West-Ark Newsletter, 27 October 2005

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Family Lines Newsletter, October 27, 2005
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From the beginning, something touched and impressed me about the medical (and professional) presence in this congregation. It was and is how many doctors and nurses use their preparation and talents unselfishly to help other people to share their faith in Christ. Among our most active missionaries in this congregation are men and women dedicated to the medical profession. Dr. Henry Farrar would fit in that group wonderfully well.

In 1964 (in a situation more demanding and deprived than most of us could imagine), Dr. Farrar took his faith and his medical talent to work in the Nigerian Christian Hospital. In spite of conditions that were more than a mere challenge, he literally used his medical abilities to help many physically survive. He did that for nine years.

He did that in a period of critical unrest. Much of that time, a civil war was brewing in that area. His medical work in the Nigerian Christian Hospital preceded their Biafran War and followed that war. He worked helping the Nigerian people in an unsettled period. He dared address medical needs in conditions after the war that were even more impoverished.

He did not do this because he could not find work. He has also worked with the United States Public Health Service, five American hospitals, another African hospital in East Africa, and a medical hospital in China. He did this because he cared about people.

Dr. Farrar did not merely take his medical expertise to the Nigerian Christian Hospital. More importantly, he took his faith in Jesus Christ. As busy as he was medically, he found time to share the hope of faith in Christ with the Nigerian people. His primary work was mending souls. His secondary work was mending bodies.

Dr. Farrar presently lives in Carthage, Tennessee were he works in Smith County at the Carthage General Hospital. He is 75 years old, is married to Grace Farrar (52 years), has preached for 58 years, has been a physician for 48 years, and has been a board certified surgeon for 38 years. He has been and is a sought after speaker in numerous contexts.

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**Remember in Prayer**
Mickey Mendez had shoulder surgery on Tuesday. She has prayer pager 441-1648.
Milton Hendrixs mother, Sylvia, was dismissed from the hospital Wednesday.
Shirley Webb has been dismissed from rehab.
Anna Ramsey is in St. Edward Hospital. She will have surgery to put a rod in her arm.
Bonnie Ray, mother of Karen Carter, was taken Wednesday afternoon to St. Edward Hospital with heart problems.
Marie Lyle is in HealthSouth and has been having mini-strokes. She appreciates prayers.
Don, Billie and Lisa Neisler had an auto accident Sunday night as they were coming home from Jonesboro. They are home but very sore from the wreck.
Continue to pray for Jess Huffs comfort and healing from shingles.
Joan Jenkins (Kerrys mom) is getting good test results from her chemotherapy treatments. She will have three more treatments over the next few months.
Wendell Fenton (father of Natalie Nelson) has improved dramatically over the last few days. The family is very grateful for your many prayers.
Joyce Parkers mother, Alberta Miley had back surgery October 24th.

**Continued Prayers**
Maile McDonald
Chuck Cunningham (former West-Ark member)
Barbara Perkins (Janet Jacksons mother)
Brian Stone (grandson of G.C. & Margaret)
Vicki Varvel (daughter of John and Nadine Hawkins)
Bob Callicott (father of Ann Combs)

**Update on Adam Jenkins**
Adam continues to progress well. He is still eating baby foods and the Adam formula as his primary source of nutrition, but is also eating 2 table foods applesauce and yogurt! He has also been able to get off of all of his medicines another enormous blessing! Adam continues to slowly progress in his expressive speech skills, as well. Please continue to remember Adam in your prayers, too. He has made HUGE strides since the surgery, but still has quite a road ahead of him as well. [Edited for length.]
Kerry & Dena Jenkins (10/24/05)

**Sympathy**
Our love and sympathy is extended to all those who lost loved ones this week.
Stephanie McClendon in the death of her grandfather, W. L. Autrey. Funeral services are 10/28/05 in Waxahachie, Texas.
Caruth Alexander and Don Griffin in the death of their uncle, John A. Griffin. Funeral services were Wednesday in Fort Smith.
Paul Tucker in the death of his brother, John Tucker, Wednesday morning in California.

**Thanksgiving at the FLC**
Thursday, November 24 at Noon
Please sign your family name, how many are coming, and what food you can bring. Please e-mail or call Sandy Berger as soon as possible if you can provide a ham or turkey.

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*Sunday Morning, October 30*
9:30 a.m. Combined Bible Class in Auditorium
10:30 a.m. Worship assembly and Special Guest Speaker, Henry Farrar, M.D. (See page 1 of this newsletter.)
6:00 p.m. Family Meeting followed by a fellowship meal in the FLC.
PLEASE BRING DESSERTS!

*Saturday, November 5*
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND THE EVENTS BELOW.
8:00 a.m. Mission Prayer Breakfast in the home of Jim & Deborah Wilson, 8524 S. 30th Terrace in Fort Smith, AR. Please call the Wilsons at if you plan to attend.
4:00 p.m. Hamburger Cookout at the Canfield home, 2 Chestnut Court in Fort Smith.
5:20 p.m. Devotional
6:00 p.m. Gathering around the campfire with roasted marshmallows, singing, and sharing of mission stories & blessings. This event will be led by West-Ark teens and college students.

**Missionary Baby Shower**
We are planning a baby shower for our missionary and his wife in Vietnam. The family had a month old baby dropped at their door and were asked to raise it to know Jesus. They are in the mission field on a fixed budget and taking this child will require extra money. If you can help out monetarily, please give your donation to Sandy Berger or Meg Canfield. They will pass it on to the Mission Committee.

**Fall Fest is THIS SATURDAY, October 29, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in the FLC.**
Please bring your favorite goodies for our snack table and one of the following items to help replenish our pantry as you come join in the fun, food and fellowship!
Items for Pantry: rice, pinto beans, saltine crackers, corn, green beans, peas, boxed raisins, carrots, canned fruit cocktail, canned pineapple, boxed cereal, peanut butter.
Parents: Please remember to have your children dressed in friendly costumes.
All booth operators: Please come to the FLC at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning to help set up; and be at the building at 5:30 p.m. to get ready for the action!

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What an exciting time to be part of the West-Ark Youth Group! There are so many new faces and people to get to know. If you havent visited the youth room in a while, you might be surprised to see a lot of people you dont know. And that is a good thing!

Im so proud of our teens for their lives of faith and their examples to their friends. They continue to invite their friends to worship and to our events and it seems like every single service there is someone new to meet.

These teens, along with a great new 7th grade class means lots of new people to plug into service. We are thankful to God for them and for the abilities they bring to our group to help us as we serve Christ together.

There are several activities coming up over the next few weeks that will provide opportunities for you to introduce your friends to West-Ark. Be sure to check out the youth board upstairs and the youth website for more details. Lets continue to make the most of the opportunities God is giving us!

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 610
Bible Classes 443
Sunday Evening 333
Wednesday PM 317
Contribution $14,357
Childrens Home $243
Laotian Contribution $201
Laotian Attendance 35
Hispanic Contribution $154
Hispanic Attendance 51

Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
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"Making disciples for Jesus who are eager to serve others."
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