Date: 11th September 2012
Dear Pastor, Church, and Supporters;
(Php 4:8) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”.
I apologize for not having a ‘official’ missions report out before now, my only recourse has been a tight schedule on the road, visiting different churches, fellowship with GOD’S people and long hours driving upon the highways and byways.
There is much to report on and deliberate but do not know at this sitting, it will all be shared. I do want to touch on the main points since my last report.
Taking up where I left off with July’s report; We returned to Alabama from a wonderful visit with our home church, had a few days to prepare for a trip to the mountains of N.C. where Bro. Dale Wallace, Damascus Baptist church and Statesville Bible Institute had prepared to host a week’s entertaining of a ‘Pastor & wives retreat’. We were invited whilst we were still in Africa before we came to the US so we made plans to attend.
On the 6th of August 2012 (Monday) we departed from mum’s here in Winfield, Alabama and drove through the day reaching the site around 1700 hrs. Others would also be coming in as we did, and by the evening there were several couples that came in.
As we settled in to where we would be staying, we were introduced to each other and the details of why we were there was explained.
The purpose and plan of this ‘retreat’ was just that, to come away from the daily grind of the work [of which all of us were, are involved].
Through the course of the week, the men were grouped together for fellowship, and the women were introduced into a pottery class. In fact all of us at one point or another were not only introduced to the potter’s house, and potter’s wheel but we all had an opportunity to put our hands to the wheel with a lump of clay.
For the next three mornings Bro. Dale Wallace opened up the men’s class by giving each one of the three missionaries whom were present a morning in which to speak and share what the LORD had done in their lives, or work, or both.
Bro Bill Lee – Pastor / Missionary in Grenada Mississippi started off this fellowship and talked for nearly three hours regarding the mission work that he is involved in there in Thailand. As I listened, I knew there were many instances, which paralleled my life and ministry. It is always encouraging to me to see a man who shares the same level of passion in the LORD’S work. I was encouraged to the point, I wanted to go pack and take a journey to preach to these people he was talking about.
Second morning, I was given the floor and spent most of my time, not telling so much about the work in and of itself, but I thought I would share some of my own life stories that I have experienced my whole life, from day one to the present. How that God has shaped and moulded his servants for the work whereunto HE has called them. I told about many of the mishaps, and personal attacks which Satan has launched against me in regards to the work. As I told then, so too I say now to each and all – if you work for the LORD and if you do any type of spiritual leading for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven – I say to you, pray for the LORD’S protection and pay attention as you walk through your ministry. Satan, the great enemy of God, HIS church, and HIS people, as GOD has given [allowed] him to hold a position for a season of time [the prince of the power of this air], the [god of this world system]. Satan will do any and all that is necessary to detain you, halt you, or even try to kill you if possible.
The men’s class or group had an opportunity to sit at the potter’s wheel and take a lump of clay and attempt to make a vessel. Some did quite well, others not so. The lesson, which was to stay with me and will do so for the rest of my life, was that lump of clay was I, in the hands of the potter. Had the LORD not reached down and taken me up, and put me on HIS potters wheel, I would have remained in the miry pit – without value, or life, or anything – no works of my own. And then ever so gently HE fashioned me to fit the work HE has called me to do and place me in.
The third day was given to Bro. Gordon Wiegold which he too talked about his ministry which had shared with me whilst in Africa and then the anticipation of the work he felt called to go to in Australia. He too deliberated for some time and shared what the LORD had done in his ministry and life. It had been a great time of fellowship and blessing to us all.
Each morning we were served breakfast, with sweet fellowship, and then we would be served lunch, and then a wonderful dinner each evening. There was a ‘date evening’, which was given to us, and we had the freedom to go into town to eat out, or do whatever we decided. Towards the ending of this time, we spent our last evening there at the site with a wonderful evening and a marvellous dinner of some of the best steak which had been grilled to taste.
The following morning [Friday] was simply a get together for breakfast and then each one would move on from there to their-respective homes etc… The LORD had united us together with some fine people, and from that new contacts were made and new interest shown in our work.
As we exchanged contact information the farewells were said and off we went into different directions.
I want to publicly say ‘THANK YOU’ to Bro. Dale Wallace, his wife, and several of the dedicated folks who willingly offered themselves, to come and serve, cook, clean up, and do whatever our physical lives needed. I made a statement as well as other preachers too, that in all the years of my ministry (28) I had never been entertained like this, simply to give me an opportunity to [relax]. It was becoming difficult for me get a grip on the fact that I was being served, and all I had to do was absorb it.
11th of August – (Sat) my wife and I spent the morning part of the day visiting around Boone, N.C. and then we drove to the residence of Bro. Dale Wallace and his wonderful wife. We enjoyed a wonderful evening meal and fellowship together, as we fellowshipped together we reflected on the past week and what a wonderful time we had shared together. That evening I spent time in preparation for tomorrow’s services.
12th August – Sunday AM services were conducted at Damascus Baptist church where Bro. Dale Wallace pastors. I was given the S.S. to show the slide presentation and talk about the work, and the morning hour I preached. I am still trying to get used to the timetable here in America, as well as climate control, padded seats, sound systems, microphones etc… none of this do we find in Africa or PNG and sometimes I feel as though I have cheated the LORD because my day has not been as ‘trying’ as many are whilst I am on the field, however I praise the LORD for these things.
The LORD blessed that morning, not because I preached, but because the LORD filled our presence. We had a bite to eat and then we drove onward to Buies Creek, N.C. another church, which Bro. Dale Wallace has been looking after for many years.
I want to insert something here that could be argued depending on who you are as a preacher but none the less the facts will speak for themselves.
In the early days of this country, it was not uncommon to find a pastor who was looking after two, or three churches; reason being, there just were not enough preachers around in those days. Travel was slow and laborious, usually on horseback or in a buggy. That being said, folks just got on with it, some generations later, here we are with the most developed country in the world, the age of the most sophistication, and technological advancement that this world has probably ever seen. In a few hours I can fly across the USA. In a few more hours, I can even drive across the US. I can preach in a church Sunday AM, then drive to another church for Sunday PM a few hundred miles away. I can call almost anywhere, at anytime, and almost anyone I know, even in Africa and PNG. The USA still can boast on one of the best economic structures in the world. If you want to complain about fuel and how expensive it is to drive to church, or a bible conference then come to Africa where I pay over 8.00/gal. and the fuel is not the quality, and many times is in short supply.
I said all that to say this regarding the above – if God really calls a man to preach, he MUST preach! God will prepare a people and a place for that man. However, I have found some churches that are without a pastor, have been for some time, and have extended a call to various preachers but the usual ‘well I don’t feel God is leading me there’!
However its not long and we find so and so at a church where they accepted a call, talk to a few more people and you find out the money was right for their ‘budget’!
Pray for Bro. Dale Wallace as he continues to labour and feed the sheep.
I would like to encourage all of you men who labour for the LORD, and many times it looks like you are just going from day to day, week to week. I have had to learn in my own ministry to be content with whatsoever things I have, at the time I have them.
To be continued…
In His Name,
Missionary Peter A. Halliman