Recent Update

Dear Friends,

Wow! Where to begin? It has been a busy couple of months since we came home from South Africa. We had meetings in Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Alaska. We have seen God do some miraculous things. It is a blessing to serve the Lord.

Jeneen took a bad fall headfirst down some stairs while we were in Alaska. We praise the Lord it was not worse than it was. She has healed up from the scraps and rug burns to her face. The bruises are about gone. She did tear a ligament in her neck. When doing the MRI, they found she had a couple of bulging discs in her neck from prior trauma. She is getting therapy and starting to get some relief. I am thankful she was not hurt worse because when I saw her at the bottom of the stairs, she did not look good. It was a bad fall. God saved her from terrible injury and possibly even death.

One of the blessings we experience is being in churches for repeated visits. Because of this, we see the spiritual growth in the church families. We have seen much growth in the pastor too. It is a blessing to see what God is doing in them and through them. We trust they are able to see growth in us too. Eighteen years ago this month, we made the decision that God wanted us in missionary evangelism. We have been to many churches since then. As Paul expressed, we are thankful that God found us faithful, putting us in the ministry.

Today, May 6th, finds us home on a Sunday for the fist time in months. We are getting ready to fellowship with our church family at Fellowship Baptist Church in Meridian ID.

Later this week, we head to Kingman AZ to be at Calvary Baptist Church. They are looking for a pastor. We will minister there the next three Sundays in May. During the week days, we will go down to Phoenix to see the boys and their families. Jeneen will be speaking at Grace Baptist Church’s Ladies Tea Lunch while we are down there. Please pray for the working of the Lord in Kingman as they seek to find God’s man. Pray the we will be a blessing to them in the work they are doing. God has a man for them.

This summer we have two camps where we will participate in their programs. One is in Washington and the other in Wyoming. Men’s backpacking trips are coming together. We have scheduled them starting the first full week of August. Please pray as we put together the fall ministry schedule. We are seeking God’s will on what to do and where to do it. God has opened some doors already. Of course, we are flexible to whatever God would have.

May God bless. Thank you for your prayers and support of what God is doing in us and through us. God is answering prayer.

South Africa Report – February 2012

Dear Friends,

     Jeneen and I thank you for your prayers and support enabling us to minister in South Africa. We had the privilege of ministering at Lakeside Baptist Church where Lee Peterson is the pastor. He was away because his mother was in great need having had a stroke and other health issues. He, being an only child, has a lot of responsibility in her care. Thankfully she is now settled in a nursing home and doing much better. During his absence, I was able to teach and preach many times. Also, we hosted the Ministry Leadership Training Conference. It was three and a half hours of teaching. I spent a lot of time teaching from the table during our stay there. It is always a joy to share God’s Word with people who are hungry for more.
    One of the great blessings was the fellowship of the believers there. They really reached out to us and we had great Bible discussions most every day with people of the church. It was very refreshing to see their desire to know God and His Word. It was very encouraging to Jeneen and me.
     We also had great accommodations during our stay. Many mornings, we would have our devotions on the deck as the sun began to warm the day. The beauty of the summer was a huge contrast to the winter we were experiencing in the states. Yes, we are heading to Alaska March 16th. The weather extremes are not as hard as the time zone differences. We find the weather easier to adjust to than the time zones. South Africa to Alaska is an eleven hour difference. It is also from the bottom of the world to the top.

We had many opportunities to talk about salvation and the outworking of it in the life of the Christian. God is working there and many are growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. The Petersons are doing a good job in ministry. The Lord is greatly blessing their efforts. It was so evident in the life and growth of the church family.
We are getting ready for our next trip while holding meetings in Nyssa Oregon which is about an hour drive from our home. The Lord has already blessed in the meetings and we are seeing good things. Sunday was a high attendance since their new pastor has come. They had 25 in the service. Today, we are going out early to do some calling with Pastor Doug Sondergaard before the evening service. Thank you all for your prayers and continued support of what God has called us to do.

Thanksgiving Message

Today

I am thankful for today. When I awoke this morning I found it today. When I woke yesterday, it was today. When I wake up tomorrow, it will be today. I cannot relive yesterday because it is now today. I cannot live tomorrow until it becomes today.

God’s enabling grace is always given for today. I received it yesterday when it was today. I can count on it for tomorrow but cannot experience it until tomorrow becomes today. I will never be separated from God’s love today. I experienced it yesterday and can count on it for tomorrow but not until tomorrow turns to today.

Today is a day the Lord has made. Yesterday was and tomorrow will be. Every day I wake on this earth, I will find it today. When I step into eternity, my todays will be turned into forever. I will be with the Lord forever. That is why today is the day of salvation. We cannot always be sure of having tomorrow but we have today.

I am thankful many years ago I accepted God’s offer of salvation. On that today I was given the precious gift of eternal life from God. Because of that decision, I now experience the benefits of a relationship with God today. If you have not trusted Christ as your personal Savior, then today is the time. What you do today will affect your tomorrows when they turn into todays.

I am thankful for today.

Monte Leavell

October 21, 2011 – Prayer Letter

Dear Friends,

We must see our life on this earth the way God sees it. It is a short time compared to eternity. Yesterday, Jeneen and I heard a friend in South Dakota unexpectedly went to be with the Lord. We thank the Lord we were able to see him and his wife while we were in South Dakota. Please pray for Suzie. She needs God’s comfort and grace. Kelvin’s faith has become sight. His hope has become reality but the love he shared will always be with us. As believers, we know we will see him again. We just can’t right now. Praise God for the promise of eternal life.

Our last trip was to the Northwest Baptist Mission Conference held at Grace Baptist Church in West Valley City, UT. It was a joy to fellowship with the missionaries and pastors. From there we went to South Dakota for meetings at Calvary Baptist Church where Bill Holmes is pastor. While traveling, we were able to reconnect with several friends. Calvary Baptist Church also hosted the Northern Plains Fellowship meetings. It was a privilege to speak to the men who were able to be a part. We enjoyed the good fellowship and spirit of the conference. The next Sunday, we were able to speak at Bethany Bible Baptist Church in Tulare. This is the church Jeneen and I were with from 1983 to 1990. It was good to see old friends. Please pray for Pastor Bower as he will be doing the funeral of our friend. He and Kelvin were close.

Future trips-

We leave Wednesday for the evening service at Grace Baptist Church in West Valley City, UT. From there we travel to the Denver area to be with Pastor Tim Levin and the church he pastors. We hope to see several friends as we travel through the area. On the 8th of November we fly to Ketchikan Alaska for a missions conference there and at Craig.

Praise the Lord for how He has blessed. He has been blessing greatly in the meetings.

Thank you all for your prayers and support as we follow the Lord’s leading in our lives. Our desire is always for fruit that remains. Thanks so much for your part in this work.

Your Friends in Christ,

Monte & Jeneen

September 2011 Update Letter

Leavell’s Prayer Letter Update

September 2011

Dear Friends,

The 10^th of September, the last group of backpackers drove away from our home. It has been a good season with four different weeks of trips. This was more than normal but a real joy. We had groups fromIowa,Colorado,Arizona and two fromWashington. We also had four men from our home church participate. It is hard to place a value on this ministry. Even though each week was different, they all were a wonderful blessing. It is good fellowship in the beauty of God’s creation. We had good discussions throughout the days about the working of God and His Word. I really enjoy the time with fellow backpackers.

One of the blessings of centering out of our home during the backpacking season is the ability to minister in our home church on the weekends. I have been teaching in Sunday School and working in the land and building committee. FellowshipBaptistChurchhas purchased 19 acres and we are now seeking the Lord’s direction in the next steps. There are site preparations and building plans to work through. Please pray as we seek God’s will in each step.

June through the 7^th of July, we spent in theFairbanks area ofAlaska. We spent our entire time devoted to the ministry of Pioneer Baptist Church. God gave some great weeks as we ministered with the church family. We really enjoyed the fellowship with Pastor Marshall and Phyllis Hamilton. While there, I was able to do a little work on their new auditorium. They have much to do and are in need of finances for the next steps. Please pray for them. We also spent some time with some of the folks at Hamilton Acres. We are looking forward to being back there in April of 2012.

Future Ministry –

We plan to leave on the 26^th of September for the Northwest Baptist Missions Conference in Salt Lake City. It will be their 40^th anniversary. We have enjoyed the fellowship there several times before.

From there, we head to South Dakotafor meetings at CalvaryBaptistChurchin Huron. Pastor Bill Holmes and the church will also be hosting the Northern Plains Independent Baptist Fellowship Meetings. We will be there from the 2^nd of October through the 7^th. The following Sunday, we will be with the church family atBethanyBibleBaptistChurch inTulare,SD. This was the church I had the privilege of pasturing from 1983 till 1990. It will be good to see every one again. The last part of October, we plan to be inColorado.

Availability – We have Wednesday night the 28^th of September open on our way toSouth Dakota. We will leaveSalt Lake City that morning so it will need to be a less than a day drive from there. Let us know if we can minster with you.

Thank You –

Thanks to all who have been praying and for your support of what God is doing in and through us. We are excted about the months ahead. We have two trips toAlaskaand a possible return toSouth Africain the works. Along with this, we have ministry in the West.

May God bless.

Monte & Jeneen Leavell

Prayer Letter – May 2011

May 2011

Dear Friends,

The picture is from Pioneer Baptist Church in North Pole Alaska. The have done more work since this was taken March 2010. Pastor Marshall Hamilton has asked Jeneen and me to come up for a month to help with the many projects and the preaching and teaching ministry of Pioneer Baptist. We head there June 6^th and I will be coming home July 7^th. With all of the daylight, there will be opportunity to do much. We look forward to what God is going to do during our time there.

God gave great trips in April and May. The trip with two young men from our home church toAlaska went well. I spoke in three churches while they were with me. The Lord gave good days for them to see the sights and to meet different pastors and see the camp ministry at Higher Ground. Alaska is a special place where God has opened many doors for us to minister over the years. It was nice to share it with Randy and Jason.

After they flew back to Idaho, I went out to Iliamna to be with Mike and Jeannette Clark. This was my first visit to a more remote area ofAlaska. The village ministry reminded me much of the work Regeneration Reservation Ministries is doing among the Native Americans in Arizona. We have enjoyed working with Regeneration at various times over the years and have learned much from them. Those lessons become valuable for ministry in these types of areas. It was a joy to work with Mike and Jeannette and the people in the villages.

Jeneen and I were able to spend the first two weeks of May in Arizona. It is always a good trip there to see friends and the church families. But with two sons and their families there, it is always great to see them too.

On the Home Front – Our home church, Fellowship Baptist Church has made an offer on land and it was accepted. We have much information to gather before we make the final decision. I am an active part of the team when I am home. Please pray for our church here as we go through this process. The Lord opened the door on 19 acres of land. We need to know His will every step of the way. We do not want to be ahead of Him or behind Him. We just want to do His will. Please pray.

As you can see, we have much going on. We appreciate your prayers for wisdom, grace, and strength. God is working greatly these days. Thanks you so much for your part of His work in and through our lives.

Your Fellow Servants

Monte & Jeneen Leavell

Leavell Prayer Letter – March 2011

LEAVELL’S PRAYER LETTER March 2011

Dear Friends,

How can I share all the wonderful blessings and unique events of the past couple of months? God has done so much and His grace has enabled so much. It is hard to describe. Some of you are on facebook so you know a little bit of what we have been doing. If you would like to friend us, please let us know.

The end of January till February 6^th, I was in Eureka Montana at Valley Baptist Church. Pastor and Juanetta Schrepfer have been used greatly in the Lord’s work there. We are praying for the new contacts and for souls to be saved. We are also praying for some needs among the body of believers. In addition to the meetings, I was able to speak at the Fisher’s and Hunter’s Banquet. I have been able to put some power point presentations together. There were some new people there for the banquet. They heard the gospel. Pray for fruit as the seeds have been planted. Pastor Matt is busy following up with several.

I drove home to finish getting ready for a trip to South Africa, leaving the 8^th of February. The Lord put Missionary Lee Peterson back into my life a couple of years ago. At that time we discussed the possibility of a trip there. He gave me dates and the Lord put it all together. I was able to speak in four different churches and do a ministry leadership training conference. There was a lot of fellowship with the missionaries in the area and people of the churches. God is doing great things there with His servants faithfully preaching and teaching His Word. It was good to see God’s working among the missionaries and in the churches. I am hoping to go again next year about the same time. It was a joy to fellowship with such choice servants of the Lord.

I arrived home March 2^nd, a little tired with some jet lag but was ready to leave March 11^th for Arizona to speak at Calvary Baptist Church in Kingman. Pastor and Vicki Lenzi are being used of God greatly there. It is always exciting to see the new ones in the church and to be with old friends too. I went down to Phoenix to see the grandkids and of course there families. While there, I met with several pastors and friends. I am thankful for Pastor Alberto allowing me to share the ministry God has for us, in Faith Baptist Church in Glendale.

I am now preparing for a trip to Alaska. I leave with two young men from our home church, Randy and Jason Lavorante, Saturday April 2^nd. I will be speaking at Anchor Point Baptist Church, Immanuel Baptist Church, Pioneer Baptist Church, and in Illiamna with Mike and Jeanette Clark, BMM missionaries. I am planning on being home the 20^th of April. Randy and Jason will be with me till the 11^th of April. They have to be home to go back to work. It is their desire to see how God is working in different areas around the world. They both have been a part of recent backpacking retreats also. I look forward to sharing what God is doing in Alaska with them.

Future Trips – I have Sunday May 8^th open for the Phoenix Area and Wednesday the 11^th. We want to make ourselves available to be used as God sees fit. We also have other dates open in May and June. In July, we start the Men’s backpacking camps. I look forward to several trips this year. Looks like a busy schedule for them.

Thank you for your prayers. God is blessing and working greatly. I wish I could share all the decisions and the details of each meeting but space does not allow it. Again, thanks for all you do to keep us doing what God sets before us.

Your Fellow Servants,

Monte & Jeneen Leavell