Dear Friends:

We have spent this summer in a whirlwind of change, busyness, moving, change, blessing, transitions, and more change.    Here is the latest.

Mylinda has begun her intense travel schedule.  She will be in churches most weekends talking about her new ministry as a Regional Missionary to Latin America for the prevention of human trafficking and prostitution.  She will also share some of the latest about ministries in Costa Rica.  Pray for her as she travels in Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota this fall.  

We are now living in Washington State.  Our snail mail address is:

Gary and Mylinda Baits

10140 Overlook Dr. NW

Olympia, WA 98502

(mylindabaits@gmail.com)

Micah is now a freshman in college and Jamie is working hard at Holden Village.  We hope to see them both for Mylinda’s birthday later this month. 

We were blessed by our missionary re-entry retreat at Eastern University.  The Spirit was clearly moving as we heard about what God is doing around the world.  We shared worship, learned some new skills, and prayed for one another, laying hands on each missionary (including those who serve as “staff”) We prayed over Mylinda as she embarks on her new ministry, affirming her gifts and blessing her path.      

I too was prayed over.  It was a meaningful closure to 12 years of ministry in Costa Rica.    I was privileged as my International Ministries family gathered around me and pronounced words of blessing, thanking God for our ministry in Costa Rica, and assuring me of God’s presence in my future.  I cried grateful tears and truly sensed God’s presence.   

I’m currently pursuing teaching opportunities and I appreciate your prayers for my new journey.   While I’m no longer serving as an I.M. missionary, and am not currently serving as a pastor, I have been called, like all believers, to serve God right where I am.  And though I can’t do a back-flip and don’t have a short skirt, I’m determined to be Mylinda’s biggest cheerleader.

This is the time when many of our American Baptist congregations are promoting the World Mission Offering (This year’s theme, “Hear the Call”).  Thank you for your giving to this important offering that supports all of the ministries of I.M.  

Thank you so much for your faithful support that allowed me the privilege of serving in Costa Rica.  And thank you for your continued support of Mylinda’s new ministry.    You may have noticed that our support percentages have gone up.  We thank God and we thank you for that good news!   Keep in mind that your support is what made that happen and that your continued on-going support will get Mylinda off to a good start in her new ministry.  

This is my last journal as an I.M. missionary, but like you, I’m still on the team!

Gary

p.s.  Please go to the website (internationalministries.org) to update any e-mail or address changes and nudge your friends and church members to do the same.