Joyful and resilient in the face of floodwaters

Over 90 percent of homes in Trenton, N.C., were damaged by floodwaters from Hurricane Florence.

During a recent visit to help local volunteer coordinator, Daynette Snead, as she prepared for teams from CBF churches to assist in the recovery effort, much of our time was spent in the hard-hit neighborhood of Haiti (pronounced hay-tie). Residents were still cleaning up—some preparing to rebuild, while others face uncertainty due to lack of resources.

This close-knit community includes the family of Ms. Mattie, pictured above, whose husband drowned during Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Even though they recently lost possessions and must replace the floor and walls of Ms. Mattie’s home, this is a joyful and resilient family, blessing us with a song of benediction as we departed.

-Rick Burnette, CBF field personnel and coordinator for U.S. Disaster Response

Hope and Healing

Five years ago, the Southeastern Medical International team came to work with us. We asked Pastor Han to take us to places the team could apply the love of Christ through their medical skills.

A baby girl in the remote village of Prey Chhka was on the verge of death. The doctor announced the little girl wouldn’t live much longer without intensive medical intervention.

We persuaded the mother to accompany us to a hospital that specializes in the treatment of children’s diseases. She made a complete recovery and is a healthy child today thanks to a God who hears prayers and sends His people to help in remote places with hope and healing.

Bill and Noy Peeler, CBF field personnel in Cambodia

Listening Ears for Those Experiencing Trauma

Indonesian Baptist Aid worker, Maria, was early on the scene in Palu, Indonesia after a 7.5 earthquake, tsunami and soil liquefaction triple disaster struck the coastal city.

Her team brought food, water and blankets for the survivors whose homes had been destroyed. She also ministered to their hearts.

Maria reported, “When I go into a disaster zone, I don’t just bring food, water, and supplies, I offer the survivors a chance to talk and share their trauma and fears. After recounting their experience during the earthquake and their fears, these two women spontaneously reached out to hug me.”

Eddy Ruble, CBF field personnel serving in Malaysia

Cuba Meeting

The Cuba team invites you to join us as we continue our journey with our Cuban brothers and sisters in Holguin. We will be meeting Oct 28 after church in the hospitality room to discuss the possibility of a trip to Cuba in Spring 2019, as well as other ways to continue developing our relationship with our Cuban brothers and sisters. The partnership between FBC and Kerygma Baptist Church provides a wonderful opportunity to share with others on the path who come from a different cultural background.
If you are interested in the Cuba partnership but unable to attend the meeting, feel free to contact Judy Seago at 507-7489 via text.

CBFNC Florence Recovery Update

FLORENCE RECOVERY UPDATE
Find Ways to Volunteer

As the response to the disaster caused by Hurricane Florence shifts into longer-term recovery, there are still great needs in all of the affected regions.

Volunteer opportunities are available through Baptists on Mission (click here) and CBF Global (click here).

CBFNC is focusing attention at this time on two neglected areas: Trenton and Columbus County. While the needs are tremendous throughout eastern North Carolina, these two have been identified as high needs/low resources.

For information on how you can help in these two areas, contact the following leaders:

Trenton - Daynette Snead (daynettesnead@gmail.com)

Columbus County - Ryan Clore (fbcwhitevillepastor@gmail.com)

We are grateful for the generous outpouring of support already received from the CBFNC community. We welcome additional gifts for Florence response, which can be given here.

Rock-a-Thon

1st annual Rock-a-Thon
Rocking for Missions

When: Saturday, October 13th from 10 AM - 2 PM

Location: First Baptist Church of Sylva’s outdoor front common area

Mission:  Our GA, RA and Acteen mission programs work hard every year learning about missionary work here and abroad.  We want to provide them with an opportunity to earn funds in a FUN way to help provide for a missionary project. 

Rock-A-Thon description:  We hope to have 10-15 school age participants, Grades 2-12, to rock in rocking chairs between 10 AM - 2 PM.   Kindergartners and 1st graders are welcome but a parent or guardian must stay with the child during the event. 

How will they raise money? Each participant will get at least 5 sponsors to sponsor their rocking efforts per hour and also help sell jewelry, coffee, and baked goods. 

How will the money be used to benefit mission services? To provide food boxes for children and youth through United Christian Ministries of Jackson County, NC. 

How can I help?  You can help by sponsoring your child and help them achieve their goals of 5 or more sponsors or if your child is unable to attend you can also help by donating baked goods to sell or monetary funds to First Baptist Church of Sylva/Mission programs by check or cash at our church office M-F 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.   

Can I volunteer?  We would love for you to volunteer your time during the event.  You can also rock for missions and have sponsors yourself or you can donate baked goods to sell or just be present to support your child at the event. 

Deadline:  All permission slips/Volunteers forms are due by October 10th

                   All sponsorship forms and money is due by Oct 13th. 

Contact:   Bethany Moore @ 828-226-3433 or Email cwmoore21@gmail.com

Pray with CBF Field Personnel

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. When you think of the contributions of Hispanic Americans, remember the people behind “successful Latinos” – the courageous parents who brought their children to this country seeking “a better life.” Like Miguel, Maria and Dominga, who began their American dream in the fields picking vegetables; Jaime, a construction worker; Silvia, a stay at home mom; Emilia, a cook – all immigrants and U.S. citizens.

Despite the challenges of limited English, functional illiteracy, long hours at hard, low-paying jobs, and life in impoverished neighborhoods, they’ve raised bilingual, well-rounded youth and young adults with bright futures ahead of them. Ministry to today’s immigrant families is an investment in tomorrow’s leaders.

Dear God, my prayer today is for Your people to hear the call to engage in tangible ministry efforts that seek to welcome immigrants in our communities. Thank you for the blessing of serving others, and help us to remember the words of Your Son, “For I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” Amen.

Sue Smith, CBF field personnel among Latino Immigrants

Fighting Predatory Lending

Predatory payday lending is one of the greatest injustices the financially desperate face in America. Payday loans promise a rapid economic solution while creating drowning debt.

Fortunately, individuals like Scarlette Jasper, a CBF field personnel, are working to put an end to this abuse. Scarlette has served for many years in various parts of Kentucky as an advocate for her struggling neighbors. She puts her faith into action by facilitating group workshops, offering individualized financial training to help with budgeting and other financial management skills, and partnering with Together for Hope to warn of the entrapment of payday loans. If that were not enough, she is also engineering a micro-loan program to provide a financial alternative for families.

Scarlette is an example of what it is to walk with Christ and others. Her work not only helps those economically disadvantaged, but it professes the love of Jesus in tangible ways.

The Value of Relationships.

CBF field personnel Karen Morrow shares with others that refugees resettled in the United States receive pre-planned support for six months. That includes the basics, such as a place to live, homemaking necessities, a first job. “But from then on, they’re lost,” she says, explaining newcomers still need help learning to adjust to and fit into their adopted country.

“A Congolese father told me: ‘We do not want your things (although they still could use more things). We want your relationship. Where we came from, our aunties and uncles taught us how to make a life. We do not know how to live here.’ So, we’re here to create community, to make them feel welcome, to teach them how to live here.”

Karen Morrow does that in the name and spirit of Christ. She crosses language, ethnic and religious barriers with friendly support and the love of Jesus.

Teachers at All Ages and Stages

"I'm very thankful for our volunteer teachers at the Ready for School Program, a literacy based program for refugee preschoolers and their parents which helps prepare them to enter U.S. schools. Between the four classes in Fort Worth, we touched the lives of 100 refugee families this past year. Our volunteers are from all ages and stages of life and lovingly give their time to invest in the lives of refugee families. To these families they are all 'teacher' as they learn colors, numbers, shapes and skills they will need to begin school. A big thank you to all the teachers as we begin another school year. Please pray for our volunteers and families as the new school year beings, and pray that we have even more volunteer teachers this year."

- Karen Morrow, CBF field personnel in Fort Worth, Texas