Rick & Pam Barry Prayer Letter - November 2007
Dear family and friends,
Once again both of us want to thank you for your prayers and gifts to our BIEM account. The more time passes, the more we realize what a blessing from God are the friends who care and make it possible for us to be active in service for the Lord. Here are some highlights from our recent activities:
▪ The return of the school year has Pam teaching Bible lessons to public school fourth-graders at our church. She loves this ministry and spends much time preparing lessons, visuals and songs. This past Tuesday she explained how to pray the sinner’s prayer for forgiveness, and many kids did!
▪ If we haven’t told you personally, the results of our conference in Kiev, were very encouraging: Over 750 people from 13 countries attended. Of those, 70 indicated interest in being missionaries; 32 marked that they felt God’s definite calling to missions, and 18 were interested in missions specifically to Muslims! Pastors declared that the meetings had helped them to view Muslims in a new light, including local Muslims who are a mission field. On the way home, Rick and several coworkers passed through Istanbul, Turkey, to check into possibilities there for a ministry base.
▪ October was filled with more travels: After representing BIEM at a missions fair at First Baptist of Danville, Ind., on Oct. 5 & 6, Rick drove to Pine Grove, West Va., to preach and share about God’s working in Russia and Ukraine in Lowman Baptist Church on Oct. 7.
▪ October 13 found Rick traveling to Greenville, SC, to represent our ministry on the campus of Bob Jones University for Missions Emphasis Week. He also spoke in 5 classes that week. (A bonus was getting to play with the 2 boys our daughter Jessica and Tim have been foster-parenting with plans to adopt. We don’t feel old enough to be grandparents, but we’re getting used to the idea!)
▪ On October 19, our Russian coworkers Peter and Pavel Rumachik flew into the country. Rick met them at the Indianapolis airport, and we had them in our home for that evening. (Peter spent 18 years in prison for his faith. His son Pavel is president of their association of churches near Moscow. Both have gripping and encouraging testimonies to share with Americans.) Rick interprets for them in services. The last service before they return to Russia will be in Texas on Nov. 10. These services have been a blessing for all.
▪ On November 2, Rick and the Rumachiks were returning to Indianapolis when a Bronco slammed into the rear of our car at a red light. Praise God, no one was hurt. (THANKS for prayers!) (Despite the collision, the woman driving the Bronco managed to continue her conversation on her cell phone J.) The car still drives okay, but it will need time in a body shop when we get a chance to schedule that.
In between these duties we also designed our 2008 calendar, had them printed, and joined volunteers from 4 churches who came and helped to stuff, seal and address them. Let us know if you didn’t receive one.
God bless you all!
Rick and Pam Barry
P.S. The Lord has definitely given opportunities to be in more churches lately. Our support level continues at about 75% for now, but designated gifts from friends and family have helped tremendously. Thank you!