I don’t know about you but this race to be the number one producer of microchips is interesting to me. There are some mind blowing data points in this article on EUV machines. The two videos are worth watching too. This kind of stuff fascinates me.

Once again, our missionary training had to be done virtually with Zoom sessions and recorded sessions. Due to the high rise in Covid cases in the Springfield area (reported on national news), we determined it was best to take the necessary precautions. While we would all much rather do this in person, at least we can still get our training done. Many of our sessions have been recorded and the new missionaries will have until the end of August to watch them all. Pray for them as they are on the road raising support to get to their respective fields.

On August 9, the Mission Office will be hosting the Missouri BBF State Meeting. We look forward to this time together with pastors and missionaries. It will start with lunch at 11:30. If you are in the area, we hope you can attend. It will be good to see you. Hopefully we will not have to cancel it because of Covid.

Everything is still on track for the September National Meeting at Antioch Bible Baptist Church in Gladstone, MO. We will be rolling out the new version of the story of Marjorie Browning. We have three missionary couples that will be approved.

We are getting closer to the 938 Sunday on October 3, 2021. I have heard from many pastors who are using Project 938 as their theme this year for missions. Would you do two things as we consider this? First, would you encourage the churches in your country to focus on praying for more laborers on that 938 Sunday? Second, would you pray for God’s blessings upon this project as we work together in the harvest fields and that we would see more people surrender to go? If you or your national pastors would like the videos and promotion material, you need to register at www.Project938.world.

Vicki Keever has worked as our receptionist for of the past four years. She has decided to work at another company with less hours giving her more time with her family. Pray for us as we look to fill this position. Pray for her in this transition.

Finally, I was reading through Matthew the other day and once again came across Matthew 6:25. Jesus said, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.”

I was reminded recently of a story that worry is like fog. According to the article, dense fog covering seven city blocks a hundred feet deep is composed of less than one glass of water—divided into sixty billion droplets. In the right form, a few gallons of water can cripple a large city. Similarly, the object of a person’s worry is usually quite small compared to the way it can cripple their thinking or harm their life.

With all this COVID stuff going on and changes we are seeing all around us it might be safe to say that all of us have had some worry in our lives recently. I heard someone say, “Worry is the equivalent of saying, ‘God, I know You mean well by what You say, but I’m just not sure You can pull it off.’ ”

However, we know that God is in control and supplies our needs according to His riches in glory. He knows our every need – even as missionaries and servants of God. It is hard not to worry about support levels, ministry needs and changes, ability to return to the field, health issues, family needs and even the basic needs of life. Knowing that God is in control and knows our every need I would like to encourage you to, instead of letting the fog of worry roll in, try letting it lift and go. Read Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:4-6. We know these verses but it is good to read them again from time to time. How comforting it is know that God cares about us. I am always reminding myself of 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

May the month of August be a fruitful month for you and your ministry. I pray for protection from Satan’s attacks because you go out as Jesus sent the 70 disciples – as lambs among wolves. Jesus also said He has all the power to help you and He goes with you! So, why worry?!

Your friend,

Jon Konnerup