Thanksgiving is almost here and I have much to be thankful for. I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Niger and Benin. While there, I was able to visit with and encourage FBM Missionaries Tim & Janice Phillips, Kathy Miller, Ken & Sarah Beckley, Colin & Teena Ovenell, and Joe & Amy Marshall. I was also able to meet new friends – Steve & Julie Nunemaker, Steve & Kat Boutrus, Gary & Joy Freeman, and many more. I was blessed to stay in the newly renovated guesthouse and observed Bible Institute classes being taught in the newly renovated conference room. Thanks be to God for all He is doing in Niger & Benin.
Earlier in October, I am thankful that I was able to visit Colin & Teena Ovenell in Quincy, WA and Faye Obgartel in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. Both trips were such a blessing. I am thankful for the warm welcome I received from their pastors and churches.
I am praising God for the announcement of our merger with Evangelical Mission Ministries (EMM). Beginning January 1, 2020, the impact of FBM will expand into Mexico. Please continue to pray for this partnership.
December will be an exciting for our home office as we host two visitors, Paul Unruh and Rich Melvin. Paul serves as the Executive Director of EMM. Beginning in January, Paul will serve as our Mexico Field Director and will oversee all of our missionary efforts in Mexico. Rich is a retired FBM missionary who served for many years in West Africa. He is coming to the home office to discuss ways that he can continue to serve our missionaries remotely from his home in Illinois. Please pray for both of these visits.
On a more serious note, I want to remind you to pray for our missionaries’ “unspoken requests.” We have some missionary families that are currently travelling through intense and difficult family situations. Please remember to pray for them. Pray that sin will be defeated and Christ honored.
As I close this letter, I want to say “thank you.” Thank you for your partnership with FBM. Thank you for your faithful prayers. Thank you for your faithful support. FBM could not exist without the many individuals and churches who partner with us. Thank you for loving Christ and loving our missionaries.
May God richly bless you this Thanksgiving season!
Stephen Simpson
President
PS – As we approach the end of 2019, may I humbly ask that you consider a one-time gift to our home office? Your contribution will help us continue to love and serve our missionaries as we enter into 2020. Your contribution can be sent to FBM, P.O. Box 866, Eagle Lake, FL 33839. Please mark it “FBM Home Office.” Thank you so much for your generosity.