Greetings from the Home Front

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from our family to yours! Becky, Jeremy and Katelyn will be celebrating Thanksgiving today in Fiji. Becky has worked in sweltering heat and humidity to prepare dishes for the Thanksgiving table. They're expecting seven friends for dinner tonight. Pray for God's blessings upon them as they celebrate this holiday without "daddy" being at home.

In addition to mourning the loss of Kent's brother, Doug, who went to be with the Lord on November 15th, it was just a few days later that a faithful ol' friend, our dog Wishbone, had to be put down. He was Jeremy & Katelyn's first dog and had been part of the family for 11 1/2 years. Jeremy and Katelyn felt the pain and loss of Wishbone very keenly. Here are a couple of pictures of Jeremy at age 3 when Wishbone "appeared" as a lost pup at our front gate. Katelyn, at age 4, enjoyed playing "dolls" with Wishbone and dressing him up. Wishbone was buried not far from home. Pray for Jeremy and Katelyn, in particular, as they come to terms with the loss of a very special four-legged friend.

A God-Honoring Service

The funeral service for Kent's brother, Doug, was such a God-honoring service. There were close to 600 people who came to the family visitation on Sunday night prior to the funeral on Monday afternoon. The assembly of so many friends were testimony to the many lives that were blessed and touched by Doug's "quiet" service to the Lord. He was a missionary in his own right.

The funeral service was led by Doug's pastor, Rev. Greg Allison, along with his brother-in-law, Rev. Bob Scott, from Texas. Doug's son, Stephen, sang three beautiful solo's for his dad and his daughter, Amber, wrote a beautiful poem. We praise the Lord for blessing our family with Doug who was not only a husband, dad, grandfather, son and brother, but such a precious, humble servant of the Lord who made a profound impact upon many, many lives.

With a tear-stained pillow, I've fallen alseep;

Night after night, I lay there and weep.

Sobbing and begging God for your life,

I wonder what He's thinking allowing such strife.

With a tear-stained pillow, I suddenly awake;

Remembering your words calms my heartache.

'Don't be bitter...Don't ask, Why?

Just know I'll be with Him when I die.'

With a tear-stained pillow, I picture that day

When the Lord calls you Home, you'll be on your way

To that beautiful City where you'll abide with Him,

Your Savior, your Father, your very best Friend.

With a tear-stained pillow, I find it hard to sleep

Imagining you on those bright, golden streets,

Walking with your Savior, finally Home

In that glorious place where you'll never be alone.

With a tear-stained pillow, I finally find peace

Knowing you're with Him, my grief begins to cease.

My sadness lifts, as I know there will come a day

When I'll be with you again, forever to stay.

~ Amber Bryant Clayton

A Breath of Celestial Air

On Saturday morning, Nov. 15th at 8:45 AM, Kent's brother, Doug, age 53, took his first breath of celestial air and was ushered into the presence of his blessed Redeemer. Doug's extended family, which included Mom, Kent, sisters Nianne and Alice, along with his own family, were privileged to keep vigil at his bedside all day long on Friday, Nov. 14th.

Yet, God orchestrated the events of this morning when only the members of his immediate family, his wife, Pam, and grown children, Amber & Stephen, were at his bedside when earth's final breath was taken. Within minutes, Kent and Mom were notified and called to their family home.

The family visitation will be at Bible Baptist Church in Creedmoor, NC located just off of Exit 189 on I-85 North from Durham, from 6 PM until 8:30 PM on Sunday night, November 16th.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, Nov 17th, 2 P.M. at Bible Baptist Church. Kent can be reached on his Mom's cell phone at 919-618-1052. Thank you so much for your love, your friendship and prayers.

Found in Doug's Bible

The following quote by Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family was found on a small piece of paper tucked away in Doug's Bible:

When I reach the end of my days a moment or two from now, I must look backward on something more meaningful than the pursuit of houses and land and bonds. I will consider my earthly existence to have been wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a consistent investment in the lives of people, and an earnest attempt to serve the God who made me. Nothing else makes much sense. ~Dr. James Dobson

"Expected and Unexpected" Trips

Kent's brother, Doug, is expected to enter the joys of heaven in just a matter of days (or even possibly hours). Bless his dear heart, he is so sick, unable to eat, and waiting upon God's call to come Home.

Unexpectedly, the executive boss man of Kent's sister, graciously donated 90,000 "frequent flyer miles" to secure a round trip ticket for Kent to fly from Fiji to North Carolina and back. Kent is in hopes of seeing Doug before He leaves for heaven, but that is up to the Lord and His perfect Will and timing.

Please pray for Becky and the children (Jeremy & Katelyn) as they'll once again be left behind in Fiji while Kent is away. Ask God to comfort the hearts of Doug's family and especially, our Mom, who already feels the loss. Should God choose to grant him one more day of life, Doug will be 53 years old on November 12th.

"Look for Me" Music Video

This music video touches our hearts. Maybe it will yours, too.
Click on the video to watch it or click this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WOuLnsvLtE

More Prayer Requests!

• Please be in prayer for Kent's brother, Doug, whose Homegoing is imminent. Ask God to give grace and comfort to those who love him so dearly.
• Praise the Lord that the architectural plans were resubmitted to the local city council about 3 weeks ago. We were told to anticipate the approval and subsequent issue of a building permit by Christmas time.
• Pray for God to resolve an issue between CEF and the local city council. We believe that God has it under control.
• Pray for the fund-raising efforts that are underway in Fiji to raise funds for the Moriah Project. God is blessing and folks are beginning to become enthused about it.
  

Hurdle Crossed...Thank the Lord!

Late this afternoon, word came that the National Fire Authority and the Occupational Health Services Dept. have granted their official approval for the architectural design of CEF's new office and training facility. This has been long in coming and we praise the Lord for this victory! Siki, who serves on the staff of CEF Fiji, labored long and hard in Suva this week, in soggy, wet weather with a cold to secure these approvals. How we praise the Lord for Siki and his perseverance!

Please pray now for the NEXT STEP which is to resubmit these drawings to the local city council in anticipation that a building permit will soon be issued. We plan to submit these documents to the local authority on Monday, October 27th.

Picture Our World

From Collage.09Oct08

The MORIAH Project Signboards are Up!

The MORIAH Project: God is at Work...Just Watch!

Click here to check out our blog for CEF of Fiji entitled "The Moriah Project" by clicking on the link on the left side of the page. It will give you firsthand information on where we stand in this great project of faith! We have BIG plans for a new national office and the training center and we serve a BIG God!

We plan to install the new signboard today along the front of the property introducing The MORIAH Project to those who pass by. Pray for God's blessing upon this effort to promote the need for prayer and funding within Fiji. We're EXPECTING God to do something GREAT!

Engraved Upon Our Hearts

Engraved upon our hearts forever are not only the people of Fiji, but the boys and girls, in particular. How precious they are to us and how we thank the Lord for privilege of serving Him here.

On Tuesday this week, there were 8 precious children who came to the know the Lord at the CEF Good News Club which was held at the CEF office. Siki, one of the Fijian young men on staff, had taught the Bible lesson that day and when he gave the invitation for salvation, these children responded. It gives Becky and me incredible joy to peer through the windows of the office (looking behind our current office) to see our four CEF staff members "standing on their own" to teach almost 50 school children in our Good News Bure (pronounced boor-ray meaning Fijian house) and conducting their ministry to children!

A very special thank-you goes to those of you who PRAY for us and GIVE to our support which affords us with the delight of serving Him "in the region beyond".
"For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God..." I Thess. 3:9

Pray for Kent's Brother, Doug

Kent's younger brother, Doug, continues to fight his battle with melanoma cancer which has now developed in his liver. Recent treatments do not seem to have taken much effect.

Kent made a quick trip to the USA during Aug 29-Sept 13 to visit Doug and other members of the family. It was difficult to leave him behind, but we're confident that he could be in no better Hands than those of the Lord. Do pray, however, for him and for his wife, Pam, and their grown children, Amber & Stephen, both of whom are married.

Partner With Us!

Gifts for our support should be channeled to Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. Your gift can be sent online and through the mail.

You may give online by clicking here or you may send your gift by mail to:

Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc.
P.O. Box 348
Warrenton, MO 63383-0348 USA
Designate for "Bryant Acct # AFJ0 2083

Meet the Bryant's!

We're so pleased that you've come to see us! We live in the beautiful South Pacific islands of FIJI, just north of New Zealand and northwest of Australia.

Kent recently marked his 22nd ministry anniversary on the field. Becky and I have served the Lord in CEF for more than 29 years now which is so hard to believe! How gracious of the Lord to allow us to serve Him here!

Jeremy is now 14 1/2 and in the ninth grade. Katelyn will soon be 11 and is in the sixth grade. Both of them are home schooled by their dedicated mom. Thank you for praying for us as each one of us carry a "heavy load" of responsibility.