Pastor A

Today Tucson Baptist Temple celebrated her 55th anniversary. Founding pastor, Louis Johnson, was able to be in the service at 92 years old. The service had many special recognitions:

World of Difference: Over the past three years we have now been able to recognize 14 of our church members who have truly made a significant difference. Last year’s recipients (Dave Argraves, Kristi Wilbur, Glenda Lowrie, Jim Grantham) were all in the service. I am very, very thankful for the group that we recognized this year as over the past 12 months they have made tremendous contributions (as did last year’s recipients for their prior 12 months of ministry involvement).

Today we honored David Parpart (buildings & grounds), Luz Gonzales (buildings & grounds), Robert Lopez (technology), Ionia Sipe (helping hands), Connie Scharpnick (helping hands), and Tina Craig (nursery). All six of these ministry volunteers were dynamic in their ministry involvement over the past 12 months.

Several completed their Discipleship Course. This 20-26 week course takes much work and dedication. It is a joy to see our church desirous to grow in their faith and walk. We honored each person with a certificate of completion.

The Be Like Tych award was announced and the feedback from this afternoon has concurred that the right choice was made. Mr. Joe Jones received the Be Like Tych award based on Colossians 4:7. Joe is involved in numerous ministries! Joe serves as the Chairman of the Board of Deacons, drives one of our Sunday morning bus routes, always participates on church work days, VBS set-up, Missions Conference set-up, and whenever and wherever needed. Joe has been on the China and Iceland mission teams. Joe and Janet have three daughters. It truly is a pastor’s dream to have church members like Joe! I’m thankful that we have several like Joe at TBT.

Lynn Anderson played a beautiful offertory with his flute. He has been given quite a talent. The choir sang two fantastic songs! The song, “Honored, Glorified” has always blessed me and the choir was dynamic today. It is amazing what 58 people can do when they sing together.

Our guest speaker was Pastor Ken McCormick of Tri-City Baptist Temple in Gladstone, Oregon. Dr. McCormick was saved more than 45 years ago at TBT under the ministry of Pastor Johnson. After surrendering to preach, Dr. McCormick went off to Bible college and then began Tri-City Baptist Temple where he has pastored these past forty years. Pastor Johnson and Pastor McCormick enjoyed spending time together on Friday and today.

The Spanish congregation joined us until fellowship time. The Spanish church had 125 in attendance today…. simply awesome and thank you Pastor Arias for all of your hard work and leadership in this area of our ministry. Just before Pastor McCormick preached, John Cutright sang a wonderful and powerful song that was a tremendous blessing to all.

After the morning message, our Board of Trustees and Board of Deacons recognized Shelli and me for our four years of service here at TBT. Bud Savage and JoAnn were so gracious in their comments and loving care as they presented Shelli with flowers and informed us that the church will fly our children home this coming weekend so that they can spend Mother’s Day with Shelli. Shelli has been “weepy” all afternoon and evening. Her excitement is through tears!

Dinner on the grounds consisted of fried chicken, green beans, corn, rolls, and dessert. I’m so thankful that many, many volunteered to help and it really was fantastic to see everyone working together. It took just 15 minutes to have more than 725 people go through the line. Thank you to all for set-up, serving, and clean-up.

Today was a remarkable day and it continues to be the greatest privilege to pastor TBT… even though, outside of Christ, I am not worthy of this honor to serve the membership of TBT.

On Monday, after NBA player Jason Collins revealed to Sports Illustrated that he is a gay athlete, Chris Broussard of ESPN had some commentary that has been pretty heavily picked apart by many members of the sports media.

Broussard said:

“I’m a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is.

“I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ. I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I do not think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian.”

2012 Master champion Bubba Watson responded Tuesday to Broussard’s thoughts on Twitter:

✔          @bubbawatson        Thanks @Chris_Broussard for sharing your faith & the bible!! #GodIsGood

Watson is one of the most outspoken Christians on the PGA Tour and hasn’t shied away in the past from a good controversial topic. This one on homosexuality seems to be no different.

Now that we have had a night’s sleep and we are back in TUS, I wanted to remind all of our TBT members that on Sunday evening (April 21) we will have Iceland Team testimonies at 6:00 p.m.

I want to take this opportunity in my final post regarding Iceland to “thank” Patrick Weimer for allowing us to come to Iceland to help with his building project. The Weimer family has been in Iceland for 14 years and are specifically serving to reach the Icelandic people using the Icelandic language. There are nearly 330,000 people in the country of Iceland. According to Patrick, he is the only Independent, Baptist missionary in the entire country. There are only two Baptist churches in the entire country. There is the First Baptist Church in Keflavik where Patrick and his family serve and there is a Southern Baptist church in the capitol, Reykjavik.

The love that Patrick and his family have for the Icelandic children and teenagers was evident from the first moment that we arrived. Petra had prepared bread for our group. It was delicious. Petra went to the grocery store with our ladies to show them where everything was located and was a super help in those early hours.

Patrick’s children were a blessing as they welcomed Gideon and interacted with him from their first meeting until they said their final good-bye. Vicki had the ladies over to her home one afternoon. God has blessed the Weimers with a beautiful home with an ocean view

Our team says “Thank You” and I’m quite sure there will be testimonies on Sunday to further reiterate our appreciation for being allowed to go to Iceland to serve for two brief weeks.

We are now at the DEN airport and awaiting our last leg to the TUS airport. This afternoon we left Iceland around 16:45 and then flew a little over seven hours to DEN. We had no problems (to speak of) at the DEN airport. We quickly cleared immigration, retrieved all of our luggage and trunks, and after a couple of bumps and bruises in the process, rechecked our luggage. Ten are awaiting their Southwest flight and Shelli and I are awaiting our United flight. The twelve of us are scheduled to arrive in TUS within seven minutes of each other.

I was able to have a Starbucks green tea and drank it ever so slowly. There were no Starbucks in the entire country of Iceland. I love green tea and it is so refreshing!

This journey (four months of planning and two weeks of execution) is drawing to a close. I am so excited to return to TUS. I’ve missed my church family and cannot wait to see all of the members of TBT on Wednesday and Sunday of next week. It has been a privilege to travel with this group. Lifelong relationships have been built and or fortified through this process. Weaknesses and strengths have been revealed in the lives of all of us. However… through all of the past two weeks we have gelled as a team and will soon see even greater works accomplished in TUS and on future mission trips.

Virtually all of this team has given up vacation time or gone without pay to participate in this venture. I shall be deeply grateful for the sacrifices made by this group in their finances and in their willingness to be separated from family and friends. Thank you and may we journey together again soon!

The last person to discuss would be Mrs. Shelli Armstrong! I am so thankful for my wife and that I had the privilege to travel with her on this mission trip. We have been to many, many countries together and have experienced a variety of situations, conditions, and accommodations in our 25 years of mission trips. Shelli was tasked with the responsibility of feeding our group for two weeks. Shelli meticulously prepared a menu and then had pages and pages of items that were needed.

Seven trunks of food, spices, and ingredients were  brought with us to Iceland. Four of the seven trunks weighed seventy pounds and the other three weighed fifty pounds. We have only eaten out three meals in a fourteen day trip. It has not always been easy for what you planned is always being adjusted by either the lack of anticipated supplies here in Iceland or increase in the number of people eating. There have been many changes in plans and she has done well in ensuring we have been well-fed and without getting sick. Job well done!

One of the items that could not have been totally prepared for has been the cost of food at the local Bonus grocery store. It is amazing how expensive everything has been here in Iceland. $7-8 for a gallon of milk and $28 for a pizza and $14 for a KFC meal and $8 for a gallon of diesel and $4 for a loaf of bread… WOW!

I am so thankful for Shelli and it has, once again, been a privilege to travel with her. She has taken care of our group and me very well!!

Another couple that made a first-ever mission trip with TBT was Neal and Vanessa Frisinger. It has been such a joy to travel with this couple. Vanessa helped in our kitchen and had the opportunity to get to know the Icelandic teens during the first week. Sadly, Vanessa had to go back home after just one week due to work obligations. However, it was wonderful to see her and Neal interact with each other. They really, really do love each other. It was “cute” to see them riding their horses together.

Neal serves as our financial secretary and in our Awana program. It was evident from the start that he dearly loves the teens here in Iceland. It was a joy to watch him interact with the teens through one-on-one conversations and in various game situations. Neal also worked hard for these two weeks doing whatever was needed to accomplish our aggressive mission. Neal really missed his family and it has been noticeable over the past couple of days. You see, Neal’s son, Aaron is home visiting and Neal is here and not there. Aaron serves in the military in Kentucky and is not able to come home very often. I’m so thankful for this sacrifice that Neal has made to be apart from family to serve here in Iceland. Thank you Neal!

I am so grateful that Neal and Vanessa serve – actively – in the ministry of TBT.

Today was a day to see a different part of Iceland. Patrick took the group to a huge lake and then on to a mud pit that was very interesting. After lunch in Reykjavik we then had the opportunity for the group to do a little shopping for souvenirs. I hope that everyone will receive a nice gift. I found a fabulous gift for the children of Tucson Baptist Temple and look forward to giving these out to our children and teenagers. I do believe they will like it immensely. Our day ended with an opportunity to visit the Blue Lagoon. This place is for tired muscles. There are no words to really describe this place other than you are in a lava field with 108 degree F water that is milky. It was so very relaxing!

I am running out of days for all of our team members so I will have to double up today and talk about more than one. Today I would like to highlight John Rognlien. I have deliberately saved him until the last day for it has been a unique experience travelling with John. You see, John served in the Air Force and 27 years ago he was stationed right here in Iceland. In fact, the picture at the left is on purpose… John is pointing to the second floor window of the very room he stayed in some 27 years ago. In fact, the coat he is wearing is the SAME coat that he wore 27 years ago. Who keeps a coat for 27 years ago? John does!

John has been such a blessing with his sweet spirit, work ethic, and love for the Icelandic children. John has been up early in the morning and up late at night determined to see the Northern Lights. The only real sightseeing he wanted to do was to see Puffins. We tried… we failed. John has smiled virtually the entire trip. I am so thankful that he serves as a deacon and choir member in our church. He has been a wonderful blessing to have on this trip and I pray that John will go with us on our next trip!

The project has been completed! Praise the Lord that early this afternoon the last rivet was added to the grid system in the suspended ceiling and the last tile was placed in the grid. The scaffolding was taken down and stored. The rooms have been cleaned repeatedly and the church looks completely different than the day we arrived. This group has been simply fabulous in their work ethic, skills, and attention to detail. Pictures of the completed project can now be seen on the Tucson Baptist Temple’s Facebook page.

Chris and Lisa Traynor are from South Carolina and have now travelled with TBT on their second mission trip. They also went to Uganda a year ago and were a great blessing. Chris and Lisa have worked very hard on this trip. Chris has been our van driver and shuttled us back and forth between the church and motel. Chris has worked with Mike most of these two weeks on sheetrock and the suspended ceiling. Chris has made a huge difference with his work ethic and knowledge. Although it might seem like a little thing… the six large Makita batteries and chargers that he brought with him have made a profound difference in the speed in which the group has been able to drive screws, cut lumber, and hang the ceiling. Chris has a great personality and has gelled with this team.

Lisa is a hard and efficient worker. She has done an outstanding job in the kitchen and with our cleaning throughout these two weeks. Unfortunately since she fell off her horse last Saturday, she has really been hurting and not once has she complained. She has tried to hide it but her limp gives it away. I am praying that she is not hurt worse than her limp and soreness associated with the fall. She has been an added blessing to have on this trip and I’m thankful her boss allowed her this time off from work. Thank you Jon!!

Today has been a great day… but we did not accomplish all that we desired. The details of all the cuts slowed everything considerably. However, the project is looking fantastic. The entryway really looks great as everyone signed their favorite Bible verse on the wall and then the painting process began. Paint is amazing! It was quite a sight to see all of the Icelandic teens writing their favorite Bible verse on the wall. We also cleaned up the work area, began packing our equipment trunks, and loaded the dumpster with all of the trash.

It has been a blessing to spend time with Mike and Katie Frymier. They left behind their three daughters in Tucson and have greatly missed them. Bella had a birthday while we were here in Iceland and we were able to sing Happy Birthday to her via Skype. Mike has worked with the new steps, sheetrock, and is now hanging the suspended ceiling. He has been up on the scaffolding for several days and I just learned today that this is not his favorite thing to do. However, he jumped right in and is doing what is needed to get the job accomplished.

Katie has helped in the kitchen and been a wonderful asset on this trip. We could not have been successful without team members like her. I know it has been difficult to be apart from her girls but she has done so with grace. Katie has talked with many of the Icelandic teenagers and bonded with the girls. It has been so educational seeing Mike and Katie interact with each other!

Mike is retiring from the Air Force later this year… this couple really needs to be in full-time ministry. They have the heart for it and the people skills to make a profound difference in the lives of others. Mike has great wisdom and the heart to go along with the God-given wisdom. It has been all joy to spend these two weeks with this couple.

Today was an excellent day. Much was accomplished and everything seemed to flow very nicely. We went on a little tour of the countryside and our short “ten” minute away sites were quite beyond ten minutes each time. We saw several very, very interesting sites like dried fish in the tens of thousands hanging out in the breeze, the ocean, and wild horses.

Kevin Stephens has been one of the most interesting team members on our trip. He “was” quiet, reserved, and a loner of sorts. This was the first time that he has done something like this with his church. Although having served for many years with the Marine Corp, Kevin has been out of his element here in Iceland… or the first week that is. Kevin was really quite and always sitting at the end of the table. Slowly, each one of us have gotten to know him, work with him, and talk with him at one of our meals.

Kevin is a tremendous blessing. He works hard and has been Jack’s sidekick for most of this trip. I do believe that both have formed a great bond, through Christ, on this trip! I KNOW that Kevin’s life has been changed on this trip. He has opened up in a great way and just loves the Icelandic teens. It has been a privilege to have Kevin on this trip. I sincerely wish that he will consider other trips in the future.

The ladies fixed lamb with blueberry glaze for supper tonight… AMAZING!

Today was even longer than yesterday! Today we hit the proverbially “brick wall” on our trip. A good night of sleep is needed by all and we will be off and running tomorrow. Shelli had a migraine today and was not able to make it until the very end of our day. God is very good ALL of the time and He knew that she should be in bed today. It was very cold outside today. I took a walk down to the ocean and the wind was like a knife.

I am so very thankful that Jerry and Debbie Wilbur have been able to be on this trip. Jerry’s expertise has been nothing short of amazing. He has noticed several items that we had to make corrections and adjustments. He has a keen eye for “perfection” in our work. He has been right on top of this project in his desire for all of us to do a complete and thorough work. He has been able to come up with amazing ideas of how to do our jobs better.

Debbie works in the kitchen and has greatly enjoyed her time with the ladies that came on this trip. Debbie has interacted very well with the Icelandic teen girls and has made many friends. This is my second time to have a Debbie on a mission trip and it has been a joy to get to know her better.

I so enjoyed travelling with Jerry to Uganda last year and it was in that trip that I learned, first-hand, the value of having Jerry on a building, construction project. Jerry has an excellent attitude and desire for Christ to be honored in our work. It has been a privilege to see and follow his leadership in the building project on this trip. I am so thankful that he has been here on this trip. His knees are giving him some trouble so I am praying for this need.

Our group will sleep well today… and it is needed! Brethren, pray for us!  Good night!

It is now Monday evening. It has been a truly long day! I am looking forward to physical rest tonight. But before I go to bed… still no one is hurt and the food has been fantastic. No one is losing weight on this trip!

Today I introduce Jack Wilbur. This is my second opportunity to travel with Jack on a mission trip. I have grown to dearly love this man. He serves as a deacon and sound man at TBT. Jack is a welder by trade and an excellent, thorough, and intense worker! Jack has been working with Kevin on the conduit and metal framing. Jack is missing his family and loves to talk about Kristi, Justin, and Heather. Justin is playing baseball right now and Jack misses cheering for him. We know Jack is proud of Justin for he tells us about his games at breakfast.

Jack plugs away tirelessly. Although no one has to ask Jack to go to bed at night… jet lag is always fighting you.

BTW, we had excellent pizza last night at a place called Langbest Pizza. The Weimer family joined us and we had four different kinds of pizza. We made a lot of noise… too much noise as we moved the tables and chairs around. I don’t think we made a great impression on the Icelandic people as we noisy Americans arrived in their restaurant. However, the pizza was really, really good and enjoyed by all. Gideon ate several slices of Jalapeño pizza. John R said that is was really hot. Yuck!

We began our day with church here at the First Baptist Church in Keflavik. There were five adults and a number of Icelandic children and teens. John Cutright had our choir sing and they were a great blessing. Joe Jones, Mike and Katie Frymier, and Jerry and Debbie Wilbur all shared their testimonies in the Icelandic classes.

Today I am going to write about Joe Jones. Joe (and three others) had to leave this afternoon to head back to the US. Joe is a hard worker and willing to help whoever needs help. I’ve seen Joe working in just about every area of our mission project. Joe has an excellent attitude. He loved the children and really enjoyed spending time with them… especially today! We are all going to miss Joe as he is just to be great to be around! Joe has taken lots of pics and I cannot wait to see all of them when I return. Joe and John Rognlien have been like two peas in a pod – they have been everywhere and done everything together. I sure hope John R will be okay without Joe????

Thank you Joe for taking a week of vacation to come to Iceland. You were a blessing in every way on this trip.

Today was simply amazing, incredible, delightful, and fantastic! Why? We were able to see God’s handiwork in action in the geyser and waterfall on the Golden Circle tour.

First we began the day announcing that we would be going on a “field trip” that would begin with horseback riding. Horseback riding? It was 28 degrees F with a stiff wind (not breeze) and snow this morning! The bus picked us up at 7:45 a.m. to take us to the capitol city of Reykjavik. We then transferred to a smaller bus and travelled through the mountains to reach the horseback riding ranch.

They suggested that we put on insulated outwear that they provided… all but one hearty soul complied with the suggestion. Boy are we glad that we did. The Icelandic horses are the size of a pony in the US but they are sure hardy. John Cutright’s horse was tired when he returned but carried John with no problems! It was the first time ever for at least five in our group to ever ride a horse… and in the conditions that I described earlier no less.

Lisa fell off her horse and is quite sore tonight. She blacked out and it is believed due to the extreme cold. Shelli felt like she was going to black out and had to return a little earlier than the rest of us. Lunch was provided at the stables and the tomato soup was delicious. No one complained about soup for lunch as we all were trying to thaw out.

We next visited the geyser (every seven to eight minutes it erupts)  then the water falls then to the largest freshwater lake in Iceland.

We concluded our day by taking a bus tour through Reykjavik before heading back to Keflavik. On the way back to our hotel we talked our driver into stopped at KFC for supper. This was also an experience for the cheapest meal on the menu was US $14.00  It truly is expensive in this country. We must always remember this when a missionary goes to the field. He and his family will face expenses that are abnormally high compared to that which we pay back in the US.

We have one tired, but a good kind of tired, group that is headed off to bed tonight. Everyone will sleep well. Good night! 

As we bring to a close our fifth day, I see a very, very tired group. Everything has not gone perfectly but the work is superb. There are always challenges on a mission trip and I know our group is ready for a break tomorrow. They are going to be very surprised with what we have planned for them.

In today’s update I would like to recognize Gideon Bee. Gideon is the youngest member of our team at 16; yet, he is the tallest member of our team too. Gideon is quite simply… having the time of his life. He is working hard, talking and interacting with the Icelandic teens, and very much out of place with all of us adults. He has many moms and dads on this trip. Gideon is working on the stairs that will lead up to the second story with Mike and John C. Gideon has an excellent attitude and it is just awesome that he was able to be on this trip.

Sometimes the ole jet lag shows as Gideon just stares off into space… I know he is sleeping well at night. Gideon is eating well though – he can really eat! Gideon does not appear to be homesick just yet and is taking lots of pics. In an earlier post I mentioned that everything is a first for Gideon. This will be a trip that he truly never, ever forgets!