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A word of Encouragement from Curt Iles and Creekbank Stories
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A Promise Kept

It was a request I heard often in Africa: "Mzee (Elder), please do not forget us when you return to the States. Tell our stories to your American friends."

It's a request I've tried to fulfill.  Trampled Grass is now in print and is the culmination of that promise.  It contains forty touching stories about the South Sudanese war refugees and Ugandan heroes who helped them. One of the juxtapositions of the book is how it compares African culture to where I come from, the Louisiana Pineywoods.

In this story letter, we're sharing stories and links from this new book. Many are African, others have a Louisiana flavor. All come from my heart.

I hope you'll get a copy and share these stories with your friends.

I write for a reason.
Trampled Grass and its stories are one of the reasons.

Stay curious.
Be amazed.
Tell stoires that influence and impact lives.

Warmly,
Curt 

 
In this Issue:
  • Prayer needs
  • Trampled Grass
  • Upcoming Speaking Events 
  • Helpful Links

Prayer Notes
  • Pray that I'll be faithful and disciplined in writing, especially on our current novel, As the Crow Flies. 
  • DeDe is teaching 4th grade language arts at Our Lady School in Alexandria.  Lift her up as she teaches and touches lives.
  • I feel strongly called to my chaplain's job at Roy O Martin's mills and logging crew.  Pray for favor as I build relationships with the men and women I cross paths with.
  • I'm teaching a college-age Bible study at our church, The Gathering Place Wardville.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead as we study Acts. 
  • I'm thankful for being involved in five weeks of summer camp. It was a great summer sharing stories of missions.

 

A free gift for you:
many of you have copies of  our twelve books.  If your book isn't personally autographed, I'd love to send a bookplate (see above) as a gift.  If you'd like a plate(s), simply reply to this newsletter with your name, mailing address, and details.  
*Scroll down to learn who Missouri Cotten is.

 

Buy Now

Get your copy of Trampled Grass by:

1. The quickest and easiest way to order: Click here, complete form and we'll send your book(s) with an invoice. 

2. You can also order autographed copies directly through our Creekbank eJunkie Paypal account. 

3. You can order the Amazon eBook for $2.99


4. Order a print edition through Amazon. 
 

Trampled Grass
Stories of Courage and Hope

Curt Iles
170 pages softcover
$15 per copy plus $5 shipping/per order.



The story and above image come from "A Real Southern Gospel Quartet." It's my favorite story in Trampled Grass.

A REAL SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTET

Nothing connects with a person quite like truth in their heart language.

It was a church service like something out of the book of Acts. The worship was in full swing as we were ushered into the thatched roof church. If you’ve never been in an African church, you cannot fully understand full swing.

There’s was a radiant joy in the singing and clapping. In spite of the fact that most of the worshippers were refugees, the congregants sang joyfully at Faith Baptist Church in Nimule, South Sudan.

The singing ended, and a young pastor began his sermon. I was unsure of the language he was preaching. I only knew it wasn't English or Swahili.

After two sentences, he stops. A lady to his right translates. I have no idea what language she's using.

As she finishes, a man on the far right spoke. I still don't have a clue.

A fourth person, a young church leader, translates into something I understand—English.

As this quadraphonic sermon continued, we were told that the original speaker was preaching in Madi, the local language.

The woman on his right was using Sudanese Arabic, the trade language of this region.

The next man was speaking Murle, the language of most of the refugees present.

I wasn't sure if the English was only for our benefit or others in the crowd. 

Madi. Arabic. Murle. English.

It was like the Book of Acts. Chapter 2.

Listeners were hearing the Gospel in their heart languages.

Nothing connects with a person quite like truth in their heart language.

The sermon in four languages went on and on. I always remind my American preacher friends, “Remember that using a translator doubles the length of your sermon.”

In this case, it’s times 4.

4x.

Madi, then Arabic, Murle, and finally English.

Spoken by four South Sudanese.

The Gospel in four languages.

A real Southern Gospel Quartet.

It's the best kind of all.
I wish you'd been there.




 


Where I’m speaking:

  • Sept 8  Camp Pearl Senior Adult Lunch
  • Sept 14  Palestine Baptist Church/ Missions Groups
  • Sept 27  FBC Moss Bluff Seniors
  • Sept 29  FBC Lafayette Seniors
  • October 1  Book signings Alexandria  Tamp and Grind/Westside Library
  • October 4  Jennings Rotary

* meet Missouri Cotten, the narrator of our upcoming novel,  As the Crow Flies.

Links you’ll like:
 Curt's Creekbank Amazon Page     How you can help:  go to the Creekbank Amazon page and write an honest review on any/all of our books you've read.
Our Books Page at The Creek  
Our Pinterest Book Covers  
 Preview of As the Crow Flies  

Our About Page 

 
Copyright © *2016* *Creekbank Stories LLC*, All rights reserved.
*September 2016 Story Letter*

Our mailing address is:
*PO Box 6060 Alexandria, LA 71307*

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