The Asaphonics Band of Trinidad may well visit our next Mission Metro St. Louis (MMSL) gathering at the Missouri Athletic Club (two blocks southeast of the TWA Dome) on Thursday, May 10, from 9:30 a.m. through lunch. The momentum of MMSL is building as spiritual servant-leaders of the area gather more to build relationships of love and trust, rather than to plan projects. We praise, pray, laugh, and grow in our Great Commission vision for the St. Louis region. We view a portion of the Transformation Video depicting what happened in areas of the world where believers in Jesus came together to seek Him and conclude with a delightful meal that has been a gift to us.
    The gathering is primarily aimed at pastors, church staff, parachurch and prayer leaders, and their spouses. For reservations call Paula at Cass Bank at (314) 506-5505. (And remember that the May gathering is on May 10 which is a Thursday.)

King Ahab wanted the vineyard owned by Naboth. Queen Jezebel immorally saw that they took the land away from Naboth. (I Kings 21) It was evil what those leaders in government did then, and it is evil in regard to what is being attempted in Kimmswick, Missouri today. The Isle of Capri Casino is drooling for the 25 acres of land owned by Larry Schlect, and Mr. Schlect doesn't want to sell it.
    In fact, the Jefferson County Commissioners and the Missouri Gambling Commission are creating the appearance of partnering with the casino people to make a land grab of Mr. Schlect's property against his will. A "Naboth's vineyard" situation, if you please. The JC Commissioners are threatening to use the legal device of "eminent domain" to forcefully take his property. Further, the people of Kimmswick don't want a casino, and the voters of Arnold recently voted heavily against their town's annexation of the property for approving a casino.
    If the government can take away Larry Schlect's land, then the government can find a reason to take away your land and property. This attempted land grab must be stopped!

The people of the island of Trinidad, with throwaway 55 gal. oil drums from World War II, have given us a beautiful example of what God can do when he saves us. During the war, American soldiers discarded hundreds of oil drums they no longer needed. But the locals retrieved many of them to make beautiful musical instruments.
    With this as background, the Asaphonics Steel Band is back and will be doing concerts in St. Louis between April 17 and mid May. They play inspirational music we all love on their polished 55 gal. oil drums and normally conclude their concerts by playing the Hallelujah Chorus. As of now, they have some concert openings. For information call their hosts, Solomon and Ruby Kendagor, at (314) 965-8696, who are the local leaders of International Students, Inc., which conducts an important ministry of pointing hundreds of students from around the world who are studying in St. Louis to Jesus.

Missouri Legislators and spiritual leaders in the developing Vision America of Missouri met for lunch this past April 10. Held in the enclave of the Missouri Senate in the state capitol building, the purpose was to pray together and to build relationships. Pastor Jim Carter of First Baptist of Ferguson is its leader. Though the group is becoming statewide in nature, other local names on the invitation letterhead include Pastor Gerald Davidson, Mrs. Barbara Cooper (Legislative Advisor), Pastor John Wilson, J. Bradley Young and Yours Truly (Administrative Advisor).

The baby was headed the wrong way-"breech," it's called-with just a few days before delivery. Our Lori and Stephen Hendrick in KC went to their doctor that Monday (Feb. 19) to discuss whether the baby should be (1) turned (painful, they say), (2) induced, or (3) delivered by "C" section (if turning were not successful).
    Later that same day Lori was gently explaining the situation to their six-year-old. She invited Andrew to pray. Just a few months earlier, Andrew had the faith experience of asking Jesus to forgive him and come into his life.
    So, then and there, Andrew prayed for his yet unborn baby sister that she might be turned around so as to be ready to be born. Lori then lay down. Immediately she began having serious discomfort in her midsection for about ten minutes, she said. Something was happening.
    At the medical offices the next day preparations for the procedure were being made including a sonogram. Within seconds after the doctor began looking at the images, he exclaimed: "Wait a minute! This baby has turned!"
    So Stephen and Lori went home rejoicing, to wait a few more days for an expected normal delivery. Six-year-old Andrew had prayed (with many others) for his mother and the needs of his awaited baby sister. God heard and God answered.

Harold Hendrick is a minister at large in the St. Louis area, Director of Public Affairs for Christian radio station KSIV, and talk show host of "Encounter" aired Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 3 p.m. on KSIV AM 1320.