Semper Paratus "Always Prepared"

Two Jacks, Stephenson and Dempsey

        

Semper Paratus  "Always Prepared"

The above Latin phrase is the motto of the US Coast Guard and also the title of its Marching song.  My stepdad, Jack Stephenson, served in the USCG during the final years of WWII. He and my mom, Mary Etta, live with us.  Because of his service, small things around the house and in his truck serve as reminders of that important and formative time in his life

 His time was spent in the Pacific.   On one occasion he was given the chance to have his photo made with another guy named Jack who might have been a little more famous than he.  Yeah, in the top photo is our Jack posing with Jack Dempsey, the boxer.  The photo below is of the front tag on Jack's truck, which Renee and I often drive on longer trips.  It has a hard cover over its bed, and I will never forget the first time I opened it and saw all the equipment the man carries in case of emergency.  I think the only things missing are what might be required in case of a nuclear strike.  Semper Paratus!  Even on America's highways, much less the mighty Pacific, the man is living the motto.

If you have known Renee and me for very long, you know that our Lord has called us to do ministry among S. Sudanese and Sudanese refugees.  Our mission statement is "Empower the suffering Sudanese church with scripture resources and leadership development."  We would like to always be prepared to walk through any and every door the Lord opens up for us to serve our brethren.  For a fact, great things have been happening Gospel-wise within the refugee camps located in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia.  Many churches have been started, people won to faith in Christ, disciples made, leaders trained, choirs formed, growing women's ministries, Bible schools started, and lots of other Gospel work done as well.  

Now that Sudan is in the process of a regime change, a process in which well over 150 civilians have been killed, it appears more doors may be opening for us to supply scripture resources.  However, whatever route one takes to place the New Testament or full Bible into the hands of people who live in places like Darfur or the Southern Blue Nile, it is going to cost money.  

For a fact, the Dar Islam (House of Islam) is now a divided one.  The violence Islamic governments is perpetrating on its citizens is creating a vacuum in many hearts.  We would like to think it could be filled with scripture resulting in many choosing to follow Jesus.  You can help us to be "Always Prepared" by donating either by sending a check to Calvary Road Ministry, or donating online.  The online address is www.calvaryroadministries.com.  The mailing address: CRM, 4100 Fulton Rd., Corryton, TN  37721.  Together let's live and serve "Semper Paratus."

Front Tag on Jack's Truck