Thank you, first off, for all of you who have been earnestly praying for us and have even given financially toward our needs during this time when meetings have been canceled or rescheduled due to the Coronavirus. We personally want to say “thank you” to the precious folks at Loomis Park Baptist Church, as well as those at Volinia Baptist Church, who took up a special love offering for our family, and to our home church for giving, as well as having a place for us to stay during this time. I am reminded of Acts 11:28-30, where the brethren at Antioch desired to help their brethren in Judaea. Now they were all going through difficulties due to a dearth, yet they were still determined to be a blessing unto their brethren during this troublesome time . . . and they were. You all have been to us like those blessed brethren at Antioch, and we cannot say “thank you” enough.
Most of the month of March was spent across the northern and mid-east parts of Ohio. We started out at Lighthouse Baptist Church of Ashtabula, Ohio. We had a busy and wonderful Sunday with them, starting out with the bus ministry. It was great to ride in with some of the kids they pick up on Sunday mornings and to get to know them a little. During Sunday school we had the privilege to share our testimonies and calling to East Africa in several classes. We also had the opportunity to present our ministry and preach during the evening service.
After LBC of Ashtabula, we headed to a two-day revival meeting in Canton, Ohio, to meet up with my best friend, Pastor Jeff Lynn, and his sweet family. We were refreshed and challenged by the messages each night. During the week we stayed at Lake Milton Baptist Church’s prophet’s chamber. After getting to know the pastor, he graciously asked me to present and preach during their midweek service. It was such a blessing, for it seemed that the message was meant for us that night. God blessed many people that night through His Word.
From Lake Milton Baptist Church, we headed to Anchor Baptist Church of Massillon, Ohio, for their Missions Month. We had a great time of fellowship and had the opportunity to share our ministry and preach during all of the services. We were also encouraged greatly by Assistant Pastor Shane Rice and his family. They had been missionaries before and had been through deputation, so they were able to give us some insights and wisdom from their experiences. Thank you for the fellowship and encouragement. From Massillon, Ohio, we headed to one last meeting in Akron, Ohio, at Chapel of Prayer Baptist Church, where we were blessed to present, sing, and preach there as well.
From Ohio we headed to our last meeting for the month back home in Michigan. We were very blessed to be in a Missions Conference at Volinia Baptist Church in Decatur, Michigan. There we had the chance to teach a children’s class, preach twice, sing, and present our ministry to the church! We also had the opportunity to go to the farm of the Starks, one of the families from the church. There we were able to see chickens and learn how they collect eggs, as well as see a lot of new baby calves! It was a neat experience, and our kids loved it. The last night of the conference, Pastor Stout threw all of the missionaries a curve ball by asking us on the spot to preach a 15-minute message with this thought, “This is the last message you will preach to the church. What will you preach?” It was on-the-spot and nerve-racking, for I have never had that happen to me, but it was a blessing. It was refreshing to hear the messages given by each one of the missionaries. After the conference ended, we said our goodbyes and headed back to our home church.
In the midst of all that is going on, God has blessed and reminded us that He is still in control and that He still works and moves through each and every one of us if we allow Him to. Please know that in this difficult time for many of us, our family is praying for you. God is still in control and on the throne. We pray that you are safe and can’t wait to hear from you or see you next time. God bless you.
Your co-labourers for lost souls across East Africa,
Brandon, Ali, Jeffrey, Hannah, & Esther Heselschwerdt
Romans 10:14
