I thank my God for bringing me safely back home to my beloved wife, church, and homeland, after traveling through eight countries and serving in several locations over the past year and a half.  I am currently adjusting to life under all new, providential circumstances:

1)  Married life (which is wonderful!).

2)  Moving to a new apartment.

3)  Serving in a new ministry as Maintenance Supervisor at Tri-City Baptist Church in

Westminster, CO.

My year of service overseas offered me many ministry opportunities.  I was servicing many service men and women as well as civilian contractors as a Mail Man. During the last half of my deployment I was running a one-man operation and had opportunity to post scripture verses (without references) on my “Quote of the Week” board; this stirred up many wonderful conversations leading to Christ. I also had opportunity to speak in the Protestant Chapel services a couple of times. There were many, many wonderful opportunities to share Christ and His Gospel to needy men and women. This was the most wonderful one-year, all expenses paid missions trip!

I would ask that you continue to pray that the seeds of the Gospel that were sown during this time would germinate and bring forth fruit for the glory of God.

The most difficult aspect of this trip was being separated from my wife.  Many of you were praying for me (us) during this time, and I would like to thank you for that. God answered many prayers during this time. I am also thankful for the tremendous blessing from the Lord, that I was able to speak with my wonderful wife daily by phone and/or web cam. Praise the Lord for technology!

Please continue to pray that my love and devotion to the Lord would increase, that my love and knowledge of my wife would increase, and that I would serve the Lord in my new ministry, working heartily as to the Lord, with all my might.

Thanks again for your support in prayers, and please pray that the Lord would continue to cause me to “consider my ways” and that I would challenge others to do the same.

For the Glory of God, Andrew Bixby

            He replied, “But if I work less, less I do not earn enough for the support my family. Even now, while I work so much, I have scarcely enough.”

            He had no trust in God and no real belief in the truth of that word, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

            I explained to him, “My dear brother, it is not your work which supports your family, but the Lord. He has fed you and your family when you could not work at all because of illness. He would surely provide for you and yours, if, for the sake of obtaining food for your inner man, you worked fewer hours a day to give you proper time for rest. You begin to work after only a few hurried moments for prayer. You leave your work in the evening and intend to read a little of the Word of God, but by then you are too worn out in body and mind to enjoy it. You often fall asleep while reading the Scriptures or while on your knees in prayer.”

            The brother admitted this was true. He agreed that my advice was good, but I read in his countenance, even if he did not say so, “How could I make ends meet if I were to carry out your advice?” I longed to have something to give the brother as visible proof that our God and Father is the same faithful God that He ever was. He is willing as ever to prove Himself the living God to all who put their trust in Him.

            Sometimes children of God are fearful of growing old and being unable to work any longer. If I point out to them how their heavenly Father has always helped those who put their trust in Him, they might not say that the times have changed. But it is evident that they do not see God as the living God. I longed to set something before the children of God that they might see that he does not forsake, even in hard times, those who rely on Him.

            Christian businessmen suffer in their spiritual lives and bring guilt on their consciences by carrying on their business in the same way that unconverted people do. The competition in trade, bad times, and overpopulation are given as reasons why a business carried on according to the Word of God could not be expected to prosper. Few people have the holy determination to trust in the living God and depend on Him in order that a good conscience might be maintained. I want to show these people that God can be trusted without reservation.

            Some individuals are in professions which they cannot continue with a good conscience. But they fear leaving their profession lest they become unemployed. I long to strengthen their faith by proving the promises from the Word of God of His willingness and ability to help all those who rely on Him are true.

            I know that the Word of God ought to be enough. But by giving my brothers proof of the unchangeable faithfulness of the Lord, I might strengthen their faith. I want to be a servant of the Church in the particular point on which I had obtained mercy—in being able to take God at His Word and rely on it.

            I am pleased to announce that I was married on Wednesday, November 22^nd 2006, at 7:00 PM (MST) at the Vineyard Chapel in Littleton, CO to Miss Emily Schreiber of Aurora, CO. Emily and I were introduced by some mutual friends. After our 7^th meeting we were convinced that our introduction and meeting were not “by chance” and decided that we would pursue a lifelong relationship as long as the Lord would give us clear direction. We had both decided that we would not make any permanent decision in the relationship without the blessing of our parents. The Lord has graciously allowed us both to grow up in Christian homes where we were taught to fear the Lord and serve Him with our lives.              As some of you know, I will soon be deploying to Afghanistan, so my time with Emily before then will be short. We had planned on getting married after my return from overseas. I recently spent one month in Utah for military training; it was during this time that our parents gave us their blessing to get married before my deployment. We had one and one-half weeks to plan for the wedding; but for my wonderful bride, this was not a problem. The Lord caused many things to fall into place quickly and the wedding was a great success. Emily’s sister from China, and brother from Wisconsin were both able to fly in for the wedding. Last minute provisions were made which allowed my parents to be at the wedding as well (for which we were very grateful).             Because of the “speedy” nature of this wedding we were not able to send out invitations and inform many people of our plans. If you were not invited or informed, please do not take offense. We still love you all and wish you could have been there to witness this wonderful occasion. The wedding was small and beautiful; we had nearly forty-five people in attendance.             Early the next day, we flew to South Carolina where we spent the first five days of our married life site-seeing and meeting family and friends. We then returned to Colorado for the time where we will reside until the time of my departure.             Please pray for us during our time of separation; that we would continue growing in our love for each other and that the Lord would give us opportunities to minister to soldiers and their families. I will begin my “Home Station” training in Indiana on Dec 6^th and will be heading overseas sometime in February for about one year. Emily will remain in Aurora, Colorado and continue working at Children’s Hospital where she is employed as a RN until my return from Afghanistan. We also covet your prayers regarding specific direction after my return.  We have been considering several options for ministry, employment, or possible Active Duty with the Army.