Dear Friends & Family, August 7, 2011
It has been about three weeks since leaving Florida and we are thankful to finally be in Bowie, Texas. We were given a warm welcome, with temperatures exceeding 111 degrees! Our first impression was dust covered trees, brown grass, and grasshoppers swarming from the dry hard ground. It’s hard to imagine that they have received up to 13 inches of snow in recent winters. We ask that you pray for rain, as the people in this region of Texas have experienced a drought this summer. There have been about 18 people who have died due to the excessive heat. Because of the drought and heat, many horse ranches are being forced to sell and move away.
We have been settling into our new home on the ranch where BBTI is located. There are some older houses that the missionary families stay in. Our house has a large living room, spacious kitchen/dining room, 3 bedrooms and several closets. Jamie is excited about her walkthrough closet. We have found some great clothing deals at some thrift shops, especially for Luke (we had accidentally left a tub behind with many of his clothes).
Our new church family, that sponsors BBTI, is Eastside Baptist Church in Bowie. Though small in number, the people are warm and friendly. They had a basket full of food, toys, other practical items for the house, and a nice note awaiting us when we arrived. It is a blessing to be in the family of God, knowing wherever you go, there are brothers and sisters in Christ to fellowship with. We look forward to being a help where needed.
Thank you for praying for the Youth Revival Luke preached at in Hixson, Tennessee. He was privileged to preach to teenagers five times. One boy trusted Christ to save him, and several others came forward to surrender their lives to the Lord for His service. The bus ride from Memphis to Chattanooga also came with opportunities to witness. Luke was able to translate for a lady and her daughter traveling from Mexico. They needed help but didn’t know much English. The ticket master was so appreciative and made the comment, “You are a real Christian.” Another highlight was the opportunity at the Nashville bus station to present the gospel to two college students visiting from Poland. They were very interested and gratefully received gospel tracts. Also, there were three other college students from England that took gospel literature. It is a reminder that everywhere we go, opportunities await, and with it our responsibility to witness.
God has blessed through the generosity of people and churches and has provided all our needs. Jamie is learning the ins and outs of couponing here and has made a list of deals we can get for ourselves and other missionary families here. We are glad to be able to help them save as well. Of course, she hopes to start teaching classes again as the need arises.
Our children our having fun on the playgrounds here on campus. Also, there are over 2 miles of trails to roam on. Paul and Jason are making themselves at home: a couple days ago, they wandered into one of the staff houses (while the family was gone) and came out with a peppermint candy in their hand! They enjoyed their new Sunday School class and Junior Church. Abigail is walking everywhere and loves trying to keep up with her brothers.
Dr. Rex Cobb, the director of BBTI, returns today with his wife from a trip to India. They were there to help establish a translation department at South India Baptist College. I’m looking forward to learning more about the progress of this venture. We are looking forward to starting classes August 21st. Pray for us as we want to help create awareness of the needs for reaching so many people groups that are still untouched with the Gospel and have no Bible in their language. I believe many more young people would surrender to go to the unevangelized nations, if they knew the needs and had an opportunity to go and see the need. Thank you for praying for us. We love and miss you! You may send all correspondence to the following address:
Luke Knickerbocker Family
P.O. Box 1450
Bowie, Tx 76230
For God’s Glory,
Luke & Jamie Knickerbocker
Paul, Jason, and Abigail
“All nations that thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; they shall glorify thy name.” – Psalm 86:9
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