Dear Soldiers of the Cross,
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Many times when we quote this verse we cannot always connect the dots, but when God is truly working it’s a blessing to watch him connect the dots. While traveling out to my Bible school in Idaho my generator on my camper quit on me. The temperature in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was 105 degrees. After making 28 phone calls and no one willing to help me, I have to admit I was getting discouraged. One of our missionaries from the Navajo Reservation gave me a contact number for Bella Vista Baptist Church, just a few miles down the road, and things began to pick up. I was able to get my generator fixed using their mechanic. What a blessing! But God is still working! The mechanic shop dropped their shop charges from $159 an hour to $50 an hour. But God is still working! The church took care of the bill. But God is still working! The pastor allowed me to present our ministry to the church. But God is still working! I met a family from the Zuni Pueblo Reservation there at the church. But God is still working! There is no Gospel work on their reservation. But God is still working! Praise the Lord! Bella Vista Baptist Church has agreed to help us with a Bible school on this reservation next year. Glory! What a joy to see the hand of God work and put things together like we never could. Without the troubles I would not have this testimony.
The first full week in August we had our VBS on the Fort Hall Reservation in Blackfoot, Idaho. Hoopers Creek Baptist Church and the Higginbothan Family did an awesome job getting the Gospel out. We had an amazing turnout with over 60 kids and adults. God met with us in a special way with one dear girl receiving Christ as her Savior. Was the break down worth it? Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Hoopers Creek and Higginbothan Family, for your sacrifices and labor of love.
From there we traveled over to Washington State for our next and last VBS for the year. Faith Baptist Church, along with Little Ivy Baptist Church and the Higginbothan Family, helped us with a VBS on the Kalispel Reservation in northern Washington. Sad to say, we had no kids to attend. There are no solid Gospel works on this reservation. We are trying to start a church here among these dear people. Our plan is to be back again next year. I don’t know all that God wants to do here, but he has put a burden upon my heart for them. Please help us pray for them and for God’s will to be done. Thank you, Faith Baptist Church, Little Ivy Baptist and Higginbothan Family, for hanging in with us even though we had no one to attend. God will bless your efforts.
As We Labor for Christ,
Gerry & Sheril Locklear
Missionaries to the Native Americans