Missionary Medical Intensive

Well, I don't have any pictures to put on here since I left my camera cable at home. We have some interesting pictures and stories about the training we are receiving here in the foothills of western North Carolina. Our personal and class schedule goes from 6:30 in the morning to usually around 11:00 at night. Most of that time is spent in classroom lecture, lab, and case studies. Abby and I have learned so much about medicine and outreach as well as skills to take care of our own family. We have learned how to give shots, how to suture, how to put in a stomach tube, how to splint various limbs of the body, and so many other things (well, Abby already knew some of that:) We are studying various diseases every night, how to diagnose and treat them as well as when to know when to send somebody out for better care.

Ultimately, we are trusting the Lord with our bodies and souls as we move to Cameroon. There are so many physical obstacles that could hinder or slow the gospel from going forward; so many consequences of sin and as well as Satan's attempts to destroy people. But the Lord Jesus Christ is the Great Physician, and we are thankful for the knowledge available about our bodies and the many diseases of the world. This class has helped get me over some major medical intimidation, which in my opinion is worth the time we spent down here. Maybe it will help us save a life of a friend or family member. Maybe we will be able to physically help a lost person and lead to them to Christ through it. Abby is doing well through the tough schedule though it is very tiring. She has been a help to me, and we are having a good time together. Pray for us as we finish the class by this Thursday. We are anxious to see our little Elena!

Midwest Baptist History Tour

I went on my first Baptist History tour this last week. The group led by Pastor Jeff Faggart from North Carolina has been taking a tour once a year for the last ten years. We saw many sights of revival and pioneer church planting througout the midwest. Praise the Lord for our Baptist heritage...a heritage of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and organizing Bible believing Baptist churches.

This years new marker unveiled was the fourteenth marker of the Baptist History Preservation Society. It was dedicated to Jeremiah Vardeman, a pioneer preacher who started churches in Missouri and the midwest.
An original painting of George Washington's Baptist chaplain baptizing him during the American Revolution. George Washington gave Chaplain John Gano this sword after the war. This painting and sword is on display in the lobby of the chapel at William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri.
Unveiling of the BHPS third painting. This one is a scene of the life of Isaac McCoy, the Apostle of the Indians of the West. He is returning to his family after learning of the death of his oldest son. Seven of his eleven children died on the western frontier while they were reaching the Indians for Jesus Christ.
Gravesite in St. Louis, MO where John Mason Peck is buried. He started a number of pioneer Baptist churches in Illinois and Missouri.
This is the site of the first Baptist church in Illinois. It was started in the home of a veteran of the American Revolution.

Third Anniversary

We had a wonderful time at the Essenhaus in Indiana Amish country. Thank you mom and dad (Burtt) for watching Elena!