It isn't funny any more. I investigated the attic of our church and found bat droppings everywhere.

They're on the stairs, walls, the organ, and even in the baptismal tank.

Our church in Chatham can have no more meetings where we invite guests until we get rid of the invaders.

The church board has a big responsibility. It costs lots of money to seal a building from bats. We're thinking of selling the church property anyway this year.

Some women in our church say they will not come if there is a possibility of a bat flying around during a service. (Which has happened) The cleaning bill alone will be montrous. This might mean no public meetings in the church until this problem is taken care of. Please pray for a solution to be found!

------------------
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Don't let yesterday's mistakes trouble you, nor tomorrow's fears spoil your day.

Pastor Andrew

Praise God that He is bigger than the bats, He made them and He controls them!

Dear Father, it kind of seems humorous, but it truly isn't. We ask that you will clean Your House. That you will protect it from the creatures that want to make it their home, preventing Your Words from being spoken and taught. We know, Father, that you are bigger than any problem we can face and we ask that you show Yourself by removing the bats from the Chatham church. You brought the animals to Noah's ark and we know that you can send them to a new home in Chatham. I place this problem in Your Wonderful Hands Lord and I praise You for the answer You have already given. Thank you for this opportunity to show Yourself to Your people.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

------------------
Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

Thanks for your prayer, Sarah.

An update: Pest control says that nothing can be done until March or April. It's illegal to kill bats or even remove them from their places of hibernation. They'll get confused and die from hunger. Even bat dropping can't even be cleaned up by the laity because that would stir up toxicities into the air.

I called the Health Department of Chatham to see what kind of health risk we're dealing with. Of course, like dealing with all depart--mental people I got tossed down to the first available voice mail jail.

The problem is that weather heats things up, some bats think it's spring and start flying around--with nothing to eat!

It looks like the only option we have is prayer--which should be our first and best option anyways!

------------------
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Don't let yesterday's mistakes trouble you, nor tomorrow's fears spoil your day.

Pastor Andrew

Things are certainly getting weird.

This Sabbath morning there was a bat resting on one of the rafters 3/4ths of the way up our church roof.

She/he had a prime place to hear my sermon and view the congregation. The bat was right on top of where my wife and children sat (they didn't spot it until the end of the service).

During the service I noticed that many in the congregation were smirking and and shaking their heads knowingly towards the bat.

We tried to keep the "problem" within the board and those who cleaned the church but now it's in the open.

Please keep us in your prayers. This impacts our whole church program.

------------------
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Don't let yesterday's mistakes trouble you, nor tomorrow's fears spoil your day.

Pastor Andrew