August 2007

August 2007

On My Heart

The Lord has put the subject of suffering and studying God’s word on my heart lately. In James 1:2-5 the writer tells us to “consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” Suffering is a given for any Christian. It is how we react to the suffering that will show how well grounded we have become. I have learned the hard way that the best way to be prepared is to be in the Word daily. Even when you don’t understand what the Word is saying. If we hide it in our hearts it will be of great value when the storms come. We must pray, as James said, for wisdom. I recently heard a sermon where the preacher admitted to not being in the Word everyday. I was appalled! I thought “how could a man of God, the pastor of a group of Christians, not devote hours a day to the scripture! Then, I was convicted to the core when I realized my own lack of devotion to God’s Holy Word. Here I have been set apart for fulltime service and I was not devoting myself to reading the Word and prayer. I implore you to examine your devotion to the Word of God. It is all that is needed to get us through the trials and to make us even stronger warriors for the Cross. If you feel your suffering is too great to bear, lean on the Word. When I feel that my suffering will overcome me, I compare my trial to that of the Lord’s suffering. It is really humbling when I read of Christ’s suffering in the hours leading up to the Cross of Calvary. How my pathetic moans seem to disappear in the face of my Father’s pain! When God’s people read His Word, it has an effect on the whole body. After Israel returned from the Babylonian captivity and rebuilt Jerusalem, Ezra brought out the book of the Law of M oses and read it to the masses. They were so overcome by the word of God that they wept. I pray that God’s Word will so pierce our souls that we break down and weep!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We wanted to update you on our status for M exico. God has called us to this small village in Jalisco, M exico. He has prepared the way for our building, the architectural plans to be made up and allowed us to start building the Children’s Home. Our friends, Pastor William and Katie Cooke, have overseen the digging and construction of the building so far. Soon, the orphaned children that are so important to God will have a safe country home to learn and grow in. They will be safely away from the influences of the big city. We are setting up a plan of care that includes prayer, devotional time, meals, clothing, and other activities.

Walls of the Children’s Home are going up!

As parents we are so blessed to feel this call, but also quite overwhelmed. Not only do we have to raise the funds to continue the building of the Children’s Home, we need to raise support for our family to live and do His work in M exico. Our plans were to move by this September. As with all of man’s plans it is ultimately up to God’s timetable. We are not anywhere close to meeting our

September moving plans. We still need over $55,000 to complete our building. We come to you with a humble heart and ask you to prayerfully consider supporting this work. We are looking for 80 families to support us with $20.00 a month. That is about the cost of 2 pizzas or 1 Starbucks coffee each week. M aybe you can sponsor us for more than that amount. At this time we are looking for sponsors to help us fulfill our small part of the Great Commission. We know that God’s money is available for His use. Now, we are asking for your help. We need your commitment now. Please respond to us ASAP if you would like to support us on a regular basis or if you cannot, please let us know that you are lifting us in prayer. Our mailings are expensive and time consuming. We need to know who would like to be taken off the mailing list. Also send us Our Financial support is through Good your email address and that can save us money M easure International. on postage! It would be just like a small dona100% of your donation comes to us and is tion. fully tax deductible. www.Goodmeasure.org/what we do You can give to us through our partner, Good M easure International. They are a 501(c)(3) charity and all of your support will be tax deductible. Good M easure does not take one penny for their help to us! They raise all of their own support as well.

Opposite is a form we would like you to return. We need a response to judge the future of our ministry. Thank you for all of your prayers and support! In the service of our Father, Todd and Kristi Ramey 3220 Babbs Rd. Apt. A Nashport, Ohio 43830 (740)-450-0396 Email: [email protected] For more information visit our website:

www.faceofmyfather.org

Good Measure International 785 Harrison Ave Charleston, IL 61920

Support us monthly $_________ Support the building fund $_________ One-time gift $________. Prayer Partner__________ Please keep me on your mailing list I would prefer to receive prayer letters by: E-mail M ail Please remove me from your mailing list Please let us know more about you so we can pray for you, too. Name______________________________ Address____________________________ Phone _____________________________ Email _____________________________ Church ____________________________