Greater Portland Baptist Church

Kevin and Stacy Byers: January 2008

Good News!

I have some wonderful news to share with you and there are so many things that happened in January that I must write an extended prayer letter this time.

One Saturday in January little Bella walked into the kitchen where I was doing my weekly duty of making weekend breakfast. She got right to the point and boldly and asked me "Dad; am I saved?" Bella has been asking many questions about this subject over the past three months. She had asked about going to heaven, going to hell, and being baptized. At that moment in the kitchen it became clear, she wanted answers and she wanted them now!

Standing there in the kitchen I asked Bella why she needed to be saved. She said "well I don't want to go to Hell." I asked her why people go to Hell and she didn't know. "Bella, people go to Hell because of sin" I told her. Big crocodile tears began to form and she started weeping. I asked, "do you have any sin?" She cried out, *sniff* yeeeees. It didn't take a Bible scholar to see that my precious daughter was under Holy Ghost conviction.

Bella, who turned 5 on January 16th continued to cry as I picked her up and carried her to her room. I sat down on the floor with her in the bedroom. She didn't say a word but walked to her toy box where she produced a little New Testament. She already understood sin and its penalty. Her little heart was broken and so we looked at one verse. John 3:16. She knew it well and quoted it with me and I read.

For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For a little girl, Bella prayed the most grown up prayer I ever heard. "Dear Jesus" she began; "I am sorry for all my sins and I don't want to go to Hell. Please save me and forgive me for all my sins and let me go to Heaven." I marveled at her strong faith. James used the words "nothing wavering."

On Wednesday night we baptized Bella and Gabriel. Six year old Gabriel accepted Christ early last year but he seemed to be very confused about baptism. We went over it many times but we didn't want to proceed with baptism until he was certain about his salvation. Recently he began showing a clear understanding of salvation and baptism and he is certain he is trusting Christ to save him.

Also in January, I had opportunity to preach in a Christian school. Although my message was primarily to Christians, I felt led to ask for a show of hands of those children who were not certain of Heaven. I would estimate 30 or more hands were raised while I scanned the auditorium. I am thrilled that 3 young people got saved that day and I am also burdened for the others who never came to talk with me. I trust the gospel seed was planted and the Holy Spirit will work.

My schedule is beginning to fill in very nicely with meetings in Pennsylvania and Virginia. I am disappointed we were not able to raise our support by January but I trust the Lord will use the delay for his purpose. It was very encouraging to see a few churches increase their monthly support for our ministry. An increase in monthly support means less time on deputation and fewer traveling expenses. We thank each of you who increased your support for us this year.

We saw a few new churches begin support for our ministry in January and together with the increases we now have 72%. We have a growing schedule ahead and new churches supporting each month. Stacy and I are excited to see the mission field in sight. In fact, if our average support level were $100 per month; we would have our full support right now.

With our goal in site, we have many travel expenses to consider in the very near future. We would appreciate any help your church could provide to help defer the cost of our move to Germany. We have a moving fund at BIMI and some of you have given to this already. Thank you for the generosity you have shown to our family and the love displayed by your gifts. Any funds you would like to direct toward our moving fund can simply be sent to BIMI using the ID number 1323 and marked "moving fund" in the memo line.

I must admit that nothing in my life has been as difficult and trying as raising support for worldwide missions. Wrestling practice in High School, basic military training in the Air Force, or even a deployment to Iraq seem easy compared to the task of deputation. I have a completely different outlook on missions and missionaries than I did when I first began this adventure. Through it all we have grown closer as a family and closer to the Lord. We are not done yet but the increase in support and interest in our ministry gives the feeling of nearing the goal.

Will you spend some special time in prayer this month and ask the Lord to increase our support to 80% by the end of March? Will you also pray the Lord will provide every dollar needed for the move to Germany? We can't wait to get there!

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