Macomb, Missouri

"Corinth Baptist Church" Macomb, Missouri

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Throughout the years, as I've traveled around the country, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon:

For the most part, I connect with folks I haven't seen in a year. When I arrive I receive a wonderful welcome in the form of a warm handshake, smile and even a sweet hug. Followed by time spent with those I haven't been around for quite a while.

I have been invited over for meals, taken out to eat, asked to high school football games and even went inline skating once. I've been given the honor of sharing a bit during traditional worship services. But those Services take up a very small amount of time (in a week's worth of time) of our walk as Believers.

Over the years those feelings of appreciation, admiration and yes Love, have grown to the point where I get excited, anticipating the reunion---renewed fellowship as I approach a given area.

I suspect that as we near the end of this rather unusual episode in our lives, we will have come to long-for and crave that aspect of connection/fellowship. Which very few of us get enough of.

So, perhaps there is untapped (joy, happiness, fulfillment, etc.) available to us in God's Kingdom. This side of heaven, for those of us who need it more, most. And maybe we can make a determined effort to arrange more time for this much needed (Fellowship) activity.

Something to look forward to!

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ,

Larry Eugene Stevens

Coronavirus

T.R.S. (Temporary Recording Studio)

Corona-virus

Well, for the moment some aspects of this ministry are on hold. That is, unable to go into nursing homes.

However, it has turned out to be a blessing to be where I am at this time. Because, the church I'm at which has a place for me to park, plug in and access their shower and kitchen, have given me permission to assemble the T.R.S. (Temporary Recording Studio) in one of the unused rooms.

This will allow me to continue to do ministry related work while this history making episode runs it's course.

Last Friday I unpacked the recording equipment stored in the van and set it up in what used to be the Pastors office. Saturday I began working on an old classic “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ,

Larry Eugene Stevens

Macomb, Missouri

"Corinth Baptist Church" Macomb, Missouri

Macomb, Missouri

Laura Ingalls Wilder, writer of “Little House on the Prairie” lived for a time in Mansfield, Missouri. There's a museum there with an RV Park across the road.

Back when I was sleeping in a tent every night to do this ministry, I paid for one night to pitch the tent and access their shower. The owner at the time (Sandy) who raised miniature horses on the property, found out what I do and like the folks in Arkansas, invited me to stay free-of-charge as I ministered in the area.

So, for the next two weeks I sang in a number of nursing homes within a twenty mile radius. Including a facility in the town of Seymour where the activity director invited me to attend the “Corinth Baptist Church” in an area called Macomb.

Through the years the folks of this congregation have given me a place to park and plug-in at the church which also has a shower, as I minister in the area. These days there are three churches I get to share in while here, as well as the nursing homes.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ,

Larry Eugene Stevens

Hartford, Arkansas

"Assembly of God" Hartford, Arkansas

Hartford, Arkansas

Over fifteen years ago when I first started this ministry I was driving into Mena, Arkansas when I pulled into a campground just south of town. Paid for one night ($16) to pitch my tent. This is before the Lord opened my mind to rig the van to sleep in.

It was a Saturday so I sang in one of the nursing homes and the next morning attended a store-front church in town where I got to join the folks who were leading the music service.

When I got back to the campground and went to pay for another night, the owner informed me that they'd received two phone calls from people checking-up (asking) if there was someone in the park who sang in nursing homes. I was then told that my money was no good and I could stay free of charge as long as liked.

Stayed there a bit longer ministering in the area then drove north and a little east to a campground on the Arkansas river. As I went to say hi to the man in the campsite beside me, he nervously asked, “Have you come to torment me?”

Needless to say that stopped me in my tracts. Spent the rest of the afternoon visiting with, ministering to him. At one point as we were sitting at a picnic table, a man drove up and stopped to visit. Said he'd come to the park to dig for worms (fishing). Shortly thereafter, this man told me that I needed to go back sixty miles the way I'd just come to Hartford, Arkansas. He told me what church I needed to go to and who I needed to see.

The next morning which was a Sunday, I drove back to Hartford and as I arrived at the church the pastor greeted me in the parking lot and the first thing he said was, “Do you play a guitar?” A little surprised I answered yes. He responded, “Bring it in”.

For the next couple of weeks I stayed in the area worshiping with these folks, ministering in the nursing homes nearby and even helped with some remodel work on a members' house. At the last service before I left, I received a much needed Love Offering. By the time that arrived I was down to about thirty dollars although they didn't know about that.

Throughout the years I've made an effort to swing through here most every year. They continue to give me an opportunity to share in the service and help me along my way.

May God Bless You!

Yours in Christ,

Larry Eugene Stevens