Here is a video on First Baptist Church Loganville's first all-ladies mission trip to South Asia in November of '09.

Latest View of the New Building:

Traditions and A Christmas Carol

I absolutely LOVE this time of year! The weather is getting colder, basketball season is here, and Christmas is just around the corner!!! Now, I know my family is strange in many ways, but one of the things that makes us so close is the fact that we have many family traditions that we do this time of year. I want to share with you one of the many...simply because it is so special to me personally.

About 9 - 10 years ago (depends on who you ask) my family began going to see A Christmas Carol live at the Alliance Theater downtown at Christmas. If you have never gone, it is truly one of the best plays you will ever see!!! For years we have taken many people with us to share in this family tradition. However, 4 years ago it was even more special. December 3rd, 2005 was the day that I asked Mattie to be my wife. I did it after an incredible steak dinner at a nice restaurant. On the way to the play Mattie said, "I really thought you were going to propose at dinner tonight!" With my heart beating out of my chest, I simply replied, "I told you...just wait, I have a plan of when I want to do it!" Little did she know that the others who went with us that year ALL knew what was about to happen (that year we took 48 people total!!!).

At any rate, here we are 4 years later (she did say "Yes") and this past weekend we went to see the play again. It was awesome as usual. But it made me wonder...part of the reason it is so special is because of the tradition. I just tagged onto it to make it a more memorable evening. But every year, we go back down memory lane and remember that day 4 years ago. It's a great memory!

My Pops always says, "Let's make a memory"...what are some of your traditions that your family does that helps make memories for your kids? As we enter into the holiday season...have you considered starting another tradition for your family this year? I love stories and I love traditions...share with me some of yours!

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

770.466.4250 ext. 246

kwages@fbcloganville.org

Update from South Asia

An Update from Suzanne Roberts, one of our members who just returned from an all-ladies mission trip to one of the world's most densely populated Muslim countries:

I just wanted to say that I am thankful that God allowed me and my daughter, Myla, to go and experience South Asia.. .WOW... what an experience!!!

Although, we'll never see all the GLORY that HE received .. because of our obedience to Go... I know that we, nor the people that we shared with, will NEVER be the same again.. There is just no way to GO on a mission trip and not come back changed..

It has been said.. that God does his most stunning work where things seem hopeless. Wherever there is pain, suffering, and desperation, Jesus is. And that's where his people(a group of 10 women) belong (in South Asia) --- among those who are vulnerable, who think nobody cares. What better place for the brilliance of Christ to shine?

Before we left.. I was told by two different prayer warriors... that our main goal was to ENCOURAGE the full-time missionaries that God has put into place in Bangladesh.. And I feel that our team did just that.. The prayers we prayed for them, and over them... will do much more than we could ever accomplish "in our own strength" in one week.

Upon our return home, Myla was still overwhelmed with tears as she laid her head down in her beautiful room, on a clean bed (where only she sleeps) that we are SO BLESSED.. that we have SO MUCH.. and they have SO little.. I know that the trip made an impact on her little life.. and she will never be the same again.

Thank you ...Jesus.

Suzanne Roberts

Blessing Baskets

Blessing Baskets was a great thing to be a part of this year. Many were served and hopefully many felt the love of Christ through this annual ministry. Here are a few photos from the event:

Help support the Children's Ministry

Hey there everyone...how many of you shop online? How many you purchase things online from Amazon, iTunes, ebay, shop.com, etc.? This week I wanted to bring something to your attention. There is a website that is a referral based program that helps raise funds through people who shop online. Of course this time of year is the busiest for online shopping! It is so simple that even a child could do it! :) Just go to: http://sendthemforhim.com/files/Groups/LoganvilleChildren/Categories.html

Choose a category and click on the store you want to purchase from. The cool thing is this: it does NOT charge you any more money than you would if you went to the regular store online in the first place. However, by going through this website FIRST...we will receive a "finders' fee" for bringing the shopper there. So, help support the Children's Ministry by going through this website for all your online shopping...and try to remember to do it throughout the year as well. It's a great way to help us...without costing you any extra money whatsoever!!!

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

770.466.4250 ext 246

kwages@fbcloganville.org

Women Reaching Women :: South Asia Missions

In 2 days, a group of 8 ladies and 2 girls will travel to South Asia to minister to Muslim women and girls. Because of the gender dynamics within Islam, only other women are able to connect with these precious people. Kathy Ramsey, who will be leading our group, wrote the following reflection in her journal this week. (While we are there serving we will continue to post updates on this blog so that you can follow along with what God is doing.)

"For You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self discipline."

And it is in this spirit we must follow You to the hard places

because what the world calls impossible situations-

God who is ABLE,

performs wonders!

The Koran teaches that most of the people in hell will be women.

It teaches that she is helpless even in earning her salvation,

but must depend on the good works of her spouse or father.

We go with beautiful feet,

We go with beautiful news;

carrying a light within us that brings hope to her soul.

There is a man who did the work for her!

A man she can depend upon.

A man who calls her to His side to be His bride.

There is a man

whom calls her by name.

He is Isa Masiah,

Jesus the Messiah!