Greater Portland Baptist Church

Kevin and Stacy Byers: September 2006

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,

Our family is doing better than we deserve and remaining focused on the task before us. September was eventful as I predicted and we scheduled many new meetings.

Minot Baptist Church in North Dakota began monthly support of our ministry this month. Most Air Force personnel know the phrase "why not Minot? Freezin's the reason!" Nearly one year has passed since we visited Minot and we rejoice in their mission budget growth.

Salem Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon and Liberty Baptist Church in Spokane, WA began monthly support taking our total support level to 40%. God is blessing our ministry and I can say for certain that Satan is not happy at all. I am reminded of the last days in my basic military training when a new recruit asked if things would get easier in the following weeks. I said "nothing gets easier; you just get used to doing what you're supposed to."

Two weeks ago we were at a mission conference in Washington when our back window was smashed out and a thief made off with my guitar. I still can't understand why the intruder left a perfectly good banjo just sitting there. Obviously this barbarian had no taste in music. My home owners insurance covered a good portion of the guitar and Greater Portland Baptist Church graciously replaced the window. Had Lori Hardesty been there, she would have cried to see the van in that condition. :-)

Thank you for praying for Bella and her health last month. Gabriel and Josiah are visiting the hospital as I write this letter. They both have strep throat and Josiah had heavy vomiting yesterday. Last night he was coughing up blood so we took him to the Hospital. Please pray for our health as we travel. Nothing can interfere with a good mission conference like vomiting children.

Pastor T.J. Smith is a friend to our family and the pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Albany Oregon. He baptized me when I was five years old after my dad led me to Christ. Pastor Smith needs your prayers as he recovers from a back surgery that went wrong. He is receiving mail at 5602 W 26th Street in Kennewick, WA. The zip code is 99337.

We were able to call Pastor Curriden several times this month. We really look forward to working under his leadership at Eifel Baptist Church in Bitburg. Bella continues to talk of "going home to see her Granny (Mrs. Curriden)." Please keep praying for that ministry as it reaches some of the finest Americans in the world. We truly miss the work there in the Eifel Region and the spirit in the military church.

Dave and Beth Norwood were a blessing this month as they took hundreds of quality studio portraits of our family. We will be using these photos in our prayer letters, cards, and on our website.

Thank you all for your faithful prayers and support!

Kevin, Stacy, Josiah, Gabriel, Bella, and Caleb.