Greater Portland Baptist Church

Kevin and Stacy Byers: January 2007

Greetings,

It seems like just yesterday I was writing the December Prayer Letter. Thank you for praying and for the many cards and E-Mails we received this month; it encourages us to press on.

God blessed this month with another church adding us to their missionary roster. Praise the Lord for this answer to Prayer! Bible Baptist Church of Clementon is just down the road from our mission apartment here in New Jersey. Pastor Brian DeHart scheduled a meeting with me after I dropped in one Sunday morning. As it turned out, the church just finished their mission conference and had raised extra money for their mission budget. What a blessing to find a church looking for a missionary.

I had the privilege of preaching at Lighthouse Baptist Church this month. One of the two sisters Stacy led to Christ said she and her sister were baptized at Lighthouse shortly after their salvation. It is a joy to see young people come to Christ and then follow the Lord in baptism. We happened to be seated in the hallway that morning due to a full auditorium; praise the Lord!

We had 2 mission conferences in Maryland this month, one in Aberdeen, and one in Elkton. We hope to see these two churches exceed their mission goals for 2007. The preaching was wonderful in both conferences. Stacy and I were challenged to increase our giving in this New Year.

Last month we visited the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Atco. Solid Rock was instrumental in Stacy's life while she was a teenager. The music was outstanding; it spoke to my heart and glorified the Lord. During the service, I thought of how I love to play the guitar and sing praises to the Lord. I silently prayed and asked the Lord to provide a guitar for me. I really felt Christ would be honored by that prayer.

During the conference in Aberdeen, Bro. Jeff Alverson asked the missionaries to share a need with the church. I told Bible Baptist Church that we didn't have any needs, but I could use a guitar and a roof top carrier for our van if someone had one they were not using.

The next day, Pastor Cordle took me shopping. He said he wanted to be a blessing and buy a guitar for me. We searched several pawn shops, but couldn't find a decent guitar. Pastor Cordle decided to stop at a pawn shop he had never seen before. A salesman came out with a beautiful Epiphone guitar and matching case. The price was $130.00; which was an excellent deal for the set. Pastor Cordle was paying, when the manager walked by. "You ought to give this young man a raise," he said, "I have been looking for a guitar all day to give to this missionary who is attending my conference. We were about to settle for second best, when we came in here and got this great deal."

The owner turned, whispered to the salesmen; and then walked away. The salesman came back to the register and said, "You are getting a better deal on the guitar. The owner said to sell it for one penny!" What an answer to prayer! When we returned from shopping, an anonymous person left a covered rooftop carrier for us. We are humbled by the way the Lord provides in every area of our lives. Truly, we have not because we ask not.

During the week, I had the privilege of leading a man to Christ. He seemed very troubled by life, but he was very attentive and opened his heart to the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and your generous support of our ministry.

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