I am so grateful for all that God has done in my life. He has been so very good to me. Today I wanted to just give some special thanks.

I thank him first for my family. God has wonderfully blessed me with a great wife, 4 wonderful children and spouses, and 11 grandchildren with two more on the way.

God has given Betty and me over 36 years of marriage and many wonderful years of ministry. Betty has been the most wonderful wife, friend, co-laborer, etc that any man could ever want or dream of. I have been extremely blessed and I am grateful to God for her.

Chris, Andria, Jacob, Hannah, and Andrew are all serving God in Arequipa, Peru. The moment that I learned that Betty was pregnant with our first child I begged him for a son that would bear the name of Christ around the world. God has given me my dreams.

David, Stephanie, Philip, Dave, Ronnie, Andrew, Matthew, Jonathan, and one more to come have been a great blessing to me. I am very grateful to God for my daughter and her family. She is a great mother, maybe the best ever. They serve God in Antioch Baptist Church and Antioch Printing Ministry. I wasn’t certain I could love a daughter because all I knew was my son but then along came Steph. She changed my life. She made me learn  more and more about love. I am so thankful to God for her.

Joy, Benjamin, and Lelia Soncco live and work in Arequipa, Peru. Joy has lived up to her name. I remember telling Betty that pain may endure for the night but that Joy would come in the morning. This girl has been a great joy for me. She has the most wonderful personality. She is super smart, hard working, enterprising young lady I have ever known. There is literally nothing she can’t do. I am thankful to God for her.

David and Katie Gardner serve God in Arequipa, Peru. They are a tremendous blessing to me. I suppose that David has caused me to laugh more than anyone else on the planet. He has the greatest personality. He is our youngest. I think that maybe I had matured enough not to be so hard in the discipline area. Maybe I wasn’t trying to impress people so much with my perfect kids so I was able to enjoy him as a child. David is super talented. He is a great blessing to his dad.

Trent, Stephanie, Thatcher, and a little girl yet to be born, Cornwell are our full time staff at Vision. Trent is a super man of God. He loves God. He loves people. It is my great honor and privilege to work with him. I do not know of any young man with a greater desire to get the gospel to the world anywhere. God blessed me the day He gave me Trent to work with. I am grateful. Along with a thousand other things Trent serves on the World Evangelism Committee.

Chris and Kathy Fies are volunteer staff at Vision. Chris left his job to take the next step towards whatever it is that God wants him to do. He is super hard working, self sacrificing, dedicated and in love with the Lord Jesus. I appreciate him and all he does. I am honored to serve with men that are so in love with the Lord Jesus Christ. Chris also serves as one of our deacons in training. Chris has been licensed to preach by our church.

Micah Rastelli is a student at the Our Generation Training and works as volunteer staff at the church. He is also a deacon in training. I am grateful for the many long hours he is willing to give so that our church can continue to progress and honor God. Micah has been licensed to preach by our church.

David, Stephanie, and Sean Velke also serve on the volunteer pastoral staff of Vision. David is also a deacon in training. He is always there asking what he can do and being a blessing to me in the ministry that God has given me. Again I am grateful. David has been licensed to preach by our church.

Philip and Lori Bassham also serve on the volunteer pastoral staff of Vision. Philip has been at my right hand for all these years. He has been a super blessing in our music ministry. Philip also serves on the World Evangelism Committee. Philip has been licensed to preach by our church.

Scott, Melissa, and Elena Newton also serve on our volunteer pastoral staff. Scott is also a deacon in training. I am very grateful for the way they carry so much of a load in our church, in music, the training center, Friday night Bible study, etc. Scott has been licensed to preach by our church.

Wayne, Lina, Alex, Jordan and Abigail also serve as volunteer pastoral staff. He leads the ministry that we currently have at Cabbagetown. He has been a true friend and has a great heart to be used of God. Maybe God will leave him with me for many years. Wayne has also begun to serve on the World Evangelism Committee.

Mike and Cindi Shane also serve as deacons in training at Vision. They have been a major encouragement to me as pastor and help to carry much of the load at our church.

Ben and Crystal Johnson also serve as deacons in training. Ben has a heart for the world and super hunger for the glory of God. It is my privilege to serve with him.

Chuck, Leisa, Hannah, Luke, and Lidia Littlefield are fairly new to our church but already and integral part. Chuck is serving as one of our deacons in training right now.

I know this picture doesn’t do Vision justice but it will have to do. We do not really have a large total church picture and I would really like to have one someday. But I have been privileged to work with the greatest church in the world. The heart for God, the passion to get the gospel to the world, the desire to be used is unequal. I love being the pastor of Vision Baptist Church. I love the ministry God has allowed me to have.

One of the things that I am most proud of and grateful to God for is the missionaries that are members and staff of Vision Baptist Church. We call them staff because we believe that everyone is worthy of being on our church staff as pastors yet God has called them to another part of the world to serve. Here they are with a small amount of information about them.

Chile

Jason and Lori Holt and their children, Katie, Josh, and Andrew serve God in Santiago, Chile. They started and are pastoring the Iglesia Bautista Fe or Faith Baptist Church. They have been on the field more than 7 years now. They are missionaries with Macedonia World Baptist Missions.

China

Mark and Natasha Tolson with their daughter Ava are raising support to go to China this next year. God has tremendously blessed their deputation. They are missionaries with Vision Baptist Missions a ministry of Vision Baptist Church. Mark has been licensed to preach by our church.

Hispanics in the USA

Ronald and Asunta Tubillas with their daughters Shurama and Tabatha are from Peru. God is using them in the USA to pastor two Spanish churches. They are wonderful servants of God. They are missionaries with Macedonia World Baptist Missions.

Northern Africa

Tyler and Gretchen Masters with Norah and Judson are raising support to get to North Africa in early 2010. They have already served for two years in Peru. They are an exciting family with a brand new baby. They are missionaries with Macedonia World Baptist Missions.

Northern Ireland

Travis and Teri Snode with their children Grant, Darci, and Cali serve in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. They are pastoring two churches in two different towns. They are missionaries with Macedonia World Baptist Missions.

Peru

E

Mark and Amy Coffey and their children Emilee and Luke represent the Peru Bible College and Vision Baptist Missions. They are missionaries with Vision Baptist Missions a ministry of Vision Baptist Church. Mark has served with me more than anyone outside of my immediate family. We have worked together for more than 15 years now. He has been my blessing from God.

David and Katie Gardner serve in Arequipa, Peru. Katie is still in language school and doing great with the language. They are missionaries with Macedonia World Baptist Missions.

Chris and Andria Gardner with Jacob, Hannah, and Andrew serve in Arequipa, Peru. He is the pastor of Omega Baptist Church that they just started. Chris also serves as the Spanish Speaking South American Director for Macedonia World Baptist Missions.

They are all obviously members of Vision Baptist Church and we are so blessed of God to have them.

God has also given us the privilege to have two families serving on the mission field of Peru right now as short term missionaries. I am so grateful to God for that blessing.

Robert and Kelli and one to be born are in Arequipa, Peru right now. They will be coming home in just a few weeks. Robert was like my right hand man when he left and I have missed him very much. Robert is also a deacon in training. They are serving a 6 month short term mission service right now. Robert and Kelli are expecting their first baby.

Andrew and Holly Pearson are short term missionaries in Arequipa, Peru right now. They are serving there for 3 months. God has blessed our church with such fine young people that are willing to leave it all to try and find what He would have them to do with their lives.

John and Sandy Pearson serve on the World Evangelism committee. John also serves as the church treasurer. He has been a super blessing to me in all of my ministry and especially now here at Vision. The World Evangelism Committee is the main committee that helps in the direction of Vision Baptist church.

David, Anne, Kathleen, and Allison Lundy also serve on the World Evangelism Committee. David has been a blessing and a help from the very start of Vision Baptist Church.

Now this has got to be the longest post you have ever seen me write but I have yet to tell you about so many people that make a difference in our church on a daily basis. Time fails to talk of all the work that goes into the music ministry, Sunday School, discipleship, cleaning, visitation, and a thousand other things.

Vision is a very unique church. First, we currently have 36 of our people serving actively in missions. That might not sound like much until you realize that we only have 130 members. Granted, four will be coming home in less than a month but that still leaves 32 on the field. By the way, 4 are planning to leave in March to go to Peru.

I dare say that I have been blessed more as a pastor than any man ever deserved. What a great church and what a great people serving the great God of Heaven. I am blessed!

I wish that I could mention all the new families in our church and how God is working in their lives. But just know this, I am very grateful to God on this Thanksgiving weekend.

Ethan will be coming home soon. The Howeths need a van to get around in. It will make it much easier on Ethan getting in and out of a vehicle. They currently have a car and a suburban. Do you have any leads? They are not exactly in a position financially to spend lots of money now but they need a very reliable and comfortable means of transportation.

If you can help just put a note in the comments and they will see it. Leave a way to get in touch with you and we will. You can be sure of that.

Message for Vision Baptist from Jason Holt on Vimeo.

Since I am several hours a head of you being here in Northern Ireland I went to bed last night. It is now 3:46 AM for you and 8:46 AM for me. The following emails came to me during the night. I will get more updates as soon as they are available. Please be in prayer. This is a very crucial time.

Mark Coffey sent me the following at 6:34 last night:

We just talked to the doctor. He said there is extensive bone and muscle damage. It will be touch and go for the next 24 to 36 hours to whether they will have to amputate or not.

The following came from Mark Coffey at 8:07 pm:

We just got another report from the doctor. It came across a lot more serious.

Ethan is not stable and in critical condition. Please pray!!!! Next 24 hours are vital.

Visiting hours for Ethan Howeth are:

Visiting hours in the ICU are 5:30-6:00 AM 9:00 – 11:00 AM 1:00 – 6:00 PM and 9:00-11:00 PM

Please be in prayer!

I want to thank all of you that have written or called. Thank you for praying. Thank you for your visits and your kindness.

Dad is basically unconscious. He arouses to look and has even kissed Mom and a smile every now and then back to sleep. He is now on pain medication to just keep him comfortable until God takes him home.

I put the following out on twitter this afternoon.

Watching someone die makes you think about your life, its value, eternity and what u r doing of eternal value.

I have no idea when this will be over down here for my dad but I am assured of where he will spend eternity. I am also reminded of how important it is for me to take the gospel to the world.

We gave them Dad’s Living Will. The PA said that Dad had responded to him and was following some commands. We will be seeing Dad in about 5 minutes and I will give further updates in the comment section below here.

The blood clot is approximately 4 inches by 1 inch in his brain.

The PA talked about taking him upstairs to another room and giving him therapy and then later on to a nursing home. As usual the comment was made that we never know what might happen.

We really do not know much more now than we did a few minutes ago.

The PA said that he will get the doctor to talk to us sometime today via the phone or in person.

Earlier updates

First one

Second one

Three

Joy to Papaw

Papaw

Words can not express how much I love you and look up to you.  You are a mighty man.  I have been thinking about you soo much and have realized how much God has used you.

I want to thank you for being such a wonderful dad and granddad.  If it weren’t for you giving your life to the Lord and taking a stand for Him we would not be the family we are today.

Because of your life and testimony and letting God work through you, you raised kids that love and fear the Lord and that are serving Him.

I love hearing your testimony how the Gardner name was not a name to look up to or one you wanted to be like, but when you gave your life to the Lord, you changed the GARDNER name into a honorable name that people could respect and look up to that loves the Lord.

Thanks for raising the best son in the word, my dad, he learned from a wonderful man how to raise children to love the Lord and stand for Him.  If it weren’t for you that started the change in the Gardner family you wouldn’t have grandkids on the mission field and in the States serving the Lord and trying to reach the world with the wonderful gospel that changed your life.

We are such a blessed family to have had such a wonderful man to start off the best of the Gardner family.  We are richer than anyone else because we have the privilege to serve the Lord and have such a close family.

I am sorry I have not always been the granddaughter I should have been and following what you taught so much to honor the Lord, but I am thankful that even though I have failed, I have had such a strong background and right heritage that I have always come back to what is right thanks to all the teachings you started through my dad and then on to me

And I hope I will be able to carry on all the wonderful things you have taught and shown to us, to my kids so that they may also grow up to love the Lord and do great things for Him and then you will have sons, grandkids and great grandkids following what you taught.

I have so many memories with you and love them.  I remember me giving you manicures and pounding your hand on the table.  I remember always sitting on your lap and you acting all tough that you were going to beat me but you never would you were always sweet. There are so many things I remember and am thankful for the memories you left behind.

Well I am sorry if I could not express everything that I feel.  It is hard to get it all out and on to paper and especially with 2 languages going through my head.

I love you and thank you so much.  The only thing that comforts me is that I will get to see you and be with you again one day.

Love

JOY

Well Betty and I started to leave to return for Georgia. I called Mom to see what she had to say about Dad and what the doctors had said. So far no one but my mother has spoken to the doctors. Not because we haven’t tried but I am learning what it is like to be part of the family of a patient.

From mother we understand that the doctor wanted to talk to her about a nursing home and therapy. He even asked how many steps it would take to get him into the house which is ridiculous. He doesn’t respond to any thing, can’t talk, can’t eat or drink.

Betty and I are staying longer to find out what is going on. I really have no new information. We have called the doctor’s office. We are asking for an opportunity to talk with the doctor.

All of us want to thank you for your kind words, prayers, emails, phone calls, etc. You have been so kind. There have been many comments. Pastor Wayne Cofield has called and been so super kind.

April Baker came up yesterday and brought a goody basket, gift cards for my parents, bought the family a meal and was super kind.

John and Donna’s pastor has come by for a visit as well as Mom and Dad’s pastor.

Thank you all very much.

Dad is really about the same. I do not see any real improvement. Betty and I will be returning home later today and coming back next week.

The doctor said 7 to 10 days before any real news. Dad cannot move his right side at all. Has only on a very few occasions shown any recognition of something that might have been said. I am not sure how much of that was just hopeful thinking on part of the family.

They have inserted a feeding tube. His blood pressure medicine etc goes in through an IV.

I would ask you to pray for Mom. Saturday was their 56th wedding anniversary. They had a good day. That evening is when things fell apart.

Mom needs God’s grace and strength right now. John and Donna need prayer because living here they carry the biggest load. Vicki is sick and unable to be here.

Again thank you to all of you that have asked. We are so blessed to have friends like you.

Earlier updates

First one

Second one