After a long summer hiatus, I have officially returned. Summer is winding up (or is it down?), and school is getting ready to start. Change is in the air…
So here’s a few updates in lieu of a summer newsletter:
(1) I took a new job working security for the summer that looks like it will be long-term, and it will allow me to continue with the teaching, church ministry, and community involvement that I have been committed to.
(2) The www.HaDavar.net website has been stripped of most of its content and transferred to the new domain www.RubenBarrett.net. This change is in preparation for the coming publication of some of my many projects. The HaDavar site will be remodeled into an outreach and apologetics site focused around the themes of Bible answers to various issues. Be sure to check out the all-new blogsite at www.RubenBarrett.net.
(3) The house church continues to meet regularly. We currently are studying the Minor Prophets, and just finished going through Jude, 1st and 2nd Peter. The kids are studying the parables of Christ and are making skits/videos of their adventures. We are looking forward to some missionaries to Cambodia coming to speak to us this month.
(4) I’ve been asked to teach a Bible study group of Malayalam-speaking Indians which should start this month hopefully. Please pray that the scheduling can be worked out to involve as many of them as possible. We’ll be studying the book of Matthew.
(5) I’m continuing my involvement once a month with the Civil Air Patrol, training for search and rescue operations, and have 
also spent the last 6 months teaching an aerospace education class to cadets. Currently I’m also in the process of enlisting in the Tennessee State Guard, which is the reserve force for the TN National Guard but can’t be called up outside of the state. Both groups are tied in with the military, FEMA and the American Red Cross and are part of my goal of getting Disaster Relief training.
(6.) The kids are tired of summertime and can’t wait to start back to school.
NOT !
(7) Brenda and I will continue teaching part-time with VCS, where she’ll teach math and I’ll teach Latin and Greek. For the kids we’re exploring all the extra-curriculars as well: Ballet, piano, soccer or other sports, etc.
Well, that’s a wrap for now. I encourage you to take a look at the new website and let me know what you think. Feel free to pass this on to anybody who may be interested. For those new to the mailing list, thanks for joining!
God’s Peace,
Ruben & family
