Glastar Fund

This Christmas we received a few gifts toward the purchase of the Glastar in Cameroon (see previous posts). This was perhaps the most creative way we received money for the plane (from Jessica and Andy). Please continue to pray that the money will come in soon for this tool that will be used to reach the forgotten in Africa.

Surprise Delivery!

We were able to pull off a surprise visit to the Sanderlin homestead the day after Christmas. The winter ice cancelled plans to rent a plane and fly out, so we drove instead. This is Elena and Grandad shortly after he walked in from work seeing Jessica and who he thought was Ella, but instead found out it was Elena!
This is a our traditional Sanderlin siblings picture...I didn't want to be the first one to ruin the tradition by not showing up! Sorry we made you delay the gift exchange, Jim!
Grammie and Grandad with all their grandchildren...Wyatt, Ella, Elena, and Mia. Next year all the grandkids may be running around...then try to catch them all for a picture!
Thanks for all the food, Mom ... awesome cake, Andy! Jill, I mean the Giant Peach, was here as well. Chris preached last night at Believers Baptist on Revelation 3:14-22...good message Chris. Good to see you all!! Happy New Year!!

Christmas Day

We had three Christmas celebrations on Christmas day in Ann Arbor. Abby, Elena, and I had our own time together in a prophet's chamber early in the morning. Elena enjoyed eating the wrapping paper more than the present inside.
We then went to Abby's parents' house for a brunch and more gifts. We always have a great time with them. Elena's grandma, grandpa, aunts, and uncles all enjoy good times with her.
Lastly, we went to Grandma Gardner's house and had Christmas with Abby's grandma, Uncle Ron, Aunt Diana, Ryan, and Nick. We were blessed again this year remembering Christ's birth amongt our family.

Humility's Finest Hour

We are so thankful for the time spent with family and friends at Christmas. What a Saviour who would humble himself for our sake! There are so many Christmas hymns that take part or all of a stanza from Philippians 2, a chapter dealing with the submissive mind. The Philippian church was struggling in the area of unity (4:2). Paul takes chapter 2 of his letter to plead with them to look to Christ for true humility. He first desires the humility that is so lacking in their church (v. 1-3a) by saying "fulfil ye my joy." He then defines humility for them in verses 3 and 4, "...in lowliness (humility) of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but also on the things of others." What better time to practice humility than at Christmas as we endeavor to meet the needs of loved ones through gifts and service to them. Paul then in verses 5-11 shows the greatest demonstration of humility in history...when God became man. The birth of our Saviour at Bethlehem was perhaps humility's finest hour. And not only did Jesus make himself of no repuation in his first hour of life, but he lived a life of humilty and humbled himself in his final hour as he died on the cross for our sins. May you and I bow our knee to Jesus Christ the Lord and humble ourselves to each other as we have the mind of Christ (v. 5), the humble, submissive mind..."to the glory of God the Father."

Finished for 2006...planning for 2007

I preached for the last time in 2006 at Ann Arbor Baptist Church on Christmas Eve. Deputation has gone well so far, and we are at about 20% of our needed support before we leave for Cameroon. We are still planning a survey trip for July of 2007. We hope then to spend a month with the Needhams in Cameroon as we look for a place to base our ministry and take part in the current ministry they have. We are busy right now sending out more information packets and making phone calls to pastors. Please pray that we fill up our schedule for 2007 with the churches the Lord would have for us.

December Schedule...

We are currently in Ann Arbor, Michigan for the Christmas season. At the beginning of December we had a meeting in Lima, Ohio, where my brother Jim is music pastor. We enjoyed staying with him and Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Williams is familiar with the ministry in Cameroon as she stays in contact with Ellen Doyle, a missionary nurse in Cameroon who often ministers in the bush country through the Needham's aviation ministry. Thank you for the lodging for almost a week!
We stayed with Abby's parents for a week and are now in a prophets chamber in town. We have enjoyed meeting new pastors and getting the word out about the open doors in Cameroon. We attended the Christmas Contata at Ann Arbor Baptist Church last night. The music was a blessing, and Pastor Hirth preached a clear gospel message.
Have a merry Christmas...we'll post more pictures later.

Glastar Sportsman in Progress...

We were able to spend a week in Oshkosh at the end of November and see the new Glastar Sportsman under construction. This is Tom Needham's new airplane, which Lord willing will soon be in service in Cameroon. It is the next size bigger than the Glastar taildragger that he is currently using. You may remember the Glastar taildragger is the plane we desire to purchase from Bro. Tom to use in Cameroon as we work with his family to preach the gospel. You can contribute to our ministry by helping us purchase the Glastar, the funds of which will go to help the Needhams finish building the Sportsman. Thank you all for your prayers for the aviation ministry...it truly enables the word of the Lord to have free course, to move swiftly in the bush country of Cameroon.

Thanksgiving 2006

"O Give thanks unto the Lord;for he is good:because his mercy endureth for ever." I am very thankful for the family in which I was born. Abby, Elena, and I were able to spend Thanksgiving with my family this year. Because of Bible College and Seminary it was the first time I made it home for Thanksgiving in 7 years! The whole family was there as you can see as well as Jim's new fiancee, Jill Zajac from Chicago. They went to school together in college, and we are thankful for the future addition she will make to our family. Also, you may notice the addition of two new babies to the family this year, Elena Sanderlin and Audella Wredberg. Also, there is the addition of several goats...the family just keeps on growing!! We will miss them all when we go to Africa and are thankful for any time we can get together. Thanks, Mom and Dad for the spiritual heritage you have passed down to us! May we all rejoice in God's blessing of family this year!

First Southern Tour Complete

We are back in the Midwest after spending the month of October and most of November down south. We had deputation meetings in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. The pictures are of us in climate and culture training as we prepare for Africa. We realized once again how different the South is from the Midwest. We really enjoyed our time there, and we are so thankful for all the friends we were able to see again. We look forward to going south again!