Backyard Mission Newsletter…do the Word.

Mission Statement:

1.  Get people warm and dry by providing free home repairs, using volunteer labor and buying materials with donated money.

2.  Give Christians the opportunity to put their faith into action by loving and serving their neighbors.

3.  Help other churches start a Backyard Mission program in their community.
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“WHEN DID YOU REPENT AND WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR LIFE?”

A couple of years ago, my friend Kay went on a mission trip to Belarus.  The question above is what the Belarus Christians ask another believer when they meet them.  I was struck by how direct it is – it cuts straight to the point.

In America we ask these questions:  “What church do you belong to?”, or “Do you know Jesus?”  Those are fine, but they have no implied life change.  The Belarus question assumes a change occurs in a person’s life when they accept Christ as Savior.  “When did you repent?” – a specific time when a person decided to alter the direction of their life and begin living for Christ.  “What is the fruit of your life?” – as a result of that decision, their life now produces “fruit” for the kingdom of God, you see the “fruit of the spirit” lived out in their daily life.

How about you?  How would you answer that question?  Are you rocking along, living a good life, raising a family, doing “no harm” to your neighbor?  Great, so do non-believers.  What is the evidence, “fruit”, in your life that shows you to be a disciple of Christ, not just a nice person living the American dream?  God desires so much more for you.  Purpose comes from the fruit.

“When did you repent and what is the fruit of your life?”

Backyard Mission truck maintenance provided by “Woody Tire Company”
April 2007

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Families Served - 492

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Despite heavy spring rains and snow on Easter, we are off to a great start this year.  We have helped eighteen families already and have 20 families currently working on their own homes.  Five projects are on the calendar for April involving these volunteer groups:  BUCKS, Aldersgate Methodist, Second Baptist, Ag Texas, LakeRidge UMC, and Tech Marketing Assoc.

** A big thanks to Alamo Remodeling for providing a dump truck for us!! **

Jim Taylor, Chairman of the Board, with our most recent homeowner – “Olga”.  We had a great day of ministry, working with the sisters of Phi Lam.

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  Consider a gift to Backyard Mission in honor or memory of someone.  +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Board Members:
Jim Taylor		Mary Kay McCauley
Sheri Haynes		Laren Craig
Glenn West		Lindy Fruge’

LAURIE FOSTER,  DIRECTOR / FOUNDER       
4701 - 82nd St		               (806) 794-4015
Lubbock, TX  79424	  
Lfoster@lakeridgeumc.org  / www.backyardmission.org

Grants received 2007
Betenbough Foundation

Backyard Mission operates off private donations.  It is not funded or budgeted by LakeRidge UMC.
(Make check payable to – Backyard Mission)