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iEatnna in Snglani

WIGAN

June 1995

FIELD ADDRESS:
DR. VERNON EATON
9 Bickershaw Lane
Abram

FORWARDING AGENT:

Wigan, England
WN25PL

Dr. Bill Baker


15668 94th Ave.

PHONE: 011-44-942-863-828

Florissant, MO 63034

The Apostle Paul In England


I think I have discovered proof that the Apostle Paul
made it to England sometime on one of his missionary
journeys. In Galatians 4:11; Philippians 2:16; and I
Thessalonians 2:1; 3:5, Paul mentions the feelings of
despair and futile effort which we feel so often here. As I
read these passages I realize that Paul looked for evi

dence of fruitful labor much as we do quite often in the


work here. He knew the nagging question we've asked
ourselves time and again, "Is what I am doing making
any difference - does it count for anything?"
The work seems so slow. We have had families come

and go. I've prayed for one prospective family for almost
two years now and they don't seem any closer to even

being inquisitive about Christ. The church has so many


physical, financial, emotional and spiritual needs. We
have a full schedule of activities with a core of workers

numbering less than a dozen. I pray at least once a week


the prayer of Luke 10:2.
I, too, have used those words of Paul - "I fear for

Rob and Sharon Deeming reigned as King and


Queen of Camp last year. This year they willJust be directors!

you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you . . ."


(I hope). . . "that I did not run or labor for nothing." ...

"Dear Vernon, Denny and Tina,

"that our visit to you was not a failure . . . I was afraid

Sharon and I want to thank you for attending the


Torksey Camp meeting on April 8, 1995. We both felt it
went very well and that we managed to achieve quite a
lot. We appreciate your willingness and eagerness to vol

that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and
our efforts might have been useless."
Paul struggled, much as we have, with those moments
of doubt and frustration. Yet, Paul found some encour
agement in what progress he saw. He found comfort in

realizing that God was at work in ways of which he did


not know. There are those glimmering moments that reas
sure us that God's work is carrying on even if we don't

realize it. Like seed germinating under the soil, life


springs forth, not from nowhere, but from undetected
sources preparing for the day of the blossom.

That was what we realized one day recently. We were


going through one of those Pauline times, wondering if
"our efforts might have been useless" . . . when a letter

arrived. It came from the couple who served the past two
years as assistant directors to Denny and myself while we
were directors of the Junior High Camp. This year Rob
and Sharon Deeming have taken up the position of direc
tors. The fact that they will be the first British camp

directors and because they are young, it insures many


years of leadership in the camp program.
We had just had our first meeting to plan the coming
camp and afterwards this letter arrived.

unteer yourselves for various works of service. Thank


you!

Vernon and Denny, you are to be commended! On the

way backfrom the meeting Sharon and I were de-briefing,


as you do and we found the most amazing thing about the
meeting was how smoothly and comfortably - except
organizing Mr. Motivator that is - everything seemed to
fall into place (we are still looking for someone to be our
Mr. Motivator at camp a TV exercise personality).
Now we realize that the Lord, unquestionably, had
more than a hand in the proceedings, but we also realize
that the main reason was down to you two. Yes, directing
the camp is quite a daunting task (not that you two real
ly need reminding of this) but it has been made so much

easier due to the foundations you have laid during the


past couple of years," etc

This letter was like the gift of the Macedonians to


Paul. It told us that in some small way God has blessed
our work at least in this one area and that life has sprung
from the soil. To God be the glory and for us a little
assurance that we "have not run or labored in vain.

Recent Events
There have been a number of special events in our
work recently. We held a Passover meal at our house with
twenty-four present. Each year we come to appreciate
more and more the meaning of the Passover and its con
nection to the institution of the Lord's Supper.

Also this spring we held our second annual PREP


Time Away. (PREP stands for Preacher's Retreat

Enriching Preparation). We spent three days preparing


six months of sermons. Everyone who has participated
has appreciated the exercise.

iX'm

i;
m

The PREP Group acting like they were at work from left to right: Vernon Eaton, Gordon Cline, Mike
Hallows, Tim Ellis (Springdale student) Jerry Swietzer.

I"

Vernon leading the Passover Meal.

Denny baked a spe^ |f ?


cial cake - call the

Twelve Apostles

Cake. Notice the

* J
%.
^

twelve lumps on the


cake - it is meant to

be that way, each


one representing an
apostle.

>.

Mission Services
P.O. Box 2427

Knoxville,TN 37901-2427

Children of C.M.F. workers celebrating God^s love.

Non-Pront Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Knoxville, TN
37901-2427

mI
c s

mI

Permit No. 374

iat0nfi tn Englatiii

WIGAN

October 1995
FIELD ADDRESS:
DR. VERNON EATON
9 Bickershaw Lane
Abram

FORWARDING AGENT:

Wigan, England

Dr. Bill Baker

WN25PL

15668 94th Ave.

PHONE:011-44-942-863-828

Florissant, MO 63034

Summer of 1995
We have had a very busy and enjoyable summer in the
Lord's work here.

The church family


was able to refurbish

f
. . mm

the Sunday School Hall


with
the help of
Steven, an intern from
Roanoke

Bible

Coll

ege, along with our


own

Ken

For a few weeks we enjoyed the visit of Denny's mother,


Gladys Hamilton from Tennessee (see picture). Beautiful
(even hot-hot) weather helped to make the visit a memo
rable one. Gladys was able to visit her "native" land and
even had a letter from the Queen waiting on her when she
arrived! We also had the pleasure of seeing Jack and
Becky Lowe and daughter, Carrie Beth, from Johnson
Bible College, Knoxville with whom Gladys traveled.
Carrie Beth served in the London area missions for sev

eral years.

Farrimond

(see picture). It was


completed just in time
for the 111th Anniver

sary of the church.


Ken

Farrimond

wears a special pro


tection from the paint
...a tea cosy!
We also had an intern from St. Louis Christian

College with us for eight weeks. Clint Baker came along


to help with youth clubs, Sunday School, music, puppets
and other activities.

The last of June saw our annual Walking Day through

Denny's mum, Gladys Hamilton and her sister,

the community. This year Platt Bridge carried a new ban


ner which Denny, Ellen Keane and Clint Baker had put

Gwen Evans from Bedfordshire, England, pose with a


Well Dressing in Derbyshire, one of many unusual

together.

sights we enjoyed during their visit here. Unique to a


small rural area, Well Dressings that take place annu
ally at the site of ancient wells, use intricate artwork
made entirely of local natural material.
At the beginning of August we were visited by our for
warding agents, Dr. Bill and Joni Baker with sons, Gavin

and Kyle. They were able to re-visit places and friends


they had known years ago when they were in Aberdeen,
Scotland.

Then there were the regular activities of the summer.


Holiday Bible School went well this year as we went
down on the farm to allow God to grow the fruit of the

Spirit in our lives (We are still singing some of the songs
from Holiday Bible School).
Camp was a little different for us this year in that
Rob and Sharron Deeming served as the directors instead

of Denny and me.(see last newsletter) They did a superb


Assembling for Walking Day with our new banner,
held by summer intern, Clint Baker. It was a very
warm day for the walk of witness through the commu
nity.

job. A record number from our congregation attended

camp - four campers and three staff and they are still
talking about the camp week in Sunday School each
Sunday.

From Grandma Denny


Dear Friends,
We had two major things to celebrate this summer Tina, our oldest daughter, finished her certificate from
Springdale College on July 8. She realized she needed to
return to the States to work. What a joy it has been to
have her with us for a while. I'm sure she won't forget
her time well spent in the U.K.
Tina arrived in Tennessee in time to be with her sis

ter Angel (James and Alex) for the birth of little

Stephanie Elaine Kaufman on August 8. Since we could


n't be there it was a great comfort to see the picture of
little Stephanie and big sister, Alex. Alex had told every
one all along she was having a sister. I can't wait to hold
them myself.

Financial Concerns
In looking back over previous newsletters, we have
seldom mentioned financial matters. There are two rea

sons for this. One is that we are doing our best to live on
the amount we receive from the churches. Despite a 4%
inflation rate and a volatile exchange rate, by God's

are seeing our emergency fund shrink. We need to ask

grace we have been able to do this.

your help.

The other reason is that we wanted to tell you of the


work and life here in Platt Bridge instead of taking up
room with financial matters. We know that as you share
with us in our labors here, as the need arises, you will

I know some of you have increased support over the


past few years and we do appreciate that. If you haven't
considered making some raise, would you at least make it
matter of prayer? If you are doing all you can, again we
are appreciative and we understand. Could you then men
tion our need to neighboring churches and keep an eye
out for potential additional supporters of the work here?
Above all else pray, not just for the financial support we
need, but most of all for the Spirit's work in our lives and

share with us in our needs here.

However, the financial picture has made it necessary


to write this article. We are experiencing a slowdown in
the support we need. Our reserve, which helps with min
istry and special projects, has all but gone and now we

Mission Services
P.O. Box 2427

Knoxville,TN 37901-2427

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Non-Profit Oi^
U.S. Pcstage
PAID

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ministry.

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Knoxville,TN
37901-2427
Permit Na 374

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