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Family Lines Newsletter, September 30, 2004
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**Can You Help in Cameroon?**
By David Chadwell
 
In 1972-73 Eugene Elangwe was a teenager in preacher training school in Cameroon, West Africa, where I lived and taught.  Now Eugene is almost 50 years old with a family of 7 children.  After graduating from the preacher training school, he shared the good news of Christ with his people.  Of the five students graduating in his class, only two continue to preach.
 
He lives in a remote area and owns no motorized transportation.  Some congregations are too remote to be visited by car.  In a typical month he walks 85 kilometers (51 miles) to visit congregations.  The number of places with no congregation who request him to come preach is increasing.  This is in addition to 13 existing congregations.  He has very few books, supplies, or Bibles to use in his work.  Viewed from our circumstances, he has almost nothing to use.  There is a dire need for medicines and medical supplies.  Eugene has witnessed friends die in situations he knows are unnecessary.
 
To address growing needs, he began a preacher training school which graduated its first class of 5 in September, 2003.  He also directs leadership training for men in established congregations (on a regular basis).  He is 203 miles from the nearest American missionary.  They are able to visit about once a year.  This missionary does not have the supplies to address Eugene's needs.  One American preacher goes once every year or two to teach in the preacher training school for three weeks.
 
For the better part of 5 years, Eugene and I have worked to find a means to supply some of the many needs around him.  With the significant help of C.U.R.E., we plan to send a large shipment of medical supplies and Bible study materials (including Bibles) to Wum, Cameroon, in the near future.   Dr. Fisher located the lowest possible prices for medicines and medical equipment that C.U.R.E. does not possess.  Supplies C.U.R.E. has will be donated.  We received the necessary government documents to assure acceptance of this shipment.  Now it is a matter of gathering, packing, funding, and shipping the supplies. 
 
How can you help??
  • Give Bibles, Bible dictionaries, Bible study helps.
  • Provide $60,000 to purchase medical supplies and ship all the supplies.
  •  
    If you wish to help, contact me or the office.  Checks should be made to the West-Ark Church of Christ marked for the Cameroon supplies.  There are many, many good works on-going in this congregation.  In no way do I wish to compete with or take funds from these excellent works.  I ask you not to divert funds planned to be given to support other works or mission efforts.  Do you have questions?  Ask me.
     
    If you can help us help Eugene preach/teach in the Wum area, thanks!  Eugene is sharing Jesus with his own people on a daily basis.  May we encourage his effectiveness.
     
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    Page 2  [Except for prayer updates, the deadline for information in the newsletter is 3:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.]
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    **The Wonder Working Power of Prayer**
     
    * Gertrude Mize is in room 3403 at St. Edward Hospital. If her progress continues she may be dismissed Friday (10/1/04).
    * Richard Hostetler has been unable to attend worship recently due to health problems.
    * Barbara Atha (aunt of Louise Howard) is recovering from injuries received in a car accident in Tulsa, OK.
    * Louise Howard also requests prayers for her father, Clarence Reed, who has pneumonia and also some broken ribs from a fall. He is in a Fayetteville hospital.
    * Deborah Irvin (of Pleasant Valley congregation) is in Crawford County Hospital, room 259 with pneumonia and pain from a fall.
    * Taylor Anders (son of Mark & Christy)
    * Adam Jenkins (See note from Kerry & Dena in the 3rd column.)
    * Larry Treat (chemo treatments)
    * Chuck Cunningham
    * Anita Maxwell
    * Maile McDonald
    * Gary & Judi Green
    * Don Green
     
    **Bereaved**
    Our love and sympathy is extended to Clark Risley in the recent death of his grandmother. Clark requests prayers for his mother and her family.
     
    Esther Gunn's friend, Diane Blount (who has been on our prayer list for several weeks), died Tuesday afternoon. Her funeral will be in Texas.
     
    **Prayers for Military**
    Continue to remember in prayer Daniel Kweekul, Phillip Lux, Johnny Lindgren, Jeff Amos, Lori Dotson, Brandon Daws, Matthew Faries, Aaron Bailey, Michael Gooden, and Shane Newton.
     
    **Copy Machine Guidelines**
    If you have church-related copy work, please come to the office Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Lynn, Myra, or Debbie to assist you. The copy machine is no longer available for use on the weekend.
     
    **Notes of Thanks**
    Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
    Thank you so much for your cards and calls. I know all the prayers have helped me come home.
     With love,
     Carl Wade
     
    To our wonderful church family:
    Thank you for the lovely plant sent in memory of my mother.  We appreciate all of the prayers lifted up on her behalf over the last several weeks. The love and support we have received from all of you has been a tremendous blessing.  Every card and phone call has meant so much.
    May God bless you all.
    Scott, Staci, Rachel, & Kristin James
     
    Precious Prayer Partners,
    We can't tell you how much your expressions of concern, cards, calls and especially prayers have strengthened us regarding Our Little Bud.  The results of his MRI last week have indicated that he has Type I Chiari Malformation.  Yes, this is the exact condition that Taylor Anders was diagnosed with last week.  Our understanding is that Adam will have surgery, but that the condition is very treatable and may help with his eating issues.  Please keep the prayers coming as we learn more about what will take place and about how to lean on our Lord even more!
     Love,
     Kerry & Dena
     
    **Car Clinic**
    The next car clinic is Saturday, October 2, from 8 - 11 a.m. at the annex.
     
    **Widows/Widowers**
    You will be hosted Saturday, October 2 by Jim & Helen Pratt.  The van will leave the Annex at 11:30 a.m.  If you need transportation to the Annex call Mary (646-6079); Bobbie (674-5814) or Janice (474-8851).
     
    **Teen Scene**
    7th-12th graders, mark your calendars for Sunday Night Live!
    West-Ark Church of Christ
    October 10, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
    Theme: Hope
    Speaker: Andy Wilson
    Worship led by Mark Crain
    Drama by "Theatron" of Harding University.
    Representatives will be here from Harding University and Oklahoma Christian University.
    Free food and Great fellowship!
     
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    Page 3 [Please e-mail newsletter information to Debbie@westarkchurchofchrist.org or call the office at 452-1240.]
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    **CURE Work Night**
    Monday, October 4th
    7:00 p.m. at 2400 Vicksburg in F.S.
     
    We'll take anyone we can get to sort medical supplies and pack boxes. We will be doing a variety of things and need your help. Contact Bob Fisher (452-2852) if you need additional information.
     
    **Fall Festival**
    Saturday, October 30th
    6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center
    Please check the Information Center for ways you can help. 
    Contact Kristin Smith (649-0210) or Tiffany Null (783-4510) if you have questions.
     
    **Nursery Help Needed**
    We need once-a-month helpers for Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night.  Plus, we need teachers for both Sunday morning and Wednesday night.  Please call Nancy James at 478-9359 if you can help. You may also stop by the nursery and let us know.
     
    **Tutors Needed**
    More tutors are needed on Wednesday nights from 6:15 - 7:00 p.m.  Call or see Jack Lewis (459-0168) if you can help.
     
    **Happy Birthday**
     
    October 3
    Caroline Campbell
    Terri Jones
    Darrell Peters
     
    October 4
    Gary Gunter
    Debra Lively
     
    October 5
    Sharon Faries
    Leslie Holland
    Dena Jenkins
    Margaret Moss
    Sam Oliver
    Kinzey Rogers
     
    October 7
    Mickey Mendez
    Amber Pippin
    Dawson Urrutia
    Carl Wood
     
    October 8
    Gertrude Mize
    Kevin Roberts
    Neil Roberts
     
    October 9
    Jeanetta Falls
    Billy Yowell
     
    **Sunday Morning**
    Focusing Daily on Jesus
    and His Cross - Part 2
    Chris Benjamin, Speaker
     
    **Sunday Evening**
    God and the Cross Are Still There
    David Chadwell, Speaker
     
    **Lions for Christ**
    * Devotional at 7:00 p.m. in the temporary building, Thursday, October 7th.
    * Movie at the Priester's Saturday, October 9th at 7:00 p.m.
     
    **Serving at the Lord's Table in October**
     
    Prayer Leader: Gary Brown
    Servers:
    Doyle Wright
    Curtis McDonald
    Greg Null
    Mike Burk
    Rick Nelson
    Joe Parker
    Ben Pearson
    Bill Moss
    Darrell Peters
    Kelvin Kleman
    Gene Monk
    Jim Selig
    Adam Davis
    Ben Neal
    John Kamp
    Dawson Urrutia
     
    Ushers/Nursery Communion:
    Larry Todd
    Steve Breedlove
     
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    Page 4
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    **Family Life Ministry**
    By Brad Pistole
     
    Our teens have enjoyed a great month of spiritual events in September. If you missed out, go to www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth and take a look at the pictures from Crosswalk from earlier this month.
     
    These activities were designed specifically to keep our teens focused on "God's purpose for their lives" as the fall gets underway. It can be overwhelming to start the new schedules that come along with school, band, sports, etc. Sometimes it's hard to find the time to squeeze God into our schedules.
     
    I want to make sure that the events we participate in each summer aren't just things to "kill time" or "fill the schedule." It's much more than that. That's why we follow the summer up with Senior Retreat and Crosswalk in September.
     
    There is one major event planned for October, and it will be here soon. Sunday night, October 10th, we will be hosting the 8th Sunday Night Live of 2004. We will host churches from Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. We expect about 250 area teens and parents.
     
    Our theme for the night is "Hope." Andy Wilson, from Joplin, MO, will be our guest speaker. We will also have reps here from Oklahoma Christian University and Harding University as well as the drama group Theatron from Harding.
     
    We will need your help to make this night of worship and fellowship a success. Gary and Rochelle Brown are organizing details for the meal, and I will be putting out "volunteer lists" on the parent's table this week for those willing to make desserts.
     
    Please make plans now to join us for a great night and let's stay focused on helping "Make disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
     
    **Nursery Workers**
    A.M. Nursery
    Paula May, Sandi Pippin
    Melissa Walker, Dena Jenkins
    Irene Willis
     
    P.M. Nursery
    Dixie Burkhart, Gina Williams
     
    **Attendance and Contribution Count**
    Sunday A.M. Worship  632
    Bible Classes 422
    Sunday P.M.  232
    Small Group 22
    Wednesday P.M.  331
    Contribution   $13,753
    Children's Home   $198
    The Way 40
    The Way Contribution  $63
    Hispanic Attendance 70
    Hispanic Contribution $230
    Laotian Attendance 34
    Laotian Contribution $224
     
    **Schedule of Services**
    Sunday Morning Worship, 10:30
    Sunday Bible Classes, 9:30
    Sunday Evening, 6:00
     
    **Weekly Classes**
    Tuesday Morning WINGS, 9:30
    Wednesday Morning Ladies' Bible Class, 10:00
     Wednesday Evening Bible Classes for all ages, 7:00
     
    Office Phone (479) 452-1240
    Fax  (479) 452-5767
    office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
    www.westark.org
     
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