Well, it has been nearly three years since I have posted a blog. I start out with good intentions, but things have a way of happening and life throws us some unexpected twists.
So many things have happened these last three years that I could not begin to sum it all up in one simple blog post. So, I will just try to sum up the past year:
Just about one year ago we were living in McAdam, New Brunswick and I was Pastoring a church there. A missionary family that we had become very good friends with were just getting ready to go back to Japan, and things were about to get very hectic for the Basham family.
We went on Vacation to Prince Edward Island in early August. We hesiatated to go since my father had just had a stroke in Illinois. It was believed that he would recover from the stroke and we were encouraged to go ahead with our vacation. We really enjoy enjoyed our time on the Island and had a great vacation with the kids. It was just what we needed.
While we were on vacation I was checking on my dad every day. I got to talk with him one day and tell him that I loved him. I was overjoyed when he responed back that he loved me as well. Little did I know that this would be the last time I got to talk to him. We got home from our vacation on August 18th and after midnight on August 19th he passed into eternity — to be reuinted with his Savior and to see many family members that have gone before him.
We left immediately to go to Illinois for the funeral. We were gone for a toal of two weeks. I was able to preach at my father’s funeral. I gave the gospel as clearly as I knew how, and I can only hope that it sunk in for many that were there without Christ.
After we got back home, late in the month of August (we had been gone for four weeks at this point), events began taking place that ultimately led to the closing of our church in McAdam. I will not go into the circumstances around this, but I will say (and I DO NOT SAY THIS FLIPPANTLY) that I do believe that God had His hand in closing the church. That community is in need of the Gospel and we pray that a new fundamental work will get started there again SOON.
With the closing of the church it became necessary for us to move, yet again. God provided a great opportunity for us. The missionary family (The Nickersons) that had left had a vacant house in McAdam that they let us live in for the past 8 months. We thank God for His provisions and their generosity.
I was out of work for this entire time, although I did continue to pursue new ministries. I sent many resumes and talked with many promising leads. Nothing worked out and so we waited (I wish I could say it was patienly waiting, but it was not always that).
In February I injured my foot while working on a well pump. I did not think much of it, but the rusty nail that I stepped on causes a lot of trouble. I spent a lot of time on antibiotics and nearly two months confined in a recliner. This might sound relaxing, but after just a few days I was going nuts.
Around March I got the name of another church that was looking for a pastor. I had figured that we would be moving back to the U.S. but that was not the case. God has opened the door for us to live in Wood Point, New Brunswick. It is about two miles from Sackville, NB and we are excited to start our new ministry here at Wood Point Baptist Church. My first “official” Sunday was July 3, 2016.
God has truly blessed us with a great group of people here. On moving day in McAdam we had a tremendous amout of help. When we arrived in Wood Point there were about 15 people here to help. The truck was unloaded and all the things were in the house in about one hour and thirty minutes.
The kids will be starting at the local schools this fall. They are a little bit scared (who can blame them — please keep them in your prayers). Jenn is looking for opportunities to teach, and I am trying to get into the swing of things here.
All of that to say this: through all of the turmoil of the last year GOD HAS BEEN GOOD! We are ever thankful to Him for His love and provisions for us.
Isaiah 26:3 —Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.