CDs,
STUDIES, AND EMPLOYMENT
Let's
bring you up to date. Tony and I
have been back from Brazil for a
year. One of the goals we had established
before coming was to complete the
Grace Library CD-Rom, the first
of several projects God put on our
hearts, and make it available to
others. By December, the Lord enabled
us to do just that and it's been
a giant blessing to see the results.
(More information on projects under
construction enclosed.)
We
also came to work and study. Tony
wisely took in-depth English courses
at the University of Evansville.
Come spring, we started taking a
few courses together at the University
of Southern Indiana. Both of us
qualified for tuition assistance
so we lifted our hands to the sky
and said, "thank You, Lord!"
It has been wonderful to focus on
needed areas of study and better
prepare ourselves for ministry,
all the while working toward long-term
educational goals. Tony is continuing
his doctoral level work in Education
and Computer Science. Meanwhile,
I'm whittling away at a bachelor's
degree in Health Services with a
minor in two of my favorite subjects:
Gerontology and Nutrition.
The
desired computer-related job for
Tony never materialized, in spite
of much effort towards that end
as well as his high qualifications
as a university professor. The post
September 11th economy didn’t
help matters either. We then began
to realize that God had other plans,
at least for now. Meanwhile, I was
able to fall back my medical transcription
skills. I've been working full-time
in downtown Evansville (right along
the Ohio River) at Southern Indiana
Reporting. I’m paid by production
so my fingers really have to fly!
Best of all has been daily contact
with other Christian lady co-workers.
Soon I came to see that God put
me in that particular office for
a reason.
RECENT TRIPS
The
"icing on the cake" of
our lives has been the various trips
we've made over the past few months.
We have traveled to Missouri, Ohio,
Michigan, Colorado, and northern
Indiana for various Bible conferences.
These events were tremendous not
only because of the speakers and
topics, but also because we had
an opportunity to put up a display,
share about our ministry, and make
CDs available to many believers.
On the way to each destination,
we wondered if all the effort and
expense in getting there would be
worth it all. We said to each other,
"I wonder if anyone that we
know will be there?" In contrast,
on the way back we talked about
the wonderful reunion we had had
with precious friends, new contacts
we had made, and various future
“open doors.” In every
case, we were pleasantly surprised
at how the Lord pulled through,
giving us joy to be in His service.
This
past summer will always be remembered
for our many trips to Cincinnati.
You see, my grandmother, Garnet
Bowman, was admitted to the hospital
in July for "sepsis,"
an unidentified lung infection.
During recovery she picked up one
bacteria after another, making her
sick to her stomach and giving her
a urinary tract infection. These
are major setbacks for a 93-year-old.
Now her daily living activities
have become more difficult. She
just returned to her Assisted Living
home last week. Having a little
independence again sure feels good
to her even though helpers are there
to make sure she doesn’t fall.
So we've driven the four hours to
Cincy as often as possible in order
to encourage her and, as always,
be encouraged ourselves that we
have her still. Thank you for praying.
MORE
PRAYER NEEDS
If
there's one thing we've learned
this year it's that life in these
times is uncertain. God makes no
guarantees. He just asks us to trust
Him and provides peace as we do.
I attempted to explain this phenomenon
to a lady at work who was just going
through a separation then learned
through her neighbor that her husband
had an abdominal aneurysm and was
lying comatose in ICU. The courts
put a restraining order on her and
wouldn’t even let her in to
see him. She looked at me as she
related her saga and tearfully questioned,
“Why is God letting this happen?”
I was able to share with her how
much God loves her and her family,
how He has a plan and has permitted
this for a reason. Yesterday, I
learned that her husband has improved,
was released home for recovery,
and both desire a reconciliation.
Pray for Michelle, her husband and
their four children.
Recently
our friend, Freda Collins, (wife
of Pastor Harold Collins of Bruce,
Wisconsin,) died from pancreatic
cancer. Apparently, she had taken
her morning cup of tea into the
living room, laid down on the couch,
and breathed her last breath. She
had been in no pain. She had even
lived far beyond the time her doctors
had given her. Now she's in heaven
with the Lord. We will miss the
encouragement she gave us. She knew
the rigors of ministry and always
just let us be ourselves. One of
the last things she said to us was
how much she realized the potential
of TBS and what we are working on.
Those words encouraged us like no
others. It was a blessing to be
able to participate in her memorial
service and join with those who
will always remember her practical
ways, brilliant mind, and beautiful
crocheted doilies.
AMERICANS
LOOKING UP?
Yes,
the times are uncertain. Neither
Bin Laden nor Saddam Hussein has
reached our Indiana borders but
just the threat of their followers'
evil undertakings keeps our world
on edge. As much as we hate to admit
it, the events of September 11,
2001, affected everyone deeply.
Every billboard seems to reflect
the country's mindset: God Bless
America. Proud to be an American.
Never Forget. Our favorite is a
two-part declaration: IN GOD WE
TRUST; UNITED WE STAND. Americans
seem to be focusing on patriotism
like never before. Simultaneously,
there’s a newfound awareness
of the fragility of life. Even Best-Seller
lists now include titles of books
regarding the end times according
to Biblical events. Two ideas seem
to prevail:
1. "I want to arrange my life
so I can spend more time with those
I love," and;
2. "I want to prepare myself
for the future."
Underneath
it all, there's a common thread
of desiring to get back to the basics.
There's a realization of just how
far this country has gotten off
track, a sincere desire by some
to return to what has been casually
brushed aside for so long: God,
His Word, morals, integrity, excellence
of character, and all that really
matters. This single factor has
made witnessing and sharing the
Lord pure joy, because a good percentage
of people once again, deep down,
want to hear about spiritual things.
In spite of outward yawns and scoffing,
their inward being is crying out
for answers. Mankind has graciously
been given time to self-analyze.
Jumping off the merry-go-round of
life to confront these issues certainly
requires help from Above, however.
Blessed are the few who have turned
their heart yearnings into action.
Some
have approached us during this process
and we've been able to help them
come to the "knowledge of the
truth,” that is, knowledge
about God and their need for Him.
Being vessels in this way gives
us indescribable joy. Only the Lord
can satisfy. We are making ourselves
eternally “useful” by
pointing the way to the cross, to
God's amazing love and forgiveness,
to new life in Christ, as well as
a renewed faith in His plan. This
is our theme. If you ever wonder
where we are or what we’re
doing, we are probably somewhere
doing just that.
REASONS
FOR REJOICING
Time
and space don't permit us to tell
you all the reasons why we're so
happy. Perhaps I could give you
a peek at some of them:
• Our van? Whew - that's a
story in itself. Suffice it to say
we now drive a vehicle that’s
in decent shape. And, on long trips
we can even sleep in it!
• Our stay at the parsonage
in Evansville? Hey - is that why
they call it "Heavensville"?
Presently we’re enjoying the
final days of a long, sunny summer,
with great-for-sleeping 60 degree
nights.
• Our time of assisting in
ministry at Berean Bible Church?
Why, every week we taste God's goodness
through the students God sends (like
our neighbor, Joe Floyd, who studies
Greek with Tony) and through caring
older couples who treat us as their
adopted kids.
• Our international student
ministry? This is an open door to
share the gospel with those who
would not otherwise hear. We’d
love for you to meet Ji Whoe, a
young man from South Korea, has
been coming to church with us since
May. He has been growing in the
Lord. Together we have sure enjoyed
our trips to Wal-Mart and Ohio with
him.
• Our adopted cat, Bandit?
She’s precious. As they say,
we don’t have a cat, she’s
got us.
In
conclusion, Tony and I have been
challenged this past year with juggling
our new Bible CD ministry, work,
school, local ministry, trips, health
and financial limitations. We have
endeavored to stay in touch with
friends and family as possible,
and we’ll continue. If it
was all just busy-ness our activities
would be worthless. But since the
Lord is our guide, we believe He
has sent us on an important mission
to be His ambassadors right here,
right now. Meanwhile, the envelope
you just opened also contains something
very special – a Brazilian
“abraço.” Consider
yourself hugged!
Very
sincerely, Tony & Barb Sistelos |
