Garden & Thanksgiving

Putting in a fall garden is a new experience for me. Had freeze temps one night already, but it didn't hurt the collards, spinach, radishes, beets and bit of lettuce. Enjoyed our first bunch of collard greens for dinner and pulled half the radishes for salad. Radishes go a long way, I discovered, so strongly flavored! Our area got a good rain beginning of October but now back to watering the garden most of the time. Have been following the twice a week watering-yards and car-wash rationing schedule of our town.

Thanksgiving is family and reflection time. Still have the impressive list I made of things I was thankful for last Thanksgiving. Don't think it has changed much over the past year, just gotten better. Spiritual blessings just keep piling up: my eternal salvation in Christ, so undeserved yet mine; good Bible study alone and with others; experience of rich, growing biblical community. Material blessings? nem se fala, as we say in Portuguese! (very obvious!) Nice, comfortable home, car to drive, computer, mobile phones, HD TV (yes, even that!), sufficent income. And a great wife and family. Some near, some farther away, but all close enough to see periodically.

And, so there you have it for now. Grandkids and garden experiment. Gratefulness for all God's blessings. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1.17-18

Is There a Better Way?

Our road trip from Texas to Pennsylvania and back went very well, July 15 to August 13. We drove 3,900 miles, slept in ten different beds, and shared eight times in various settings: with Crossworld colleagues in MO; with three Sunday school class groups and a mid-week church prayer meeting in PA; with folks in a retirement village chapel service and in a country church Sunday worship service in VA; and with a home Bible study group in KY. All this in addition to the informal chats with many friends and family members too. Our purpose for this trip was to relate what we've seen God do, and is still doing, in the lives of folks in our sphere of influence.

During our excellent Crossworld Family Conference in Kansas City, we were challenged to adopt the newly-cast vision of Crossworld. It's stated clearly by Crossworld's president, Dale Losch: I dream of disciple-makers from all professions bringing God's love to life in the world's least-reached marketplaces. There is a better way to do missions these days, at least a different way, one that specifically engages committed disciple-makers from many secular professions, along with traditionally trained workers, to do effective, innovative, cross-cultural ministry around the world.

I wish sometimes that I could begin my missions 'career' again, doing discipleship better, and doing it more intentionally. That's what it's all about. May God use Crossworld's refocused vision to mobilize more to reach many of the unreached.

A Cup of Cold Water

Many years ago we did our missionary internship in a small town called Altamira in the rain forest of Brazil. One day an elderly street vendor came by our door, pushing an old wheelbarrow and barking his limited wares of garden produce. After Vivian made her purchase, the vendor asked for a cup of water. She gladly went to get it for him. When Vivian handed him the water, the vendor reached down and carefully poured the precious water onto the squeaky wheel of his wheelbarrow! She couldn’t believe her eyes! How could this insensitive man waste a whole cup of refreshing, cold water to lubricate his wheel? Didn’t he realize the costly effort that cup of water represented? It had been boiled on the stove, filtered through a porous stone in a clay water pot, and finally cooled in the refrigerator, now only to be poured out on a dirty, old wheelbarrow!

When we arrived in Altamira, we unconsciously assumed that our Biblical knowledge, ministry skills and dedication would be greatly appreciated by the needy people there. Surely they would be anxious to drink in our sincere teaching and preaching, even if our Portuguese needed minor corrections from time to time. Although some did come to appreciate us for these assets, we soon discovered there was another level where many folks needed encouragement and help. It was the reality level of the squeaky wheels, the immediate needs faced by our new friends carving out a living in town and along a road in the middle of the rain forest.

“Thank you, Sr. Carlos, for your Bible study this evening! Could you please give me a ride back to town tonight with my three sacks of pumpkins to sell at market tomorrow?” “We are from Km. 62 and the kids are sick with malaria. May I tie up my hammock in your living room to sleep at night after spending the days with them at the hospital?” “I work long hours at the bank, and even though I don’t attend your church, I sure would like to study inglês with you if you could teach me one evening a week”.

Two cups of cool, clear water offered in Jesus’ name. One to quench spiritual thirst; the other to toss on a squeaky wheel. Both equally important in graciously carrying out our internship assignment in Altamira for the glory of God.

“Thank you, street-vendor friend. You didn’t know it, but God used you to teach us an important lesson that day!”

Excavation team

It looked like the top of an old water meter box, left buried in our back yard when the subdivision lots were marked off. One corner visible but low enough not to be struck by the mower blade. Then one day I began to pry at the rocks around the object, only to discover it was definitely not a meter box. Our son from Arkansas came for a visit about that time and did some serious digging. Unfortunately, he didn't have enough time during his short visit to unearth the item completely and make a positive identification.



Yesterday the mystery was solved when our three young grandsons came from Austin for a visit. In no time flat, they had shovel and hoe in hand and much determination to assit them in the excavation project. The identity of the object became clearer as each stone was removed and the packed, dry dirt finally gave up its treasurer. Ah! It's an old car or truck door, complete with the winding mechanism for elevating the glass that's no longer there, and some old rubber gaskets. How did the door come to be buried there? No one knows just yet. Neither have we discovered from what model and year vehicle this door came from. Looks like a 50's something model to me. But there is some aluminum around the corroded fixtures, so how long ago was such material used in manufacturing?



So many questions and so few answers, but an interesting excavation project in Grandpa's back yard to fill some hours between cartoons, eating, sleeping and a visit to the indoor pool.

The Piano Move

What was that? I asked my brother-in-law, as we heard a thump from behind the truck cab. With others to help, we'd just pushed four heavy pianos up a ramp and inside a 16 ft. rental truck, tied them down, and set out to deliver them. The pianos were salvaged from a fire that destroyed the sanctuary of First Baptist in Temple over a year ago, given to four fortunate families who'd arranged to pick them up.

We discovered that indeed one of the straps securing our cargo had loosened, but so far, no damage. But then, coming away from the first delivery some ten miles away, I had to brake suddenly to avoid a collision. That's when we felt a second, heavier thump! But we continued driving along to keep up with the fellow who was leading us to the second piano delivery. Sure enough, the three remaining pianos had loosened again. Fortunately, the only damage back there was a broken piano bench! Soon the third piano, a nice Baldwin, was sitting in our living room, and the following day, the fourth and last piano, was rolled into our oldest son's living room down in Austin!

Next time you come by to visit, my good wife could play some hymns on our new piano, and you could join me in singing the songs of Zion!

More Family Nearer

It was surprising news that our son living in RI for over four years was interviewing for a new job in Austin, TX, only an hour's drive from where we live! That was back in December and now Matt and family are settling into their new location, enjoying friendly neighbors and school, and checking out churches.



Was good to have five of our seven grandkids and parents visit us during the holidays, making a full house but happy family gathering. Our large back yard was useful for kicking around a soccer ball. Bapoo (Grandpa) even got some help picking up more stones!



Ever notice, when one asks the Lord to provide one's offspring with a new job, He may choose to answer beyond one's expectation?

New Grandson!

We had a nice visit with family in Arkansas! Grandson Finnian Jude Stoner arrived December 3, born to Mark and Joy Stoner who live in Siloam Springs. Finn weighed 7 lb, 13 oz and measured 19.5 inches. His two year old sister, Mia, is proud to have him join the family and helps their mommie care for him. Vivian and I were visiting our daughter Marcy and family in Conway, AR when the news came, so the next day we all drove up together to meet Finn. After that Vivian and I spent two more days in Siloam before returning to our home in Texas.







As the Christmas season approaches, the birth of our seventh grandchild reminds me of the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is described by Paul as the indescribable gift. For your worshipful consideration, I offer a poem about His coming that I wrote many years ago. May your spiritual journey be enriched as you ponder the rational of God's wondrous Gift of the incarnate Savior.

What Would You Have Done?

What would you have done
If you were God, the Father
Looking on a world of sin,
To satisfy eternal justice
And reconcile sinful man
To yourself again?

Would you have sent an angel
To pay the death-price for sin?
Angels are made to serve but cannot bring
Salvation to a different part
Of God’s creation doomed by sin.
The reason? They are angels
And neither God nor man.

Would you have found a man?
All men great and small have failed
To resolve their guilt and shame,
By effort, sacrifice or firm resolve.
The reason? All are finite men,
And sin’s debt infinite remains.

Would you have engaged as God?
Here He finds Himself at loss
(I speak reverently)
To reconcile sinful man,
Destined to die in desperate state.
The reason? God is holy, eternal, immortal,
So cannot die to pay sin’s price.

So what could be done
To solve this sad dilemma?
God’s solution was His Son,
The doctrine of the incarnation.

By lowly birth and sinless life,
Jesus came and died for sin
And then in power lived again.
Fully God and truly Man,
Sufficient, eternal sacrifice for sin.
The reason? Christ is the God-Man,
Who alone could bring sinful, finite man
To the holy, loving Father again.
(C. G Stoner, December, 1971; Revised, November 2010)

Weather, Work & Writing

Three things have engaged me in recent weeks: the changing weather, work opportunities, and attention to writing. The change to fall weather, even in mild-climated Central Texas, is quite different for us after living in a tropical climate at sea level for so many years. There it was hot and humid year-round and sunrise and sunset varied only half an hour each day throughout the year. Not so in Texas. Daylight hours are shortening as night hours increase, and we've already needed to turn on the heat. Quite significant changes for us but pleasant!

CrossWorld invited us to be mentors in a Next Steps event in Ft. Worth two weeks ago, certainly a new ministry engagement for us. Was good to participate, serving as sounding boards and to offer a bit of advice to a mature couple wanting to increase mission awareness in their church. Most of the 13 participants were in their 20's or 30's and at various levels of dedication and preparation for cross-cultural service. We could observe first hand this innovative approach our agency is using in its mobilization/recruitment efforts to reach the nations.

Then came another opportunity: to fill in for our pastor and teach the 6:30 AM Men's Bible Study this week. The New You was the topic, based on 2 Cor. 5:17, and I was pleasantly surprised at the positive response of the 60 men. Of course, by using Gary's detailed sermon notes from when he preached this message ten years ago, half my preparation was already done! And the Lord did the rest, enabling me to illustrate and present the lesson in an understandable manner, according to comments received. So, I am grateful to God for these recent new work experiences, giving Him the credit for anything someone may have found helpful.

And the writing? When I first joined Writing Class at Sammons Center in October, I thought it was going to be very theoretical and too much about modern poetry which I didn't understand or find particularly meaningful. My opinion has changed and now I am motivated to read more widely and to revise and create more of my own stories. In fact, after locating a file of my own poems (that rhyme!) from years ago, I now desire to compile them for my family. (Surely there's someone out there who'd like to read them?!) However, my wife and I are still pondering what to do with a couple of more personal, early poetic expressions of our relationship!

So, with this report on our changing weather, new work experiences, and renewed interest in writing, I rest my case, wishing for you a wonderful, safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving season!

Same State, Same Country

We miss our oldest son and family, including our three grandsons, all living in Rhode Island. It's good, though, to have two of our three children and their families now residing in the same state, namely Arkansas. Last weekend we went to see them, first to Siloam Springs and then to Conway. Was a nice drive, just three days after successful cataract surgery on my left eye. Things seem brighter and clearer now and will get even better after lenses correction for reading.




Now our three granddaughters live in Arkansas. Mia thoroughly enjoyed celebrating her second birthday which she simply referred to as her 'happy' when her friends and family gathered to eat delicious cupcakes at her 'pawdy' which had a doggy theme. Don't know when her parents will get her a real puppy, perhaps later? Mia's more immediate focus is to help her mommy and daddy get ready for little brother's arrival in a couple months.




In Conway we enjoyed our other two granddaughters. They and their parents just moved there from Florida and are settling into a nice home. There's a swing set in the back yard and birds, squirrels and two turtles to watch. Ruthie was excited to begin PreK and her little sister is learning to pull up on things. Their dad is serving as new worship pastor at Second Baptist while Mommy is a busy home maker.




One of the blessings of our returning to the U. S. this year and being 'semi-retired' is to be nearer our children and their families. Rhode Island and even Arkansas are still quite far from Central Texas, but at least we are in the same country now!

House, Rocks & Visits

It's one thing to move into a new house and quite another to get settled in properly. Take the rocks/stones in our back yard...we now have two piles in the corners, result of our picking them up and wheel-barrowing them laborously so we could finally mow the sizeable lot (46' x 192' x 190' x 100', minus the house area). Bunny rabbits appear from time to time!




Then there are the little green caterpillars coming under the doors and crawling everywhere. Latest control attempt is duct tape plus a mixture of garlic, vinegar & liquid soap. Another task is keeping the lawn watered and still be able to pay the high water bill. Oh well, guess that's all just part of becoming experienced home owners in Texas in the summer!




Was great to have Mark, Joy and Mia here for the weekend. Marcy, Ruthie and Ruby came on Saturday for a week. The cousins played together nicely Saturday and Sunday and we had lots of good chats. We look forward to a future visit from Matt, Missy, Luke, Jonah & Cody, too, but photos and phone/Skype chats will have to do for now. So, that's how things stand for now at the Stoner house in Freedom Village!

At Home Finally

I never knew that unassembled furniture could require so many screws and nuts to tie it all together! But I got quite good at following the wordless diagrams that IKEA included in all 26 boxes that were delivered. Then, with the volunteer help of my good wife and three kind in-laws, things came together nicely and quite literally!





Yes, we've been enjoying our new home for ten days now, time enough to begin refuse collection service, get a phone line installed and to receive our first electric bill. Our most urgent physical challenge, in addition to unpacking various boxes, is our 'rock collection' project in our hugh back yard. Those stones really must be picked up before we can mow the increasingly tall bermuda grass. But we are working at it steadily after weed whacking some trails through the highest parts.



Have settled into some routine: swimming at city indoor pool two or three times a week at 8 AM, attending Bible studies, small group activities, Sunday AM church along with about 2,499 other TBC parishoners coming and going to the two services, making hospital visits, mowing Mom's yard, accompanying her for lab work and planning our monthly budget.



Oh yes, word from Brazil is mixed. Some friends with serious health issues, others moving to new ministries. 40 friends there are now receiving my vertical chart studies in Portuguese in the book of John, so that is becoming an interesting way to stay in touch.

Celebrations

Last year our wedding anniversary celebration was on an island in South America (São Luís). For our 40th last week we enjoyed two days at a bed & breakfast just down the road in Salado, TX, near the historic Stage Coach Inn. Good food, quaint shops, nice picnic by the creek and plentiful chigger bites!





Our second recent celebration was an outdoor baptismal service Sunday afternoon in the Leon River near town. 54 folks from Temple Bible Church and Grace Bible were baptized in just over an hour! So spiritually refreshing to hear a short testimony from each child, youth and adult just before decisively expressing their inward faith in Christ through the rite of believers baptism! Two pastors were joined by several husbands and fathers who baptized the members of their own families. Impressive indeed!




Life certainly has its moments for celebration, whether for 40 years of joyful, marital bliss or sharing a special occasion of spiritual commitment of others in the growing Body of Christ! Next month there should be another celebration, that of moving into our new home/house! Meanwhile, celebrate your special moments and try to list two or three things for which you are especially grateful today!

Newspaper Report - May 22, '10

After church one Sunday a reporter asked to interview us and this is the result. Interesting to see ourselves through someone else's 'filters.'

4 Mil Milhas

"Four thousand miles" is the title above in case you missed it! My, what a trip from Texas to Rhode Island and back, via AR, TN, VA & PA, all in 27 days. Was great to visit family, friends and church folks who've prayed for us for years.

This stone farm house built over 200 years ago is where we stayed for two weeks during the trip.



Returning to Texas last weekend we encountered a 2-hour delay on I-40 in TN due to flooding. Were grateful to arrive safely but sad for those who suffered life and property loss.



Now we are awaiting our new house to be completed so we can move into it in June, God willing! Are planning to close on the mortgage soon and are forming our shopping list for furniture, etc. Our church here wants to treat us to a kind of 'house warming' so that will a great help! Many uncertainties and challenges as we transition into part-time retirement. But God is faithful and we are safe in His care.

Transitions

Guess you've been wondering what the Stoners are up to! We are in transition. Left Brazil March 4 and are now settling in a nice town in Central Texas by the name of Temple. One of our primary supporting churches is here, Temple Bible, and we are renewing contact with these dear folks, other friends and supporters and especially with our wonderful family in the area. Vivian's mom is providing us a comfortable place to stay while we negotiate a contract on a house and finish up Medicare enrollment procedures.

During April we'll be traveling east all month in a nice car the Lord provided for us with stops in TN and VA before staying two weeks near Calvary Church in Lancaster, PA. That visit will include participation in Calvary's week-long Global Focus (Missions) Conference and visiting friends and family. Then to RI to visit our oldest son and family before returning to Texas in early May to close on a house, Lord willing. We already enjoyed a visit with our daughter and family in FL. Youngest son and family are coming from Siloam Springs,AR to Temple Easter weekend. So, it's obvious we are being guided, provided for and blessed beyond measure. Thanks for reading this and praying for us as we come to mind.
Here are some photos of our last days in Brazil, our farewell at church and at the airport.

'Jubilado'

The term is a little difficult to explain in English, but last Sunday night I was 'jubilado' by the AICEB national church here in Brazil. The idea is to honor pastors who reach retirement age and are winding up full time ministry. The leadership of our church region contacted me and two others, asking if we desired to be thus recognized. Two of us agreed: John Oldehus, retired missionary from south Brazil, and myself.







As you can see from the photos, our wives were included in the ceremony and both couples received a nicely engraved plaque which reads: Pastoral 'Jubilamento' In recognition of missionaries Carlos Stoner and his wife for their years of service dedicated to the work of Jesus the Master. São Luís, 14 of January, 2010, Regional Workers Department/Evangelical Christian Church of São Cristôvão. AICEB

As we said to Pr. Joel Maia, master of cerimonies, all glory goes to the Lord. We also expressed our sincere thanks to the AICEB for this special recognition of our 38 years of ministry in northern Brazil, mainly in the area of theological education.