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The Robinsons’ Herald
E·mail version for January thru March 2006
Greetings from ‘Next to Heaven’ in
Carriacou, Grenada, West Indies!
Greetings
from sunny Carriacou. It is the height of the “dry season,” and I am happy
to report that our tank is running over. Sunday before last, we prayed for
rain. A number of our folks were running low on water in their tanks. The
next day we began to get rain of the likes that we have never seen for this
time of the year! It was marvelous to see such answered prayer. It was a
boost for the faith of many in our congregation.
Thanks to
all who had prayed and given to help us during the death of Linda’s father
back in December. It was refreshing seeing family and friends for two weeks,
though the occasion for the trip was sad. We still need about $900.00
dollars to repay the advance that Holy Mount provided so that we could make
the trip.
Thanks for
your prayers concerning this ahead of time.
Thanks also
for praying for my mother, Mrs. Holmes. She had the surgery and is doing
much, much better these days.
Upcoming
Court Case
As mentioned
in our previously, in November of last year, Linda was involved in an
accident with our old bus while she was picking up her route for Sunday
morning service. That matter is going before the court tomorrow, Tuesday,
March 21. We were advised by the court last month to get a lawyer, which we
have retained. He believes we have a good chance of winning, but we desire
your prayers. We do not have money for a lawyer on hand.
Unlike in
the US, here the police look hard at where vehicles come to rest after the
accident, and they do not take photos of the scene. Thus, in some cases,
such as ours, the police report does not often reflect the accurate cause of
the accident. In our case, a man came from around a blind corner uphill on
Linda’s side of the road. Linda already had her feet on the brakes because
she was heading down a steep hill on rain slick road. When she saw the other
driver coming directly toward her, she locked up the brakes and slid into
the side of his vehicle. The length of her skid marks shows that from the
time she first saw him until the time she hit him, took only three seconds
or less. She did not have a chance to avoid the collision. The other driver
had mostly gotten back to his side of the rode before the collision, and
after the collision, he was completely back onto his side of the road. Thus,
the vehicles came to rest in positions that make it look as though Linda
caused the accident by losing control and sliding onto his side of the road
in the turn.
If we lose
in court, our insurance premium will almost double and Linda will have a
record here with the police.
Please pray
earnestly for the Lord to resolve this matter in our favor tomorrow. Also,
pray for Linda as she deals with the stress of going through this.
News about
Windward Bible Church
This past
Christmas eve we visited the nursing homes and the hospital here. We sang
Christmas carols and some of our children did their recitations from our
Christmas program. We also shared a gospel message, and gave each patient
and patron a nicely prepared plate of fruits, snacks, and a gospel tract. It
was a blessing for them and us. Thanks for praying.
We are still
holding services in the basement of our home due to the hurricane damage
done back in July of last year. The landlord is getting the work done by
those who work whenever they have time and free of charge or at a very low
cost for labor. Though most leaks are reportedly stopped, just today our
landlord informed me that there is still one leak and she is waiting for her
nephew to come and fix it -- hopefully this week.
After our
previous prayer letter, the attendance in our services had increased
considerably, I believe because of people who had been praying for this
need. The attendance has been down a bit for the last few weeks. We are
still seeing numbers ranging mostly from the low twenties to nearly thirty.
Right now, we have many folks suffering from colds or flu. It keeps some
people sick for three weeks or longer! It has affected some of our most
faithful and kept some out this past Sunday.
Nevertheless, we still see a good spirit of fellowship and cooperation among
our people. After each service, many like to just sit around and talk and
enjoy each other’s company. It is sweet and as it should be.
As we
mentioned in our interim updates, a couple of months back I had to spend a
couple of days in the hospital due to severe pain in my lower left abdomen.
I spent another three to four weeks of lying low to recuperate, per my
doctor’s advice. There were two weeks that I could not conduct services, but
I had Linda to take our folks to another church here that is led by another
missionary friend of ours. We are now getting back into full swing and
things are getting better.
Occasionally, I still experience some discomfort in the same area. I am not
sure if it is due to something I may be eating, or something else. So far,
it has not been really bad, but mostly an annoying discomfort. I experienced
something like this two years ago, and it finally faded completely away
after several months. Lord willing, I plan to have a full check up while on
furlough.
I am concerned about the
young man I referred to as “DB” in our previous prayer letter. He is not
being faithful to services and he is not growing much spiritually. I am not
comfortable baptizing him at this point.
Please pray
for a young lady that Linda and I witnessed to a few months back. During a
personal visit, we asked her if anyone had ever explained the gospel to her
in simple terms. She replied no, and indicated that she wanted us to do so.
After we did, she said she now understood. We then asked her if she wanted
to put her faith in the Lord Jesus at that time. She said, “I want to think
about it some more.” She has not been in services many times since. Pray for
“ES.” She is a young widow with three young children. From time to time, the
children will attend, but even their attendance has been dropping off here
recently. On the flip side, ES’s younger sister (“SM”) and mother (“VM”)
have been attending services off and on for several months.
There is a
young lady in our congregation that has an apparent serious medical problem.
She is twenty-seven years old and has been diagnosed of having breast
cancer. A visit to a doctor last month revealed that it could be in both
breasts. Wendy is dealing with it fairly well, at times. She is hoping to
travel to the US soon for treatment. She is now trying to get her documents
in order, which she says must be done this week. Wendy has a daughter that
is five or six years old.
Two other
men have recently begun to attend services. They are both professing
believers, but both have had ongoing issues that have held them back in
their walk with the Lord over the past years. Right now, both are being fairly faithful in
attendance to all services and Bible Studies right.
Please remember to pray for
“DB,” to have a desire to grow in the Lord. Also pray for the Lord to open
the hearts and understanding of “ES,” “VM,” and “SM,” so that they may come
to know the Lord Jesus as Savior and master of their lives. Pray for the
Lord to provide, lead, and help Wendy through this very difficult and trying
time in life. Lastly, pray for the Lord to work in the lives of MB and JM.
Pray for the Lord to help the two men to remain faithful and grow in their
walk with the Lord Jesus.
Robinsons
Furlough Plans
Plans are firming us for us to take furlough
beginning the middle of July. The Lord has wonderfully provided a gracious
couple to come to Carriacou and take over for us for an entire year, Lord
willing and providing!
Bill and Ruth Stoll, residents
of Hudson, Florida
We came to know the Stolls several years ago. They have
been on Carriacou and visited with us back in 2000. They even ministered to
our folks at Windward
Bible
Church then.
After they read about our need in our Robinsons’
Heralds last year, they prayed and subsequently contacted us to let us
know they were praying. In November, they came to Carriacou once more to
meet with us and see what all is involved in the work here. They returned to
the US with the
promise that they would continue to pray for the Lord’s will to be made
known to them about taking over for us while we are on furlough. In January,
they told us that they were convinced that the Lord wanted them to take over
for us. They have met with the head of our mission board, Pastor Jerry
Musick, of Holy Mount Baptist Missions Helps of Holy Mount Baptist Church in
Kingsport, Tennessee. The meeting went well and all is go for them to come
down and take over for us. We praise the Lord for this tremendous need being
answered!
Our last furlough was six months long and was back in
1996. Lord willing, by the time we leave on furlough the middle of this
coming July, we will have been working here one month short of fifteen years
(We first arrived here on August 21, 1991). Since 1996 we have spent time in
the US only for
medical or family emergencies; One month for me in 1998 to see a doctor
about health problems. Twelve months from April 1999 to April 2000 to
recover from a stroke. Eight months from January 2001 to August of 2001 to
have surgery and recover from a broken leg. One month from May to June of
2002 to have a procedure done in Puerto Rico to close up a hole in my heart
to prevent another stroke (However, a hospital administrator backed out and
did not allow the procedure to be done at the last minute). One month from
July to August of 2003 to have the CardioSeal procedure done in
Detroit, Michigan.
Three months in 2004 from April to July for me to have two surgeries to
correct a hernia and hemorrhoids. This is 26 months for me and 22 months for
Linda for the last ten years.
It is customary for many missionaries to take a one-year
furlough every three to four years to report to supporters and get into new
churches to keep their support level up or increase it as needed. Thus, our
periods of being off the field are on the low end of what is considered
normal over the last ten years. Though we did report to nearly all of our
supporters during the trips mentioned above, we did not get into many new
churches on any of the trips. As a result, our actual support level is about
30% below our current set and needed level.
Over the last few years, I have learned just how much we
need at least one other couple to work with us. There is so much more that
we could accomplish, especial among the young if we had someone that had the
love, burden, patience, and health to work with them beyond church services
and visits. Thus, our furlough is not merely to increase our level of
support (which is truly needed), but it is also to share the work here with
as many as possible so that people will begin to pray about the Lord having
them to come and work with us full time. I only wish that I saw this need
earlier.
The Stolls are a couple that is familiar with mission work
around the world, as they have taken many short-termed trips with teams.
Earlier in their lives, they thought the Lord had been leading them to do
church planting work in the
Caribbean, but the Lord led otherwise at that time.
They are not wealthy people. Ruth has been working as a
private schoolteacher, and Bill is a technician that has his own business of
small engine repair. They are leaving their jobs and income behind for the
year and are currently looking to the Lord to raise up support so that they
will be able to take over for us in July. They plan to arrive in the middle
of June so that we can work with them for one month before we leave. As it
stands right now, Ruth should be able to return to her teaching job when she
returns from the field. Bill plans to resume his business when he gets back
as well. Bill and Ruth are college trained and Bill is an ordained minister.
Both are currently serving in a doctrinally sound independent Baptist
church.
The Stolls may be contacted using the following
information:
William (Bill) and Ruth Stoll
13431 Hicks Road
Hudson, Florida
34669-3820
Tel: (727) 868-5799
E·mail:
wasii@microd.com
You may contact me if you have any specific questions not
addressed here. Please pray with us for the Lord
to lead many individuals and churches to support this couple who is stepping
out to serve the Lord and help us in faith.
Due to the amount of work that needs to be done, it would
still be good if there was another couple or individual that could come down
and work with them (one to work for the year or two that could work for six
months each). It would be good even if someone could help for only a few
months or even weeks.
If you know of someone
else that is looking for an opportunity to do mission work, please put him
or her in contact with us right away. Please pray
for the Lord to supply additional helpers not only while we are on furlough,
but also on a permanent basis.
Help Us Plan Meetings and Meet
New Churches
We need to begin scheduling meetings right away. Our first
priority is to report to our present supporters, and we plan to begin
contacting them in April. Next, we desire to share our ministry with as many
new churches as possible. We prefer to visit churches that are looking for
new missionaries to support, but this is not a prerequisite. We want to
share our work here on Carriacou with as many as possible so that more will
join with us in praying for the salvation and growth of the precious people
here. We desire to serve and minister as often and to as many as the Lord
will lead.
Perhaps some of you also know of a church or pastor that
is looking for, or is open to taking on the support of new missionaries –
even if it is only temporary – until we complete our next furlough. If so,
please send me their contact information. Even better, you could put in a
good word and recommend us to them. They can find all the information about
us they would need through our website at:
www.lastchanceministries.com. (Click on the link, “Windward
Bible Church” in the left border) In the mean
time, please pray for the Lord to lead new churches, individuals, and groups
of like faith to support us to help meet our current needs.
Prayer Requests and Praise for
Answered Prayer
We still have a list of ongoing prayer
requests. Most have remained the same as stated in the previous
Robinsons’ Herald, but a few have been revised. I have appended it to
the end of this Herald. You may also see it on our website at: “http://www.lastchanceministries.com/current1.htm
” (You may cut and paste everything between the quotes into your browser’s
URL address window and go directly that page of our website.) Please send me
an email if you would prefer the list to be emailed directly to you as a
separate page.
Thanks
Thanks to all who pray and give
faithfully to support us in this work. All good that has been accomplished
is due to your faithfulness and the Lord’s grace. We are looking for to
seeing you on furlough!
Still looking up for Him,
(Signature omitted from online version for
security reasons)
Walter Robinson II
Copyright © 2000 Last Chance Ministries. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 18, 2008.
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