March 2013

Howdy, howdy!

Since I last wrote we finished our first session of classes for this year with two wonderful additions to our family, Gembert Ang and Edwin Gallego. These two men have been studying with us since the end of last year and, after studying through the Scheme of Redemption, decided they wanted to dedicate themselves to God and make the commitment to serve him. They were both immersed on February 20, Edwin first and Gembert after. It was so encouraging to witness these two brothers and their commitment. What is even more amazing is the fact that Gembert hadn't opened a Bible until he first came to study with us last year, and yet he has come so far since then. Please pray for these two brothers and the journey that lies before them.

Tonight we held the first of three nights of Seminar in preparation for our new sessions of classes at the BSC. Dad is teaching a seminar for us titled "Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?" The topic of baptism is a pretty confusing one for most people in the religious world, and most people don't know that the word baptism is a transliteration! The Greek word baptizo (verb) or baptisma (noun) talk of an action which occurs when something (or someone!) is completely submerged under some liquid. If people could learn that one fact, perhaps there would not be so many different religious teachings about baptism in the world today. After the seminar is over we will post videos of the sessions.

In preparation for this seminar we have done a lot of advertising! I have been using our BSC cellphone to send text messages and emails to all our past and present students to invite them, we have been distributing flyers for almost two weeks now, and we even put an ad in the paper. It really paid off too, because we had over 50 people at the BSC tonight! I am so excited! We had some students who haven't been around and some new faces. Please keep this seminar and our efforts to form relationships with these people in your prayers, as well as the mini-sessions that are about to begin.

We were blessed to have some visitors in the past few days. My grandfather Ken Wilkey, Bob Buchanan, and Wayne and Amy Bissel (from Pueblo West, Colorado) dropped in for a couple days to see what we're doing in Cebu. Wayne and Amy are members at the Pueblo West Church of Christ. This congregation was the sponsor of Ray and Helen Bryan, missionaries who helped train my parents when they first arrived in the Philippines. I actually didn't know they were coming until about a week before they arrived, but they have been fun to have around. Anyone else who wants to pop in and visit us is very welcome :).

I mentioned in my last report that Amy and I were beginning our preparations for furlough and had tickets reserved. Well, they're not reserved anymore... we have purchased them! We are officially leaving for the US on June 17 and returning September 4 this year. We are already trying to begin planning for the trip and are looking forward to visiting as many people as we can in the 2 and a half months we will be there. We would like to travel to Colorado and Oklahoma in addition to our usual Texas trips. Please be thinking about these dates and when we can come see you! We are still trying to figure out what vehicle we can use and planning budget and fundraising. Please keep us and our plans in your prayers. We may very well be without Mom and Dad this time, so it is going to be a challenge. I think Amy and I are up for it, though :) We look forward to seeing you all soon!

As far as how we all are doing, Amy's back is still recovering. Each day she is able to move more, which makes her very excited! The Robinsteins are doing well. Clint has been doing a lot of work on the BSC website, so if you have time you should check it out (www.biblestudycenter.net). Rach has been having some extremely painful migraines, and I'd appreciate if you would all keep her in her prayers. She has been talking to a doctor about possible remedies. Andrew and Lily are as much a handful as usual. They are growing up so fast! Lily was singing us all the alphabet tonight, albeit an incomplete one :). Jon, Gina, Sean, and Jasmin are doing well. They have settled well into their new apartment. Jasmin is growing so big - she's already 5 months old! Mom and Dad are working hard, which is the norm :). RJ is doing well and has been working very hard on a new course for the BSC on Bible study. I'm doing well. I got a haircut, which may not sound like that big of a deal, but it is for me :). My hair is a little past my shoulders now, but it used to be more than halfway down my back! I like it, though :). We're all working hard and trying to stay busy. It's not that hard to do! :) Please keep us all and the work in your prayers. God bless!

In him...

Sara Murrell