FBC has been involved supporting the Baptist Campus Ministry at Northern Illinois University financially for many years. Many students make critical life decisions during their college years, so this is an essential ministry. Zachery Dyrda, the part-time chaplain there, leads Bible Studies, holds dinner church (while eating with the students, Zach has worship), and also spends time with students who drop by the Baptist House which is located next to the campus. He is in his ninth year serving as the chaplain there.
Support for this vital ministry has declined over the years because of the decline in church membership and the Covid Pandemic. Recently, an organization called “Network of Nations,” a Christian ministry working with international students, saw the benefit of working with them to meet expenses and to share in the ministry. There are now leaders in the building every day doing ministry with international and American students.
When asked about a situation when he felt God working in his life as a chaplain at NIU, Zach replied, “To be honest I feel that all the time. I feel God working all the time. Whether I’m making changes to my sermon at the last minute, or a new student walks into BCM for the first time and somehow I say exactly what he needed, or when we start a game night but spend two hours in deep discussion about Jesus, and everyone leaves praising God. Even how the new relationship with Network of Nations has come about is all God at work.”
When FBC women took the donations from FBC to NIU a few weeks ago, Zach expressed his deep appreciation to our church for such a wonderful variety of food and supplies for the students. Thank you to the entire church for sharing your love in the work at the NIU Baptist Campus Ministry.
I am humbled when I read that so many of you have been praying for our family. Thank you. I am absolutely convinced that it has made all the difference. We seek to be Christ’s ambassadors and may sometimes play a small part in some amazing events and developments that only God could have brought about. Let me tell you about one:
Ten years ago last month, I had a revelation. [ One Pentecostal national missionary friend of mine was astounded. Probably, not by the revelation as much as that God gave it to a Baptist. Well, the Lord must have wanted to shake things up a bit if He gave a Baptist a word of revelation. ] I was doing my devotions early one morning and came across the phrase, “And they will know that the Lord is in that city” The reading was about Jerusalem, but it really struck me as relevant for the present. I felt prompted to ask God, what city are you talking about, Lord? I heard an almost audible “Chiang Rai” . This city. The nation of Thailand will know, maybe, even the world will know that the Lord is in this place. I was so excited and wanted to tell the world of my great revelation. But when I asked God what to do next, I felt the very strong reply: “just pray and ready yourself”. I was a little disappointed. I wanted to organize something; a big prayer meeting, make an announcement, tell the world. But immediately afterward, I got dengue, and by the time I had recovered from that our family had a crisis that took the wind out of our sails. But as I reflected and prayed, I realised, that God was serious. “ Just pray and get ready” So for 10 years, I have been serving God in the ways I think God has called me. And I have been praying. We have continued to enable, mentor, and encourage local national ministries, particularly with a focus on Eastern Shan State(Burma), as that was another very clear calling in 2013. So that has been where we have focused our encouragement and energy until Covid and the military coup has kept us away from Burma, though we are still working there – from a distance, from here in Chiang Rai.
The First Church, established in 1914 is downtown. Tan and I were married here in 1991.
Chiang Rai, our home base, has had a small but established core of Christians for a century. The early missionaries did leave some landmarks in the city: a school, a church, and a hospital, to name three. Slowly and steadily, the Christian Faith has taken root and grown, particularly among the ethnic minority people, who have had a growing presence here.
One week ago, this Pentecostal friend I mentioned above, called me. He has been gripped with a desire to organize a massive worship service of as many believers as the local soccer stadium
Prize tablePassports and Brochures provided for visitorsGabhart’s displayWayside Cross MinsitryFBC Woman’s Ministry White Cross MinsitryLarry and Becky Stanton serving in HungaryDoorway to Hope and Administer JusticeFox Valley Christian ActionScott and Tan Coats and Mylinda Bates with International MinistriesConquerorsTLC Pregnancy Support Services Step It Up
September 2022 Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him. Lamentations 3:22-24 HCSB
It is awesome to serve a God who answers prayers. I have now been serving in the role of “Missionary Support” for three months. As an introvert, answering questions by phone and email is not the task that I would gravitate towards on my own. However, I am learning much about the way that Missionary Flights operates and what things look like in country once the people and cargo leave the airplane. God has been daily answering the prayer that I would have the energy, grace, understanding, and knowledge that I need to work with those calling in with questions and requests. I am very grateful that most of the people that I work with are generally appreciative and pleasant as opposed to a typical “Customer Service” job where most of the calls are angry people. I’ve also been able to apply some of the knowledge that God allowed me to gain at previous jobs to make reference materials and form emails so that it is easier to transfer knowledge and procedures to others working at MFI. I am grateful that in mid-June another pilot started at MFI and he and I are beginning to share the responsibilities of Missionary Support. This will allow me to resume my training loading airplanes and paperwork that goes with it.
Haiti has been in our prayers much lately. In the areas around Port-au-Prince, Haitians are kidnapped daily. Fuel is still scarce and people are trying to figure out ways to survive. Unrest has been on the increase with riots, demonstrations, and strikes becoming more frequent. At Missionary Flights, we have been trying to coordinate cargo service to a new city, Jacmel, where we periodically fly passengers. Each flight has had logistical problems – customs, airport construction, riots – and we’re praying in the coming months that things will begin to operate more smoothly. Other parts of the country have been comparatively peaceful and the missionaries in these areas are able to continue their work unhindered. We’ve seen an increase in passengers lately – both short-term teams and long-term missionaries – traveling to these areas of the country. We thank you for joining us in praying for God to change the situation in Haiti for the better and for His glory.
Thank you for your love, prayers, and support as we serve at MFI.
Family News It’s constantly amazing how fast the time flies when you have children. The end of August was another one of those moments where we take pause, and remind ourselves that we blinked too hard. Abby is now 10 years old. Our last baby is double digits. She was able to spend most of her birthday hanging out with one of her best friends from church. A few short days after that, Growing Minds Academy resumed school for the 2022-2023 school year. As homeschoolers, we really enjoy having a little bit more flexibility with our schedule and when we are beginning to dive into our curriculum. This next year, we have some changes coming to our curriculum. While our core subjects are staying the same, we are adding in some new things. One of them is the kids will be learning how to play the piano and learn music theory along side of it. For those unfamiliar with Sam’s background, she went to school to be a music teacher, so this new subject has an extra level of excitement for her.
For the last several weeks and now continuing forward, each week the kids are taking turns coming into the hangar with us for the day. When we began at Missionary Flights, it was always part of our plan to work into the kid’s schooling to have a day where they could help in the warehouse. Originally, we were thinking about having all three along, but it works out much nicer to have a rotating schedule with them. A fun incentive for them with it is getting to go swim at the hospitality park after working all day in the hangar. It’s so great for the kids to have the opportunity to serve along side us. Teaching that they are able to help stand in the gap for missions, being missionary kids, is a valuable life experience we can’t get elsewhere.Prayer RequestsPraise for the new staff at MFI. Prayer for MFI to grow during this transition of new people and that we will serve wellPrayer for our children as they begin school again; to have a productive and educational yearPrayer for Haiti and the missionaries serving there to have wisdom and safety as they do what God has called them to doPrayer for Sam and I as we seek to be good examples to our children in our walk with JesusPrayer for God to bless our ministry partners in their consistency to support the work He is doingMinistry UpdateWe are so thankful to all who are following God’s leading in supporting us. We are currently receiving $5,700 (93%) monthly. We need an additional $400 monthly to be fully supported.
The word we have been reflecting on recently is “transition.”
The first area, which is minor in comparison to the others, is in getting used to the weather here. As someone used to experiencing four very distinct seasons, this is very different. Our winter and spring temperatures of 70-80 degree highs have transitioned to the summer temperatures of 80-90 degree highs. The distinguishing feature of summer here is the frequent afternoon thunderstorms and the humidity. Most days start sunny in the morning, shift to overcast in the afternoon, and then move into rain and thunder in the late afternoon and evening. This makes the flights that Missionary Flights does interesting for our pilots as they navigate home. This also means that the best time for outdoor activities is in the morning.
Before
After I wore my “mechanic hat” and installed a new rail for cargo straps on the aircraft floor The second area of transition is at Missionary Flights itself. In the last several months, we have had a number of staff transition into other roles. Two of our pilots felt God leading them into the airlines and have left MFI. Our reservationist left to pursue being a doula. Our bookkeeper left to spend more time helping with her family’s company. The gentleman who handled our missionaries’ questions has retired. Our volunteer coordinator has shifted roles within MFI to do more community relations. This has resulted in new people coming on board. We have a new reservationist, new bookkeeper, and new volunteer coordinator. We also had a new pilot start in June. I’ve been asked to help answer the missionaries’ questions and am trying to take that on in addition to learning the Load Master position. The intention is to have a team able to answer questions. As others are trained, I won’t be trying to do two full-time jobs. Transitions like this are opportunities for growth as well as fumbling. Please pray that this transition is handled well, that MFI grows through this transition, and that our stumbles are kept minimal.
Repackaging 9,000 Covid Tests into fewer boxes to send to Haiti Repackaging 9,000 Covid Tests into fewer boxes to send to Haiti
The third area of transition is in our communication. Recently we’ve been having several devotional thoughts and sermons on the power of prayer. We’ve realized that we’re not communicating prayer needs as often as we could be. To that end, we are going to start sending a monthly prayer calendar. Each day will have an item to pray for: some will be generic, some will be specific to MFI, and some will be specific to our family. We plan to start in July as an opt-in type publication – meaning we would like you to request this via mail (742 Forster Ave, Sebastian, FL 32958) or email (gabhartsflyingbyfaith@gmail.com) – rather than assuming all of our newsletter recipients would be interested in this.
Thank you for your love, prayers, and support as we serve at MFI.
James and Sam Gabhart
Family News Summer is most definitely upon us. The weather is warm, humid, and a great opportunity to go to the beach when possible. Our favorite place to go is fondly referred to as “The Bathtub Side” of the Sebastian Inlet, one of many Florida State Parks. Sam and the kids go almost weekly and all three kids are becoming stronger swimmers.
Sam and the kids are developing a new routine of running. Back in May, we had the opportunity as a family to participate in a Mud Run at the Teen Missions headquarters on Merritt Island. It was shortly after that when Sam began running on her own, and now the kids have joined her. Now they each are taking turns having a run time with mom. Going forward, these times will be rolled into our official homeschool curriculum. Post-run Photo Defense! Church Basketball League “Hustle Back!” Church Basketball League Post Game Church Basketball League
As the school year drew to an end, the kids were excited for a break from the usual amount of work each week. Being homeschool kids, they don’t take too much of a break during the summer. This summer, we are reading “Artemis Fowl”, working on solidifying some math facts, creating Bible stories out of Lego, reading independently each day, and helping out with chores around the house. We have fun going up to church to practice basketball for the church league on Saturdays and going to the Sebastian Inlet. The kids thrive on having some sort of expectations to meet before they can play games, and as their parents, we are thrilled to help them.
I have been blessed to serve both as a global servant and now on the home office staff with International Ministries, an organization that has been an important part of my family’s life for over twenty years. In 2001, my wife, Terry, and I accepted a call to serve with International Ministries in Bulgaria where we served for seventeen years. During that time we partnered with the Bulgarian Baptist Union in various ministries—economic and community development, education, abolishing trafficking in persons and global slavery, and for a short time working with immigrants and refugees. We also had the opportunity to host several short-term mission teams. Through all the years we were blessed by the support of our partner in Bulgaria and by the staff at International Ministries. In 2018, we felt that our time in Bulgaria was coming to a close. At the same time there was a position on the home office staff which I felt called to apply for, so in 2019 I transitioned to my current role as Director of Global Personnel Services. When asked what this position involves, I often describe it as human resources for our global servants, and much of what I do falls into that category—compensation, benefits, health insurance, grants and allowances for specific location needs, etc. But to me it is so much more. It is helping provide member care for the global servants and families. It is being prepared to react to crises if they arise and assist in whatever way is necessary. It is about helping with transitions—from the beginning, through US/Puerto Rico assignments, and in retirement. But most importantly, it is walking alongside IM’s global servants so they can effectively live out God’s calling. What is the best part of my job? The best part of my job is getting to hear amazing stories of what God is doing through IM’s global servants and partners around the world, and the stories of how God is calling the next generation to go and serve.
Greeting from Samford University Campus in Birmingham, Alabama where we are both attending the Baptist World Alliance. The June work of the eye clinic continues to be very encouraging. The team of the eye clinic want out 3 times to treat patients in the comfort of their own homes. Please find here some statistics:
662 patients were consulted
402 lab tests done in our own laboratory
23 operations realized on patients.
Please be praying for the ministry of the eye clinic as its nurses risk their life trying to serve of the poor in the remote zones.
“As we were talking, you can see and feel her joy and peacefulness on her face!”
In addition to the clinic days, our medical team does home visits for those who have challenges getting to and from our clinic. Our nurse Cheradee was reporting to me on a home visit they had made earlier in the week.
She shared with me the testimony of a patient we had been caring for since August of 2021. This 54 year old woman had been through some very challenging times. Both she and her husband struggled with diabetes, a disease that is often overwhelming in this resource limited setting. The cost of proper care is insurmountable for many families. In January of last year her husband died from complications of his diabetes. By July, her diabetes was so poorly controlled she needed an amputation of her left foot.
She had become a Christian 10 years earlier but was in deep despair. While lying in the hospital she cried out to God. She wondered how she could possibly afford the necessary medicine, testing and doctor visits she so badly needed. After discharge from her surgery she was no longer able to work. Things looked bleak. Her former employer heard about our clinic and suggested she try getting care with us.
Now, 10 months later, her perspective is completely different! Our clinic provides her with medicine and regular check-ups for free. We were also able to provide her with a wheelchair and she is thrilled to be able to attend church now because of it. Her life and witness have become a testimony in her community to God’s faithfulness.
Her story reminds me of Psalm 30:10-12 which says “Hear me, O LORD, and have mercy; O LORD, be my helper. You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.” Berean Study Bible
Thanks for your faithful role in helping us express God’s faithfulness!
Thanks to all of you who have sent cards, emails, or Facebook posts updating us on your lives. You have inspired (guilted?) us to update you on what’s been happening with us. Since we haven’t done one of these for a while, it will include news from the past two years.
First, for the big, good news. Daughter Jamie (31) is engaged to be married to R.J. Rongcal. He proposed at the gazebo near our new house (other big news), and she said YES! R.J. teaches second grade in Seattle, and also offers classes in mindfulness and meditation. We got to meet his family in Seattle as Jamie and R.J. hosted us for Thanksgiving. The table was graced with Filipino food from R.J.’s mother, Thelma, as well as our traditional family Thanksgiving dishes. The wedding will take place this coming summer.
Our other big, good news is a house. After renting from our good friends Joan and Jay for 9 years, we took the plunge and bought a house in a woodsy neighborhood in southeast Olympia. It has great light, character, and two guest rooms. We moved in October 29th, and we and our dog, Pinto, are nested, and enjoying a white Christmas.
Our son, Micah (27), and his wife, Kelsey, live in Seattle, and spent part of their Christmas vacation in New York, enjoying something of a honeymoon; the one they didn’t get after their wedding in June of 2020. Since a large family wedding wasn’t possible in June of 2020, we enjoyed a small but beautiful outdoor wedding on Whidbey Island (where Kelsey is from), and a celebratory outdoor dinner hosted by Kelsey’s parents (Carolyn and Billy Pape) at their lovely home.
Kelsey and Micah both teach elementary school in the Seattle area, as do Jamie, and R.J. Yes, lots of teachers. Today’s children are in good hands. And of course, our grown children are still trying to teach us some important things.
A family trip to Southern California allowed both Mylinda and Gary’s families a chance to meet Kelsey, and provided us a chance to enjoy siblings, cousins, and lots of little ones that we don’t get to see often enough.
Circling back to teaching, Mylinda continues her work as a global consultant for training through restorative arts with International Ministries. The pandemic has certainly limited her travel, and she misses interacting with amazing people in places like Cuba, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Mexico. She stays in touch with ministry partners via Zoom and WhatsApp; especially folks in Cuba. The Cubans continue to use the tools and practices of restorative arts to strengthen their communities in spite of political unrest and food shortages. It would be good if both the Cuban and U.S. governments sought the best for the people of Cuba, who inspire us with their faith and resilience.
Mylinda traveled to the Dominican Republic in the spring, holding to some strict Covid protocols, and collaborating with Dominican church leaders, as well as her colleagues, Mercy Gonzalez-Barnes, Stan Slade, and Tim Long.
While grounded from travel, Mylinda read voraciously, mostly about restorative arts, racism, and our country’s ongoing culture of white supremacy. She led a Zoom group that read Resmaa Menakem’s book, My Grandmother’s Hands, and responded to it using embodied practices and art-making. I was part of that group and can vouch for its impact. And yes, we recommend the book.
Mylinda kept fit by playing plenty of Pickleball (level 4 and moving up), riding her bike while Pinto the wonder dog runs alongside, and exploring local forest trails. She visited her friend, Shabrae, in Florida. They planned expressive art sessions together, then led a training at Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat center in central Washington.
Mylinda was blessed to reconnect with her best friend from college, Sandy Eves. After several years without contact, Mylinda and Sandy are enjoying the beautiful gift of reconciliation.
Gary spent the year teaching Spanish at Pope John Paul II High School; sometimes in person, and sometimes via Google Meet, which leaves much to be desired. The current school year has been in person! We are a faith based school with a conviction that science matters; we mask, vaccinate, and distance to care for each other and our broader community. Gary is an academic advisor, encouraging students to keep learning and growing in spite of the pandemic and its accompanying depression and anxiety. All teens, like adults, are in need of supportive community and meaningful work and learning as we walk through this pandemic together. Finally, Gary enjoys throwing around slang like “snatched, lit, and flex,” mostly because the teens cringe when an old man talks that way. It’s quite groovy and far out; no cap.
We remain involved at First Baptist Church of Olympia, and we’re glad to be worshiping in person again. Mylinda uses her artistic and teaching gifts, and preaches occasionally. She also got to have online expressive arts sessions with some wise senior women. Gary got involved with youth ministry at Oly First, and continues to coach our Ragamuffin softball team. He got to pitch some (almost reaching 12 miles an hour on the radar gun!), and play first base.
Like many of you, we lost too many friends this year. Our mentor and friend, Jack Kiekel, died this fall. We celebrated his life and mourned his death at a beautiful service on Vashon Island (WA). Jack’s wife, and partner in ministry, Beve, misses him terribly. Gary’s cousin Joan died in Hawaii in November, as did Mylinda’s Aunt Jan in California. After living 27 full years, Micah’s dear friend Dr. Dylan Nehrenberg crossed the threshold this week, succumbing to brain cancer. We, along with their family, and friends miss these dear ones, and we are honored to have known them.
Gary plans to attend his 40th high school reunion in San Diego in July. We have heard nothing about a reunion for Mylinda’s graduating class, but we’ll be on the lookout.
Historically, these letters from us have been in quiz form. So, to honor tradition, we present the following multiple choice questions.
At his high school reunion, Gary may do which of the following?
Pay his high school library fines, including 40 years of late fees. Now he has 7 months to actually read The Grapes of Wrath before returning it. Anybody still have the Cliff Notes or the Veggie Tales video?
Dance better than he did at 18, and brush up on his SoCal accent; Dude!
Catch up with old friends to see who still has hair, functioning knees, and Pink Floyd albums.
Apologize to anyone he mistreated.
Mylinda hopes to do which of the following in the coming year?
Offer hospitality in our new home.
Travel, teach, learn, build community and offer teaching tools around the world.
Stay connected with folks like you.
Create art, serve others, speak and act for justice, forest bathe, and play some hard core Pickleball.
As followers of Jesus, we hope for the following in the coming year.
Opportunities to use our gifts to serve others.
Climate justice, racial justice, and an end to poverty.
News from folks like you.
An end to this pandemic. Please, please, for the good of all, mask up and vax up!
The grace to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
That you would know you are loved by the One who created you.
September 2022
Prayer RequestsPraise for the new staff at MFI. Prayer for MFI to grow during this transition of new people and that we will serve wellPrayer for our children as they begin school again; to have a productive and educational yearPrayer for Haiti and the missionaries serving there to have wisdom and safety as they do what God has called them to doPrayer for Sam and I as we seek to be good examples to our children in our walk with JesusPrayer for God to bless our ministry partners in their consistency to support the work He is doingMinistry UpdateWe are so thankful to all who are following God’s leading in supporting us. We are currently receiving $5,700 (93%) monthly. We need an additional $400 monthly to be fully supported.
