We have open invitations to develop a mission relationship with Spain and Vermont in 2006. Prayerfully, this will become a reality.

With the wonderful help of Judy Ward of Mt. Olivet, our Association promoted two youth events in 2005. One was a movie night back in March and the other was a girls' retreat this October. Once again, the response from our churches was underwhelming. I believe with all my heart that we could easily reach more than 300 teenagers every month if we would just respond to the fields of harvest. We are missing untold opportunities to invest in young lives and make a difference for the cause of Christ.

CenterFest has grown with each passing year. We had more individuals helping with our booth and working the streets this year, but fewer churches. More recipe booklets with the plan of salvation were handed out than were given away during the past two years, and it is becoming common knowledge among those with young children that someone is willing to help with diapers and feeding during the long day. The opportunity has grown so much, that if we wanted to and had the volunteers, we could actually set up another booth and extend our witness. Something new this year were the prayer buttons that many of the volunteers wore. The simple button adorned with our logo asked, "How may I pray for you?" It provided another avenue that we could use to minister in a personal way to Bedford's guests.

ESL continues but at a different pace. Esther Woodford works with a young lady from Laos each week at our office while Mary Alice Howell has been teaching a Russian Muslim family in Roanoke. There are many around us who want very much to study English, but we do not have any more volunteer workers. Pray that God will convince others to become missionaries of the Gospel to the people groups living in our backyards.

For some months River Rock has been meeting at SuperKicks Karate Dojo in Wyndhurst. They continue to grow, share in some of our Association ministries, and have been very faithful in supporting the finances of Strawberry. I appreciate Marc, his family, and the folks at River Rock.

Thanks to Susan Batten-Bell and her superb group of volunteers who worked so hard on the 2005 Children's Music Camp. The week was not only used to teach about music, a special presentation entitled "A 100% Chance of Rain," was performed on the last evening. It was classic! In spite of a few technical and stage difficulties everyone present had a blast. We look forward to the 2006 camp!

Since our financial crisis in early 2004 things have improved. We are grateful for those who have recognized the need and helped financially. Some churches have increased their percentage of giving to the Association, and the 2005 Missions Week offering was encouraging. It seems to have helped that we broke it down into such a simple challenge by stating, "A dollar a day per member for a week". Seven dollars doesn't seem so big after all, does it? I ask that you continue to seek God regarding our budget. To reach, grow, and expand our touch requires more than just making it into the black. We need more churches to increase their giving just as we need more folks to become personally involved in following Jesus Christ.

Our good friend Timothy Mark shared in several more Strawberry churches. Not only is he doing his concerts, he has now begun conducting revivals. God has used him in exceptional ways to speak to us about the purpose and place of the church.

We've lost or are losing several pastors due to retirement. Bill Vest, Bob Sherrill, and Jack Deans have already retired, and Charles Stinson will be leaving North Bedford's pulpit the end of this year. Coming into the life of Strawberry are John Napier of Timber Ridge and Mark Flores of Mount Hermon. These are two great people. I hope you get to know them. "www.sbava.org" is now four years old, and believe it or not, we have between two and three thousands visits each month, and it is gratifying to hear comments from folks when they learn something from our Website or find a church home. It is one of our best investments when it comes to communicating and promoting our ministries.

Barbara and I will be helping with a more hands-on approach in some Strawberry churches as we target evangelism, outreach, and community ministry. We want to help those interested in learning how to become more involved in loving sheep without a shepherd.

Thank you to those who continue to take an active part in Barbara's jail ministry. What God is doing through her is nothing short of amazing. It makes me feel good to know that some in our Association are concerned.

Esther deserves another big "thank-you". She has been about this job for twenty years now, and it is a labor of love. Take time to wish her a special congratulations for so many years of faithfulness.