September 29-30

These last two days of the month, we worked diligently, trying to attend to whatever demanded our attention before leaving for overseas the next several weeks. Included in that list was getting the next issue of The Voice of Truth International magazine to the printers in Taylor, SC. Bonnie stopped the mail and paid bills that would come due in our absence.

Wednesday evening, we worshipped and attended Bible class with the West President Church of Christ in Greenwood, MS. We always receive a warm welcome there, and Bonnie and I were the object of public prayers respecting our hastening departure for India and Myanmar.

September 27-28

Monday and Tuesday were travel days. We found a new home away from home in Cave City, KY – our half-way point – at the newly built Sleep Inn, on the site of the former Comfort Inn which burned. We are getting too mature to appreciate driving straight through, fourteen hours in one day, so we split it into two days. We used the evening hours at the hotel to continue working on The Voice of Truth International magazine, not shutting the light out and turning in until 2:00 a.m.

Tuesday, we continued our homeward trek. For one of our out of the car leg stretches, we stopped at Best Buy just off of I-40 barely west of Nashville. After much deliberation, and unable to find the items we researched, but unwilling to pay $300.00 each for Bose noise cancelling headphones, we settled for two pair of another brand at a fraction of the cost of the former. Hopefully, this investment will minimize the headache-making drone of airplane engine and air conditioning noise on our Trans-Pacific, etc. flights. One more scheduled stop before arriving in Winona, MS – dinner with Rebecca as she completed her hectic day as a school teacher in Horn Lake, MS.

During travel time in the car and other down time, Bonnie spent computer time finalizing her manuscript, Living Principles: Gleanings from Bible Characters. This book has been in progress for three years and has been set on the backburner numerous times as other activities demanded her attention. The goal is to have this book ready for the printer by the first of the year (other deadline goals have come and gone, so time will tell).

Summarized, it was a good trip, both respecting our visits with family and friends and occasions with brethren from several congregations. In addition, along the way, we saw various crops being harvested and probably more auto accidents along the freeways than we noticed on previous trips. Some of them were very serious and likely resulted in loss of life. We are thankful to God that our travels proved to be safe and uneventful. However, as often as we travel the highways, we recently have seen cars upside down, burned out vehicles and a tractor-trailer in flames. Finally, the falling temperatures caught us off guard, but we were happy to experience them, especially since we usually miss this time of year because we are overseas when the season’s change here.

September 24-26

We spent Friday through Sunday with Bob and Martha Noland in Hanoverton, OH – more zigzagging. Upon arrival on Friday, Bonnie promptly headed to the basement to make good use of their washer and dryer. Waiting for us on our arrival were boxes of coloring books and colored pencils, which the sisters of the Hanoverton church of Christ assembled for us to restock the activity bags we provide to foreign sisters in Christ for teaching children. The late afternoon hours were spent shopping in nearby Lisbon and Salem for a few groceries – each trip north we bring back several bottles of our favorite salad dressing that we have been unable to find in Mississippi, Tennessee or Alabama – and other items.

In addition to visiting with our dear friends, Bob and Martha, we used twin laptops Friday, Saturday and Sunday on lapboards in the living room while we continued to work on The Voice of Truth International; we’re trying to get our part of volume 66 ready before our Oct. 6 departure for overseas.

Saturday, Bob and Louis spent time in male-bonding; they do this best over a diner meal when their wives are absent. Martha and Bonnie, along with two ladies from the Hanoverton congregation, traveled to Salineville, OH for a Ladies’ Day, hosted by the Southern Hills Church of Christ. Besides hearing three good lessons on the love of Jesus, Bonnie had an opportunity to visit with several Christian ladies that we have not seen in a few years since our move to Mississippi.

Later that afternoon, the four of us ate at a good Mexican restaurant in Salem, OH, to which the Noland’s introduced us on a previous visit. Another trip to Wal-Mart was in order, since Bonnie’s hairdryer decided to function on the slow setting only and the need to pick-up a couple of greeting cards.

Sunday, Louis spoke three times for the Hanoverton Church of Christ: the last lesson in a Gospel Advocate Quarterly for the Bible class, What is the Mission of the Church for morning worship and Because of the Center Cross for the second worship. Jim and Linda Hall made a special effort to visit the Hanoverton congregation in the morning because they are some of our good friends from Newell, WV; besides hugs and a home-cooked meal together at the Nolands, we were humbled by the Hall’s gracious gift for our missionary work. Other brethren from Southern Hills and Hanoverton churches of Christ as well as the Hanoverton congregation likewise gave or promised us monetary gifts, too. They and we are laborers together for the cause of Christ.

September 23

Continuing our zigzag travel across Ohio and into the edge of Pennsylvania, we motored to the rural farmland outside of Johnstown, OH, where our son Raymond, his wife, Vanessa and our two grandsons, Elijah and Nate, live. On the way, we drove through a large portion of the Amish communities in Ohio; ordinarily we delight in stopping in Amish country to enjoy unexcelled dining, sometimes to buy oak furniture or shelves, trinkets or souvenirs, etc., but not so this time.

We arrived at our grandchildren’s home in time to see them get off their respective buses. We had a hearty family meal in Newark, OH at a restaurant that at least the adults prefer over many others (Texas Roadhouse). Later in the evening, Louis was pleased to pass a football a few times to little Nate, only 7-years-old, but he could catch the football most of the time (in his hands) whether thrown or kicked. Elijah expressed interest in pictures on Louis’ computer of our trip to Burma this summer, which Louis showed to him and our son. Elijah also modeled his Greek costume that he was to wear at school the next day for one of his classes.

September 22

Prior to checking out of the hotel, we worked more on The Voice of Truth magazine. Then, we drove to the Massillon, OH Church of Christ for our Wednesday evening appointment. Upon our arrival, we transferred our mobile office to an empty classroom in the meetinghouse, where upon we continued to work on The Voice of Truth. At four o’clock, two of the elders and their wives transported us to another fine, non-franchise restaurant in their community; we took advantage of the Italian menu to enjoy some very good lasagna. Aside from technical difficulties involving conflict between Louis’ laptop and the church’s projector, the congregation seemed to appreciate Louis’ PowerPoint Because of the Center Cross. Keith (an elder) and Jackie Crum graciously lodged us overnight again this year.

Brethren in both Vermilion and Massillon bought several of Louis’ books and a few others as well as participated with us financially in our mission work. Both congregations also helped us financially toward our stateside and foreign travels.

September 21

We spent the morning hours working on The Voice of Truth before going shopping for long-sleeve shirts or light-weight jackets since we failed to pack anything but short-sleeved items. We knew the temperatures would be cooler than in MS, but when the thermometer is registering 95-100 degrees, one does not think of long-sleeves. After a light lunch at Dairy Queen, we headed for Cambridge Springs, PA to pick up Bonnie’s mother from the nursing home for a family gathering at a niece’s home. This was a good day for Mary; she knew us and the rest of the family and enjoyed spending time with all four living children and five of her great-grandchildren. This was her first time to see the newest great-grandchild, four-week-old Waylon Reed.

September 20

After breakfast on Monday, we departed Vermilion, OH (to the disappointment of the Weaver children) for Hadley, PA to spend some time with Louis’ father. Next, we checked into a hotel in Meadville, PA and cleaned up before meeting two of Louis’ brothers and their families for supper in Greenville, PA. Back at the motel before turning in for the night, we worked on volume 66 of The Voice of Truth magazine for a few hours.

September 19

A former restaurant owner, Mark Weaver performed the role of a short-order cook for his family as well as for Bonnie and me on Sunday and Monday mornings. For the Bible class Sunday, Louis presented special class material assigned to him by the Collierville Church of Christ for use on October 2nd in Alabama; the theme was Christ’s plan for Christians throughout the various stages of their lives. While Louis taught this to the men (and a couple of boys), Bonnie taught women about mission work, an overview of our fall trip to India and Burma with an emphasis on the questions asked by those Christian ladies. For morning worship, Louis preached his sermon, “What is the Mission of the Church”; that night, he made his PowerPoint presentation, “Cruise Ship or Battleship” and emphasized Christian responsibility. Between services, several of the members and we enjoyed a local eatery (Blue Sky) as well as one another’s company; an advantage to living in the area is knowing the good, non-national restaurants.

September 18, 2010

Saturday, we completed our journey to Vermilion, OH. Over the two-day trip from Winona, MS, Bonnie and I worked on my lesson for the Collierville, TN church of Christ Family Harvest Weekend, for October 2, at Maywood Christian Camp in Hamilton, AL. Truly, Bonnie did write (type) this sermon. (Sometimes brethren jokingly compliment Bonnie when I make a particularly good presentation, thanking her for writing a good sermon.) While I drove, she looked up passages, made suggestions and typed as I dictated. It proved to be one of my better efforts, owing in large part to Bonnie's input and wholly to her composition on the laptop as I dictated.

Ever a pleasure, the Weaver clan bathes us in famial affection, which we are happy to return. We include this dear family, our frequent host as we travel, with family and loved ones in the faith in our daily prayers.

September 17, 2010

We started packing the car the day and night before for our 10-day excursion into Ohio and Pennsylvania. Friday morning, we watered our flowers and Paula's flowers (Jerry and Paula are abroad for Christ presently) and tied up some loose ends at the office (it never ends) before mounting the silver steed and pointing it northward.

For hours, Bonnie typed on the laptop computer or looked up Scripture as I dictated while cruising the super slab. Together, we worked on an article from which I will teach Saturday, October 3 at the Collierville, TN Church of Christ's Family Harvest Weekend at Maywood Christian Camp outside of Hamilton, AL. Pressed for time, tentatively I will use the same material for one of the sessions at the Vermilion, OH Church of Christ, and later for the Hanoverton, OH Church of Christ.

We arrived at our half way point of Cave City, KY about 6:30 p.m. Many a time, we have lodged in the Super 8 Motel there, sometimes twice in the same trip — coming and going. After enquiring about good local restaurants with which I might not be familiar, we were directed to a humble place with a good local reputation. There, we found nothing fancy, but some of the best made-from-scratch country cooking ever available to the public. We had fried catfish among the best we have ever had anywhere; I do not recall ever having a catfish dinner in Kentucky that disappointed me in the least. All the fixings were superb as well.

In our motel, the TV reception and channels are not much. Bonnie is diligently working on the next issue of The Voice of Truth International and I made corrections to the September issue of Gospel Gazette Online (courtesy of Paul Mobley, our proofreader). Tomorrow, we continue our journey to Vermilion, OH first. Goodnight!

September 13-16, 2010

Monday through Thursday was filled to the overflowing with publishing to the Internet the September edition of Gospel Gazette Online, The Voice of Truth International magazine, the Rushmore Newsletter, Betty Choate's newsletter, hundreds of first class letters inviting brethren and congregations to participate with us financially in our upcoming mission trip and shipping books and tracts to various US locations. Monday and Tuesday evenings, we mowed the lawn, over three weeks since the last time. We need a day or two off during the week since we travel extensively, especially on the weekends, but there is not time as there is more work to address than we can possibly conquer. We wouldn't have it any other way! Oh, we had to get the oil changed on the mini van in anticipation of the 2,000 mile round trip on which we were about to embark tomorrow.

September 12, 2010

Sunday morning, we worshipped with the New Antioch Church of Christ in Hillsboro, AL. For the Bible class, I presented the PowerPoint, Because of the Center Cross. For worship, I followed up with the sermon, "What Is the Mission of the Church?" Afterward, we were treated to a popular, local eatery —not only owned by Christians but flooded with patrons from the Lord's church (and others), too. Ira and Annie Smith entertained us in the afternoon. The New Antioch congregation and one family in particular of that church aided us financially in our quest to serve God in foreign missions.

Though we had not evening appointment, we lingered so we could worship and visit with the Austinville Church of Christ. Not speaking afforded me the refreshing opportunity to sit at another's feet for my own edification (and Bonnie didn't have to listen one more time to lessons she has heard dozens of times from me). We were greatly encouraged by well wishes of several members, besides enjoying the hours together with elders and brethren at Cracker Barrel. Next, we headed for our Winona home, four hours distant, arriving about 1:30 a.m. on Monday.

September 11, 2010

From 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., we with about 35 others attended the School of Missions session. Wayne Barrier, Jeremy Barrier and I spoke at various times throughout the day on different subjects. Missionaries and prospective missionaries alike enjoyed the fellowship and meal together as we pondered how to effectively and to biblically be productive in world evangelism.

Next, we headed for Decatur, AL where we were the thankful guests of Ira and Annie Smith. They are members of the Hillsboro Church of Christ, where I will speak for Bible class and morning worship on the Lord's Day. We last visited these gracious brethren and the congregation two years ago.

Of course, Bonnie, Betty and I moved our mobile office from the car into the living room of the Smith home. So much to do, so little time to get it done. The plus side of working en route by car and where we lodge is that we can direct our attention when back in Winona to the things we cannot load into the car and take with us.

As often is the case, we were treated royally, better than we would opt to provide for ourselves. Steak tonight!

September 8-10, 2010

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we worked feverishly in the office by day and at the house by night, trying to catch up some on several ongoing projects. Bonnie and I devoted ourselves to preparation of a first class mail out to encourage individual Christians and congregations to participate with us financially on our upcoming fall mission trip to India and Myanmar. We were able to get about 200 letters into the mail, but we had to leave that many letters for Monday of next week because we ran out of time before we had to leave for our weekend appointments. Friday morning, we also assembled more booklets for the School of Missions being hosted by the Double Springs, AL Church of Christ; Thursday, I printed the three study guides.

Car packed with literature and luggage (and Betty Choate who opted to accompany us this weekend), we aimed he car for Double Springs, AL. A devoted deacon in the Lord's church there lodged the three of us so we could be ready for the 8:30 a.m. beginning of classes on Saturday. Hungry, Bonnie and I ventured back out to the Italian restaurant in Double Springs; it was almost like a date night, restful, pleasant company in each other, a good meal and a tasty, novelty dessert. Then, it was back the house in which were staying, whereupon we both fired up our respective computers. Bonnie worked on the next issue of The Voice of Truth International magazine, and I worked on my lesson to teach one of the classes on Saturday. At 2330 hours (11:30 p.m.), we turned in for the night, a little early for us!

September 2-7, 2010

Bonnie and I seldom take a vacation, but we opted for five days off following Polishing the Pulpit, and we could not have picked a better location for recreation than the Sevierville-Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg area. We rented a one-bedroom cabin so far through some hollow and on top of a hillside that sunshine had to be piped in and electricity had to be hand-carried to the spot in a glass jar! The roads were paved, but barely one lane wide, curvy and hilly, until the last quarter mile, which was gravel and uphill. Our cabin was not far from the Boogertown Cemetery, out in the middle of nowhere.

Though it was a vacation, and though earlier we were at Polishing the Pulpit and fully involved, we have a mobile office. We are happiest when mixing work and pleasure. Two laptops blazing, we worked intermittently on the September issue of Gospel Gazette Online, the upcoming Rushmore Evangelism Newsletter and completing the ladies' class book on which Bonnie has been working for three years. We confirmed the visa approvals for our upcoming trip to India and Myanmar, and we purchased the plane tickets; I also corresponded with brethren in India in various cities about our impending arrival.

Away from the cabin on occasion, we attended two dinner theater shows, and we enjoyed them very much. As tight as I am with a dollar, I surprised myself, too, and am glad that we seized these opportunities. We took in The Smith Family Dinner Theater, which was a medley of live country music, often cloning the voices of country stars who popularized various songs. Monday night, we went to the Dixie Stampede, and it was great! Among other things, I had never seen chicken races, pig races and Shetland pony races before. The show and the meal was grand.

Tuesday, we made a detour (in the wrong direction for returning to Winona, MS) and visited Clingman's Dome, high up in the Smoky Mountains. At the North Carolina/Tennessee state lines, we took a picture of each other; this site was a narrow ridge, to either side of which we could see endless mountains and valleys. Seven miles further and over a 1,000 feet higher, we found Clingman's Dome at an elevation of 6,643 feet. Though the GPS indicated that we had another half mile of road lying ahead of us, it was really a paved walking (climbing path) to the summit, on which rested an observation tower. We laboriously clamored ever so slowly up the path toward the peak, resting about every quarter mile at stratigically placed benches. Years ago, we drove to within seven miles of Clingman's Dome but did not go to it due to the heavy fog, which would have concealed the intended object of our gazes. Some hazy today, we enjoyed the vistas. We are mountain people consigned to the flat, hot, humid land of middle Mississippi, where the World Evangelism office and warehouse is located, the family home of Betty Burton Choate. A little taste of mountains once in a while gets us through until the next time we can get a dose of highlands.

We spent the balance of the day driving, though tired, toward Winona, arriving at 10:30 p.m. CST. Bonnie applied herself much of the way to work that she could do on the laptop. Among other things, she finished the ladies' class book on which she has been working on and off for the past three years. That last chapter is also an article of hers in the September edition of Gospel Gazette Online. Bonnie also typed as I dictated the contents of a letter to be sent upon our return to numerous congregations and individuals, inviting them to participate with us financially in our upcoming mission trip to India and Myanmar. She also wrote her article for our newsletter, which we will publish and mail as soon as we can do so, in concert with other activities that demand our attention.

P.R. Swamy
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