Friday and Saturday, the women’s ministry department of the Louisiana Baptist Convention held its annual meeting, this year at the First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. They invited all the Directors of Missions in the state to come as their guests, so we all showed up–and even wore coats and ties. Anything for these wonderful ladies, who are also known by their more familiar name: the Woman’s Missionary Union. Janie Wise is the state director and she’s absolutely terrific.

Going into B.R, I had a blowout, the second in two weeks, and this after going 15 years without a flat tire. The earlier one occurred when I was driving to North Alabama and the tire blew apart on the interstate just below Meridian. Friday, I was entering Baton Rouge on Interstate 10. Traffic was heavy and fast when a woman leaned out of a window on my left to say my tire was flat. Thankfully–and I give the Lord praise for this–there were wide safe shoulders on the side of the highway both times. I pulled off and turned on my blinkers. The tire was three-fourths flat. I called AAA and waited.

I suggested to the mechanic that he inflate the tire and I’d drive to Wal-Mart and get it fixed. He’s stooping beside the car with the traffic zooming by, filling the tire with air. He fills it…and fills it…and fills it…and suddenly, it explodes. Talk about a shock. Neither of us had ever seen that happen.

Once again, twice in two weeks, we put my spare down–the one I had bought at Wal-Mart in Meridian–and I drove to another Wal-Mart and repeated the earlier process. Then went on my way.

First thing Monday morning, I plan to have the other two tires–part of a foursome I bought a couple of years back–replaced, even though they have plenty of tread. Those tires are apparently separating on the inside, and too dangerous to continue in use.

The skies were overcast as we arrived at the church Friday evening, but storm warnings were out. By 9 o’clock when we exited, the heavens had opened up, lightning was striking, and the parking lot was a shallow river.

One of the things I learned to do a long time ago is not to judge the effectiveness of an organization by the number of people who attend its annual meeting. In fact, I have three observations about this women’s ministry.

a) The real work of the WMU goes on in small groups–women teaching young girls, praying and learning with other women, and sometimes working with small boys–not in large assemblies such as we were this weekend. The boys’ ministry, the Royal Ambassadors, was begun 100 years ago by the women. Later, when the Baptist Men’s organization was formed, it took over the responsibility, but in more than a few churches, the women still lead the little boys. Our state Baptist Men leader Gibbie McMillan, himself raised by a grandmother in the absence of his father, expressed appreciation for the women and emphasized the need for more men to work with the boys.

b) The work of the WMU is thriving in churches where a few women are solidly committed to its purposes, and is dying where no such leaders are found.

c) Many churches have thriving women’s ministries even though they may not have officially identified themselves as part of the Woman’s Missionary Union. They should. There was a time, maybe 40 years ago, when to be an official part of the WMU, your group had to have “circles” and meet a lot of criteria which have since been discarded. These days, flexibility is the rule.

Some great, great work is being done by these women of our churches. Any pastor worth his salt is quick to realize that and sure to give them the affirmation they deserve and the support they require.

Parents of a missionary couple told the group: “When our children first went to the foreign field, we prayed, ‘Lord, keep them and protect them.’ Now we pray, ‘Lord, we release them to you.'”

A director of missions said, “I’ve known many missionaries, and I’ve never yet heard one of them ask people to pray for their safety. They want us to pray for their effectiveness in reaching the lost.”

I once said to Dr. Wanda Lee, the national director of the WMU, head-quartered in Birmingham, “I was a member of the trustees of the International Mission Board when you and Larry were appointed missionaries.” That would have been the late 1970s. She said, “I know, Joe. I still have the cartoon you drew for us at that time.” Oops. Thank you, I said sheepishly.

H. Rhea and Nancy Chafin are missionaries in the MAC field of the IMB. “That’s the Middle America and the Caribbean,” they explained. They were appointed near the same time as Wanda and Larry Lee, so I’m taking credit for them, too(!).

The Chafins are based in Honduras. Nancy edits the internet magazine for the 350 missionaries in the MAC zone. She also e-mails each one on his/her birthday, sending encouragement and a Scripture. She asked us to pray for her effectiveness.

“The IMB prints out our internet magazine and snail-mails it to all the hundreds of retired missionaries who once served in the MAC field.” She smiled and said, “They are part of the generation that does not want to see it on a screen; they want a piece of paper!”

David Rhymes from our associational office–and a NAMB missionary–spoke on “reaching New Orleans.” He and Jamie had sat there listening to the report from the state WMU scholarship committee. This organization gives scholarships to a number of students at Louisiana College and some of our seminaries. David said, “Both Jamie and I received WMU scholarships at L.C.” Money well invested.

David told how the initial “relief” stage in New Orleans saw thousands of yellow-shirted DR workers representing Baptist churches across the land flow into our city. “No one does relief work better than Southern Baptists,” he said. “This ministry opened a lot of doors in the city, helped thousands of people, honored the Lord, and gave Southern Baptists a good name.”

“In the recovery stage, we are rebuilding churches so they will be there as people return to their homes and communities.” The redemption stage involves prayer walking and various evangelistic ministries such as block parties and backyard Bible clubs.

David said, “God has given New Orleans a second chance to hear the Truth. We’ve never seen the city this open to the gospel. You’ll not find another city in America so open to the gospel.” He concluded, “I’m glad to be along for the ride. The road ahead is long. The first phase will take 15 to 20 years. We’re told the population of New Orleans will not return to the pre-Katrina level until 2080.”

Miss Georgia Barnette attended. And the year was 1905. Well, it was our own Kathy Frady, one of the most gifted, creative, and sharp people on the planet. She took elements from Miss Barnette’s story–she headed up women’s work in our state back then and the state missions offering carries her name–made it hilarious, drove it home, and left us all stunned with its impact. There is nothing this lady cannot do. In 5 minutes, she spoke of “difficulties, delays, and disappointments” and left everyone encouraged about the assignments God has given them.

Lonnie Wascom is the director of missions for the Northshore Associations, which comprises three associations reaching from Hammond to Covington to Slidell. He spoke at the final session.

“My mother was ‘Miss WMU’ of Salem Baptist Church north of Walker, LA,” he began. “She took me to WMU meetings while I was still in the oven. Then, when I was little, the women would work on quilts while they were doing their missions program. They’d put us kids on the floor under the quilt. So, missions has been in me since before I was born.” Lonnie is a present trustee of the International Mission Board.

“The Northshore Associations counts 92 churches and missions. Two more are in development, and we have 5 in a box.” I think that means they’re out of business–like a number of ours that were shut down by Katrina and have never re-opened. With all the language groups on the Northshore, they’re starting a number of ethnic churches.

“We have a love-hate relationship with New Orleans,” Lonnie said. “We have always loved to go down there to work and earn money, to eat, and attend the arts. But our people didn’t love the city. Until now. These days, they realize we’re all joined together.” After Katrina, his Northshore folks were the first disaster relief people into the city.

“If you live somewhere else in Louisiana, I want to tell you that we all need New Orleans to be healthy.”

Lonnie shared his burden about the field where God has assigned him. “The state of Mississippi counts one Baptist church for each 650 residents. In Louisiana, it’s one Baptist church for each 2730 residents. But on the Northshore, we have one SBC church for each 5,500 people.”

Lonnie’s sermon was based on Revelation 12:9ff. The believers in that passage overcame the enemy with three great and effective weapons:

a) the blood of the Lamb. What Christ accomplished. The cross.

b) the word of their testimony. What they experienced. Their story.

c) they loved not their lives unto death. Their commitment.

As we preachers say, “That’ll preach.” And he preached it. Listening to Lonnie on this point, I thought of what a Middle East expert had said about the suicide bombers: “When a person is willing to die to make his point, there’s not a lot you can do to prevent it.”

Lonnie told of a friend who used to point out the five stages of giving: “First, you give. Then you give some more. Then you tithe. Next, you give until it hurts. And finally, you give until it feels good.”

Kristi Carr represented the national office of the WMU. In her excellent presentation on the subject of preparing for one’s mission excursion, she mentioned a program called “Pure Water, Pure Love.” Ever heard of it? I didn’t think so. But if you are a Southern Baptist, you should, because it’s a ministry that should make you strut a little.

“More than 10 years ago, the ministry known as Pure Water Pure Love began by supplying water filters and purifiers to missionaries on the field. Thanks to the Lord, it has grown far beyond that humble beginning. PWPL now provides grants for wells in villages and institutions that are without a clean water supply. In the last 3 years, PWPL has provided funding for wells and purification systems in 15 countries.”

Why is this so important? Because 80 percent of the illnesses and deaths in developing nations are caused by water-borne diseases, killing a child every 8 seconds.

On August 15, 2007, when an earthquake devastated southern Peru, our missionaries partnered with Peruvian Baptist churches to buy a water pump and 1100 liter water tanks for ten communities, providing fresh clean water for these hurting people.

For more information on the Pure Water Pure Love work, visit the website at www.wmu.com/volunteerconnection/pwpl. To send money for this project, write “Pure Water, Pure Love,” c/o WMU, P. O. Box 830010, Birmingham, AL 35283-0010.

During the meeting, as usual, I sketched a few people and scattered a few cartoons around the room.

Janie Wise was one victim. In the drawing, I had people complimenting her on her “wise” words, “wise” decisions, etc. One says, “But there’s a problem: she’s married to a Wise guy.”

Lonnie Wascom suggested you can look at your checkbook to see what it is you really love. I drew an old couple staring at their checkbook saying, “Well, in that case, we’re having a love affair with Walgreen’s.”

I gave one to the Chafins of MAC (Middle America-Caribbean). A little kid in church says, “This is a sign from the Lord. They’re serving in MAC and that’s my favorite food–so obviously, God wants me to pray for them!”

And maybe another or two I’ve forgotten. (And just hope the recipients do!)

The meeting ended at 1 o’clock Saturday, and before heading to New Orleans I stopped off at one of my favorite BR restaurants–the Macaroni Grill–and later ran next door to Barnes & Noble (don’t tell Margaret!). It happened again. I sketched the waiter Tyler, then some of the other wait staff wanted to be drawn, and I drew the family at the next table (twin teenagers Olivia and Elizabeth and their father). As they left, the father handed me a Macaroni Grill gift card. “It still has 45 dollars left on it.” I thanked him, and later handed it to Tyler. “Take my meal out of it, and whatever is left, is your tip.”

It’s so easy to be generous when it doesn’t cost you anything! (Another lesson on giving there, Lonnie.)

Sunday morning, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church re-enters their renovated sanctuary for the first time since August 29, 2005. I’ll be there for both services and plan to report here on this great event. If you’re in the New Orleans area, you’re invited. First service from 7:30 to 9:30, and second service from 10:30 until they get tired of shouting!

The text from Ezra chapter 3 comes to mind about these good folks. As soon as the foundation for the repaired temple was in place, they stopped to give thanks. An old-fashioned revival broke out, with the older people weeping and the younger ones shouting. The temple was a long way from being completed, but they just couldn’t wait to celebrate!!!!!