnership through BFM, and are currently receiving service pensions from BFM.
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Missionary Update: Paul & Wanda Hatcher in Brazil [December 2012]
Paul and Wanda Hatcher have been serving the Lord together in Brazil for 36 years. Paul pastors Tabernacle Baptist Church in Manaus, Brazil. Their main ministry is church planting.
Dear friends,
We send you greetings from the north and northeast of Brazil. Brazilian school begins mid-January and ends the first of December. Seminary and Bible classes had finals and end-of-year parties the last week of November. The Christian school also finished the year. Preparation for the upcoming year and enrollment is at full throttle. This is most important for the success of the coming year. Teacher and staff recruiting and training are also underway.
Leigh Samples, our daughter, is principal of the Christian day school and Pastor Michael Samples, our son-in-law, is Dean of the Bible Institute and Leadership Training. We had a good year and are very thankful for the impact the Word of God is having on all the student body. Pray that many laborers be prepared and sent out to harvest ready fields.
The new churches are doing very well, and the Lord is adding the saved to the churches. The paper work necessary to incorporate with the government and the transfer of facilities is taking about one year to complete. The everyday business and running time seems to fly; often it’s so easy to get caught up in the details and problem solving that we forget the great things God is doing. It was refreshing to be reminded by one of the pastors that twenty-three churches were organized, incorporated to meet government requirements, and properties transferred over the last twelve months.
This caused a swelling emotion of joy and gratitude to Our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father in heaven. The Lord has done great things. It’s precious to know Him, to trust Him, and to be filled with His love for Jesus Christ and His children.
We ask that you pray for us that God will encourage and embolden us in the coming year. All the family, Wanda, the children and grandchildren are doing well.
Thanks for your prayers and faithful support,
Paul and Wanda Hatcher
Avenida J. Carlos Antony, 172
65063-150 Manaus
Amazonas, Brasil SA
hatcher[at]argo.com.br
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Missionary Update: John & Alta Hatcher in Brazil [December 2012]
Missionaries John and Alta Hatcher have served the Lord in Brazil since 1955, planting over 70 churches that are still in existence.
December 1, 2012
Dear Brethren and Fellow-Workers,
At the age of eighty-seven a person talks a lot, usually about things that most do not want to hear. It is a little more difficult to write. I will do my best. Alta and I are doing well. Her vision is perfect after the cataract surgeries. We are thankful and praise the Lord. My health has suffered some in a weaker body and some mental anguish. I am still able to drive and tie my shoe strings. Alta does her own cooking and has a great appetite.
THE LORD’S WORK – Alta and I go every Sunday morning to Assai. The work is still at zero with only one lady who is saved and baptized. We meet each Sunday for Bible study and Alta’s class. It is wonderful to have the promise that where two or three are gathered in His Name He is with us. With joy and thanksgiving we make the trip and worship together. The city of Assai has 20,000+ inhabitants. Many false churches. In our years in Brazil it is the most difficult place we have worked. This city was founded by Japanese 104 years ago. Ours is the first Baptist work in this city. We continue because we know it is God’s will to do so and one day He will bless the seed to His honor and glory.
URAI – This work is doing well and there is a group of great dedicated young people who are serving the Lord. Three of them work in two Congregations. Five study in the Seminary. We are encouraged for the future with this group.
One of the Seminary teachers, Sonia dos Santos, had cancer of the breast. She had surgery last week, removing the breast. Her husband, Valdir dos Santos, is pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cornelio Procopio. Please pray for Sonia and the family in this trying experience.
FAMILY – We are expecting the births of three new great grandchildren: One from Kriston and John Victor McGary, one from Lydia and Adam Reese, and the other from Amelia and Ivo Oliveira. We praise God for His work of grace in the lives of our grandchildren. All are serving the Lord; some in the States, some in France, and some in Brazil. Our hearts a filled with gratitude that our great grandchildren are being saved and baptized. How rich we are in His eternal blessings.
VISITS – David and Pennie plan to visit us for a few days the last of December. Paul and Wanda will be with us the first of January when he comes to be the main speaker in the annual Family Camp that Valdir dos Santos and Tabernacle Church sponsor.
Pray for our health and ability to continue active in His Work until He comes or until He takes us. Thank you for your many years of financial support and prayers. We love you and realize that what we do depends on your help and love.
In His Name,
John and Alta Hatcher
Caixa Postal 112
Urai, PR, Brazil 86280-000
jhatcher[at]uol.com.br
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Missionary Update: Sheridan & Anita Stanton in Peru [December 2012]
Sheridan and Anita Stanton have served the Lord in Peru for 28 years. Their main ministry is church planting and they have helped establish churches all over the country. Sheridan also works to train pastors and Anita works with the ladies’ ministry and developing children’s material.
Dear friends,
November – the busiest and most exciting month yet, of our 2012 eight month furlough. We began the month in Atlanta, Georgia attending the annual conference of the National Christian Counselors Association. I made a lot of new friends and learned more about the legal and business considerations of a counseling ministry.
Anita and I traveled to Southern California to visit with her sister Hilda Bayhi (undergoing treatments for brain cancer). The doctors have determined that Hilda did not need the cyber-knife operation at this time; it is still a possibility at a later date. For now she continues to take another round of chemo therapy. Prayers are requested for Hilda and her husband, Charlie.
While in California, our son, Major Joshua Stanton USAF, came to visit with his family. He had returned from Afghanistan the week before and brought his family to spend some time with us. His two daughters, Caroline and Elizabeth have grown so much since we saw them last and we also got to see our newest grandson, Benjamin! Josh and his wife, Cheri, are both doing well and the entire family is in good health. Praise the Lord! Josh is waiting for his next assignment. Please keep him and the family in your prayers. Thanks.
Thanksgiving was spent with our daughter, Leah, and her family in Westerville, Ohio. Leah, with her husband, John, along with the children, Jack and Clara made Thanksgiving a most memorable holiday for Papaw and Nene!
Beside the busy month of traveling, we were able to visit many of our supporting churches on the weekends:
November – 4 in the morning with the Ella Grove Baptist Church, Glenville, Georgia. This church is looking for a pastor. Then with the Rye Patch Baptist Church, Ludowici, Georgia in the evening, Pastor Richard Holbrook.
November – 11 with the Berry Baptist Church, Berry, Kentucky, Pastor Carl Morton (am service). Grace Baptist Church, Georgetown, Kentucky, Pastor Bill Van Nunen (pm service).
November – 18 with the Twelve-Ryan Baptist Church in the evening service. This church is looking for a pastor.
November- 19-21 Anita and I attended the 58th Annual Thanksgiving Missions Conference of Baptist Faith Mission. This conference is hosted each year by the faithful saints of the New Hope Baptist Church of Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Special thanks also for the Grace Baptist Church of Wyandotte, Michigan for helping prepare and serve the meals each day. It was a great conference with great preaching. Thanks to all that had a part in making it all happen!
November – 25 found us sharing about the work in Peru at the High Point Baptist Church in Alexandria, Kentucky, Pastor Ron Duty. In the evening we had the joy of being with the Addyston Baptist Church of Addyston, Ohio.
We continue to be graciously received by each church. New friends have been made and a lot of old friendships have been strengthened. The amount of miles traveled on furloughs never changes but Anita and I feel this furlough has been a little less stressful due to your faithful prayers. Thank you all so much!
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Hilda Bayhi (Anita’s sister) continues to battle with brain cancer and has begun a new round of chemo-therapy. She lives in Southern California.
- Our son, Major Joshua Stanton, USAF, has returned from his second tour of service as a pilot in Afghanistan. He is waiting for his next assignment.
- God’s grace and protection as we continue our furlough travels.
- Anita had the toenail on her left big toe removed today. Pray for a quick recovery.
- For the Calvary Baptist Mission of Huánuco, Peru and all the churches and pastors of Peru.
- Our return to Peru in January will go smoothly and we will be able to adjust back into the work quickly.
In HIM by HIS grace,
Sheridan and Anita Stanton
Furlough Address:
1012 Balsam Drive
Lexington, KY 40504
(859) 277-3716 – mission house
(859) 490-5370 – cell in States
(614) 500-8823
sestantonperu[at]hotmail.com – Sheridan
arstantonperu[at]gmail.com – Anita
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