Mary Magdalene and the other Mary ran back into Jerusalem to tell Jesus' disciples the good news:"…He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him…" Matthew says that the women left the tomb with fear and great joy.It takes a while to get used to such incredible news.The one who died on the cross on Friday is alive on Sunday!

We American Baptists are still running to tell people the good news:"He has been raised from the dead!"We join Mary Magdalene and the other Mary in the task first assigned them by the angel and then by Jesus himself."Do not be afraid; go and tell…"At the end of this 28th chapter of Matthew, Jesus appears to all the disciples and gives to them The Great Commission.

In a Bible study with our church group one evening, I made reference to The Great Commission.From the looks on their faces, I could tell that no one knew to what I was referring.Certainly some of them had read or heard the verse before, but the verse held no special meaning for them.I felt a little homesick.We American Baptists are a Great Commission people, and I missed my brothers and sisters who, like me, see the Great Commission as a mandate on their lives. This experience affirmed for me why we are here.We must tell the good news and train Belgians so that they, too, can fulfill this mandate.

Speaking of good news, did you hear…?This amazing group of folks who call themselves American Baptists proved again that they are a Great Commission people.You proved that you are serious about GOING and TELLING.When you heard that a huge increase in giving to the World Mission Offering was needed to keep all ABC missionaries on the field, you gave above and beyond your usual gifts.Not one ABC missionary will be recalled in 2005.It's not as newsworthy as Jesus' resurrection, but it is amazing and exciting!The same God who raised Jesus from the dead moved you in to give sacrificially.This same God continues to call and equip men and women for carrying out the Great Commission in Ohio, Nebraska, Georgia, Belgium, and around the world.

Thanks to all of you who gave to the World Mission Offering and who give to International Ministries on a regular basis.We count the fact that no missionaries had to be recalled as a real testimony to your faithfulness.

We are also thanking God for:

• Cecilio and Ingrid, a Flemish-speaking pastoral couple who will help with the Flemish-speaking children's camp this summer.
• Ebenhaezer Baptist Church which meets in our home has established a members' list and by-laws.

Please pray for:

• Belgians to be called as pastors to serve in Belgian churches.
• The UBB's pastoral retreat during the week after Easter

May the joy of the resurrection be with you all this Easter!

Your fellow servants in the Gospel,

Debbie (along with Jim, Luke and Ben) Kelsey