West-Ark Newsletter, 10 June 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, June 10, 2004
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"Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony." (Luke 16:25 - from Jesus' parable/story of the rich man and Lazarus.)

In a recent article Ronald J. Sider drew pictures of the poverty existing in much of the world. There was the 9-year-old boy who could not go to school because his father could not buy his books--which cost less than one evening of entertainment here. He spoke of an infant daughter dying as parents helplessly watched, unable to afford what we regard as common, inexpensive medications.

He spoke of the poverty circumstances of 1.3 billion people: no furniture (except used blankets, a table, a wooden chair); one change of clothes and pair of shoes (except no shoes for children or women); no appliances; a kitchen furnished with a box of matches, a small bag of flour, some sugar, some salt; no bathroom; no running water; no electricity; no house--just what we would call a shed.

There is no reading materials (magazines, newspapers, books)--just a simple radio; no government services; a two-classroom school 3 miles away; a clinic with a midwife 10 miles away; no postman; no firemen. Most of these 1.3 billion people exist on less than $1 a day. Over half the world's population exists on less than $2 a day.

Unimaginable! I remember my father's first impression of our pictures of rural West Africa. He said, "I would not live that way! I would take my hammer and nails and build something different!" I asked, "What if you had no hammer and no nails were available?" Dad simply could not grasp such poverty--he had never seen it! His shock and our shock are quite similar.

The significant question: how do we "handle" wealth? Do we let it make us feel arrogant, or superior, or guilty, or selfish, or just not feel? Do we think our blessings prove God loves us more, or we are more deserving, or we are more focused on God's ways? Are we our god, are our possessions our god, or is the Father of Jesus Christ our God? Are we blessed to be indulgent, or blessed to be a blessing? Where is the balance between having and helping?

American missionaries living in third world countries confront an unfamiliar inner tension. Commonly they left an amazing living standard to teach people in a stark existence. After learning a shocking truth ["money is not the answer"], they must deal with their prosperity as they live in the midst of dire poverty. The comparison is never with what they left, but always with what they see. I have never known a conscientious missionary who did not struggle with the tension of possessing. It is not as simple as giving wealth away. The eternal question: "What is helpful?"

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1. Go to the bulletin board in the foyer.
2. Choose an envelope with a child's name on it.
3. Buy the items listed in the envelope and take the items to Jack (or the child) by June 23.
~~Or~~
A. Choose a "Sleeping Bag" envelope (there are 5 of them).
B. Buy a sleeping bag.
C. Give the sleeping bag to Jack Lewis by June 23rd.

West-Ark's 2004 Guyana
Medical Mission Team returns to the
Fort Smith Regional Airport
Sunday evening, June 13th, at 8:25 p.m.
on Northwest Airlines Flight #5912.

It is a great blessing to have your church family meet you at the airport. Our presence there will say to them, "Share the good news of the trip with us!" AND it is also an encouragement for them to inspire and lead us in the mission to Fort Smith and the surrounding area! Continue to pray for the Team and the people of Guyana.

Michael Blasdel
Missy Blasdel
Richard Bullard
Shirley Bullard
Michael Cole
Jeannie Cole
David Dickey
Jenna Dickey
Roy Dunavin
Joyce Dunavin
Colleen Frost
Jim Hardin
Robin Harper
Nancy James
Jack Lewis
Glenda Lewis
Robertta Moses
Charlotte Pinedo
Jill Roberts

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**In Our Thoughts and Prayers**
* Patty Kaiser's father, John Smith, is now under Hospice Care.
* Bill Brazelton is in Sparks Hospital, room 487.
* Jamie Loftin and her newborn twins are in Sparks Hospital.
* Dwonne Cogswell's grandmother, Lorena Dunavant
* Sanh Luongvan is in St. Edward Hospital, LT3-1.
* Maile McDonald
* Judi Green
* Lear Mae Moody (mother of Sue George)

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to Yolanda, Amy, Miriam and Esther Gunn in the death of mother and grandmother, Mary Francis Williams. Funeral services were Tuesday in West Helena, Arkansas. If you would like to send a card to the Gunn Family, the address is 1114 Rudy Road, Alma, AR 72921.

Isaiah 40:11
"He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to his heart."
Gabriel Adam Hesslen was born early Sunday morning, lived for an hour in the arms of his family, then was gathered into the arms of our Lord. Cards may be sent to Kevin, Christy, Hope, Hannah and Hunter Hesslen at 3402 S. Pocola Blvd., Pocola, OK 74902.

**Hesslen Family Memorial Fund**
Friends of the Hesslen Family have created an account for those who want to help with hospital and doctor expenses which have exceeded what the insurance covered. There are several ways to do this.
1. Checks may be made out to West-Ark Church of Christ. In the memo field, write "Hesslen Memorial Fund. The church will deposit the funds into the account.
2. If you prefer, checks may be made directly to Bankcorp South, Kevin & Christy Memorial Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 47, Fort Smith, AR 72901.
3. Checks may also be dropped off in person at Bankcorp South locations.

**Bridal Showers**
A bridal shower honoring Julia Henderson, bride-elect of Brian Hughes is planned for Sunday, June 13, from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. in the home of Rochelle Brown. Julia is registered at Dillards, Pier 1, and Target.

**Birth Announcement**
Congratulations to Jeff & Jamie Loftin on the arrival of their twins, Kate and Cameron, on June 9th. Katherine Elizabeth weighed 3 lbs., 7 ozs. and Cameron Jay weighed 4 lbs., 5 ozs. Jamie will be at Sparks Hospital in room 374 until Sunday. The babies will remain in the hospital for 3-4 weeks.

**Wedding Announcement**
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Jaspers
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jennifer Lynn to
Todd Michael Bauer
son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Michael Bauer
On Saturday, the twenty-sixth of June
at six o'clock in the evening
Bellarmine Chapel
Xavier University
Cincinnati, Ohio

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I know you've all heard it before: It just doesn't get any better than this. Many people and many products have staked their claim to that statement and they usually fall short of delivering that truth.

Well, I am reminded of that statement this week as the summer gets underway. For a Youth Minister, it doesn't get any better than this. While everyone else may be on vacation and may be taking a mental break from the day in and day out routine, a Youth Minister is focused during this time on taking advantage of every opportunity available for spiritual growth in the lives of our young people. The summer is a time of fertile ground and open hearts.

This week represents a week just like that. About 10 young people are currently at Green Valley Bible Camp with Brad and Aaron learning about "The Family of God." Three of them are at Bible Camp for the first time in their life. The window of opportunity is HUGE. This is a time to focus their "spiritual" attention like no other time before in their life. What might happen if our young people would spend an entire week with their eyes off of TV, computers, pop stars, etc.? What might happen if that focus was replaced with a focus on Jesus for 6 straight days?

Here's a question for you. What would happen to our adults if they were to do the same? I've heard my whole life that "camp is for kids." They sing all those "camp songs" and do all those "camp activities." Maybe a week alone with Jesus is exactly what our adults need, too.

I know our teens have plenty to do. They are already learning from us to be busy, busy, and busy. They have basketball camps, team camps, cheerleading camps, tennis tournaments, baseball games, and who could forget work? Everybody needs money, right? There's babysitting jobs, fast food jobs, mowing jobs, etc. I know all of these things are important to us.

I'm just challenging us to ask the deeper questions in life: Of these things, what will matter 10 years from now? 20 years from now? Will you remember that AAU game or extra 6-hour shift you picked up at work 10 years from now? How about 20 years from now? I can guarantee you will never forget your spiritual experiences. They will last you a lifetime. They will change you eternally.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday A. M.   624
Bible Classes 428
Sunday Night NC
Wednesday P.M. 289
Contribution   $13,207
Children's Home   $312
The Way 51
Hispanic Attendance 44
Hispanic Contribution $181
Laotians Attendance 21
Laotian Contribution $158

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