Pestke Jr., Richard A. "Dick"
Gone home to be with His Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 23,2006 at age 64. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Jane. Loving father of Laura (Michael) Schiano of MA, Lisa (Michael) Woods of WA, and Kevin Pestke. Also survived by parents, Richard and Eletha; grandson, Jake; sisters, Gail (Graham) Cresswell and Linda Miller; brother-in-law, George (Bea) Arnold; nieces and nephews. Dick was a faithful member of First Bible Baptist Church.
No prior calling hours. Family and friends are invited to celebrate his Memorial Service, Thursday, November 30th at 7 P.M. at First Bible Baptist Church, 1039 North Greece Rd. Private internment in Parma Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or First Bible Baptist Church Building Fund.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
Vision Bible Baptist
This last weekend, John Sarra and I traveled to Lusaka to participate in a small conference including some 7 churches and roughly 300 people. We arrived Saturday morning and preached and taught until mid afternoon. Had a great time opening God's word and seeking to know the Lord more deeply.
John was able to distribute boxes full of Bibles and evangelistic tracts as well as a wheelchair. There are sometimes in life when life seems more difficult than others. As I go through the struggles of my daily life and the complications of my father's cancer, I often feel weighted down. Yet, this weekend was refreshing for me - one great reason - perspective. We were able to give a wheelchair to a girl in the congregation that was unable to attend school because she had no wheelchair. After the girl came forward to receive the wheelchair we found out her name is "Misozi", which means in Nyonga "tears". We later found out her mother died in childbirth and thus the name was given. The girl was deeply moved by the gift and could not speak because of the emotion of the moment.
As thankful as I was for being allowed to be used of God and see the Lord move through the people at the preaching of His word, this weekend - I saw Jesus in the face of a girl named "Tears". I will not soon forget Misozi. She is an overachiever! In a world of difficulty for the non-handicapped, she has struggled just to exist in a nation that has little sympothy for her type. To God be the Glory - as Jesus said, "neither did she sin, nor her parents: but that the works of God should be manifest" (John 9:3).
John was able to distribute boxes full of Bibles and evangelistic tracts as well as a wheelchair. There are sometimes in life when life seems more difficult than others. As I go through the struggles of my daily life and the complications of my father's cancer, I often feel weighted down. Yet, this weekend was refreshing for me - one great reason - perspective. We were able to give a wheelchair to a girl in the congregation that was unable to attend school because she had no wheelchair. After the girl came forward to receive the wheelchair we found out her name is "Misozi", which means in Nyonga "tears". We later found out her mother died in childbirth and thus the name was given. The girl was deeply moved by the gift and could not speak because of the emotion of the moment.
As thankful as I was for being allowed to be used of God and see the Lord move through the people at the preaching of His word, this weekend - I saw Jesus in the face of a girl named "Tears". I will not soon forget Misozi. She is an overachiever! In a world of difficulty for the non-handicapped, she has struggled just to exist in a nation that has little sympothy for her type. To God be the Glory - as Jesus said, "neither did she sin, nor her parents: but that the works of God should be manifest" (John 9:3).
Friday, November 10, 2006
Institute Pyramid
On Wednesday the guys from the Bible Institute wanted me to take a picture of them - so we assembled a group of them together and took a couple photos. After some persuassion, I was able to get them to try a pyramid. For many, it was their first time --- so, it's a pyramid, but it is not pretty... we had a good time! Can you see me?
Monday, November 06, 2006
Basic School
This past Saturday (Nov 4), I was asked to come and preach to a group of roughly 30 students at the local basic school. The students are graduating from grade 8 to grade 9 and have organized a Bible club. Next week they will be taking their grade 8 exams making this last Saturday ideal for some encouragement from God's word.
I have been reading through the book of Joshua and just happened to have the story of Jericho and the transgression of Achan as my morning devotion - an always applicable story of the huge "faith projects" the Lord puts within our lives to show us His great and mighty strength, while at the same time warning us not to look to the right or left, but to keep focused on His word. Jericho being the faith project and the gold, silver, and Babylonian garments being the temptations that come into each of our lives, especially after a victory such as the defeat of Jericho.
Roughly 10-11 students and even a couple of teachers raised their hand in agreement with having some sin that needed to be removed in order to keep in line with God's word. In all, the students received the message, praying together to purge out our sin, the Lord to keep us from sin, and to walk by faith.
In all - To God be the Glory!
I have been reading through the book of Joshua and just happened to have the story of Jericho and the transgression of Achan as my morning devotion - an always applicable story of the huge "faith projects" the Lord puts within our lives to show us His great and mighty strength, while at the same time warning us not to look to the right or left, but to keep focused on His word. Jericho being the faith project and the gold, silver, and Babylonian garments being the temptations that come into each of our lives, especially after a victory such as the defeat of Jericho.
Roughly 10-11 students and even a couple of teachers raised their hand in agreement with having some sin that needed to be removed in order to keep in line with God's word. In all, the students received the message, praying together to purge out our sin, the Lord to keep us from sin, and to walk by faith.
In all - To God be the Glory!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Fish Ponds
With my move to Chipata on the horizon, I am researching multiple venues to fin
d a way to bring some sort of self-sustainability to the proposed mission station in the Eastern Province. One such idea that seems to truly have potential is fish ponds. When most thing of fish, they think of poles and hooks - this is completely different - the idea is to bring fishlings to full maturity and sell to a ready market.
This last Thursday, I spent the day speaking to local government fish agencies and accumulating pertinent information. Although the initial capital investment appears to be significant, the long term pay off and maintenance costs are quite positive making
this project something likely we will pursue. The Lord even brought a commercial fish farmer into my path on Thursday, allowing me the opportunity to speak and question the profitability and success he has had over the years. I am hoping to visit his fish farm in the near future to get a realistic idea of how it all works - but, right now - I remain quite excited at the potential this project has. This project is not intended to just bring in profit, but to produce enough revenue that the ministry in the Eastern Province will develop and continue forward without the need of foreign investment.
d a way to bring some sort of self-sustainability to the proposed mission station in the Eastern Province. One such idea that seems to truly have potential is fish ponds. When most thing of fish, they think of poles and hooks - this is completely different - the idea is to bring fishlings to full maturity and sell to a ready market.This last Thursday, I spent the day speaking to local government fish agencies and accumulating pertinent information. Although the initial capital investment appears to be significant, the long term pay off and maintenance costs are quite positive making
this project something likely we will pursue. The Lord even brought a commercial fish farmer into my path on Thursday, allowing me the opportunity to speak and question the profitability and success he has had over the years. I am hoping to visit his fish farm in the near future to get a realistic idea of how it all works - but, right now - I remain quite excited at the potential this project has. This project is not intended to just bring in profit, but to produce enough revenue that the ministry in the Eastern Province will develop and continue forward without the need of foreign investment.
Region Baptist Church
Sunday (October 29), I was asked by Andrew Mulenga to come and close a Youth Conference at his church (Region Bible Baptist). There was suppose to be 4 churches in the area gathering for 3 days of teaching, activities, and preaching. When I arrived I found only 3 churches had attended, due to lack of transport by one of the churches.I preached a message from Deuteronomy on the need for the Scripture in the life of every true believer and how event the Lord Jesus quoted and lived by Old Te
stament Scripture when confronted by the devil and difficult situations in life. Although, I am not sure the message was necessarily aimed at youth, it was received with all readiness of mind.The Lord continues to bless His word and accomplish His will - not sure why He ever chose men, only that it would obviously bring Him the maximum glory for the weakest of His creation to proclaim the greatest of Truths - in all, To God be the Glory.
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