Pastors Take Mission Trip To Iraq
September 5, 2010
Recently, two Cantonment residents, Brian Barlow and Jim Locke, joined Ken Bell of Pensacola in traveling to the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq.
Locke and Barlow, pastors at Hillcrest Baptist Church, and Bell, a local attorney, were invited by Dr. Nabeeh Abbassi, past president of the Baptist Convention of Jordan, and Pastor Nabil Sara, Pastor of the National Evangelical Baptist Church of Baghdad, to participate in the first ever Baptist sponsored Iraqi Pastor and Wives conference.
The men were warmly welcomed by the Iraqis in the Kurdish area. They were surprised by the modern facilities at the airport in Erbil, the beauty of the northern countryside, and the helpfulness of the people. Remarking on the general friendliness of the Kurds towards Americans, Bell stated, “For a people who have suffered so much and have every reason to be suspicious of strangers, no matter where we went the Kurds were surprisingly gracious and welcoming.”
The conference was held in Duhok and featured notable speakers from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Brazil, and the United States. Pastor Locke, senior pastor of Hillcrest, was the keynote evening worship speaker and spoke on the importance of the unity of the church.
Under Saddam Hussein’s regime, Iraq suffered considerable internal turmoil in all regions of the country. In the northern area alone, several thousand villages were destroyed displacing more than 600,000 people. Several of the pastors at the conference told of the sufferings and victories in their lives under Saddam. One Baptist pastor told Bell (pictured), “I live with my wife in our heavily damaged church. My co-pastor was murdered and another protestant pastor in our city was shot in the neck and rendered a quadriplegic. I was told that if I opened the doors to my church, I and my family would be killed.” Commenting on his story Bell said, “at the risk of torture and death, they stay to minister to the small underground church that remains in the city.”
Another pastor that impressed Bell was Mahmoud. “Mahmoud, a former Muslim and Communist, and his young, pregnant wife are to minister in al-Sadr City, one of the darkest, most violent, sectarian areas in all of Iraq. I cannot imagine a more dangerous area to openly profess Christ. Even Muslims of other sects are at grave risk here. The danger to a professing Christian is obvious. They are “dying to self and living for Christ” in a way few would emulate” said Bell.
Barlow (pictured left) and Bell led seminars on the topics of “Vision – Shaping the Future,” and “Developing a Shared Vision for your Church.” When asked by Barlow to write out his vision for his church in central Iraq, one of the Iraqi pastors replied, “for you, I will first write my vision for my church in ink on paper then, I know, at some time in the future, I will follow Christ’s example and write it again for my fellow Iraqis in blood on the ground.”
Sporadic violence against Christians and Christian churches is common in Iraq though most Iraqi Muslims are against violence and disavow the extremists and criminals that perpetrate such acts.
One of the Iraqi pastors from Mosul told Locke about his experience with extremists and how he dealt with the destruction of his church, “When they (Islamists) destroyed my small church it was a terrible shock, I cried for many days. But then I realized that I must forgive them and love them. Before I became a believer in Christ I was like them, now that Jesus is in control of my life, I am a new man. They are not new men, therefore I have to love them and show them how to become new men with new hearts that love others not hate them.”
Pastor Charlie Costa of Lebanon was also a featured conference speaker, speaking on the topic “the Kingdom of God,” as were several Iraqi-American pastors from the US. For two Iraqi-American pastors, it was the first time since Saddam Hussein came to power that they had returned to their home country. “These men had fled their homeland decades earlier as young Muslims fearful for their lives. They returned as Americans and Christians to encourage their brothers and sisters. What an emotional experience for us to witness. Their love and compassion was palpable. And, the chance to break bread, share stories, encourage and worship as one was an opportunity long desired. And, I am sure one that will be repeated again soon,” said Bell.
The conference also covered a variety of women’s issues that pastors wives face. The women’s conference was led by the training staff of Arab Woman Today Ministries. The women shared many stories about their lives as pastor’s wives and the common bond of friendship and fellowship they share. One of the women told Barlow that, “each day I am grateful that Jesus is my Lord and Savior and that I can work beside my husband in the ministry. We are teaching our children that Jesus gave everything for us and that we should devote our lives to serving Him by serving others.”
The conference concluded with a public baptism service in which five new Iraqi believers were baptized (pictured top of page). The baptismal service took place in a highly visible public lake next to the main road entering the city. Pastor Costa officiated at the service assisted by Pastor Locke. Though the water was cold and deep, everyone’s spirits were warm and high.
Pictured top: Hillcrest Baptist Church Pastor Jim Locke baptizing a man while on a mission trip to Iraq. Pictured below: Goods for sale at an Iraqi market. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lawson And Nita Berry Celebrate 50 Years
September 5, 2010
Nita and Lawson Berry of Barrineau Park celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday.
Juanita Hill and Lawson Berry were married in the North T Street Church of God in Pensacola, Florida on September 3, 1960. They moved to Barrineau Park in 1964. Their son Lynn Berry and wife Terri, their daughter Audrey Dickson and husband Tom, and granddaughter Holly Dickson all live in Barrineau Park.
The Berrys celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and plan a trip to Orlando soon.The whole family will celebrate with a trip to the mountains in the fall.
Lawson retired from the Florida Division of Forestry as an equipment supervisor. Nita was a school bus operator for 11 years and a homemaker.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Featured Recipe: An Impressive Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Torte
September 5, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is a dark chocolate torte with a raspberry sauce. It is an ideal dessert for impressing company or that special someone.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
It’s Easy To Attract Hummingbirds
September 4, 2010
Few sights are more thrilling in the garden than rapidly moving hummingbirds darting among colorful flowers. Hummingbirds, also known as hummers, are always a wonder to see, and it’s easy to attract them to your garden.
In Florida, we see three different types of hummingbirds, but the most common is the ruby-throated. This feathered jewel is only about three inches long and weighs as little as a single penny!
For their size, hummingbirds have among the largest appetites in the bird world. They feed every 10 or 15 minutes from dawn until dusk. During this period, they eat more than half their weight in food and 8 times their weight in water.
If you’re fascinated by hummingbirds, as I am, you probably hang out a feeder or two in the summer to provide them with sugar water. Artificial feeders will attract hummingbirds.
However, feeders should not be the sole source of food provided. The sugar solution may appeal to the hummingbirds’ sweet tooth, but it provides little nourishment. Nectar is much more vital to the hummingbird than just water and sugar. By planting certain flowers and shrubs, home gardeners can provide food and habitat for hummingbirds.
Typical hummingbird flowers are red, have a tubular shape and have no strong scent. But there are several notable exceptions to this general rule. Many plants with red flowers don’t contain very much nectar. Roses, petunias, geraniums and zinnias have brilliant colors but little nectar.
Plants that produce an abundance of flowers over an extended period of time and those that require little care are good choices. Native plants can “fill the bill” where nectar-seekers are concerned and should be used whenever possible.
Perennials that are recommended as nectar sources include butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), red basil (Calamintha coccinea), shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana), cigar plant (Cuphea ignea), firespike (Odontonema stricta), red star hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus), and obedient plant (Physostegia spp.).
It’s also important to plant a mixture of nectar producing trees, vines and shrubs that have overlapping blooming seasons. This will insure that a continuous source of nectar will be available to hummingbirds throughout the growing season. Some of the species recommended include red buckeye, bottlebrush, firebush (Hamelia patens), wild azalea, trumpet vine, and coral honeysuckle.
Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds are not strictly nectar feeders. Insects and other invertebrates are the primary source of protein for adult hummingbirds and their young. An adult female can consume up to 2,000 insects per day. Small invertebrates including mosquitoes, gnats, small bees, fruit flies, spiders, caterpillars, aphids, and insects eggs make up the hummingbirds diet. So keep your plants free of pesticides. Pesticides destroy the insect food base vital to hummingbirds and their offspring, and may also contaminate the nectar they drink.
And if you do use artificial feeders, remember that the sugar solutions must be kept fresh. Florida’s hot weather can cause rapid bacterial growth in these feeders and birds that drink contaminated water could die. To avoid this, change the solution every 3 to 5 days. Clean the feeders with hot water and white vinegar. Do not use soap or chlorine bleach.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Danceworks Registration Underway
September 1, 2010
Registration is underway for Heather Leonard’s Danceworks.
Heather Leonard, a dance teacher for over 20 years, will resume the role of dance director and ballet teacher for Danceworks. She said she is excited that her former student, Chelsea Sims, will be teaching the jazz and tap classes.
“The new Dancework’s dance classes have been scheduled to help dancers achieve excellence in dance. Some of the older students will have the opportunity to dance twice a week without paying the cost of a large dance school,” said Leonard, who has taught dance to hundreds of girls from North Escambia and surrounding areas.
Classes will be held weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Byrneville Community Center. Registration continues this week by mail, and classes begin September 7.
For a printable information sheet, schedule and registration form, click here. For further information, contact Heather Leonard at (850) 256-0948 or email heather@erec.net.
Pictured: Last year’s Heather Leonard Danceworks recital, courtesy Ramona Fischer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Joel C. Burg Graduates From Basic Training
August 29, 2010
Air Force Airman Joel C. Burg has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Paul and Deborah Burg of Cantonment. Burg is a 2009 graduate of Tate High School, Cantonment.
Featured Recipe: Alfredo Sauce Spinach Pizza
August 29, 2010
This weekend’s featured recipe from Janet Tharpe is an Alfredo Sauce Spinach Pizza that the whole family with love. It’s a homemade version of a restaurant favorite with a special blend of spinach, Alfredo sauce and cheese.
To print today’s “Just a Pinch” recipe column, you can click the image below to load a printable pdf with a recipe card.
Roses: A Knock Out Performer
August 28, 2010
Knock Out roses are the hottest plants to hit the market in years. Gardeners love these colorful shrub roses because they bloom profusely with minimal care.
These shrub roses usually bloom like gangbusters for the first two to three years. Then, you may notice a decrease in their bloom set. But don’t despair; they may just need some attention.
Remember that roses need three things to perform their best: sun, water and fertilizer.
All roses prefer full sun. They perform and bloom best with eight hours of direct sun daily. While Knock Out roses can survive with less, some people will push the limit and place them in shady areas of the landscape. Less sun will result in leggier plants with fewer blooms.
Roses need a lot of water during the warmer months, but they don’t like “wet feet”. When watering, try to keep the water off the foliage. Reducing the shrub’s exposure to overhead watering prevents leaf spot and disease.
Even though these roses are good, easy-to-grow plants, they still need properly prepared beds when planting. If your area does not drain well, consider improving drainage by making raised beds.
The soil pH requirement for all roses is around 6.5. This indicates a slightly acid soil. Always follow recommendations of a soil test when modifying soil pH.
Mulch your roses with pine straw or a similar organic material in spring and add new mulch in late summer or early fall. Two to three inches of mulch are great for roses.
Because Knock Out roses bloom so profusely, you may want to fertilize them regularly to keep them looking their best. Fertilize them with commercial rose food according to the product instructions. Water the soil thoroughly before you feed the roses to keep from burning the roots. Stop fertilizing late in the season so the plants can prepare to slow down or go dormant during the winter.
Sometimes low potassium (the third number on the fertilizer bag) can contribute to blooming problems. Differences in soil consistency may account for differences in plant responses to equal fertilization. Take soil samples to make sure your nutrient levels are appropriate in all flower beds.
Prune in mid-February by removing two-thirds of the plant’s height. Also, prune again late August to early September by removing about one-third of the shrub’s height. It is important to eliminate some older interior wood when pruning two to three year-old and older plants.
Knock Out roses don’t have to be deadheaded. While not needing to deadhead roses is a good quality, it can also slow down the ability of the rose to bloom again quickly. If you want to keep your Knock Out roses blooming as often as possible, snip off the old blooms. Even though they will eventually drop their dead blossoms, you can get ahead of the game by helping them out.
Knock Out roses, as well as many other shrub-type roses, have five to seven bloom cycles between April and November. So take care of your plants properly, and you can enjoy blooms for the vast majority of the year.
Theresa Friday is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
Century Correctional Institution Donates School Supplies To Byrneville Elementary
August 27, 2010
The Century Correctional Institution donated a large amount of school supplies to Byrneville Elementary School, just in time for the first week of school. Century CI holds the school supply drive each year, with employees generously donating to the children of the community. Pictured above: Carrie Bryan, Officer Lyons, Grace Gray, Officer Sheffield, Warden Halley and Officer White. Pictured below: Byrneville Elementary School Principal Dee Wolfe Sullivan, Carrie Byan and Michele Edwards. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Back To School
August 24, 2010
Monday was the first day of school in Escambia County. We invited readers to submit their back to school photos.
To see the photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The Northview High School cheerleaders prepare for a back to school routine Monday morning. Pictured left: Cole Crichton prepares for his first day at Jim Allen Elementary in Cantonment. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.