Hurricane Helen Report
Time in the Word Time in the Word
by Christy Vineyard, ThD
“You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is writing in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring, no one can revoke.” Esther 8:8
TheBookofEsther. Has10chapters.
All of the letters of the Hebrew alphabetarefoundinEsther3:13. The longest verse in the Bible is in 8:9 (90 words in the English translation.)
The only reference to Israel is that Mordecai was carried away fromJerusalem. Mordecai may have been the first person in history to be called a “Jew”. God’snameisnotmentioned.
Source:exploringjudaism.org,Rabbi
Dr.J.B.Sacks
We discovered several compelling facts about Esther and the challenges she and her Uncle Mordecai faced as Jews in a hostile environment that was decidedly against them and the Jewish people. Some that were new to me even as I have studied this beautiful book over forty-plus years. But there is one more fact that was brought to my attention.
The story we read in the old testament, the book of Esther, spanned ten years! That’s a lot of time and events for those ten chapters to unfold.
Now, why would I point out such an interesting fact? Simply put, things have felt out of our control and it has been a difficult season for the Vineyards, much like Esther. And while our season hasn’t lasted ten years, the work of ministry is both easy and challenging as a lifetime commitment. The only thing that is in our control is how we choose to respond to those challenges.
Let’s dive in a little deaper in to Esther.
A natural, unnatural enemy.
Whenever you are a recognized follower of God, Satan will assign demons of every kind to you that show no mercy, ever, never, ever, never. Esther and Mordecai had their Haman. Haman is a descendent of Agag, an Amalekite, a people for whom God ordered to be utterly destroyed, men, women, children and even livestock. And had Saul obeyed, then there would be no Haman, but he didn’t. It is good to remember that even when we have these enemies that “should not exist”, that God provides a way. There’s always a way. God is our defender, our deliverer, our fortress. Times have not changed. Everyone working in ministry face a “human” enemy but the Word says our enemy is of the spiritual world and not people. The same spirit that drove Haman is still alive. Let us have the heart of Christ and place them in the Father’s hands and not our own. God gave Esther and Mordecai wisdom and He will give it to us as well.
A hostile environment. From the beginning of the story, Esther is not in what we consider a normal home.
Orphaned, raised by a family member, at the mercy of everyone else for her welfare, she is then thrown into an environment with a very different culture, in the circle of royalty, a circle of hedonism. Imagine when all that is around you is different, from what you wear to what you eat to what you spend your day doing. Different and out of her control. Yes, the Vineyards are definetly in a season of “different”. Although not to the extremes that Esther experienced, certainly unfamiliar.
We have found ourselves fully relying on God to readjust to the culture that a new home, new state of residence, new income adjustments, new expectations, new, new, new, I could go on. But if you caught that “new”, doesn’t the Word say, “behold I make all things new”? Yes, new can be scary but it can also be exciting. God is good, all the time. Trusting in Him and Him alone leads to a life of peace. And as Pastor Kevin Dawson said, He has never asked us to understand, He asks that we trust Him.
The Law. And last we have the example God shows us about the finality of His Word. In Chapter 8, the King was finally convinced that something needed to be different in his decree that had come out of Haman’s evil plot, but to reverse the decree would mean that he had made a mistake, which he would never do. In order to make things right, he gave a new edict which he gave Mordecai permission to write and he would put his king‘s ring stamp on to seal. How wonderful! What a picture of God’s trust and character. When God sees our faithfulness, He gives us permission to come before Him, and He asks, “What is it you want? What is your desire?” Our faithfulness to Him and His Word is the foundation for having our desires and prayers answered. He can trust us that our desires will be in line with what His heart is.
Let that be an encouragement. It took ten years for all things to sort out for Esther, Mordecai and the Jewish people’s good and God’s glory. Patience is difficult but God gives us the strength to endure until we see Him working things out for us. Study His Word, learn of His character, know His heart, and then when you go to Him with your prayers and desires, He is ready to seal His promise for you and nothing that any person, demon, or situation can do will change it.
Yes, this is hard and God is able. Thank You, Lord, that you never leave us nor foresake us and give us a lifetime to trust you more everyday.
LESSON BY ESTHER God had to decree death for the wages of sin, but because of Jesus, a new decree was written, and now we are free from sin and death! The new decree by Jesus does not erase the orignal law. Sin is still death, that did not change, but only through Jesus do we have life and are free from the original law!
CUBA
CUBA TRIP
Please continue to pray for Dr. Regla, daily. Her health has been failing for some time but we continue to pray for her healing. We believe in miracles. She serves the orphans and widows of her church and so many look to her as a mentor. It is Dr. Bob’s plan to go in March as the earliest he can get there. Pray all the doors open and he finds favor to go. BVM supports Cuban pastors and churches financially every month.
honored to promote OMI, Pastor ark and his wife Sandi. They able to go to Cuba and have g services, along with brother Dumais. So much good that this ry is doing. OMI has made it a y to gather supplies to take to vaged area of North Carolina. s website to find out more.
PAKISTAN
Pastor Shahid Chaman. So much of what Pastor Shahid does goes unnoticed except to Dr. Bob who helps through financial support by BVM and God who keeps the record. If you would like to know more about what gets done or how you can help, please reach out to Dr. Bob. Going into some of the most dangerous areas of the world so the Gospel is shared we are careful what we share publicly.
The picture below shows some of the fruit of his ministry. Bringing children into the saving knowledge of Jesus who loves them so much.
PAKISTAN in worship
Uganda and Kenya Report
Shortly after Dr. Bob left Uganda, Pastor Andrew got seriously ill and was hospitalized. He was very sick. But God! Praising God for Pastor Andrew Mwagale has recovered from his month long hospitalization. So many were praying for him. Lord, You are good!
The church in Magamaga is close to completed but is needing more resources. Another church has been erected in Uganda near Mbale.
BVM supports the orphanage monthly
The school in Kenya is very close to completion. We need 100 desks for the students and 6 for teachers, white boards, steps built, and the purchase of an adjacent lot that is for sale for a needed play area.
BVM supports Pastor Titus and multiple building projects regularly
BVM around the Globe
ABBA'S HOUSE CHILDREN'S CENTER OF CIEN FUEGOS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
BVM loves partnering with Abba’s House Children’s Center in the Dominican Republic.
Chile and the Philippines
Ok just wanted to tell you briefly what God has told Mike Sheffield to do:
1. Go to the Philippines. has bought his ticket (by faith and a credit card) fo the month of February.
2. Feed the people. He is buying large 50 kilogram bags of rice and a family breaking them down into 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs) and sharing with poor people o Tuesday and Thursday nig
3. He will preach a short message on “breaking the spirit of poverty”. He records the message and shares via television.
At this point, “I am not trying to start a church but just win people to the kingdom of God. I am translating a tract ‘How to get to Heaven from the Philippines’ into the Filipino national language (Tagalog).”
You can help by sewing a gift of faith via PayPal (msheffield1) Or direct via Zelle (8179942243) Or mail a check to: 2250 Fuller Wiser Rd, Apt 8102, Euless, TX 76039. Make checks payable to VEA (Victory Evangelistic Association)
Dr. R. M. Phillips, Jr. believes we are living in the last days. Read his latest book that teaches truths from the Book of Malachi and gives this generation information to be ready for the return of Jesus Christ before it’s too late. Follow the link for purchase.
B u y it t o d a y
WHAT’S UP WITH THE VINEYARDS
Welcome to our “It’s Personal” page. For so long we’ve ng our highs and lows, praises and prayer requests with you, our dear friends and family. We wanted to stay connected with you because with God, it’s always personal. We hope you enjoy a little of our family connections.
While there is so much we could share on our personal page, I just want to make this a shortened version of what all we’ve experienced since our last newsletter.
No one can anticipate what the weather in Florida is going to be like. Each storm is different. We listened to the locals and some professional opinions and concluded that “It’s never as bad as they say it is.” Now, in our defense we did reach out to someone that we thought we could stay with that would have taken us out of the path of Hurricane Helene, but unfortunately, that did not turn out to be an option for us. So we decided to ride the storm out. Never did we expect it would become such a rainmaker and that a record number of water would fall on the Tampa Bay Area. When we lost power around 9:00 pm, the water didn’t seem to be a danger, but that quickly changed. I remember watching it rise quickly up the back ramp on our little home and began to pray. I sat in the living room and continued to pray and sing hymns believing in the faithfulness of God. I watched out the window as the lights on a neighbors’ cars started flashing from the rising waters and then eventually about midnight went dim. Our cars met the same fate. Flooded by the storm surge.
So we kept praying that the water would stop rising and descend with the rain ending and the low tide. By 2:30am, we could finally rest; the water only entered enough to ruin the flooring, with the exception of the laundry room which sat lower; the washer was lost. We lifted everything we could off of the floor to higher areas, electronics, cords, tables, chairs, anything we could set up so it would be safe. We cannot describe the experience that we had other than to be honest and say, yes, there was great fear, which rolled into thankfulness, which has developed into some grief but will eventually become a testimony. I’m still waiting on that testimony part, but I know it will come. It came to Esther and Mordecai and it will come to the Vineyards too. God is faithful, all the time. We helped clean and sanitize our little home as best we could and then went north and our separate ways for a few weeks. We escaped Hurricane Milton and were thankfully spared more property damage, but stay in constant prayer for others who were not. I went to my parents who are always in need of care, Bob went to our daughter Hannah’s in Ohio to visit and Luke had a gracious family take him in.
We want to say THANK YOU to everyone who gave us encouragement, prayer and financial blessings to get through this trying time. Our hearts are overwhelmed with your generosity. I wish I could just hug every neck of the people who made a difference for us when we needed it the most. God has kept record and I pray you are blessed abundantly. Thank you, also, for your patience in the release of this newsletter. It’s been a bright spot for Bob to continue to focus on missions and report the good that still goes on during tragedies. God bless you, and God bless the work of Bob Vineyard Ministries, Inc.
The Heart of Bob Vineyard Ministries
Dr. Bob Vineyard heeded the call to missions in 1973, having felt the call to preach at the early age of four. With over five decades of different ministry roles, he now dedicates himself entirely to missions.
He firmly believes that the most effective approach to global ministry involves empowering indigenous pastors to impact their communities, fostering a shift towards a Kingdom culture within their own contexts. Through BVM, individuals are provided with basic sustenance like simple rice and beans, which for some serves as their sole meal of the day. This act of compassion opens the door for Dr. Bob to share the Gospel, allowing listeners to embrace faith, undergo baptism, and commence a journey of spiritual growth under the guidance of local clergy.
Dr. Bob expresses deep gratitude for the prayerful support and financial contributions that sustain this vital ministry.
The Path of Bob Vineyard Ministries
USA USA
Cuba Cuba
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic
Honduras Honduras
Chile Chile
Uganda Uganda
Kenya Kenya
Pakistan Pakistan
Philippines Philippines
THANKFUL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
We can never tell you enough how thankful we are for your generosity. It is our prayer, that as God sees your generous spirit, that He knows He can trust you with what He has given to you, and that He will fulfill His promise, that your lives will be overflowing with the Spirit of God and have all of your desires met, and then be an even greater blessing to the Kingdom.
Drs. Bob & Christy Vineyard President & Administrative Assistant Bob Vineyard Ministries, Inc
