Trusting other people is something we are taught from the earliest age. In fact, we are dependent on others such as our mothers from our conception in the womb. After this nine month development of our bodies around the pristine spirit created by God, we remain dependent on the natural affection given to us by our parents and loved ones. (Tragically something not afforded everyone due to the un-natural lack of love of some parents in our world.) As we mature in age, loving adults continue to teach us the value of trusting them through games like “ride a little horsy, ride to town; ride a little horsy, don’t fall down!” An exhilarating experience for me as a child which built trust in my heart for my parents.
Also, we are taught to listen and obey our parent’s instructions guiding us through life not knowing for ourselves what we should do; however, there comes a time in a person’s life when God no longer holds our parents and older friends accountable for our actions, but we, ourselves, become responsible for what we believe, say and do in life. Nowhere is this more important than in obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. No one else can save us. Only Jesus can tell us what we need to do as individuals to be saved from our sins. When we rely on anyone other than Jesus Christ in matters of salvation, we risk our soul’s salvation. The most well-intentioned loved one will not be standing with you at judgment. You will bear it alone.

Latvia Mission Trip Report

Wayne Brewer

This past week I returned from a mission trip to Latvia, a small country about half the size of Arkansas, with a population about the same as Arkansas, and located in the Baltic Sea region near Russia. Our work was in the city of Riga, the capital of Latvia, which has a population of about 900,000. Latvia spent decades under Soviet rule so there is much work to do. Latvia has only one congregation of the Lord’s church with about 15 members. Though they are small they have hearts filled with love for God, the truth, one another, and the lost.
The purpose of the trip was to strengthen that small group of Christians, to encourage them to keep on keeping on, and to work with them in evangelism. The brethren in Riga had planned an evangelistic campaign and lecture series as a part of the work. The Lectureship was entitled, “The Christian Graces,” with 2 Peter 1:3-11 as the text. Two lessons were presented each evening in English with translation into Latvian and Russian. Though the lessons were specifically designed for Christians and spiritual growth, the series was widely advertised, and so there were several non-Christian visitors present throughout the series. With each lesson came the opportunity to point people to the Bible as the standard of authority, the church, and how to become a Christian. There were also opportunities to set up and conduct Bible studies with several of the visitors throughout the campaign.
Lessons were not only taught where the church meets, but also at two other locations. We had the privilege of being able to teach the Bible to students of the Latvian Maritime Academy, at the old and new location. We found that those students were very different from the people attending the lectures. Those attending the lectures often came with a belief in God, and a belief in the Bible as the word of God, although very confused by denominationalism. Those at the Latvian Maritime Academy were often atheistic having had no contact with or understanding of the Bible. Both groups presented two very different challenges.
On the first Saturday that I was in Riga three boxes of clothing from Mabelvale arrived. Some clothes were immediately given to the granddaughter of one of the members, who was orphaned when her mother died of cancer earlier this year. Clothes were also given to Valdis and Angelika and their children. They all send appreciation to the Mabelvale congregation for the winter clothing, which arrived just in time. The weather in Riga turned cold a day or so after I arrived and remained in the upper 20’s and lower 30’s for the most part, with about six inches of snow on the last Sunday that we were there. Jesus said, “go” (Mark 16:15), and so the elders permitted me to make the mission trip to Riga, Latvia. Thanks for your encouragement, interest, and prayers.

VOLUME 40 NUMBER 44 NOVEMBER 3, 2003

OUR SICK

Frances Crow, mother of Betty Tollett, is in room 533 of Saline Memorial Hospital.
Richard Lowe came home on Monday.
Eleanor White is scheduled to have her pacemaker replaced on Wednesday, 11/5.
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THANK YOU

Thank you very much for all your concern and interest in my recent fall and recuperation. I’m beginning to believe I am just clumsy. But I have truly appreciated all the lovely cards, phone calls, visits, flowers and Lori Boyd’s wonderful potato soup, and most important, your prayers. I am genuinely thankful to be a part of such a loving and caring group of Christians. Hope to see you soon. Glenda Arledge.
EVENTS OF INTEREST

November 7..Bible Bowl Pizza Party
November 8…………….Bible Bowl
November 9…………...Pew Packers
November 11…….All Comers Class
November 16………….Pew Packers
November 18..All Comers Class Trip
I want to thank everyone for the personalized care package I received. It sure is nice to know people are thinking about you. The knife sharpener and Arkansas Hunting Guidebook will further inspire me to use my college days wisely. Thanks again. Wade Tollett.
We express our thanks to all those who gave money and donated prizes for the pumpkin party last Friday night. All of us especially thank those who provided the great entertainment at the close of our party. Together we had a great evening of fun. It couldn’t happen without you. Till next year! Tamera Long & Eva Joe Williams
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SERMONS FOR NOVEMBER 9

Morning
“Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone” (Matthew 4:1-4)
Evening
The Sin Of Murmuring (Scott Perry)
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SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to the family of sister Vivian Brooks who passed away on Monday. The funeral will be Friday at 10:00 AM here at the church building.
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PLACING MEMBERSHIP

Placing membership on November 2:
Paul & Tarena Word
Emma, Wilson & William
21 Aberdeen Drive
Little Rock, AR 72212
868-1201
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OUR RECORD NOVEMBER 2, 2003

A.M. WORSHIP 244
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 184
P.M. WORSHIP 168
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 151

CONTRIBUTION 8419
BUDGET 6351
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MEN TO SERVE
November 9, 2003

Ray Wehunt Shawn Wallace
Jim Wallace Dave Tollett
Stan Smith Wendell Thompson
Michael Wilson Barry Williams

Evening Gene Sullivan
Doyce Tarkington
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

November 12 Dale Morris
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USHERS FOR NOVEMBER

Morning Roger Horton & Phil DePriest
Evening Ken Bittle & Jim Henson
Wednesday Jim Mauldin & Waymon Minor
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GREETERS FOR NOVEMBER

Ann Elmore & Emily Gulledge
Lynette Murphy
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

November Dale Morris
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