We will be returning to our partners, Servant’s Heart Ministries, in Sosua, Dominican Republic, March 10 -17, 2012.   Will you join us?

Depart Saturday, March 10th and return Saturday, March 17th.

Cost is $1,800 and includes almost all expenses except meals to and from the DR, entrance fee to the DR ($20), and any expenses associated with attaining a valid US Passport (typically $120-$150).

A $500 deposit is due by January 18th to reserve your spot on the team.

Projects vary for this trip and could include some work at a local school with children, some light construction, and some teaching opportunities.  Dependent on the skills and gifts of the team.

Questions? Contact Melissa Hatfield, Pastor of Youth and Missions, at 573.634.3603 or by email.

Update from Kristen Foster who is currently in training as she prepares to serve in Thailand for two years.

Hello all!!

This last week we finished the Second Language Acquisition Class which is fancy words for saying we learned techniques for learning another language.  I really enjoyed this class.  We got to spend time learning phonetics which is the study of how sounds are made.  This means I had the opportunity to try to make as many silly sounds as possible.  My favorite part of the class took place in the afternoons.  They brought in many different people who English is not their first language to teach us their original language.  My language helper was a lady named Lhen (pronounced like Lynn) who came from the Philippines two years ago.  She taught us Tagalog.  I attached a picture of my group and a video of us to this email.  In the video she is telling us a story and we are matching up our pictures with what is taking place in the story.

This week we will be starting Teams.  We will be learning how to effectively work and communicate with our teammates in a cross cultural setting.  This is very important because team conflict is the number 1 reason why missionaries come back from the field.

Please pray for:

— my teammates (Jen and Walker) and I during Teams. 

—energy

—and continual delight in the Lord

 Thanks for all your prayers and support. Please feel free to send me prayer requests or let me know of others ways I can be of help to you.

 Kristen Foster

 Video

Since the devastating tornado hit Joplin, MO, on May 22, First Baptist Church has been sending financial support and teams to Joplin.

This summer we led three day trips to Joplin for debris removal. Over 60 individuals served on these day trips.  A group of 47 youth and adults also spent a week in July serving in Joplin removing debris and sorting donations.

The road to recovery is a long one for Joplin and we are committed to supporting Joplin for the duration.

Joplin Trip Opportunities:

Nov. 14 – 18, 2011 – Mission Trip

• $100
• Information meeting on Wed., Oct. 19th at 7:00 pm in Room 508.
• Download packet here 2011 Joplin Mission Trip Packet

This is a repost of an article written by then 13-year-old Hope Watson about our ShareFest 2009 event.  We hope you will join us for ShareFest 2011.

A crew of over 100 members of First Baptist Church set out to complete a mission that dreary, drizzly morning of September, 26. Though the weather was poor, the workers’ spirits were up, as the crew began to tackle the tasks they were determined to complete. The outcome would glorify the Lord in the form of blood, sweat, and tears!

As far as blood goes much was given in the form of donations to the Red Cross. Over 24 productive units were donated which will help 80 struggling people in our community.

When it comes to sweat plenty was shed by volunteers of the Binder Lake and South School improvement projects. Work at Binder Lake involved collecting trash scattered around the area, filling many bags and helping the environment. At South School the crew of FBC and Southridge Baptist members partnered together, and spent their time repainting faded tiger paws on the front sidewalk, touching up a dull map of the states on the playground, and adding a fresh coat of paint to most of the floorboards and exterior doors of the school. Another group endured the rain while planting and re-mulching the flower beds, bringing life to South School’s landscaping.

And for tears there were none, only smiles on the faces of the humble volunteers.

Other projects included stuffing 50 toiletries bags that will impact the students in need at South School. These bags contained toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo. They were assembled by Sharefest volunteers. A food drive supporting the Samaritan Center also took place in preparation to Sharefest events. Nearly 250 pounds of food were given by members of our congregation. Every project was completed and had a positive effect on the community, bringing joy to the giver and the receiver.

Those from ages 6 to 70 truly played their parts as God’s servants during 2009’s Sharefest event.   -Hope Watson, age 13