The eV&B Bulletin

A Supplement to the V&B

eV&B Bulletin: October 21, 2008

Someone said that a problem is a solution waiting to happen. With that in mind, I am happy to introduce our first edition of the eV&B, a (hopefully) monthly newsletter that will keep you current with the events at Workers Together With Him. This will not replace the Vine & Branches Newsletter, but will be a supplication to that format, sort of a snack between meals.

September marked the 9th anniversary of WTWH, which we noted under rather adverse conditions. Just as I was starting to put together the V&B newsletter, Hurricane Gustav hit our community here in Baton Rouge. The high winds blew down scores of trees, knocking down power lines and leaving us without electricity for over eight days. Thankfully, there weren’t very many fatalities. Mainly we were inconvenienced (such a good word!). We had to do without the niceties that we have grown accustomed to: air conditioning, electrical appliances, television, and internet service. There was very little national coverage of this storm in the news, and even many Americans were unaware of it. But once word got out, I know many of you kept us in your prayers. Thanks so much.

As I wrote in the last newsletter, Jay and Jerelyn Pearson and I had plans to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, leaving the USA on the 22nd and returning on the 29th. With the massive power outages in Baton Rouge, we thought we might once again be forced to postpone our trip. But one week before our scheduled departure, electricity was up and running and it looked like we were ready to go. Then, the day before our scheduled departure, my wife Nelly and I received the terrible news of the death of our four-year-old nephew, Jonathon Perez Jr. The Kenya trip was now out of the question. I believe very strongly that taking care of your family takes priority over all other concerns. As Paul said, "If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" (1 Timothy 3:4). Such "rule" is much more than keeping your children in line. It is remembering that the most important congregation in your life is your family.

The next day Nelly and I, along with our two sons Michael and Brandon, drove to Brownsville, Texas, to grieve together with our family there. We drove back to Louisiana on Wednesday, after attending the memorial service. Many of you heard of this tragedy and kept my extended family in your prayers. Again, thank you.

While we were away, Jerelyn worked with our travel agent to reschedule our flight to Nairobi. Happily, we were able to reschedule our tickets to leave the 29th. From October 1st to 5th, we ministered at Grace Ministries International. Under the direction of Rev. James Yoon, this work combines a Bible college, a large church, pastored by Bonface Makanda, an orphanage, an elementary school, and extensive missionary work throughout Kenya.

The Pearsons and I were welcomed as coworkers, and we had a wonderful time with the staff and students. It is my earnest prayer that we will have many future opportunities to work with Rev. Yoon and Pastor Bonface. I am happy to say that after two rather disappointing missions to Kenya, I saw that indeed, all things work together for good. In the next V&B, I hope to include some testimonies from our students.

Tomorrow, I am leaving to present a seminar in England. From 24-26 October, I will be teaching at the Avon Tyrell UK Youth Activity Centre, in Bransgrove, Hampshire. The theme for this meeting is, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). I will be presenting truths from the Bible on the very sensitive subject of finances, such as true prosperity, and how to trust God in times of financial uncertainty (which is to say, always).

I am happy to report that I have completed the writing of my book, In the Power of His Might, my revision to The Weapons of Our Warfare. My dear friend Jeff Bass will be designing the new book cover. I encourage you to visit www.jeffbass.com for samples of his wonderful paintings. I am also near completion of my second edition to If Ye Do These Things, Ye Shall Never Fall. When it is finished, I will move forward to transforming my teaching outline for Where Your Treasure Is, There Will Your Heart Be Also into a book as well.

Nelly and I enjoyed some wonderful houseguests this summer. Evelyn Paraboy and Faraja Kurubai are both students at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. We know their parents in Matebete village in Tanzania. In January I plan to return to Tanzania, where Evelyn will accompany me as my interpreter. This will allow me to teach the villagers in their own language of Maa, rather than Kiswahili.

If all goes according to plan, I will be conducting a class in the city of Matamoros, in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico, in February. There is also the possibility of a seminar in Virginia, USA, in March.

As a result of the hurricane, many houses were littered with broken tree limbs. That was the condition of our neighbor’s house as well. I wanted to help him clean up his yard, but I did not own a chainsaw. Thankfully, Jay did and he came over and cut up the limbs so they could be hauled off. Without his help, I could not have helped my neighbor. This reminded me of the supporters of WTWH. None of this could be accomplished without you. Thanks, and thanks again.

In Service to His Majesty, the King of kings,
Rev. Tim Sullivan

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The eV&B is now Tim's Blog.