♦M 11, 2021

Montgomery Baptists will prioritize the gospel above all by doing the following:
Meet human need while planting gospel seed;
Evangelize the River Region while planting and replanting churches;
Discover, develop, and deploy disciples of Christ to be missionaries across the street and around the world

LESSONS LEARNED FROM OPERATION WOODY

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you
will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 Destination Dig VBS training
During this long year of house arrest (sometimes Explore present-day Israel
called sheltering in place) and finally being able to as we SEEK TRUTH and FIND JESUS
get out around Montgomery with an ankle monitor
(just kidding), Mary and I have picked up bird
watching. It all began with a small birdhouse. It Tuesday, March 16, 6-7:30pm
led to a bird feeder. Then we built a multi-housing Heritage, 1849 Perry Hill Rd
development. And now we are financial partners
Neal Hughes with Wild Birds, Unlimited. I do not have many
Director of Missions hobbies, so this has been somewhat therapeutic for
me. At least it keeps me from annoying Mary, for
which she is eternally grateful.
I was in the reading room one day where we have a “birds’ eye” view Jennifer Foster and your associational VBS team are training
(no pun intended) of all our bird feeders, including those on and near the and preparing to help your church learn about VBS 2021.
window. Suddenly, a Pine Siskin (Spinus Pinus… I call him a small Bring your entire team! Get ready to dig into God’s Word
bird) flew head-on into the window. I have come to call this beautiful but together.
small creature Woody. Little Woody fell ten feet to earth. I could have
sworn I heard a thump when Woody hit the hard ground. He was now Register by emailing office@mgmbaptists.org.
two feet from me, with nothing but a full-size window between us. I did We will use COVID protocols, wear masks, & social distance.
not know if Woody was dead, but he certainly was not moving. I have
never given a bird mouth to mouth resuscitation, and I had no intentions
of starting that day, so I just watched and observed.
Within a minute, other birds of the same kin soon came around and start-
ed chirping, as though they were saying, “Woody, you dead yet?” Then
some more birds came around looking and chirping. They seemed to as-
sess the situation and decided to fly away for a few moments, leaving
behind a designated encourager. The smart one in our house, Mary, be-
gan to take human charge. She got a small lid of water and went outside
to give nourishment and check on Woody. The other bird would not let
Mary near them. My wife remembers well the old Alfred Hitchcock
movie, Birds, so she quickly retreated. Now we were simply observers of
Operation Woody.
Within minutes, it seemed the birds from the universe were back, this
time with many other kinds of these flying creatures. We had big ones
and small ones, pretty ones, and ugly ones. The village had come out to
check on Woody. By now, Woody’s eyes were open, and he was show-
ing life. The birds kept chirping, and then the miracle happened. Woody
got up and flew away, as did the others. I feel like I have seen Woody
since, but there are about one hundred of those Pine Siskins. Therefore, I
will have to believe that he will be all right with great friends carrying
his burden. A little birdie told me so.
It was not long before I compared Operation Woody to scripture’s call
that we are to carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). In other
words, we are to help others until they get up and fly away. Who do you
need to encourage today? Who do you need to protect? Who do you
need to speak to about life everlasting? How many burdens can you car-
ry till a friend is better and on the road to recovery? May the Lord find
Montgomery Baptists gathering around hurting people and “chirping”
until they fly toward God’s best for them. In doing so, we will fulfill the
law of Christ.
Mary and I love you and count it a joy to be on mission with each of
you.
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I
Together We Can! pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have
been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ
Neal from the time you first heard it until now. Philippians 1:3-5

Montgomery Baptist Association • 20 Interstate Park Dr. • Montgomery, Alabama 36109 • 334-271-6227 • www.mgmbaptists.org
This publication is made possible by your churches’ contributions to Associational Missions.
 ♦M 11, 2021

Disaster Relief Readiness Training

March 20 Southern Baptist Disaster Relief
Administration brings help, healing and hope to
those in need following disasters
April 8 - 10 locally, nationally and
Chaplaincy internationally.
April 9 - 10 To volunteer
Visit or for
alsbom.org formore
more details.
Chainsaw/Cleanup information, email
office@mgmbaptists.org or call
334-271-6227.

CARPENTERS FOR CHRIST

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Arrowhead Country Club
Shotgun Start 8:30 am, Scramble Format
$70 fee includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch, drinks, and prizes
Tournament sign-in begins at 7:30
Bring your team or come to be placed, Lunch served after the tournament

Pick up registration forms at the Arrowhead

Pro Shop, Eastern Hills Baptist Church’s
(EHBC) office, or from Don and Bob. All
proceeds benefit EHBC’s Carpenters for
Christ Mission Group. Come help us build
for God’s Kingdom.

Don Walker – 334-277-3257 or dywa@knology.net

Bob Sandifer – 334-549-4120 or bsandifer1964@gmail.com

Sign up using the link below to receive our

weekly newsletter in your inbox.
http://eepurl.com/dpdvlb
Montgomery Baptist Association • 20 Interstate Park Dr. • Montgomery, Alabama 36109 • 334-271-6227 • www.mgmbaptists.org
This publication is made possible by your churches’ contributions to Associational Missions.