Due to a minor budgetary change and additional supporters, we are now at 77% of our support need.  We have 35 churches and 7 individuals committed to supporting our ministry.  It would only take a few more churches and individuals to reach our goal.  Our plan is to leave for Uruguay in late May or early June.  It is so exciting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Pleas pray that God would continue to bring in our support.

         We just added another supporting church.  This church had us in on Sunday night and voted to add us on Wednesday, bringing our percentage to approximately 71%.  What a blessing the service was to us.  More than 30 came forward to make decisions, and in spite of my long-winded sermon, we fellowshipped around our table for more than an hour afterward.  It is a thrill to see God’s people excited about His work.  I ask all of y0u to continue is steadfast prayers on our behalf that God might quickly get us to our field.

         I know I haven’t posted faithfully to our updates section lately.  Perhaps, I feel like there is so little to update, but that certainly isn’t the truth.  Sure, we are still on the deputation trail and meetings are getting more difficult to schedule, but God is good.  We have added supporters and seen our needs met in abundance.  We are still hovering just shy of 70% due to an increase in our health insurance costs.  Our plan is still to leave for Uruguay in the late Spring of 2010.  Please contact me at any time that you want up to the minute information.  In the mean time, our prayer letters are sent out regularly, even when our website looks untouched for a while.

          My posts here are increasingly rare these days.  It isn’t for lack of interest, so much as the busyness of life and deputation.  I have a new prayer letter coming out this week, so look for that update soon.  It would have been out sooner, but we had a death in the family that postponed a lot of other work.  My neice was killed in a car accident in Pensacola on May 26.  She was saved, and we are comforted somewhat by that fact.  Still, we will miss Malarie.  Her mother (Mary’s sister), Debi McLamb was diagnosed with a rare kidney disorder a few days later.  She had surgery yesterday and is recovering.  Although this is not particularly deputation related, I would appreciate your prayers for this family.  They are a good family and it has been a difficult time for all of them.   They need strength and comfort through these tough times.  We know that God is good, and trust that His plan is best.

          Okay, so maybe I am not that quick to listen, but as anyone who swings by here often can attest, I am very slow to post.  I apologize to everyone looking for up to the minute information on our deputation.  The last few months have had its share of ups and downs.  We have had a number of good missions conferences and meetings and have added some new support, bringing us to 66% of our need. 

          This past Sunday (Easter), we had the opportunity to visit with our ministry partners in Uruguay via Skype.  This free internet service allowed us to address the church in Las Piedras via video teleconference and to share our testimonies with them.  There was a palpable excitement among the nationals as they were able to hear why we desire so strongly to come to Uruguay.  We were greatly encouraged by this virtual meeting.  I had intended to record it and post it here, but couldn’t get it to record while we were setting up, so I am sorry it will not be posted.

          We have had some success lately scheduling new meetings and the Lord is continuing to bless our latest push to do so.  I had noticed that since October or so, it has been more difficult to schedule meetings.  Still, with a little added effort, we are finding churches who still want to hear what God is doing in Uruguay and why our family so desperately wants to go there.

Until next time,
Scott Clark

Just a quick post to let everyone know that our latest prayer letter is available under the “Prayer Letters” tab above.  All is well in the Clark household and we are grateful to everyone who has had a part in our ministry.

In Christ,
Scott Clark

          Merry Christmas to all.  This has been an exciting year in the Clark household.  We have seen so many blessing rain down on us from His hand that I hardly know where to start.  In any case, we have seen our support level nearly double in the last year, and in spite of a changing economy, added yet another new supporter last night, bringing us to 55% of our required amount.  Our prayer is to reach 80% by August, so that we might begin language school at that point.  This appears to be a reasonable goal, though it will take much prayer and hard work. 

          Barry has informed us that the two nationals that were severely burned in the auto accident in Uruguay are improving.  Pablo has been released from the hospital while Julia still has a long road ahead.  We praise God for the continued improvement in their condition.  Please continue to pray for them, the Secrests, and the work in Uruguay.  The need is great and the laborers are ever slower in getting to the field.  It seems certain that the return of the Lord is close, yet until He comes, we must make His Great Comission our great focus.  Please pray that God would provide the supporters we need as we head to the field.

          As for 2009, we look forward to many new meetings.  We pray that God would use us to serve in whatever capacity He desires.  Our prayer is for the millions dying without a knowledge of the Gospel.  May this be the year that many are called and sent to foreign lands, but also the year that many professing Christians here in the U.S. would beginning sharing the Gospel with those around them who are lost and dying.  We pray often for our supporters and friends, and ask that you pray for us, as well.  God bless. . . The Clarks

          I needed to post a quick update to the Secrest’s accident in Uruguay.  The picture here is of the van they were driving.  The fire was the result of gasoline pouring out of the vehicle and pooling along the doors you see in the picture.  To exit the rear of the vehicle, all of the occupants had to pass through the fire.  Barry’s statement to the police was confirmed by forensic investigators, and that is a blessing.  It removes some of the legal worries from the situation.  Two of the three nationals are on the road to recovery and will be fine, though they will have much pain to deal with during the healing process.  However, Julia, who was burned the most severely, remains in critical condition and needs our prayers desparately. 

           As for needs in this situation, Barry will need to replace his van and laptop computer which was burned in the fire.  He also has seen an increase in travel expenses as he make daily trips to the hospital with Julia’s family members, who are unable to afford to travel so much.  Other expenses are mounting up on them, as well, though Barry didn’t go into detail.  If you want to help, Baptist World Mission has set up a special account for them.  You can send any gifts to them with a note explaining that you want it to go to the “Secrest Van Fund”. 

          Now, all of this has made me think of the verse in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10  ”Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.“  How much help we could have been in this circumstance, but God has not seen fit to prepare the way, yet.  We trust God that one day soon, He will send us to the shores of Uruguay.  In the mean time, we will try to faithfully follow His plan.  Please pray that God would provide our support soon. 

          I just received word this morning that Barry Secrest and his family and three nationals from his church were in a vehicle accident last night.  Their brakes failed as their VW van was approaching a “T” intersection.  Barry attempted to make the turn, but the van rolled over and caught on fire.  His youngest son was burned on his ear and the three nationals were more seriously burned (one is in critical condition).  Please take this time to pray for these people.  Barry and Barbara received cuts and bruises, but were not burned.  Pray for healing for all involved.  Pray that they will be able to replace their vehicle.  Pray for them to receive encouragement during what must be a discouraging event.  If you want to send a quick email letting them know that you are praying please do so.  Their email is ibgracia@hotmail.com.  Thank you.

          So, it is time for another post on ye ol’ website.  Considering the events of this week, I would be remiss if I failed to make mention of the elections.  I spent nearly 4 hours in line to vote, and most of the candidates I voted for were elected with one major exception.  I do not know why God has chosen at this time to give us our new leader, but I do know that this outcome did not surprise Him.  Long ago, Uruguay abandoned it’s core values, and the resulting oppressive government and economic disruptions have been the impetus for revival.  It’s government is far more socialistic than the U.S. will likely be after these next four years are over and it’s people are far poorer today than they were 30 years ago.  The good side of all this pain, is that people began searching for REAL answers to life’s problems.  The spiritual state of today’s Uruguay is far different than in previous decades.  Oh sure, they are still in darkness, but, in general, they are more open to spiritual things.  The need for laborers is greater than it has ever been in that country.  In the 8 months since beginning his new work in Las Piedras, Barry Secrest (our future partners in ministry) has seen his small group of 40 grow to an average Sunday attendance of between 200-250.  Souls are saved weekly and baptisms occur with astonishing regularity.  He told me that he could start 3 more churches today, if only he had workers to help.  Instead of the social and politcal unrest bringing about the apocalypse, the “negative” events in Uruguay have brought about revival among God’s people.  May that be the case here in the U.S. as well.

          The church in America today is a much different place from the church of its forefathers.  While a desire to be holy and to live for God characterized churches of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, today’s churches are rife with materialism and an ungodly timidity of faith.  Yesterday’s cry was “to know Him”, but today’s cry has become “to be relavent and not to offend”.  Yesterday’s church sought for ways to serve, but in many cases, today’s churches are filled with those who seek for ways to be served.  Perhaps, God needs to get the attention of His people, so that His work may again become our focus.  The laborers are too few, yet the harvest remains greater than ever.  Can God financially support missionaries in the down times?  Yes, of course.  In fact, as Christians begin to realize which things are truly important, giving may increase, but those times are still in the future.  For now, fear of a declining economy is the rule both inside and outside the church.  It will not be until God’s people begin to trust Him to provide that any such increases will occur.  I suspect it will take a bit more pain for that to occur.  As for me, I do not fear any political leader or party, since the heart of the king is in the Hand of God.  May we all with one accord seek after God and trust Him in spite of all that may appear to be against us.  For “if God be for us, who can be against us?”

          To All, I apologize for the lack of posting in the last month and a half.  I have been busier than ever, and with the computer issues I have had, there was very little time for extras.  Well, the class I took is finally over, and I made an ‘A’.  I wrote a paper on the historical development of the doctrine of the atonement, which I found to be a fascinating study.  In the mean time, my computer woes were no help in accomplishing anything.  For those who didn’t know, my computer crashed again after only four days.  After HP made the same repair for a third time, I felt the need to write to the HP Vice President in charge of small computers.  He had his people contact me and they are replacing the laptop with a brand new model.  So, after 18 months, I am getting a new laptop from HP.  I am pleased with this outcome and hope that the new one will be more reliable than the old one.  Thankfully, I will be able to get back to a more normal routine this coming week, which should result in a new prayer letter among other things.

          This past week we were in Wisconsin for the Baptist World Mission Annual meeting.  It is always encouraging to fellowship with other missionaries who are going through the same things we are.  I also got to speak with several supporting pastors who are board members, as well.  Along the way there and back, I spoke in a couple supporting churches who helped us on our way.  It is always good to be back among friends.  I’ll end this post here.  I just wanted to let everyone know we are still doing just fine.

          My computer returned from factory repair on Monday.  I will say this for HP service; they are fast.  Unfortunately, speed is not everything.  When my computer returned, it’s hard drive had been replaced.  No doubt for a good cause; however, the data I lost was irreplaceable.  (Note to self: backing up to the hard drive is not a good idea).  I knew I should keep a backup online or on disc, but when my online storage provider got “buggy” a while back, I switched “temporarily” to the hard drive, intending to fix the problem later.  Then I forgot about it.  Most of my data can be reconstructed, but my contacts for the last 10 months are gone.  All that means is that several hundred churches will be getting called again. 

          In any case, the computer came back on Monday and today (Thursday) the same problem reoccurred.  It is now on its way BACK to California.  Good service doesn’t entirely make up for bad products, I suppose.  So, I am back down to the world’s oldest desktop computer.  At least I can still keep up with my class, but most of my recent software will not work on it.  If I sound negative, I apologize.  I assure you I am not discouraged over any of this.  The Lord is absolutely good.  When these things happen, they do so according to His plan for us, which is perfect.  I don’t know what purpose this could serve, but I know it serves God’s purpose well, so we praise Him for His goodness, even when, in our human weakness, we can’t understand it.

          I am once again struck with how connected our lives have become.  It’s only when such connectivity is broken that you begin to realize how much you rely on it.  Yesterday my HP Pavilion Laptop crashed.  This is the second time since I bought it that it has had to go back to the factory for a new main board.  It seems I am on a 10 month cycle of failure.  Now, for Hewlitt-Packard’s part, their service  response has been excellent.  In a world where customer service is a dead art, HP has nailed it (even if their techs are all in other countries).  Still, it bothers me A LOT that this same problem has reappeared for the second time.  I doubt I will go back to HP the next time I need a computer unless I they can convince me that these problems have been addressed. 

          In any case, my point is not to complain about the crash, so much as to inform you that I will be tough to get in touch with by email.  Further, I will likely be spending lots of time on the “honey do” list, since all of my contact information is tightly locked on that hard-drive.  If only there were a way to make backup copies of all my work on a regular basis. . . (okay, I know there is, but my most recent backup is around 10 months old.   I guess that lesson wasn’t learned well enough last time).  For now, I am relegated to the world’s oldest living computer to do all my work.  Thankfully we have it, though, or I’d be completely cut off from the world, and that just wouldn’t do at all.

          Matt Drudge is reporting on his website today that the U.S. dollar has reached a six month high against the Euro.  As I read the accompanying news article, I could not help but find hope in this important economic indicator.  I do not intend to enter into the political fray here at all, but as the dollar has rebounded, several other key economic indicators have responded predictably, namely gold and oil prices have fallen.  Following oil prices, albeit at a slower pace, are the falling gas prices.  Food prices, as well, should also begin to plateau and ultimately fall in response to the lower cost of fuel and subsequently transportation.  This is EXCITING news for missions. . . well, it is.  Let me explain.

          Part of the financial crunch that missionaries have faced over the last few years has been primarily a result of the free-fall of the U.S. dollar.  As the dollar fell, missionaries working with foreign currencies found that their monthly support, received in dollars, did not buy as many foreign currency units as it once did.  In effect, as the dollar fell, almost all foreign missionaries experienced a “pay cut” because they were receiving fewer Euros, for example.  Additionally, one of the prime factors in the explosive rise in oil prices has been the weakened dollar.  So, as the dollar strengthens, oil prices naturally fall (presuming supply and demand remain constant, of course).  The result is that current missionaries, almost all of whom have been raising additional support as of late, need less additional support than they did six months ago.  As the dollar continues to strengthen the additional needs of missionaries currently serving on the field should shrink proportionately.  This will have the effect of relieving some of the stress churches have felt in their missions programs lately.

          Furthermore, as the US economy experiences lower gas and food prices, this should, at least in theory, allow for an increase in missions giving.  Since the church members have had to “tighten their belts” already, increases in expedable income, whether from increased wages or from lowered expenses, can be used in part to increase missions giving.  This is indeed good news for the cause of missions.  Particularly for new missionaries on deputation who have often been overlooked as churches have had to choose between raising the support of current missionaries or taking on new ones.  We continue to watch the various financial markets for signs of hope, and are encouraged by this recent news; however, the only real hope for any of us in in the Lord.  We know that God controls all of these events and knew before the world began how he would provide for each missionary He has called.  We pray regularly that He would speed us to our destination and ask for your prayers, as well.

          I have received another email from Barry Secrest, our ministry partner serving so faithfully on foreign soil.  Barry has seen the tremendous blessing of the Lord on his latest endeavor to the city of Las Piedras.  As you may recall, Barry turned over the work in Atlantida to Pastor Miguel, the national he trained to pastor that work.  Since then he has been working with a couple of congregations in Las Piedras that were without a pastor.  Because the groundwork had been laid in Las Piedras, the work has exploded.  It is clear the Lord was preparing these people for Brother Secrest’s arrival long before he got there.  Below is an except of that recent email:

     “Several more have been saved as the discipleship and evangelism efforts in Las Piedras continue.  We have thoroughly enjoyed the blessing of watching more people involve themselves in soul-winning.  On Sunday morning 111 came.  Sunday night 106 were in the services and on Wednesday 111 again.  This is up from an overall average of 31 in April, 58 in May, 83 in June and 99 in July.  Juan Benitez is one of the dear brothers that comes.  He has been tracking individuals at church and mentioned to me that between 260 and 270 different people have been in the services in August, including Saturday clubs and special meetings.  
     One of our deep concerns from the beginning of these months has been order and organization.  Over 100 children make up these 260/270 people.  We need you to pray for us as God shows us practical paths to complete order.  On Wednesday night things were so much better in this regard.  We explained to the adults that order is a responsibility that all of us have.  God has been good to teach everyone to work together toward this goal. . . .

          Friends, as I read what Barry has written, my heart longs to travel to Uruguay and to labor together with his family.  God has blessed this work immensely and the need for more laborers here is evident.  I hope that sharing this letter with you burdens your heart for this work.  Please pray for the work in Las Piedras and for the Secrests.  Also, pray intently that the Lord would provide the remainder of our support, so that we might begin our work in Uruguay soon.

          One of the things that I wanted to do after I separated from the U.S. Air Force, was to sharpen my theological understanding by pursuing another degree.  As I began deputation, I applied for a program at Piedmont Baptist College in Winston-Salem, NC.  While I had initially applied for another Masters degree, they approved me for entry into the Ph.D. program based on my current degrees.  At first, I was very eager to begin and even registered for the first class, but then. . . deputation began.  I realized almost immediately that I had more responsibilities than time; so I dropped the class.  In the last year, we pursued a vigorous deputation schedule, and I survived my ordination council.  We have gotten the homeschooling of our children successfully integrated into our routine, as well.  Add to all this that I have 10 years to use my GiBill benefits (and I have already used 2), and it makes good sense to ease into the program at this time.  Especially since it is becoming clear that deputation will easily take another year to complete, possibly more.  My first class is really a Master’s level class that Piedmont felt was lacking in my own Master’s degree.  It is Systematic Theology III and covers Soteriology and Chirstology.  I begin in September and I am looking forward to it.  I will also add another 1 week module in late November which will make me a “full-time” Ph.D. student by GiBill standards and will merit me the full monthly benefit.  I will certainly need to organize my time well, but it will not impact our travel schedule. 

          So, what will pursuing this degree do for me in the long run?  My desire, of course, is to add to my knowledge base for use in the ministry to which I have been called.  As I instruct nationals and train them for the pastorate, I will be able to further aid their studies.  Also, the tools I gain from this program will help me to gain a deeper understanding of the Scriptures as I seek to disciple those people whom God brings to our work.  I chose Piedmont for purely pragmatic reasons.  It is the one fundamentalist school I could find that has an established distance learning program, accepts the GiBill, and is relatively close to Charleston.  I am happy to answer any questions that anyone may have about this recent addition to my schedule through the comments function of this post or by email or whatever. . . In the mean time, just pray for us.  We would all really rather be in Uruguay right now, and the realization that deputation will take AT LEAST another year is not what we had hoped for.  It could be that God designed this extra deputation time for the purpose of teaching me something vital through the classes I will be taking.

          Well, things have been pretty slow lately.  The summer is typically a slow time for meetings and such, since many people take vacations this time of year and many pastors are reluctant to schedule a missionary when many of their congregants will be absent.  Still, I would have liked to have been in more places in July.

          This week we learned of another individual who has personally taken us on for 1% of our needed funds.  We are grateful to the few people who are supporting us directly.  We are still expectantly waiting to hear from a number of churches to make their decisions regarding us, too.  This is an area where we have noticed a general slow-down, likely due to economic factors.  As I hear from others on deputation, it would seem that this is a bit of a trend lately.  There are so many factors that go into to this one I am reluctant to post my observations, but suffice it to say, missions support is ALWAYS done through individuals, even when the church sends the check.  If individuals don’t give to missions, whether through their local church or directly to the missionary, the process of sending missionaries to the field grinds to a halt.  As the economy shows signs of stress, we are grateful to those of you who have made missions an important part of your family’s budget.

          Homeschooling has begun for us for the year.  We are still trying to pay for it, but we have received our materials and our children are happily (or not so) working right now.  The BJ press DVD program is a good program and really draws the children into the learning process, but it requires more from the parents than the program we used last year.  Please pray for us as we continue educating our children and pursuing the deputation process to which God has called us.

          Well, I have just begun the process of ordering our homeschooling materials for the coming year.  This is the biggest “lump sum” expense we have every year, so I don’t look forward to the purchase.  In the past, we have used the A Beka DVD program which is very good and allows us to stretch the cost over six months, but this year we have decided on a change.  The competing program is also DVD based and comes highly recommended by several pastors and laymen we have met on deputation, but it is a little more expensive and they require full payment up front.  All tolled, we expect to pay between $3500 and $4000 on “school” this year.  That will include Spanish classes for all three children which is an extra charge for the boys.  As of right now, I do not have the full amount.  I am looking forward to seeing God’s hand at work here just as He has provided in the past.  I would ask that you pray together with us for His provision in this matter, as well as for continued increases to our support.

          We are prayerfully entering one of our favorite times of the year, the quarterly business meeting season.  Now, most of you would not consider a business meeting at your church to be a particularly enjoyable time, but we are always eager to see which churches God has led to support us.  Since most churches make these decisions during their regularly scheduled business meetings, we tend to see a number of new supporters shortly after the end of the business quarter.  For the next several weeks various churches where we’ve presented our work will be deciding whether or not to add us to their missions programs.  Please join us in prayer together with each of these congregations as they make these decisions.

          I received an email from Barry Secrest, our ministry partner in Uruguay.  He and his family were taking a few days vacation on the coast near his first church plant in Atlantida.  As some of you will recall, it was only last September that Barry reliquished the leadership of this church into the hands of a national whom he had spent years training.  This national, Pastor Miguel, has been doing a tremendous job shepherding this flock since then.  Barry and his family attended church there on Wednesday night, and were thrilled to find every seat filled and many, including his family, standing along the walls to hear God’s Word.  What a thrill is was to hear how this work has continued to prosper under the leading of the Holy Spirit and in the hands of Pastor Miguel.  Barry did not share numbers for that night, but he did share that the previous Sunday Morning there were 145 in attendance.  Praise God for working so mightily in this place.  With every report, we grow more and more eager to reach our goal and begin our labors in this needy country.

          This is just a quick post to let you know that our new prayer letter has been posted to our site.  Just click on the tab marked “Prayer Letters” at the top of the page.  The July letter is displayed while links to all our letters in Word 2003 format are at the bottom of the page.  If you are on our email or snail mail list, your letter will go out by the weekend.  As you will read, God has blessed us and we are so thankful for his watch-care and provision.

          I want to apologize for the lack of posts made here since May.  June was a very busy month, and I just didn’t make myself sit down and type.  Nonetheless, I needed to quickly pass along how good God has been.  Every time I we get to the place where I can’t see how we can make it financially, God provides in unforeseen ways.  I cannot list all of the weird expenses we have had lately, but I can say that in every case, God provided for them, usually through an individual who became burdened for us and our ministry.  It is always amazing to see how God works through us as we are sensitive to His leading, and we are grateful when others do so, as well.  Thanks to all who have taken part in our ministry.  We love each and every one of you and are so thankful to God for you. 

          Whew, what a busy few weeks it has been for us!  We finished our mission board’s required soul-winning seminar.  It was a blessing.  The seminar was sponsored by “Jesus is the Answer” ministries, a ministry of Highlands Baptist Church in Centenial, Colorado.  The pastor, Jeff Musgrave, taught the course, which is designed to provide a local church with a comprehensive soul-winning and discipleship program.  Unlike some soul-winning programs I have seen, this one really has an eye toward discipleship.  The program begins with a 4-week bible study for “inquirers” who want to know more, but are not ready to make a decision at the front door.  From there, once they have accepted Christ, they move into the 12-week discipleship program, which focuses on learning to walk in the Spirit.  Following this program, the plan is to move them into the “Come and See” soul-winning program and help them learn to share their faith.  It was exciting for us to see souls saved during this week and to see our own hearts gain a deeper burden for souls.  We were given all the tools needed to teach this course in other churches and to our own churches on the field.  If your church is interested in providing this program to you members, please contact me.

          Following the program we drove to Indianapolis for our next several meetings.  On the way there, we became aware of the flooding and storms they had experienced.  We saw lots of water, but were able to avoid it fairly well.  In spite of the heavy rains on several nights, we were unharmed.  The meetings over that week were great and we were able to relax in a home next to a private lake.  We spent an afternoon fishing and the children were thrilled to each catch a few. 

          Finally we came to the worst part of the trip, the return home.  Normally this is exciting for us, but as we headed south in the rental car, I knew that we would be facing some very heavy expenses along the way.  When we arrived in Hendersonville, NC to pick up our newly repaired Suburban, I cringed as I paid the $1100 repair bill.  The exhaust valve had stuck open and the piston struck and bent it.  Several other pieces and parts needed replacement or repair, as well.  Most of the job was labor costs, as usual.  From there we went to return the rental car, and strangely, the bill was also $1100.  I rarely share the actual expenses we face while we travel, but this was far above the normal costs of deputation.  Additionally, we still had to buy gas and food as we travelled, so we spent quite a bit for this two week trip.  Nevertheless, God is good and we know He will continue to provide for us as we do His will. 

          I do want to add a special THANK YOU to those who provided to us during this trip.  We have some particularly thoughtful churches behind our efforts and were overwhelmed this month by their outpouring of love to us.

           Well, we are in Wisconsin and our trip was enlightening.  The new spark plugs did not improve our gas mileage at all, but we did discover a fool-proof way to increase our gas mileage.  As we were approaching Hendersonville, North Carolina, we noticed the Suburban was not accelerating very well at all.  After pulling off for gas, I knew something was wrong.  The engine was running rough and our gas mileage was very low.  It sounded to me as if one of the cylinders was misfiring.  We limped the car in to the nearest mechanic and he confirmed that we had no compression on the number six cylinder.  After a little investigation, he determined the cause was a bad exhaust valve.  Replacing it would require a lot of work and he could not do it that day. 

          After a lot of soul-searching, I determined that we really could not miss our appointment in the northern mid-west, so I rented a Kia Sedona minivan.  We crammed all of our stuff into it and left our beloved Suburban behind.  We saw an instantaneous increase in our gas mileage.  I am sure if I sat down and figured it up that I woud find that the rental expense more than offset any increase in fuel economy, but we  made it to our first appointment safe and sound.  We praise the Lord for His providence in this event.  We broke down near a trustworthy mechanic and early enough in the day to make other arrangements.  We know that God has already determined how to provide for these added expenses, as well, and we are thankful for His loving care.

           The days in which we live are not ones that make driving a large SUV an easy task, financially speaking.  As gas prices press steadily toward the $4.00 mark and beyond, thoughts of filling our Suburban are not pleasant ones.  We will be travelling from South Carolina to Wisconsin in the upcoming weeks and, while I am excited about the churches we will be visiting on our travels, I am not particularly thrilled about the high gas prices we will be seeing.  As such I have been researching ways of improving our gas mileage.  Even 1 or 2 more miles per gallon (MPG) will significantly reduce our fuel costs for this trip.  I began by changing out our spark plugs for some e3 brand high performance plugs.  These are designed to produce a larger spark resulting in better fuel burn.  They have been shown to increase fuel economy by up to 6%.  I made sure our tires were properly inflated (even a little over-inflated).  I bought a new K&N air filter, though I have not installed it yet.  The company will not make fuel economy claims, but a number of individuals have experienced 3-5% gains in MPG after installed one of these filters.  Other methods I haven’t tried are using a very small amount of acetone mixed with the fuel (it’s supposed to help the fuel atomize better), and using a fuel pre-heater (not sure how that one works exactly).  On the outer edges of believability is a device made from a mason jar and some stainless steel scrap.  Filling the jar with water and passing an electric current through the steel causes the water molecules to break down releasing the Hydrogen and Oxygen gases.  This is then supposed to be fed in through the engine’s air intake resulting in a more complete fuel burn in the cylinders.  Unfortunately, even if this is true, the car’s oxygen sensors would read the additional O2 and send more gas to the engine, not less.  The work around is to manipulate the O2 sensor’s output, which is not a good idea for the average car owner. 

          Through all of these methods, it is important to remember that Gas prices are not outside of God’s control.  In fact, He knew all along that they would be where they are now.  He is still in the business of providing for His people, and He has been.  Certainly, there is the matter of stewardship and the need to be frugal with His resources, but after we have done all that we can to cut costs, we continue to rest in the calm assurance of His unfailing provision for us.  We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to the northern Mid-west.  We have good meetings scheduled, and we will be attending Baptist World Mission’s “soul-winning seminar” during this trip, as well.  Pray for us as we travel and for those to whom we have been ministering.