Dear Friends,
Cassie and I love this time of year! Of course, to the world that does not know the Christ of Christmas personally, it is just a time for gifts, glitter, and get togethers. However, to those of us that know Him as Lord and as Saviour, it is a wonderful time to reflect upon the greatest “mission’s outreach” in the history of mankind. The Bible says in Galatians 4:4-5, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” The greatest gift that has ever been given is the gift you and I who are saved offer to “whosoever” every time we share the Gospel. It is the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is our heart’s desire to be soul winners every day of our lives. The great God of glory has put in our hearts to share the same Gospel that has changed our lives with the rest of the entire world. Therefore as we have said so many times before, thank you for laboring with us. It is only through your faithful prayers and support that we are able to do what God has called us to do. Only eternity will reveal the true worth of our labor together.
Shortly before my friend Dr. Stinnett Ballew passed away, he challenged me to keep a record of the money that was raised for missions during the mission’s conferences that God allowed me to preach. Having felt led of the Lord to do so, Cassie and I set a goal of having at least a small part in raising over one million dollars for world evangelism in 2019. Having prayed, labored, and traveled literally thousands of miles this year, we have not only witnessed that goal being met but far exceeded by several hundred thousand dollars. To God be the glory! Although we realize it takes much more than just finances to get missionaries to the field, we praise the Lord for the faithful giving of God’s people. Truly it takes each of us doing our part in order to reach the world with the Gospel.
Over the course of the last few prayer letters, I have told you about our next mission’s trip to Burkina Faso. We have planned and prepared two years for this trip. We purchased our round-trip tickets ($4200) and got all the shots required ($400) to get into the country. However, as much as it breaks our hearts it appears the Lord has shut this door to us for now. Less than forty-eight hours after purchasing our airline tickets, we received an email from the U.S. Department of State with a “Do Not Travel Advisory” for the country. Just last week fourteen people were shot and killed in an attack on a church in eastern Burkina Faso. We sought counsel from our Pastor as well as Brother Keith Shumaker, missionary to Burkina Faso, and have decided to postpone the trip. Please pray that God would continue to give direction as we pray about our next trip.
On a better note, the forty-third annual Macedonia Conference was held this year at the Calvary Baptist Church of Statesville, North Carolina. The Pastor, Dr. Chris Haizlip and the staff of CBC did an outstanding job preparing for the meeting. They were very gracious hosts. There were thirty-one MWBM families present during the conference, and it proved to be one of the greatest we have ever had. Our hearts were both stirred and challenged to do more for the cause of Christ than we have ever done before. We also prayed together that God would call more men to preach and more families to the mission field. Truly the night is coming when no man can work. Will you go? Will you pray? Will you give so that others can go?
In closing, let me say again thank you very much for your prayers and faithful support. Several of our supporting churches have sent gifts for Christmas for which Cassie and I are so very grateful. However more than anything, we appreciate your prayers and your friendship. It is because of that as well as the faithfulness of our wonderful Lord that we by the grace of God will continue by faith.
For the sake of souls,
Dr. Scott Caudill
President and General Director