Les and Debbie Bowden Serving His Servants Global Outreach Forum
Hey, what in the world is “Global Outreach Forum?” Well, I wondered that myself. For those of us who are over 50 it is pretty close to the same thing as the old fashioned “Mission’s Conference”.
Les and I were blessed to be able to be a part of the 8 days of missionary emphasis that Calvary Bible Church of Neenah, WI had April 18-25.
Here are some of the Big Blessings we received:
1. We traveled from Fl to WI by car which allowed us to visit my Mom and Step dad on the way.
2. People were very interested in knowing how God is working at NTM HOMES, our retirement center for New Tribes Missionaries. We shared information about our ministry with 15 different groups.
3. The students in 7th and 8th grade at FVCA, Calvary’s Christian School, showed a great deal of excitement about how they could be involved in missions.
4. We stayed with our daughter Kandi and son-in-law Joe Depue during the conference! It was very good to get some family time in with them even though it was limited because of the busy schedule.
5. Kandi and Joe’s son, Hudson was just a week shy of being one year old. We had the pleasure of watching him learn to walk . Huddy had gone from one or two steps to five or six by our last day there!!! We had an early Birthday party for him.
Hudson's Birthday
6. We were able to spend a couple of days with our daughter Katie and her husband Wes on our trip back to FL. They are enjoying their second year of marriage and are busy with work and church related activities.
If we could have had you with us on our trip you would have seen the many other ways God blessed us through His people. I guess we will have lots of time in heaven to rehearse His blessings to us.
St. Patrick’s Day Fun
Holidays add extra smiles
The residents of the Latham Center had lots of fun celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. The dining room was decorated with lots of green shamrocks. Before the meal of corned beef and cabbage everyone got together to test their skills and knowledge. There was a quiz on trivia surrounding St. Patrick’s Day. It was interesting for many to find out that he had been a missionary just like they were.
The tables were set with festive decorations and little pots with chocolate coins. There were goblets containing a strange green mixture that surprisingly tasted real good. Shamrock shaped jello salad and shamrock cookies completed the meal.
Being cooks on a holiday can be just tons of fun!!!
NTM HOMES COUNTRY FAIR
Wii Bowling made bowling fun for everyone
Every year February is time for Country Fair at NTM HOMES. Though the weather this year was a lot cooler than it generally is folks put on a jacket and went out to watch or participate. Horse shoes, shuffle board, and Top Toss were outside. Indoors there were darts, Wii bowling, and billiards going on.
About mid-morning I was glad to see that the baking competition had a good display of products made from coconut. Folks were welcomed to try anything and judge them. After the first try I thought I might have to try some of them again just to be sure which one was best!! But Les assured me that one taste was enough:).
Many of our residents find that they have more physical limitations and more aches and pains than last year. It is tempting to stay at home and dwell on what they can’t do. As a staff we try and plan events that will encourage people to get out and spend time with each other. When we laugh together our burdens get lighter. God’s Word says “A joyful heart is good medicine”. Judging by the smiles and laughter the day was a great success.
Attending Our Grandson Hudson’s Baby Dedication
February 7, 2010 was a special Sunday for our family. That was the day that our grandson Hudson was publicly dedicated to the Lord. His parents Kandi and Joe Depue realized that Hudson was a gift from God long before he was born. This Sunday they brought him to the front of the church along with other couples at Calvary Bible Church to pledge their determination to raise Hudson to know and love the Lord. The members of the church also promised to do all they could to help them in their efforts. It was a beautiful program that reminded us that with God’s help the Body of Christ works together to bring children to the understanding of His salvation.
Joe and Kandi feel that God would like them to use their lives to take the Gospel to the lost. Their plans are to enter New Tribes Mission’s Missionary Training in the fall. They would appreciate your prayers for them.
Les and I , along with Les’s mom, were privileged to come from Florida to attend this service. What a special gift this was! We were able to make a quick trip from our ministry here at NTM HOMES. He even provided exceptional ticket prices. Our Father really did look out for all the details.
For photos of the dedication click on the photo tab at the top of the blog.
…Brazil , Here we come!
When we left Brazil in June of 2008 we planned to return in July of the same year. Les had just gotten out of the hospital in Brazil where he had been receiving IV medication for malaria. We were looking forward to spending 4 weeks in the U.S. to attend our daughter’s wedding.
Future Missionaries
Our prayers were answered!
Our youngest daughter Kandi and her husband Joe are expecting their first child, a boy they are naming Hudson Lee. We are excited about the arrival of our little grandson. Please pray that Kandi and Hudson will be healthy and strong during the delivery. Who knows, he may be a missionary some day.
Challenging Others to Reach
…Wedding plans for Katie and Wes
Wedding Bells will be ringing again in November. Our daughter Katie will be marrying Wes Brown in Cleveland, Ohio on November 8th. Katie and Wes have been friends for over a year and were engaged on June 18th.
…New Ministry Location
Serving the Lord has never been more exciting. Day by day we desire to serve Him where ever He would choose to use us. Guess what? This time He chose Florida, NTM HOMES, a retirement community for New Tribes’ Missionaries.
…Christmas Play and Field Day
The “Frosting on the Cake”, it has been called. The last week of the first semester is lots of fun. We began the week with the all school Christmas program and went on to two days of track and field competition. Many of the parents had arrived from their work locations to attend the events and accompany their children home for 6 weeks of vacation. Cameras were flashing and hands clapping. What a great time of celebration!