June 2010 – The Carragher Chronicles

Dear Praying Friends,
“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,” -Colossians 1:3-4

Writing to the church in Colossae, the Apostle Paul thanks them for their faith and their love for the saints. I would like to begin this prayer letter the same way. We do give thanks and pray for you always. Thank you for your faith and love in our Lord and ministry. You’re an example to all of us!

The Lord graciously continues to allow us to reach our military with witnessing, Bible distribution, and discipleship. Since our last prayer letter we praised the Lord for five professions of faith and a rededication.

There was, however, one small distraction that came at the end of March, when I had my gall bladder surgically removed at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. After one year of doctor appointments and several prescriptions, the doctors finally realized my gall bladder was dying. More than 80% of my gall bladder was dead with 13 gall stones. I cannot tell you how good I feel and thankful I am to the Lord for His care. Thank you too for all who prayed and sent cards and messages.

Last month during a visit to the Richmond, VA hospital, several veterans received Christ — two within days of the end of their lives! Unfortunately, I believe we’re just scratching the surface: our veterans are dying at a rate of ten thousand per day. Perhaps you or someone at your church can volunteer to visit your local Veteran’s Hospital or Home. Please contact me for help in this regard.

In April the Lord brought two commanders looking for Bibles and tracts. This is the first time I can remember folks seeking our help without solicitation. We will now send Bibles to stateside bases just in time for the military to ship them to Iraq and Afghanistan. Please pray the Lord will use each one of them to save one of our heroes.

Other blessings since our last prayer letter:
★ We passed out Bibles at Fort Bragg.
★ The Lord allowed me to play a small role with the folks at Grace Baptist Church in Lee’s Summit as we assembled five thousand military Bibles and fortysix thousand full color military John and Romans. (more about this in the Armor Bearer).
★ Over fifty military families have contacted us this year for referrals to local churches. We are prayerful that many more of those changing duty stations will contact us.
★ Doug II finished his freshman year of college and Daniel his sophomore year of high school.

Please pray with us:
★ For Debbie’s back and neck problems and for her surgery to happen this year. (There is a long waiting list.)
★ For our family’s health both physical and spiritual.
★ For our military and their safety.
★ For home office support — our missionaries pay no transition fees and we rely on God’s people to take up the slack.

We continue to pray for you everyday!

May the Lord bless your faithfulness,
Doug, Debbie, Doug II and Daniel Carragher

General Director, AFBM
director@afbmissions.com
www.afbmissions.com

John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

THE COST OF WAR:
• 4,400 heroes dead in Iraq
• 1,083 heroes dead in Afghanistan
• 31,822 wounded in the War on Terror
Quick Facts: Seven veterans die every minute.
• 40% of our veterans are over 65 years old.
• There are five million disabled American Veterans.