Where we have been and where we are going!

What a wonderful time we have been having .. Traveling in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. God has been so faithful to us, in protecting us and providing for us. The joy of sharing what God is doing in our world continues to inspire us to continue on this journey!

Recently, we visited my mom who lives in Commerce, Oklahoma, just a few miles from Joplin, MO. We took time to view the tornado damage. Pictures do not reveal the extent of damage this storm caused. Sherlene snapped this picture and it says so much. In the middle of this damage there were so many who were ‘all ok’! We heard stories of how God provided safety in the middle of the storm and how God’s people responded with compassion after the storm. Even today there are those who are continuing to give!

 

Each June we attend the Missionary Renewal and Commissioning service in Springfield, MO. This was a special year as three of our Louisiana couples were commissioned. The Luis and Lourdes Padilla’s to Argentina, Randy and Karen Bardwell to Health Care Ministries and another couple going to a sensitive area of the World. There is nothing so exciting and humbling as standing with a group who have been called by God and who have responded YES to HIS call.

So, we continue on the road!! Excited about what God is doing for us and through us! We continue to help our missionaries reach the field; we continue to help churches expand their reach. Together through the power of the Holy Spirit, people who have never heard are hearing about the love of God.

We are currently working on a Missions Workshop for north Louisiana, training another MAT team, planning with the South Texas and Mississippi Districts and dreaming about trips to other countries.

While we were in Springfield we spent a few days with our daughter and her family. Bryce was home on leave before moving to Japan to serve in the USAF. It was neat to be with our boys (Bryce and Sean). (Now I need to spend some time in Tupelo, MS. J)

I have been doing some research about Faith Promise Giving. One missionary writes ‘I live with a sense of total dependence!’ What a wonderful way of describing our family. From those of you who faithful give and pray each day to those who go to a country far from home and family, it is all about ‘dependence’. Depending on God to provide the money to sustain those who are depending on HIM to work through them to reach people where they are. It is God who through your gifts and prayers enables our missionaries to fulfill HIS calling on their lives. We are all dependent on HIM!!

Thank you for your prayer and financial support! You make it possible for us to serve where God has called us to serve!

David and Sherlene Reddout

On the road for Missions!

Memorial Day! One day is not enough!

What a Heritage!!

Last year we toured the Manila WWII memorial. Thousands of men and women are buried there. Many of them still have not been identified. These men and women gave their lives for the freedoms we so often take for granted. One day is not enough to remember. So the next time you see someone who serves our country to keep it safe, tell them thanks.

My Grandfather was a WWI vet, my Dad and Sherlene’s father were WWII vets and our grandson is now serving in the Air Force. Dad wrote to me while he was in the Philippines. I was about two, but he was not sure he would come home and he wanted me to know how much he loved me. I keep these letters.

For the last few years we have lived in Leesville, LA., home of the U.S. Army post, Fort Polk. I have met some of the most incredible men and women here. Chaplains, Officers, Sergeants, soldiers, men and women who love God, love their families and love their countries!

So for the Bryce’s, Dan’s, Gary’s, Carlos’s, Abby’s, Brad’s, Shawn’s, Milton’s, Steve’s, Harris’s and a host of others who are serving or who have served, thank you for your commitment to God, to your families, and to your country.

The Greatest Thing in the World

A very good friend of mine, Louis Bartet, emailed me last evening and asked if I had read Henry Drummonds book “The Greatest Thing in the World“. I had not heard of this book, but went on line and found it (http://www.jesus.org.uk/vault/library/drummond_greatest_thing.pdf). It is only 14 pages long, so I downloaded it and read it. Henry Drummond, a Scottish evangelist, lived only 46 years. After returning from Africa, he wrote this little book. Henry Drummond states that Love is the Greatest thing in the world, and then he goes on to define it. The book was first published in 1880, but has a message very much applicable for us today. IF we love God we will worship God! If we love people we will serve people! And this Love is from God!! Henry Drummond wrote of his trip through Africa where he met many people who had met David Livingstone. The only white man they had ever seen. They couldn’t understand him, but they sensed his loved for them.

Thanks Louis for pointing me to this little book. And thanks Henry Drummond for writing about the Greatest thing in the World. And most of all Thank you Lord for loving me!

1 John 4:19 “We love, because HE first loved us!” NIV

Traveling

Wikipedia, the on line encyclopedia states that ‘Travel is movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations for any purpose and any duration, with or without any means of transport. Travel also includes relatively short stays between successive movements. Movements between locations requiring only a few minutes are not considered as travel.’

It was early in the 1900 my grandmother made her first trip to Oklahoma. When I travel Interstate 44 and past the Big Cabin exit, I think of her. Big Cabin was a place where the wagons would gather for the night, an early day RV Park. My Mom was born in Kiefer, OK., lived in Okmulgee and Oklahoma City, married Dad and moved to Prague, Afton, Fairland, Bixby, Claremore, and now lives in Commerce, OK.

I have often thought of my heritage and especially my Mom. Both my grandmother and my mom would be considered strong women. Not in a negative sense, but in a very positive, self assured, confident way. This strength was not kept inside but was given to their children and their grandchildren. My sister and I are blessed.

So on this Mother’s Day, I want to say thanks Mom! Thanks for your investment in my life. Thanks for your prayers. And most of all, Thanks for giving us the courage to face the journey of life. Thanks for giving us the tools of confidence in God and belief in HIM. Because of these tools our Travel in this life has been blessed.

Happy Mother’s Day!

April 21, 2011

This year has been blur of activity!! We started in West Texas, then to South Texas, Mexico, in San Antonio for my Grandson’s graduation from U.S. Air Force Basic training, missions conventions is Louisiana, Louisiana District Council and just finished our first District Wide Missions Workshop! We are taking a breather this week before attending the South Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas District Council’s! On the Road is not just a theme. However, the thrill of helping people become more aware of what our God is doing in the world is so rewarding.

Our Azalea’s are almost all gone, they were really beautiful this spring. Now Summer is almost here in Louisiana.

I continue to be amazed at how God is calling and people are responding to both the call of God and the challenge to send! In Philippians 1:7, Paul thanked the Church at Philippi for partnering with him in the sharing of the Gospel. It is this ‘fellowship of the Gospel’ which is enabling ‘His Church’ to move forward around the world. Over 10,000 Assemblies of God missionaries are sharing this Gospel, and over 7,000 of them are from other nations of the world!! HIS Church is moving forward!! The least reached places of our World are being reached with the Gospel because of the faithfulness of God’s people, both of those who go and those who send!

Thanks to those who have ‘partnered’ with us. Our budget is being sustained because of your faithfulness and the resources which God provides to His people. Even in the midst of a economic downturn, God’s people are making new commitments of giving and going!

So we continue on the Road! Thankful for your prayers for our travels and our ministry! Thankful for the opportunity to share the Gospel! Thankful to tell others what our Lord is doing! Thankful to challenge all of us to do more to reach every one with the Gospel! Thankful we are doing this through the power of His Holy Spirit which works mightily in us!

My grandson, an Airman!

We were just in San Antonio for the graduation of our oldest grandson from U.S. Air Force basic training. We are so proud of him. I caught this picture of Bryce and his bother Sean. This picture speaks so much of who these two brothers are and how close they have been as they have grown through the years. My sister is almost 12 years younger than I am, so we missed this type of closeness, although she and I still remain close.

What does it mean to be apart? What does it mean to once again see those who mean so much to you? What does it mean to live your life for a higher purpose? Bryce has chosen to serve our nation as an Airman. I am so proud of him. But the real choices in life are when we commit ourselves to the purpose of serving the Lord of Lord’s, the King of Kings. Yes there are times when we are separated, apart from those we love. But the time does come when we can join together again.

 

 

Have you ever seen a Whale?

For the last several years, Sherlene and I have attended a meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This meeting for District Missions Directors is one of my highlights of the year. For several reasons, the weather is wonderful, the place is beautiful; the meetings are incredible. I walk away in awe of what our God is doing in the world. This year we were given a special treat, as we were going to lunch, just off shore a whale was jumping. Ron Barnard took this picture and I just had to share it. Wish you could have been with us! It was spectacular!

Our travels have really kept us on the road! I have almost completed a Light for the Lost tour of the South Texas District. This men’s ministry provides needed literature for our missionaries. One missionary told me this was his number one tool for evangelism. Our missionaries depend so much on these funds.  It has been a great time in meeting and renewing friendships in Texas.

 

 

 

 

 

I continue to be amazed at the way God is blessing His church throughout the world. The latest statistics (ck out resources www.worldmissions.ag.org) show the church continuing to grow both at home and around the world. In some areas we are growing faster than 10%, in others much less, but people are still finding Christ. When I look at a map I see Christianity covering the world, but that is what HE said would happen!!

Today there are earthquakes, wars, kingdoms falling, but He told us this would happen in Matt 24. But don’t despair, He said this gospel would be preached in all the world and it is being done!! There are missionaries going around the world and there are missionaries going from the nations of the world. A mighty army of God’s servants going to tell others of HIS saving power.