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Massengill Middle East Minute
Greetings once again from the Middle East. Our schedule has really gotten busy since my parents left, but the harvest does not get reaped when doing nothing. Since my mom and dad left we have been thinking a lot about family, so we decided to dedicate this newsletter to that subject. When you truly embrace what God intended the church to be it is family. So we hope you enjoy this short report on our "our family".
 
C4C: Children For Christ
Although the primary focus of our ministry in the Middle East is not ministry to children, we are aware of the need to present the Gospel of Christ to children, especially from the ages of 4-14 years old. A majority of people who come to Christ do so after hearing the message of Christ during this time period of their life. I am constantly amazed at how quickly, & even deeply, children learn to understand, believe & live the Christian faith. Please keep the children at our church & in our region in prayer. Without them, what kind of future does our churches in the Middle East have? Also pray for God to empower these children to become the voice of Christ to those who have not yet heard His wonderful story. (photo of C4C picnic).
 Marriage Seminar
While ministering to the children is vital for any church, helping people cultivate Biblical, loving marriages is another. We are currently in the middle of a marriage seminar in the attempt to help people change their perspectives on marriage from one that is influenced by culture & media, to one submitted to the guidelines of Scripture. Since God initiated marriage in the perfect environment of the Garden of Eden, Satan has attempted to bring destruction to this divine covenant between a husband & wife. How can a church share their lives with those unreached by the message of Christ if their marriages do not testify of how God's love can transform two unique people into One? By having a marriage which pleases God, we proclaim Christ's presence in our lives. 
TOO Distant Relatives
Sometimes in a church we have the tendency to forget we are apart of a much larger family. I am not only talking about our denomination but the entire family of Christ. "Brother" and "Sister" meant something to the early church & not to just their local church family. Recently a local church which was not a part of the COG asked if we would assist them in teaching their members. At first, I hesitated because their is so much that needs to be done within our own group of churches in the region, I doubted whether or not I should get involved. God, in His own special way, reminded me that I am not here to build my kingdom or a group of church's kingdom, but HIS KINGDOM. So, we committed to help them in anyway we could & as always God has showed us the true wonder of doing things His way. I may never be able to write what happens among this church down in a report, but as long as God is writing their names in the Book of Life & they are being empowered for the work of the Kingdom to bring the gospel to the unreached... what else really matters? It is nice knowing what my true church family really is... God's whole family!
Thankful For You... Family Back Home
A newsletter dedicated to family would not be complete without a huge thank you to all of you... who are also our family. Reaching those who have yet to hear the gospel of Christ takes the whole family of Christ & without you it would not be possible. So we want to really express our gratitude for your faithful prayers & support so we can continue to seek & find our lost family in this world.

In Service To Our Father,
Vance, Kari, Leandra & Kendra Massengill
FEBRUARY 2016
Leandra's Corner
Hello again. I am doing really good. This past month I was pretty sad when Granny & Papaw left. It was great having them here for a month, but really, really hard to see them go. Our church family here helped a lot though. The night Granny & Papaw left, several people in the church took us out for dinner & ice cream. It was really what I needed. I am so thankful that our church family is there when our earthly family cannot be. God knew what He was doing when He made the church, didn't He? Another cool thing that happened is that for years I have had a great fear when going to bed. During our family prayer time, Daddy talked with me & shared many things from the Bible. After that we prayed & I have not been afraid since. God is so cool. He even cares about the fears of a little girl.  
Kendra's Corner
What's up from the desert? Things have been good for me this month, except for Granny & Papaw leaving. I am beginning to learn how to play the drums. I think Daddy & Mommy were hoping for a little quieter instrument but what can I say... I like noise. I get to sit at church behind the drummer & watch. One day that will be me up there. The weather here is getting hot again. Winter does not last long here but it is nice to go outside without melting... not literally but you know what I mean. Also I want to say how proud I am of Daddy. He is losing a lot of weight and the doctor cannot believe how well he is doing with his diabetes. The funny thing is that his clothes are getting to big & he has to keep punching new holes in his belts. Anyway, keep us all in prayer.