February was a very full month with regular ministry, doctors’ appointments, and the men’s retreat up at Red Cliff Bible camp.
Just last week, the nuclear plant that is being built in Kemmerer was given full regulatory permission to proceed. This is good for the growth of our communities; but it also brings both opportunities for the gospel and logistical challenges for the church building in Kemmerer. We continue to seek God’s direction on how to expand the church, a suitable building to buy and renovate, or land to purchase and build on. Our current plans as a stopgap are to install a wall to create a much-needed classroom for our teen Sunday school. However, this does not solve the growing tight quarters in the sanctuary or any of our other long-term needs. Please continue to pray with us, that God will show us the way forward and provide in such a way that our small church will not need to take on debt.
Speaking about buildings, we will soon need to make a decision about the building situation in Cokeville - specifically whether to seek a different meeting place that will be flexible to use during the week, especially the kitchen during VBS week, but without the bats and their potential health hazards. So far, the best alternative for Sundays and maybe Tuesday night Bible study is the town senior center in the basement of the town hall. But this would not be usable as a staging and cooking area for VBS.
On the housing front, we have seen some dips in prices, but most remain high when combined with current interest rates. We are praying God would provide even this spring before VBS season starts in earnest, so that we can finally be settled down. We ask you to continue joining us in this prayer, and that we will not run ahead of God but wait on Him.
As mentioned above, James was able to go to the men’s winter retreat at Red Cliff Bible Camp, along with Pastor Hartman and three others from the church in Kemmerer. It was a good, spiritually challenging, and refreshing time. It is a joy to have men of the church in Kemmerer who are spiritually engaged and growing!
In Cokeville, continue to pray with us about the salvation of those we minister to. Just last Sunday, after the service, James was able to talk with BR and tried to get them to give any indication about what they may believe, or at least what they thought of Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes. Even though there have been several positive changes in BR’s life, they still continue to struggle with the choice of salvation. Please, pray for them to accept Christ. Additionally, continue praying for RG, J&C, BM, and R&R all to be saved as well.
We also ask that you pray with us for our two ladies, LC & BS, and their children, as they have missed many Sundays since Christmas. We need wisdom on how best to encourage them to not neglect gathering with God’s people, and the need for their children to learn of God and grow up in Him. These ladies are married to, it seems, unsaved husbands, who are also contributing to the absences of their families from church. Pray then that these men will be saved and that God will give us an opportunity to reach them.
We are grateful for your faithful prayers and support, and look forward to reporting of God’s continued work in the future!