"I lay a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it."
"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." I Cor. 3:10,11
The BCC Mexico mission team has returned from the Aldama Mexico trip. Working with Way Of The Cross ministry out of Harlingen Texas, we completed a new church building in a village of Paso Hondo Mexico. The local pastor had started building the church and had the foundation and side walls up but ran out of resources about a year ago. WOTC helped identify the local pastors need and worked with the BCC team in planning and getting the needed supplies to the church building site. The BCC team installed a new roof, windows, doors, electrical and provided the money for the concrete floor. We ended the building project with a wonderful church dedication service. A chicken dinner followed the dedication service and then we passed out schools supplies, toys, hand knitted afghans, and bibles.
The materials used to finish the church building were purchased from BCC Global Outreach contributions. Thanks BCC for your Faith Promise giving to Global Outreach and for using Scrip, you were an important part of this trip. Based on the local culture, we were told that the people will consider BCC a very important part of the history of their church and that the people will not forget how we helped provide for their need.
We not only worked on the physical church, we also worked on the spiritual church. We went to several other villages sharing our testimonies and sharing the Gospel of Jesus. We saw many people come to the Lord.
We are very thankful for the opportunity that the Lord has given us in being part of this mission trip.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Urgent Prayer
Dear Prayer warriors
We are all devastated, and far away from these precious people. We need a Divine intervention. Please pray with us.
Shari (for the Babcock family and all of King’s Castle Argentina )
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Nicaragua
We are back from WOTC Nicaragua crusade. We were part of a very successful mission trip working with Nicaraguan pastors and youth sharing the Gospel with over 7,000 people receiving Christ as their Lord and Savior. These local young people that we worked with are so excited and passionate about sharing their faith. It was tremendously rewarding seeing God's people working together, both U.S. and Nicaraguan, in spreading the Gospel of our Lord. There were 20 Americans and 90 Nicaraguans that were split into 4 teams that ministered in the Leon area at schools and in remote villages.
At the airport in Managua for the return flight I ran unto an A.G. pastor from Pennsylvania and had a brief talk with him. He told me that his church has been going to Nicaragua several times during the year and they are also seeing a great harvest as well.
God is moving in a powerful way in Central America!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Life In These United States - Anderson Version
Why do American teenagers have 35 different sweatshirts?
Does it ever get hot in Minnesota?
What side of the bike path should I ride on in America, left or right?
What is a dime...is it ten cents or five?
Why do so many of the houses here look like a puzzle picture?
Do all the roads and intersections in America look the same?
Why don't my friends finish their food? Why do they think camp food is gross? Don't they know there are people in the world who go hungry every day?
Can we have Malai Kofta, buttered naan, and tandoori chicken for lunch instead of roast, mom???
These are some of the questions our kids have had these past few months as we have been re-learning what it means to live in America.
GETTING SETTLED: This last month has been one of "settling in" to life here. Praise God we were able to rent a townhouse not too far from where we lived during our last furlough. It was a long season of searching for housing options so we are really grateful to be settling now!!
After renting it, we had three days of mad rush garage saling! We literally went to about 45 garage sales in three days, and made about 15 separate trips to Target, but were able to completely furnish our new home in those few crazy days! Thanks to all who donated furniture, bikes, and lent us things to use for this time in the USA. It is SUCH a great blessing to be in our new house and to feel as if we can begin to rest and put down some temporary roots here. God is good.
The last few weeks have also included a Koerner family (Cindy's mom's side) reunion in Missouri, senior teen camp for Steffi, and a Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball Camp for Jeremy. Jenna continues to work on learning how to drive with dad each evening after dinner and is getting ready for North Central University. Todd and Cindy have enjoyed some games of tennis and have been busy unpacking stuff that was in storage as well as just setting up life here.
RENEWING OUR HEARTS: Our time in the USA is split up about 50/50. Half of our time we have set aside for rest, renewal and input into our own lives. We want to "fill up our tanks" and get ready for the next season God has for our lives and ministry. Next week we will attend a conference, and in September we fly to Canada for a ministers retreat. Please do pray that God will refill all the places we have given out and been depleted spiritually, physically or emotionally over the past four years. We know this time of reflection and rest is vital for our long term work in India.
RENEWING RELATIONSHIPS:The other 50% of our time is set aside to renew relationships and share our vision and ministry with friends, churches and partners here in the USA. All our Sunday mornings are booked up from September- November now, but we do have some Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights available. We also look forward to sharing one on one with many of you about what God has been doing in India. If you would like to schedule a time for us to have coffee, a meal, or just hang out with you, or with a group from your church, please give us a call to arrange something. We now have a landline which is 952-997-3695. Our cell is the same and is 952-465-7531.
BUDGET NEEDS: With the addition of needing to rent a townhouse during our time here, our cash budget need has increased significantly! Please pray for the full release of our needed cash budget, for the provision of the $10,000 needed for the land payment due in December, as well as an increase of $400 per month in our regular monthly needs. At this point we are starting from zero...so still have 100% of our budget left to raise! If God is leading you to help with one of these needs, please do write to us for info on how to do that. :)
INDIA: We were recently in touch with our team in India and it sounds as if things are going well there in our absence. The house churches continue to grow and our staff are working hard. Do continue to remember them in your prayers.
God bless and enjoy the rest of the summer!
The Andersons- Todd, Cindy, Jenna, Steffi and Jeremy
Babcock Bulletin - From Argentina
“Taking Back the Streets”
Our theme for this winter (your summer) is “Las Calles son Nuestras”, or “The Streets are Ours!” Castle staff is challenging the teams throughout Argentina to go to the streets, reclaim
them for Jesus and to post the testimonies on the web to encourage others to do the same.
About three blocks from our Castle building is a government housing complex… ie, slums. One
Saturday, a woman with breast cancer was watching a Castle team perform a drama about Jesus, and became conscious of a burning heat going through her chest. Afterward, she was thrilled to find that the same Jesus from the drama had taken the cancerous tumor out of her
body! Of course, the team took that opportunity to pray and rejoice with her!
Another evening, in spite of the frigid temperatures, the staff decided to witness on the train,
all the way to the center of town. Then, they went down the main walking street, preaching in both English and Spanish. They found out that they had a better audience when preaching and translating. So, a staff member would preach loudly in Spanish and one of our daughters would translate into English. Then they would walk among the crowd and ask individuals what they
thought about the presentation.
On one train car there were only four people, hardly enough to do a presentation, yet Zeba did one anyway. Afterwards he sat down near a young man and began to talk to him about his eternal destiny. He found out that Damian usedto be a Christian and go to church regularly, but something happened that caused him to lose faith. When Zeba spoke to him of the relentless love of God, Damian admitted that it had been years since someone had spoken to him about God. By the end of the conversation, the Holy Spirit had moved him to decide to return to his faith, to his church and to lead his children spiritually.
During the swine flu epidemic, the city of Buenos Aires was in a panic, closing schools, universities, malls, movie theatres, etc. A visiting team from Taylor, MI, went out in small groups with Castle staff members and knocked on doors in the neighborhood, volunteering to pray for any sick people inside the house. Some people slammed the door in their faces, but others welcomed the unexpected show of kindness and received prayer for themselves and their families.
Another team worked in a slum area on the other side of town called Monte Grande. One young man followed the team from the plaza to the church, fascinated by a group of young people that were wholly sold out to the Lord. A mother received sight in an eye that had been damaged by
surgery, while still another woman was set free from witchcraft and received the baptism of the
Holy Spirit.
Time is short, Bible prophecies are coming true. Let’s reach out to people today, in case we don’t have tomorrow.
Prayer Requests!
1. Traveling safety: Buenos Aires has tremendous casualties on their roads, we appreciate your prayers for safety so much!!
2. Wisdom and more wisdom. On every front of the ministry.
3. For our Castle leadership trip (from various provinces) to the Impenetrable.
4. For staff members to be “adopted” by churches/individuals for $100/mo.
5. For construction teams to come help us utilize our castle building.
Lots and lots of blessings,
Kim and Shari Babcock
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
From Your Team In Haiti
Hello Everyone-
We are having a great time here in Haiti! We were able to pass out bibles, clothes, shoes and food today in a village in the mountains. Tomorrow we will be painting, fixing warehouse doors, moving rocks to fix the road.
We are having a great time here in Haiti! We were able to pass out bibles, clothes, shoes and food today in a village in the mountains. Tomorrow we will be painting, fixing warehouse doors, moving rocks to fix the road.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
BCC Mexico Trip
The BCC November 1-7th 2009 Mexico mission’s trip team is now forming. Please contact Jim Spitnale at jspitnale@bex.net or 419-478-4047 to be a part of this exciting trip. We will be building a small church as well as ministering around the Aldama Mexico area.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Message from Bob & Bette Sue MacIsaac - Lithuania
Dear Friends,
The construction team from Ohio and Pennsylvania worked hard at camp. They finished the sewage system, built foundations for cabins, and other jobs that needed completed on the kitchen/cafeteria roof.
This month a team from El Paso, Texas will arrive June 15th to work on the kitchen/cafeteria. Please keep the workers in prayer as they concentrate to get as much done as possible in their time here.
The camp loan balance is now at $37,581.21. Seems like a lot more to pay off but we are very thankful for a lower balance and know that God will provide what is needed. Thank you for praying for this need and giving as you can.
You can check out our blog by clicking here.
The camp season will begin in June. Please be in prayer for all the campers and churches using the campgrounds. We want the presence of the Holy Spirit to minister to everyone that comes.
Have a wonderful day! We appreciate each one of you!!!!!!
God bless!
Bob and Bette Sue
Construction Teams - Needed in Argentina
Dear friends,
Between now and then, we need to see some major changes happen to our building. The building is ours, not rented, thanks to the efforts of Martha Lesperance, the former Castle director. So we are free to remodel it in order to best utilize its spacious interior. We need to build a couple of dorm rooms, a small apartment, and bathrooms. We will work in steps, as help and finances come in. We already have (most of) a kitchen… only lacking sink, counter and cabinets, so we are already on our way. J
Meanwhile, we will continue evangelizing, leading training seminars for both leaders and teens, and traveling to new areas to plant Castle ministry. Please pray about bringing (or sending) a construction team from your church to help us. We aren’t going to be able to take any evangelism teams until we get our building usable. Once we get some rooms built and bunk beds put into them, we’ll be able to house teams from the States much more economically. ( And, our Castilleros Extremos will be available to accompany evangelism teams.) But first, we desperately need construction teams coming with money to buy the materials they will need for that week. For those of you that can’t come, please pray with us that God’s dreams for Castilleros Extremos will come to pass for we have a lot of details to work out in the next 9 months.
Many blessings,
Kim and Shari Babcock
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thompson Trails - Missionaries to Kenya
The Kisumu school has been closed since November 2002, but will now be opening as a branch campus of E.A.S.T. (East Africa School of Theology).
The Assemblies of God has been very effective in following the 2 Timothy 2:2 principle: Train
faithful men who will train faithful men who will train faithful men who will train faithful men. This has been done by establishing Bible schools everywhere the Assemblies of God has sent missionaries. The Kenya Assembly of God is continuing to grow at a very fast rate, with a five year plan to double from 4000 churches to 8000 churches by 2014!
* We need pastors for these new churches!
* Pastors need to be trained in a Bible School!
* E.A.S.T. Kisumu Campus can house up to 96 residential students ‐ both men and women!
* Plans include both day and evening classes for residential and non‐residential students.
We are excited about having students back on the campus again! However, there is much to do before they arrive! Our assignment ‐ To get the school fixed, repaired, renovated, spruced up, cleaned up, and have it ready for classes in September 2009!
So much to do ... so little time!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Windows are broken, toilets and showers don’t work, there is no refrigerator, the stove has been
trashed, and cooking is done outside on stones; Desks and chairs are broken or missing, and there is not enough dining room space, classroom space, or chapel space; New chalkboards, white boards, and other teaching necessities are needed; There is no library or computer lab! The dorms are in need of complete overhauling, with new mattresses, curtains, paint, and security doors. The entire campus needs to be painted, both indoors and out, and the yard needs a lot of TLC! The list goes on and on...
The costs of repairing and renovating are great!
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THE BIBLE SCHOOL READY TO RE‐OPEN IN SEPTEMBER!
By investing in the renovation of the E.A.S.T. Kisumu Campus, you will be helping to train pastors to reach the lost in Kenya.
**If you are interested in helping financially, please let BCC know by leaving a comment**
The Assemblies of God has been very effective in following the 2 Timothy 2:2 principle: Train
faithful men who will train faithful men who will train faithful men who will train faithful men. This has been done by establishing Bible schools everywhere the Assemblies of God has sent missionaries. The Kenya Assembly of God is continuing to grow at a very fast rate, with a five year plan to double from 4000 churches to 8000 churches by 2014!
* We need pastors for these new churches!
* Pastors need to be trained in a Bible School!
* E.A.S.T. Kisumu Campus can house up to 96 residential students ‐ both men and women!
* Plans include both day and evening classes for residential and non‐residential students.
We are excited about having students back on the campus again! However, there is much to do before they arrive! Our assignment ‐ To get the school fixed, repaired, renovated, spruced up, cleaned up, and have it ready for classes in September 2009!
So much to do ... so little time!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Windows are broken, toilets and showers don’t work, there is no refrigerator, the stove has been
trashed, and cooking is done outside on stones; Desks and chairs are broken or missing, and there is not enough dining room space, classroom space, or chapel space; New chalkboards, white boards, and other teaching necessities are needed; There is no library or computer lab! The dorms are in need of complete overhauling, with new mattresses, curtains, paint, and security doors. The entire campus needs to be painted, both indoors and out, and the yard needs a lot of TLC! The list goes on and on...
The costs of repairing and renovating are great!
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THE BIBLE SCHOOL READY TO RE‐OPEN IN SEPTEMBER!
By investing in the renovation of the E.A.S.T. Kisumu Campus, you will be helping to train pastors to reach the lost in Kenya.
**If you are interested in helping financially, please let BCC know by leaving a comment**
Monday, April 6, 2009
Dave & Audra Daniel - Missionaries to Germany
PUZZLE SEEDS GROW
We are seeing two families grow in grace and love.
It was a hot summer’s day as we began the first of many Puzzle performances. We were all excited, but also very hot! The temperature was near 40 Celsius! It was on that day that Jonas and his mother, Kristin first came into contact with the gospel and with us. A year later, they attended another Puzzle performance in their neighborhood park. Since September, 2008 Kristin has faithfully brought Jonas to our Friday afternoon kids program and Sunday church services!
Currently, Kristin is attending our Alpha course which teaches the basic tenets of our faith. We know that God is working in this family and are glad to see their interest and growth in the things of God.
Kristin has also been instrumental in another family coming to our kids program. The Busler family has been faithfully coming since the birth of their daughter, Zoey, in September. The whole family comes, Dad, Mom, two sons and baby Zoey. They also had attended a Puzzle outreach, but it is the friendship that Kristin has with Kathi that bridged the gap.
Your faithful partnership with us has enabled these families to be changed by God’s love. We are certain that God has many more families that He wants to change. Please pray that the seeds we have been able to sow will be brought to fruition for the glory of God.
Thank you for your faithful support in this endeavor.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Transitioning to another country is a big undertaking. We would ask for prayer concerning the
following:
๏ That the seeds we’ve planted in the lives of the kids would be watered and bring a harvest.
๏ A reliable car for itineration.
๏ New partners for this mission that will support us in prayer and finances.
๏ God’s peace and anointing on our family.
We are seeing two families grow in grace and love.
It was a hot summer’s day as we began the first of many Puzzle performances. We were all excited, but also very hot! The temperature was near 40 Celsius! It was on that day that Jonas and his mother, Kristin first came into contact with the gospel and with us. A year later, they attended another Puzzle performance in their neighborhood park. Since September, 2008 Kristin has faithfully brought Jonas to our Friday afternoon kids program and Sunday church services!
Currently, Kristin is attending our Alpha course which teaches the basic tenets of our faith. We know that God is working in this family and are glad to see their interest and growth in the things of God.
Kristin has also been instrumental in another family coming to our kids program. The Busler family has been faithfully coming since the birth of their daughter, Zoey, in September. The whole family comes, Dad, Mom, two sons and baby Zoey. They also had attended a Puzzle outreach, but it is the friendship that Kristin has with Kathi that bridged the gap.
Your faithful partnership with us has enabled these families to be changed by God’s love. We are certain that God has many more families that He wants to change. Please pray that the seeds we have been able to sow will be brought to fruition for the glory of God.
Thank you for your faithful support in this endeavor.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Transitioning to another country is a big undertaking. We would ask for prayer concerning the
following:
๏ That the seeds we’ve planted in the lives of the kids would be watered and bring a harvest.
๏ A reliable car for itineration.
๏ New partners for this mission that will support us in prayer and finances.
๏ God’s peace and anointing on our family.
Glutting Prayer Letter - Chi Alpha Missionaries
Thank you again for your prayer and financial support. Below are Current Requests, below that are some updates from our previous prayer requests. Have a blessed week! :)
An Awesome Testimony
One missionary I am coaching was very discouraged and having difficulty. After sharing and praying with him, we talked about aggressively trusting the Lord for new provision. After much prayer the following day, his next 2 calls were pastors he hadn't contacted before. Each pastor pledged $100 per month! At times it's amazing how the Lord goes BEYOND "all that we can ask or imagine".
Your prayers are also helping to make a difference!
CURRENT REQUESTS:
Report Presentation
My final version report will be presented next week to the National Chi Alpha ELT (Executive Leadership Team). This will substantially take our coaching ministry to the next level. Please pray that the ELT response will be the Lord's direction and provision to expand the coaching ministry.
Website
Please pray for the Lord's help for us to get the developed website posted on-line within the next two weeks.
Automobile
The minivan I've been driving for 11 years with 160,000 miles is on it's way out. It's leaking antifreeze in a place that will enter the engine oil. As it would be too costly to fix (along with some other issues) the mechanic suggested we put it "out to pasture". Please pray with us for the Lord's provision for another vehicle.
Candidate Orientation
April 18-25 is our next orientation. I have one new teaching assignment. Please pray for the Lord's help for me to finish my preparation well. Pray that the Lord will prepare all of the U.S. Missions candidates for this week of training.
Candidates in the field
I'm currently coaching 10 missionaries. In these challenging times economically, please pray that each missionary will aggressively trust the Lord for new provision. Pray that God will provide well beyond "all that we can ask or imagine" by the power of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ!
UPDATES:
Soonho's car
We found a nice car for Soonho, but his finances diminished due to the dollar's value in Korea. It's nice that he has his license now, but he's had to put off buying a car for now.
Phil's FL trip
It went very well and the Lord has been doing great things in Phil's life. He's really pressing into his relationship with the Lord and he's been faithful in his devotional life. The trip was a real boost for him in these areas.
Matt's website
Matt did a good job on a website for me. The big challenge is getting it posted to the host site that is available free to me.
National Report
I submitted the report in paragraph form. I was then asked to change it to bullet form so it will be easier to present at the Executive Leadership Team. Yesterday I submitted the new version and it will be presented next week to the ELT.
The Lord bless you! In Christ's Love,
Gregg and Erin Glutting
An Awesome Testimony
One missionary I am coaching was very discouraged and having difficulty. After sharing and praying with him, we talked about aggressively trusting the Lord for new provision. After much prayer the following day, his next 2 calls were pastors he hadn't contacted before. Each pastor pledged $100 per month! At times it's amazing how the Lord goes BEYOND "all that we can ask or imagine".
Your prayers are also helping to make a difference!
CURRENT REQUESTS:
Report Presentation
My final version report will be presented next week to the National Chi Alpha ELT (Executive Leadership Team). This will substantially take our coaching ministry to the next level. Please pray that the ELT response will be the Lord's direction and provision to expand the coaching ministry.
Website
Please pray for the Lord's help for us to get the developed website posted on-line within the next two weeks.
Automobile
The minivan I've been driving for 11 years with 160,000 miles is on it's way out. It's leaking antifreeze in a place that will enter the engine oil. As it would be too costly to fix (along with some other issues) the mechanic suggested we put it "out to pasture". Please pray with us for the Lord's provision for another vehicle.
Candidate Orientation
April 18-25 is our next orientation. I have one new teaching assignment. Please pray for the Lord's help for me to finish my preparation well. Pray that the Lord will prepare all of the U.S. Missions candidates for this week of training.
Candidates in the field
I'm currently coaching 10 missionaries. In these challenging times economically, please pray that each missionary will aggressively trust the Lord for new provision. Pray that God will provide well beyond "all that we can ask or imagine" by the power of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ!
UPDATES:
Soonho's car
We found a nice car for Soonho, but his finances diminished due to the dollar's value in Korea. It's nice that he has his license now, but he's had to put off buying a car for now.
Phil's FL trip
It went very well and the Lord has been doing great things in Phil's life. He's really pressing into his relationship with the Lord and he's been faithful in his devotional life. The trip was a real boost for him in these areas.
Matt's website
Matt did a good job on a website for me. The big challenge is getting it posted to the host site that is available free to me.
National Report
I submitted the report in paragraph form. I was then asked to change it to bullet form so it will be easier to present at the Executive Leadership Team. Yesterday I submitted the new version and it will be presented next week to the ELT.
The Lord bless you! In Christ's Love,
Gregg and Erin Glutting
Kevin & Karen Prevost - MINISTRY IN MADRID
Kilometer Zero Update
In our January newsletter, we mentioned a prayer request for open doors to continue to distribute literature in the streets of Madrid. A law had gone into effect that prohibited this. THANK YOU for praying! The city of Madrid has since amended the law to allow us as a non-profit group to give out gospel tracts unhindered. We have also found that God has given us special favor and support among the police that patrol the streets!
Recently a large number of our soul-winners have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, including some that do not come from a pentecostal background at all! God is equiping his people for a greater harvest.
There is also a fresh vision in the leadership of Kilometer Zero that includes a strong emphasis on prayer including establishing a 24/7 prayer center. In addition, the vision encompasses training evangelistic teams throughout Europe to greater reach not only Spain, but its surrounding countries, as well. kilometer zero website
Prayer Requests - Kilometer Zero
Pray for a greater anointing of the Holy Spirit as we preach on the streets.
Pray for more workers to be equipped to win souls in Spain and all over Europe.
Pray for God's direction in developing a prayer center.
Evangelical Christian Academy (ECA) Update
One of the privileges of teaching at a Christian school is the opportunity to equip the students spiritually. Part of Karen's 10th grade curriculum is designed to aid the students in preparing their testimonies. Not only is this helpful for those students hungry for ministry, but it is also a timely challenge for other students to examine their relationship with God. Last week, fifteen students stood in front of their peers and shared what God has done in their lives, some for the very first time.
Naturally, the preparation of their personal testimonies has equipped the students for our evangelistic outreach in nearby Alcala de Henares. Several students shared their stories publicly for non-believers to hear last Friday night. Others helped with dramas, and yet others preached illustrated messages. This led to many productive conversations with listeners. Stepping out in ministry fuels the fire of their love for the Lord. It's like the food of doing the will of God that Jesus spoke of that nourishes and gives life.
Another example of God's work in the students' lives is the precious sense of His presence at the school youth group. Several weeks ago after worship and the word, students began seeking God, moving out in spontaneous prayer, worship, and ministry to each other for more than an hour afterwards. Noone wanted to leave. God's presence was so palpable, and He was doing a deeper work in their lives. We are so grateful for His work! eca website
Prayer Requests - ECA
Pray for more students to be raised up in ministry.
Pray for the students who aren't following Jesus to be convicted of sin and led to true repentance.
Pray for a continued move of God in the youth group.
El Hogar Cristiano Church Update
Our church, El Hogar Cristiano (The Christian Home), is actively developing its ministries to better serve the families within the church, as well as reach out to the community. We recently had a workshop to inspire and equip our Sunday School teachers and children's workers. We are also preparing workers for youth, music ministry, prayer ministry, and evangelism.
We will be having a church retreat during the Easter weekend. Please PRAY for a deep move of God in the lives of the people that will bring spiritual healing, vision, and purpose.
el hogar cristiano website
Prayer Requests - Church
Pray for Pastor Juan Carlos and his wife Liliana, for wisdom, rest, and wholeness.
Pray for people to be saved and added to the church.
Pray for God to build His church and equip His people in ministry.
Pray for our church retreat on Easter weekend and for a deep work of God in the lives of the people.
In our January newsletter, we mentioned a prayer request for open doors to continue to distribute literature in the streets of Madrid. A law had gone into effect that prohibited this. THANK YOU for praying! The city of Madrid has since amended the law to allow us as a non-profit group to give out gospel tracts unhindered. We have also found that God has given us special favor and support among the police that patrol the streets!
Recently a large number of our soul-winners have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, including some that do not come from a pentecostal background at all! God is equiping his people for a greater harvest.
There is also a fresh vision in the leadership of Kilometer Zero that includes a strong emphasis on prayer including establishing a 24/7 prayer center. In addition, the vision encompasses training evangelistic teams throughout Europe to greater reach not only Spain, but its surrounding countries, as well. kilometer zero website
Prayer Requests - Kilometer Zero
Pray for a greater anointing of the Holy Spirit as we preach on the streets.
Pray for more workers to be equipped to win souls in Spain and all over Europe.
Pray for God's direction in developing a prayer center.
Evangelical Christian Academy (ECA) Update
One of the privileges of teaching at a Christian school is the opportunity to equip the students spiritually. Part of Karen's 10th grade curriculum is designed to aid the students in preparing their testimonies. Not only is this helpful for those students hungry for ministry, but it is also a timely challenge for other students to examine their relationship with God. Last week, fifteen students stood in front of their peers and shared what God has done in their lives, some for the very first time.
Naturally, the preparation of their personal testimonies has equipped the students for our evangelistic outreach in nearby Alcala de Henares. Several students shared their stories publicly for non-believers to hear last Friday night. Others helped with dramas, and yet others preached illustrated messages. This led to many productive conversations with listeners. Stepping out in ministry fuels the fire of their love for the Lord. It's like the food of doing the will of God that Jesus spoke of that nourishes and gives life.
Another example of God's work in the students' lives is the precious sense of His presence at the school youth group. Several weeks ago after worship and the word, students began seeking God, moving out in spontaneous prayer, worship, and ministry to each other for more than an hour afterwards. Noone wanted to leave. God's presence was so palpable, and He was doing a deeper work in their lives. We are so grateful for His work! eca website
Prayer Requests - ECA
Pray for more students to be raised up in ministry.
Pray for the students who aren't following Jesus to be convicted of sin and led to true repentance.
Pray for a continued move of God in the youth group.
El Hogar Cristiano Church Update
Our church, El Hogar Cristiano (The Christian Home), is actively developing its ministries to better serve the families within the church, as well as reach out to the community. We recently had a workshop to inspire and equip our Sunday School teachers and children's workers. We are also preparing workers for youth, music ministry, prayer ministry, and evangelism.
We will be having a church retreat during the Easter weekend. Please PRAY for a deep move of God in the lives of the people that will bring spiritual healing, vision, and purpose.
el hogar cristiano website
Prayer Requests - Church
Pray for Pastor Juan Carlos and his wife Liliana, for wisdom, rest, and wholeness.
Pray for people to be saved and added to the church.
Pray for God to build His church and equip His people in ministry.
Pray for our church retreat on Easter weekend and for a deep work of God in the lives of the people.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Hills and the valleys of West Bengal- Anderson update
BABITA...
Babita is one and a half years old. She weighs only 5kgs, or about 13 pounds. Her family are Bengali Hindus. About a month ago our team found her, began a feeding program as well as taking her to the hospital where she was suspected of having tuberculosis. With much prayer she began to improve and gain weight. As God's love was shown to this family, during the visit of the Cedar Valley team, Babita's mother received Jesus as her Savior. Her father was also open and listening to the gospel.
Then the attacks began in earnest. Babita's mother began having dreams where Kali (the goddess of death and destruction) appeared saying that if she stops worshipping her she will kill her and her family. Babita's mother stood strong in her new faith and continued to worship Jesus, but when her father went home to his village, pressure from family there has made him very fearful to take a step to follow Christ. And they began to get sick again. Her father was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain. Babita started coughing and vomitting.
Yesterday, little Babita was admitted to a hospital near us with severe pneumonia, a secondary bacterial infection and possible TB. Most of her lungs are filled with fluid. She is in a very serious condition, especially in her malnourished state.
Please pray for God to show his love and power to this family in undeniable ways. Pray for the faith of Babita's mother to grow and God's presence to surround her in the hospital! We are yet again asking for a miracle of life and salvation in the face of the oppression of the gods of death and destruction. May their power be broken completely as we pray...
God annoints Cedar Valley Church in India. The Cedar Valley, MN team was a great help to us here! February was a whirlwind month with a wonderful School of Church Planting seminar (over 50 workers gathered for encouragement and ongoing teaching), a Holy Spirit conference, Prayer ministry/counseling, a medical camp and lots more... Thanks so much to the team for coming and ministering alongside us those weeks!
Brain surgery a Success. Your prayer makes a difference! Little Ganesh saw the neurosurgeon yesterday and the surgery was declared a success. He has movement in his legs, his wounds are healing and he is gaining weight. Both mother and father regularly attend the house church and are growing in their understanding of what it means to become a follower of the Lord Jesus. Thanks for being a part of this miracle of life for a little boy who had no chance or hope apart from Jesus!
Land update. We continue the battle to purchase land for the widows here. We have now located a new piece of land and are in the process of negotiations with the owners as well as checking if the land has any legal issues involved. It is still our goal and prayer that this land would be released and purchased prior to our going to the states for furlough. Keep praying!
Challenges in the Bh*tan work. When God brings advance, the opposition also seems to be very active. After many years of prayer our team moved into the nation of Bh*tan instead of operating on the border. There was immediately a severe attack from the enemy which threw several team members into personal chaos. We are unsure if they will be ready or able to continue on the team (probably not for at least several months), and we are in a counseling and restorative process with them. Please pray for wisdom for us and for freedom, deep healing, and God's victory in this situation. Also please pray for strength for us as we invest many hours in listening, praying and coming alongside of these friends we love so dearly. The drain and strain of so many intense issues takes its toll on us and we need daily manna from God to be sustained in this time.
Elders appointed and house church multiplied! Last Sunday we had the tremendous joy of appointing four men to be local elders of the Bihari house churches. They were so excited to be chosen by God for the task of service and to step into this responsibility. From this Sunday, the house church will become two house churches, each with two elders serving and ministering who are from the local community. Please do pray for them as they grow in their leadership and learning to use the gifts of the Spirit God has put within them. It is a new stage in the work when local leaders take responsibility and the potential for growth is dramatically increased. We are so excited about what God is doing!
Preparations for our Return to the USA. We are starting to get excited about coming back to the States and being reunited with friends and family. We still do not have a house to stay in or a car to drive and many things remain unsettled in the details of God's provision for our needs when we are home. We have a few leads but nothing is yet finalized. Please do pray for these things to all come together soon and for rest and peace in our hearts as we wait for God's perfect plan to unfold. We will arrive back in Minnesota around the first of June. We also are excited that Jenna and Steffi will be coming home from Thailand for break on April 8th! Yeah!!!
Once again, thank you for your love, prayers and support in so many ways! As you stand with us...we are strengthened for the task God has called us to here. We love hearing from you, so please keep writing us!
Blessings and an early Happy Easter-
The Anderson family
Babita is one and a half years old. She weighs only 5kgs, or about 13 pounds. Her family are Bengali Hindus. About a month ago our team found her, began a feeding program as well as taking her to the hospital where she was suspected of having tuberculosis. With much prayer she began to improve and gain weight. As God's love was shown to this family, during the visit of the Cedar Valley team, Babita's mother received Jesus as her Savior. Her father was also open and listening to the gospel.
Then the attacks began in earnest. Babita's mother began having dreams where Kali (the goddess of death and destruction) appeared saying that if she stops worshipping her she will kill her and her family. Babita's mother stood strong in her new faith and continued to worship Jesus, but when her father went home to his village, pressure from family there has made him very fearful to take a step to follow Christ. And they began to get sick again. Her father was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain. Babita started coughing and vomitting.
Yesterday, little Babita was admitted to a hospital near us with severe pneumonia, a secondary bacterial infection and possible TB. Most of her lungs are filled with fluid. She is in a very serious condition, especially in her malnourished state.
Please pray for God to show his love and power to this family in undeniable ways. Pray for the faith of Babita's mother to grow and God's presence to surround her in the hospital! We are yet again asking for a miracle of life and salvation in the face of the oppression of the gods of death and destruction. May their power be broken completely as we pray...
God annoints Cedar Valley Church in India. The Cedar Valley, MN team was a great help to us here! February was a whirlwind month with a wonderful School of Church Planting seminar (over 50 workers gathered for encouragement and ongoing teaching), a Holy Spirit conference, Prayer ministry/counseling, a medical camp and lots more... Thanks so much to the team for coming and ministering alongside us those weeks!
Brain surgery a Success. Your prayer makes a difference! Little Ganesh saw the neurosurgeon yesterday and the surgery was declared a success. He has movement in his legs, his wounds are healing and he is gaining weight. Both mother and father regularly attend the house church and are growing in their understanding of what it means to become a follower of the Lord Jesus. Thanks for being a part of this miracle of life for a little boy who had no chance or hope apart from Jesus!
Land update. We continue the battle to purchase land for the widows here. We have now located a new piece of land and are in the process of negotiations with the owners as well as checking if the land has any legal issues involved. It is still our goal and prayer that this land would be released and purchased prior to our going to the states for furlough. Keep praying!
Challenges in the Bh*tan work. When God brings advance, the opposition also seems to be very active. After many years of prayer our team moved into the nation of Bh*tan instead of operating on the border. There was immediately a severe attack from the enemy which threw several team members into personal chaos. We are unsure if they will be ready or able to continue on the team (probably not for at least several months), and we are in a counseling and restorative process with them. Please pray for wisdom for us and for freedom, deep healing, and God's victory in this situation. Also please pray for strength for us as we invest many hours in listening, praying and coming alongside of these friends we love so dearly. The drain and strain of so many intense issues takes its toll on us and we need daily manna from God to be sustained in this time.
Elders appointed and house church multiplied! Last Sunday we had the tremendous joy of appointing four men to be local elders of the Bihari house churches. They were so excited to be chosen by God for the task of service and to step into this responsibility. From this Sunday, the house church will become two house churches, each with two elders serving and ministering who are from the local community. Please do pray for them as they grow in their leadership and learning to use the gifts of the Spirit God has put within them. It is a new stage in the work when local leaders take responsibility and the potential for growth is dramatically increased. We are so excited about what God is doing!
Preparations for our Return to the USA. We are starting to get excited about coming back to the States and being reunited with friends and family. We still do not have a house to stay in or a car to drive and many things remain unsettled in the details of God's provision for our needs when we are home. We have a few leads but nothing is yet finalized. Please do pray for these things to all come together soon and for rest and peace in our hearts as we wait for God's perfect plan to unfold. We will arrive back in Minnesota around the first of June. We also are excited that Jenna and Steffi will be coming home from Thailand for break on April 8th! Yeah!!!
Once again, thank you for your love, prayers and support in so many ways! As you stand with us...we are strengthened for the task God has called us to here. We love hearing from you, so please keep writing us!
Blessings and an early Happy Easter-
The Anderson family
News from Paul & Metchild Clark - Missinaries to Germany
Where has time gone?
Twenty-five years ago we arrived with our two small children to begin church planting in Germany. We are amazed as we look back to see five churches that have been established directly through our efforts. On top of these five churches we have been able to assist and actively partner in six other church plants. Now we stand before the challenge of planting another church in Bad Duerkheim. We covet your prayers, as we sense the enemy is not willing to give up one inch of territory without a spiritual battle. All the experience in the world is not
enough for the task at hand. But our God reigns!
Prayer Needs
From the 29th of March until April 5th the Bad Duerkheim church will be hosting Pro Christ.
This evangelistic outreach takes place via satellite in over 1,000 different communities throughout Europe. Pray for a harvest of souls in Bad Duerkheim. The mayor of our city will be attending the meeting on March 31st.
Pray for a harvest of souls as we start an Alpha Course after Easter.
We are still lacking around $15,000 for the Bad Duerkheim building. Any help you can give
would be greatly appreciated. (AGWM Project Nr. 9347) We are trusting God for His provision as ten churches have recently cut back on monthly support.
Pray for our daughter Stephanie who has been having some stomach problems, along with
continually battling Raynaud’s disease.
Paul’s father, Jerry, remains in nursing care and needs prayer. He has not been able to walk since August 2008.
Twenty-five years ago we arrived with our two small children to begin church planting in Germany. We are amazed as we look back to see five churches that have been established directly through our efforts. On top of these five churches we have been able to assist and actively partner in six other church plants. Now we stand before the challenge of planting another church in Bad Duerkheim. We covet your prayers, as we sense the enemy is not willing to give up one inch of territory without a spiritual battle. All the experience in the world is not
enough for the task at hand. But our God reigns!
Prayer Needs
From the 29th of March until April 5th the Bad Duerkheim church will be hosting Pro Christ.
This evangelistic outreach takes place via satellite in over 1,000 different communities throughout Europe. Pray for a harvest of souls in Bad Duerkheim. The mayor of our city will be attending the meeting on March 31st.
Pray for a harvest of souls as we start an Alpha Course after Easter.
We are still lacking around $15,000 for the Bad Duerkheim building. Any help you can give
would be greatly appreciated. (AGWM Project Nr. 9347) We are trusting God for His provision as ten churches have recently cut back on monthly support.
Pray for our daughter Stephanie who has been having some stomach problems, along with
continually battling Raynaud’s disease.
Paul’s father, Jerry, remains in nursing care and needs prayer. He has not been able to walk since August 2008.
Hoskins' Update
Passion! As we have been presenting our new work to partners, several of you have commented that we are communicating with greater passion than in the past. In these difficult economic times, many are grateful for having any work at all. We are so blessed to be fully engaged in work that we are passionate about.
Ten years ago, Wycliffe adopted Vision 2025—to see a Bible translation program in every language still needing one by 2025. There are over 2200 language communities that still don’t have the lamp of God’s word to light their path, but the light is coming! Through creative and effective partnerships, indigenous peoples are rapidly being equipped to take ownership of their own translation programs, and written Scripture is being made available to oral peoples through non-print media. To learn more, visit our website and view “The Light is Coming”
http://www.theseedcompany.org/media/seed-company-overview.
Dale has the privilege of equipping nationals in Nigeria, the African nation with 510 languages, the 2nd most in the world. He is part of a team serving 12 language communities simultaneously.
Just since October, each of these communities now has an alphabet and a system for writing their language, as well as a small portion of Luke. With this initial training, 41 Nigerian men and women are now able to begin drafting on their own.
The Nigerian church urgently wants scripture translation. I heard some testify how people of influence are using various means to coerce Christians to reject not only their faith, but their own culture and language!
It was quite a thrill to travel into the Ga’anda homeland and witness 60 people hearing Scripture in their own language for the very first time! Dale will return in June to check Ga’anda drafts for accuracy and to help them test it in their community for clarity and naturalness.
We are ever grateful for the love and sacrifice that comes with your partnership!
Dale & Carole
Ten years ago, Wycliffe adopted Vision 2025—to see a Bible translation program in every language still needing one by 2025. There are over 2200 language communities that still don’t have the lamp of God’s word to light their path, but the light is coming! Through creative and effective partnerships, indigenous peoples are rapidly being equipped to take ownership of their own translation programs, and written Scripture is being made available to oral peoples through non-print media. To learn more, visit our website and view “The Light is Coming”
http://www.theseedcompany.org/media/seed-company-overview.
Dale has the privilege of equipping nationals in Nigeria, the African nation with 510 languages, the 2nd most in the world. He is part of a team serving 12 language communities simultaneously.
Just since October, each of these communities now has an alphabet and a system for writing their language, as well as a small portion of Luke. With this initial training, 41 Nigerian men and women are now able to begin drafting on their own.
The Nigerian church urgently wants scripture translation. I heard some testify how people of influence are using various means to coerce Christians to reject not only their faith, but their own culture and language!
It was quite a thrill to travel into the Ga’anda homeland and witness 60 people hearing Scripture in their own language for the very first time! Dale will return in June to check Ga’anda drafts for accuracy and to help them test it in their community for clarity and naturalness.
We are ever grateful for the love and sacrifice that comes with your partnership!
Dale & Carole
Thank You from Vision Ministries
Friends and Family,
Praise the Lord! Friday Feb 27th we were able to close on our Broadway building. In just 4 months God made a way for our church to raise 55k for a down payment. Considering the times we are in and many other obstacles this is a true miracle!
Josh and I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this possible! Our church body is so excited the last two Sundays we had 140 in attendance! God has made it even more clear to us that we need to see Him move in His power and to restore Vision to a dying generation. Thank you for believing with us!
God bless,
Joy Hester
Vision Ministries
Praise the Lord! Friday Feb 27th we were able to close on our Broadway building. In just 4 months God made a way for our church to raise 55k for a down payment. Considering the times we are in and many other obstacles this is a true miracle!
Josh and I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this possible! Our church body is so excited the last two Sundays we had 140 in attendance! God has made it even more clear to us that we need to see Him move in His power and to restore Vision to a dying generation. Thank you for believing with us!
God bless,
Joy Hester
Vision Ministries
Newsletter from Doug & Joan Webber - Convoy of Hope Europe
I wanted to get this video to you immediately! http://vimeo.com/3351172 Click on this link and it will take you to our report on Albania labled I will go. We spent seven days in Fushe Cruje Albania with Masters Commission teams from Holland and Spain. We believe this is the beginning of a transformation for this building of 17 families and 52 children from this area. The children will capture your hearts! It is our goal to have all 52 children in school very soon. Their building has been cleaned and grounds renewed. Twenty five truckloads of garbage were hauled away and a new bathroom for the building was installed. We killed a lot of rats, so it was a challenging, but rewarding time. The children sang songs about Jesus and felt his love in a powerful way. Each family in the building received groceries before we left! Choosing compassion over comfort is allowing Convoy of Hope Europe to make a significant difference in the lives of those living in Grumbullimi.
Doug, Joan, Whitney and Madisen Webber
Doug, Joan, Whitney and Madisen Webber
Jesus in Ethiopia - Bob & Rhonda Thomas
Week after week amazing things are happening across Ethiopia. Here are some highlights of what, we have been blessed by God, to witness.
The Church at the end of the Road
The map of Ethiopia shows that the road stops at Sawla, in the south west corner of Ethiopia. We held a three day revival at the church at the end of the road. This church is four years old. It was started by a church planter in partnership with the Ethiopian Assemblies of God and our Assemblies of God World missionaries. The building that they meet in was built by the people of the church with the financial help of believers in the United States.
The revival meetings were packed. Inside the building was ‘standing room only’ which is much more crowded than it would be in the west. Outside the church were hundreds of others huddled around windows and doors to hear the Word. Pastors and church members from the 14 church plants and preaching points that this church has started in the four years it has existed came to the meetings. One new church was 90 kilometers farther in the 4 wheel drive vehicle and then a 6 hour walk past the end of the road! So the Gospel continues long after the road ends!
God works long after the Revival meetings.
We held a Revival at the church in Hosanna, (great name for city). It was a great time of teaching, preaching and ministry. During the meetings I preached a series of messages about stepping out in faith like Peter when he got out of the boat and walked on water. I challenged the church to share their faith, to pray for the sick and to look for opportunities to “get out of the boat”. One month after the revival we stopped by to visit the pastor on our way to another city. Since the Revival meetings over 100 people had been saved at the church. Many who were in the church had repented from hidden sin and those who opposed the Pastor were now working hard for the Lord.
It is God - not religion that is Changing Ethiopia!
The Church at the end of the Road
The map of Ethiopia shows that the road stops at Sawla, in the south west corner of Ethiopia. We held a three day revival at the church at the end of the road. This church is four years old. It was started by a church planter in partnership with the Ethiopian Assemblies of God and our Assemblies of God World missionaries. The building that they meet in was built by the people of the church with the financial help of believers in the United States.
The revival meetings were packed. Inside the building was ‘standing room only’ which is much more crowded than it would be in the west. Outside the church were hundreds of others huddled around windows and doors to hear the Word. Pastors and church members from the 14 church plants and preaching points that this church has started in the four years it has existed came to the meetings. One new church was 90 kilometers farther in the 4 wheel drive vehicle and then a 6 hour walk past the end of the road! So the Gospel continues long after the road ends!
God works long after the Revival meetings.
We held a Revival at the church in Hosanna, (great name for city). It was a great time of teaching, preaching and ministry. During the meetings I preached a series of messages about stepping out in faith like Peter when he got out of the boat and walked on water. I challenged the church to share their faith, to pray for the sick and to look for opportunities to “get out of the boat”. One month after the revival we stopped by to visit the pastor on our way to another city. Since the Revival meetings over 100 people had been saved at the church. Many who were in the church had repented from hidden sin and those who opposed the Pastor were now working hard for the Lord.
It is God - not religion that is Changing Ethiopia!
Jarvis Journey - Missionaries to Tanzania
“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O Lord” Psalm 18:28-29, 49.
In Africa, you learn what real darkness is; when the lights go out here there is complete darkness. Thankfully, we have a small emergency light that stays plugged in and charged for just such occasions. As soon as the power goes off, this little beacon of light comes on; although it is small it gives forth a great deal of light and we are able to see our way around the front of the house. We can gather candles and lanterns and get all the light we need to continue whatever we were doing until the power comes back on.
Also, in Africa, there is great spiritual darkness; but there are TAG(Tanzania Assemblies of God) churches that provide little beacons of light to show the way for those who are floundering in the darkness. We are privileged to be interim principals and teachers at our Mwanza Bible College; preparing men and women to be salt and light to the dark places in our region. We are helping to charge their spiritual batteries so that they can be light in the dark places the Lord will send them.
We are advancing against the troops of the “Prince of Darkness” and scaling the walls of fear, unbelief, superstition, witchcraft and evil that he has built to keep the “Light of the World-Jesus Christ” out and those inside forever lost in the darkness.
This week Tim has been working with the local TAG leadership in the difficult process of disciplining a pastor who is walking in darkness and is arrogantly and rebelliously determined to take the church with him. They will be relieving him of his duties and installing a pastor who will love and teach the congregation the truth of the Gospel. This is one of those tasks that we sometimes have to be involved in but that we would rather not have to do.
Also this week, we have had the painful job of reviewing with our Business Manager at the Bible College the list of students who have not paid their school fees and deciding what to do with each one. There will be one or two that we must send home since they have not paid any of their school fees at all; it’s not fair to all those who struggle and make sacrifices to be here if we allow those who do not pay to stay. We have given them half a term to make some type of payment on their bill and cannot, in good conscience, allow them to stay. This also is one of those tasks that we would rather not have to do.
However, on the bright side of things, we have visited with some of our pastors who are faithfully and sacrificially teaching and preaching the Gospel and building churches and congregations that will be light in their dark communities. We have visited churches that have been built, established and are growing in spite of great opposition. We are teaching students who spend hours in the chapel praying and seeking God for direction for their lives; it is a normal occurrence to hear students in the chapel every afternoon praying. The sound of their prayers are heard regularly around the campus.
We count it a privilege to be in the nation of Tanzania; God keeps our spiritual lamps burning and lights our way when we encounter the darkness. He gives us strength to advance against the troops of Satan and scale walls. We thank each of you for your faithful prayers and support; you are part of all we do here in Tanzania. You are part of our army; and because of you we continue to do the work that God has called us to do here.
Thanks to those of you who are specifically praying for the needs of the Mwanza Bible College; some of you have also provided funds to help meet some of these needs. The students and faculty faithfully pray for the churches and individuals in America who God has used to meet the needs of their Bible College. They are grateful for and humbled by the generosity and love from people who are willing to help them even though you don’t know them.
Please remember to check our website: www.timandjoycejarvis.com for regular updates and pictures that we post of our pastors, churches, congregations and Bible College.
May God richly bless each of you for your faithful love and support.
Workers Together for the Harvest,
Tim & Joyce Jarvis, Missionaries to Tanzania
In Africa, you learn what real darkness is; when the lights go out here there is complete darkness. Thankfully, we have a small emergency light that stays plugged in and charged for just such occasions. As soon as the power goes off, this little beacon of light comes on; although it is small it gives forth a great deal of light and we are able to see our way around the front of the house. We can gather candles and lanterns and get all the light we need to continue whatever we were doing until the power comes back on.
Also, in Africa, there is great spiritual darkness; but there are TAG(Tanzania Assemblies of God) churches that provide little beacons of light to show the way for those who are floundering in the darkness. We are privileged to be interim principals and teachers at our Mwanza Bible College; preparing men and women to be salt and light to the dark places in our region. We are helping to charge their spiritual batteries so that they can be light in the dark places the Lord will send them.
We are advancing against the troops of the “Prince of Darkness” and scaling the walls of fear, unbelief, superstition, witchcraft and evil that he has built to keep the “Light of the World-Jesus Christ” out and those inside forever lost in the darkness.
This week Tim has been working with the local TAG leadership in the difficult process of disciplining a pastor who is walking in darkness and is arrogantly and rebelliously determined to take the church with him. They will be relieving him of his duties and installing a pastor who will love and teach the congregation the truth of the Gospel. This is one of those tasks that we sometimes have to be involved in but that we would rather not have to do.
Also this week, we have had the painful job of reviewing with our Business Manager at the Bible College the list of students who have not paid their school fees and deciding what to do with each one. There will be one or two that we must send home since they have not paid any of their school fees at all; it’s not fair to all those who struggle and make sacrifices to be here if we allow those who do not pay to stay. We have given them half a term to make some type of payment on their bill and cannot, in good conscience, allow them to stay. This also is one of those tasks that we would rather not have to do.
However, on the bright side of things, we have visited with some of our pastors who are faithfully and sacrificially teaching and preaching the Gospel and building churches and congregations that will be light in their dark communities. We have visited churches that have been built, established and are growing in spite of great opposition. We are teaching students who spend hours in the chapel praying and seeking God for direction for their lives; it is a normal occurrence to hear students in the chapel every afternoon praying. The sound of their prayers are heard regularly around the campus.
We count it a privilege to be in the nation of Tanzania; God keeps our spiritual lamps burning and lights our way when we encounter the darkness. He gives us strength to advance against the troops of Satan and scale walls. We thank each of you for your faithful prayers and support; you are part of all we do here in Tanzania. You are part of our army; and because of you we continue to do the work that God has called us to do here.
Thanks to those of you who are specifically praying for the needs of the Mwanza Bible College; some of you have also provided funds to help meet some of these needs. The students and faculty faithfully pray for the churches and individuals in America who God has used to meet the needs of their Bible College. They are grateful for and humbled by the generosity and love from people who are willing to help them even though you don’t know them.
Please remember to check our website: www.timandjoycejarvis.com for regular updates and pictures that we post of our pastors, churches, congregations and Bible College.
May God richly bless each of you for your faithful love and support.
Workers Together for the Harvest,
Tim & Joyce Jarvis, Missionaries to Tanzania
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Glutting Prayer Letter - Chi Alpha Missionaries
Testimonies/Prayer Requests:
1. Soonho the Korean student living with us continues to do well with his studies and living at our home. And I even get to win sometimes at Ping Pong ☺
Please continue to pray for him: 1. That he’ll either grow in Christ or be born again as we minister to him. 2. Please pray that he’ll pass his driving test next week to receive a U.S. license. 3. Please pray for this weekend as he travels to Detroit by bus Friday afternoon and drives back to Grand Rapids with his “fiancée” who is taking college classes in Detroit.
2. Phil has been working very hard at his studies at GVSU and has been doing well. He has also been involved with a campus ministry on campus. This weekend and next week he is going to be a part of a spring-break outreach.
Please pray for safety and protection for Phil and the others involved in the trip. Pray for their travels as he rides with 3 other guys down to Panama City, FL leaving Friday afternoon and arriving about 24 hours later. He’ll be meeting with several hundred other collegians from CCC. They’ll be trained in evangelism and do witnessing for a week in the city and on the beach. Please pray for a powerful move of the Holy Spirit for salvation of souls and for changed lives!
3. Bryan Ames is a campus pastor at University of Missouri. He is just starting out to raise support as he is transitioning from a secular career to a full time missionary. Please pray for Bryan as he will be meeting with 15 people, most being pastors in the Saint Louis area on Wednesday March 4th, 2009. Pray for favor, open doors and generous support from this group as they are in the same area as Bryan’s university ministry.
4. Matthew, our 18 yr old, has a web design class. He has been working on a website for our ministry. His project is due this coming Thursday. He has been doing a great job and it is almost finished. Please pray for him as he puts the final elements together for the website. Please pray for me that I’ll be able to do a good job with communicating final adjustments so the website will finish up really well.
Thank you for your prayer and financial support! The Lord bless you!
Gregg & Erin Glutting
1. Soonho the Korean student living with us continues to do well with his studies and living at our home. And I even get to win sometimes at Ping Pong ☺
Please continue to pray for him: 1. That he’ll either grow in Christ or be born again as we minister to him. 2. Please pray that he’ll pass his driving test next week to receive a U.S. license. 3. Please pray for this weekend as he travels to Detroit by bus Friday afternoon and drives back to Grand Rapids with his “fiancée” who is taking college classes in Detroit.
2. Phil has been working very hard at his studies at GVSU and has been doing well. He has also been involved with a campus ministry on campus. This weekend and next week he is going to be a part of a spring-break outreach.
Please pray for safety and protection for Phil and the others involved in the trip. Pray for their travels as he rides with 3 other guys down to Panama City, FL leaving Friday afternoon and arriving about 24 hours later. He’ll be meeting with several hundred other collegians from CCC. They’ll be trained in evangelism and do witnessing for a week in the city and on the beach. Please pray for a powerful move of the Holy Spirit for salvation of souls and for changed lives!
3. Bryan Ames is a campus pastor at University of Missouri. He is just starting out to raise support as he is transitioning from a secular career to a full time missionary. Please pray for Bryan as he will be meeting with 15 people, most being pastors in the Saint Louis area on Wednesday March 4th, 2009. Pray for favor, open doors and generous support from this group as they are in the same area as Bryan’s university ministry.
4. Matthew, our 18 yr old, has a web design class. He has been working on a website for our ministry. His project is due this coming Thursday. He has been doing a great job and it is almost finished. Please pray for him as he puts the final elements together for the website. Please pray for me that I’ll be able to do a good job with communicating final adjustments so the website will finish up really well.
Thank you for your prayer and financial support! The Lord bless you!
Gregg & Erin Glutting
Friday, February 27, 2009
Food Giveaway Testimonies
On behalf of my family I would like to thank you for the generous donation of food. It really helped out. I cooked the beans and shared them with my neighbor, she was also very thankful. She has been unemployed for years. I am a spiritual dad, I go to A.A. But I don’t go to church, maybe someday I will. I was impressed with your helpers, everyone had a smile on their face and offered words of hope. If there is any type of way I can help out the church let me know. I will donate my time since I am often unemployed. Your church and the people that helped are a true example that people do care for other people
Thank you very much
Tom S.
What a wonderful and caring act of kindness, that you are doing for the community and surrounding area.
May God bless all of you.
Aileen
I just wanted to thank you for the box of food today.
I wrote about it on my website. Thank you for the No Strings Attached gift
http://www.anothervaluablelesson.com/
My husband closed his business in July and things have been tight. The Lord has always provided and it was refreshing to see your mission in action!
God's Blessings, Candy
My family and myself would just like to say thank you so very much for the food basket that we had received by the church on this past Saturday, needless to say we were very surprised. Bless you all!
Thank You, Sandy & Family
Thank you very much
Tom S.
What a wonderful and caring act of kindness, that you are doing for the community and surrounding area.
May God bless all of you.
Aileen
I just wanted to thank you for the box of food today.
I wrote about it on my website. Thank you for the No Strings Attached gift
http://www.anothervaluablelesson.com/
My husband closed his business in July and things have been tight. The Lord has always provided and it was refreshing to see your mission in action!
God's Blessings, Candy
My family and myself would just like to say thank you so very much for the food basket that we had received by the church on this past Saturday, needless to say we were very surprised. Bless you all!
Thank You, Sandy & Family
Need Prayer
The following is a prayer request from some friends in a sensitive area:
Dear Friends,
We write to you asking you to hold our family up in prayer. Our family life and work are going very well. Other problems we are facing at the same time makes us think that we are being attacked by the Devil due to the progress in our work.
Please pray for us as:
1. Three weeks ago (husband's) last living Grandparent, his Grandmother, passed away during a time that he could not fly home for the funeral. At first he seemed fine, but grief and possibly depression have begun to set in. Please pray he will come out of this soon.
2. Within 10 days of the loss of his Grandmother, the pipes froze and burst at our home in (sensitive area). The company we hired to rent the home blames the electric company and the electric company blames the management company. The damage will cost between $4,000 and $7,000. Please pray that we can get this resolved without having to file a lawsuit. The insurance company requires proof of gas and electric bills paid. We cannot get this from anyone presently. A friend in Michigan is helping with clearing this up, but we have hit a wall on proceeding.
3. Also, please pray about the daily stress related to the nature of our work here. Due to the security issues here, some doors have closed that we had hoped would remain open.
We know that God has the victory in all these things and we greatly appreciate you partnering with us in prayer.
Dear Friends,
We write to you asking you to hold our family up in prayer. Our family life and work are going very well. Other problems we are facing at the same time makes us think that we are being attacked by the Devil due to the progress in our work.
Please pray for us as:
1. Three weeks ago (husband's) last living Grandparent, his Grandmother, passed away during a time that he could not fly home for the funeral. At first he seemed fine, but grief and possibly depression have begun to set in. Please pray he will come out of this soon.
2. Within 10 days of the loss of his Grandmother, the pipes froze and burst at our home in (sensitive area). The company we hired to rent the home blames the electric company and the electric company blames the management company. The damage will cost between $4,000 and $7,000. Please pray that we can get this resolved without having to file a lawsuit. The insurance company requires proof of gas and electric bills paid. We cannot get this from anyone presently. A friend in Michigan is helping with clearing this up, but we have hit a wall on proceeding.
3. Also, please pray about the daily stress related to the nature of our work here. Due to the security issues here, some doors have closed that we had hoped would remain open.
We know that God has the victory in all these things and we greatly appreciate you partnering with us in prayer.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Update from the Priests - Missionaries to Germany
It’s Up to Me
During New Years, I participated in a conference called the World Mission Summit. It was a gathering of 4000 students and missionaries and the theme was “It’s Up to Me”. Our goal was to both inform and challenge the young people to reach their world - in this generation.
I helped design and lead the mission workshop for the Europe region. We constructed a 4000 sq. foot replica of a European Cathedral, complete with candles (battery operated), stained glass and even an altar. Over 1500 students participated in this experience.
More than 840 young adults at the conference filled out commitment cards to “give a year and pray about a lifetime” of missions service. I wept as I watched young people respond to God’s Spirit. One student reflected how impressed he was that the call was not coerced by a person, but that time was given for the Holy Spirit to gently speak to each individual. The challenge came after a full morning of “prayer for the nations,” video clips from ministries around the world, several praise and worship times, and a stirring message. Four of the students who responded felt a call to come and serve in Germany! For more pictures visit the photogallery.
Support Raising
Our year of support raising is half over. We have enjoyed being back in the land of Wal-Mart and Apple Pie, but are looking forward to returning to Berlin. Our current target for departure is mid to late May.
We are so thankful to the many churches who have hosted us for mission services, spotlights, Sunday school classes, youth meetings and even a Women’s Tea. It has also been a joy to reconnect with individual supporters and old friends and share about what God is doing in Germany.
Praise God that in the past 6 months we have raised 50% of cash funds needed and only have $600/month in pledged monthly support to go. Would you consider a special gift or increasing your monthly support? Every little bit will help get us back to Berlin.
Personal Update
In December, Amy and I celebrated our 10th wedding Anniversary. Mercy (8 - in March) loves the 2nd Grade - especially her teacher. Jack (4) is thriving in his Pre-School and has made lots of friends. Alex is teething and just about to walk. He will be one year old on February 25th. We love and appreciate you all so much!
You can send your gift - with checks made payable to “World Missions #2606200” and put our name in the memo line to World Missions • 1445 Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802. Or use your Visa Debit/Credit card securely on line via our website. You can also set up an auto deduct to conveniently make your donation each month. Thank you!
During New Years, I participated in a conference called the World Mission Summit. It was a gathering of 4000 students and missionaries and the theme was “It’s Up to Me”. Our goal was to both inform and challenge the young people to reach their world - in this generation.
I helped design and lead the mission workshop for the Europe region. We constructed a 4000 sq. foot replica of a European Cathedral, complete with candles (battery operated), stained glass and even an altar. Over 1500 students participated in this experience.
More than 840 young adults at the conference filled out commitment cards to “give a year and pray about a lifetime” of missions service. I wept as I watched young people respond to God’s Spirit. One student reflected how impressed he was that the call was not coerced by a person, but that time was given for the Holy Spirit to gently speak to each individual. The challenge came after a full morning of “prayer for the nations,” video clips from ministries around the world, several praise and worship times, and a stirring message. Four of the students who responded felt a call to come and serve in Germany! For more pictures visit the photogallery.
Support Raising
Our year of support raising is half over. We have enjoyed being back in the land of Wal-Mart and Apple Pie, but are looking forward to returning to Berlin. Our current target for departure is mid to late May.
We are so thankful to the many churches who have hosted us for mission services, spotlights, Sunday school classes, youth meetings and even a Women’s Tea. It has also been a joy to reconnect with individual supporters and old friends and share about what God is doing in Germany.
Praise God that in the past 6 months we have raised 50% of cash funds needed and only have $600/month in pledged monthly support to go. Would you consider a special gift or increasing your monthly support? Every little bit will help get us back to Berlin.
Personal Update
In December, Amy and I celebrated our 10th wedding Anniversary. Mercy (8 - in March) loves the 2nd Grade - especially her teacher. Jack (4) is thriving in his Pre-School and has made lots of friends. Alex is teething and just about to walk. He will be one year old on February 25th. We love and appreciate you all so much!
You can send your gift - with checks made payable to “World Missions #2606200” and put our name in the memo line to World Missions • 1445 Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802. Or use your Visa Debit/Credit card securely on line via our website. You can also set up an auto deduct to conveniently make your donation each month. Thank you!
News from the Babcocks - Missionaries to Argentina
In spite of the world-wide shaking… or maybe because of it, God continues to surprise us with open doors of ministry. We are planting King’s Castle, the youth ministry to 12-18 year olds in three new Provinces in three months, seeing kids saved, filled with the Spirit and set free from sin. As you can imagine, we are stretched to capacity and beyond. Your offerings are helping us to keep the ministry going. THANK YOU!!!!
Meet some of our staff:
Ceci is our highly-dedicated secretary. She is married and has a little girl. She receives around $200/mo.
Raquel is a Bible school graduate with a missionary calling on her life that she is nurturing right now through Castle ministry. She is our right hand and leader of the staff members. She makes less than $200/mo, and is incredibly committed to the ministry.
Zebadias, a 20-year-old Bible student, plans to be a pastor one day. He is enrolled in a Classical Biblical studies program, allowing him to work in Castle full-time for 3 months and then part-time for 3 months. His work includes contacting pastors, traveling to churches and training teenagers with much passion. His Bible school bill is $115/mo and we’re able to give him $30/mo for living expenses. He receives some help from home.
Cata is a 20-year-old nursing student who is called to Africa. She attends school in the morning, and works hard at Castle every afternoon and during her summer and mid-semester breaks. She calls pastors, sets up and teaches at our training seminars and travels to remote areas. Her nursing school bill is $35/mo and she receives about $95/mo for living expenses. (She has no financial help from home.)
Vanina and Carina, are two 20-year-olds who are enrolled in the Intensive Biblical studies program at the Bible school. (The Intensive program meets during the months that the Classical program has off.) Their school bills are about $100/mo. They each receive $30/mo for living expenses. Vanina is called to be a missionary in Africa. Both work hard setting up seminars and training young people.
Sergio, a 20-year-old who is planning to be a pastor, is our creative genius. He’s also enrolled in the Intensive Biblical studies program. Like Vani and Cari, he comes from a poor family, so he also gets little or no help from home. When not in school, he creates dances to use in evangelism, and travels to some of our farthest provinces. His school bill and living expense allowance is the same as Cari and Vani.
Florencia just joined our staff. Since funds are so tight, she had to choose between a school scholarship or $100/mo living expenses. She chose Bible School and is attending the Classical program with ZebadÃas, for $115/mo. She is learning to do the training seminars, and is very talented in dance and drama. She relies on monies from home and is believing God for the salvation of her mother.
Matias also recently joined our staff. He had the same choice as Florencia and opted to go to a State school where he can study free, and receive $100/mo living expenses. Right now he’s studying engineering. He left an incredible scholarship opportunity at a private school in his home province to come and study here, because loves Castle ministry and decided that this was God’s plan for his life right now. He is currently learning to do training seminars. He is also an incredible break dancer and that talent opens doors to teenage boys’ hearts all across Argentina.
David is working a full-time job (6 days a week, gone 9 hours a day), going to school and doing the accounting for Castle. Since he does not have time to work with the ministry like before, he receives only board and about $30/mo. David has been on staff at Castle for 5 years. During that time, he graduated from Bible school, and he helped hold the ministry together when there were no in-country directors. We need him back in the office full-time. We are short-staffed for training seminars since we have more provinces that want to be a part of Castle ministry. His school bill is $100/mo and he needs $100/mo for living expenses.
These are our incredible staff members. They are living by faith, because each one needs more than they are getting. Since we are not a church and only receive offerings from the teenagers we work with, we do not have the resources to pay them what they are worth. Right now we have more Castle expenses than income, but we cannot even think about letting anyone go, because we need every one of them.
If one of these stories has touched your heart, and you can commit to paying one of their Bible school bills, please let us know. It would be a one-year commitment and you and your student could keep in touch by email should you desire. Each one of these kids is an incredible investment that will produce much fruit for the Kingdom this year and in the years to come.
Again, thanks so much for your prayer support and to those of you already helping financially. WE DO NOT TAKE YOU FOR GRANTED!! Without your faithfulness, there wouldn’t be a King’s Castle ministry. Please believe with us for God to move supernaturally in every area of the ministry.
Meet some of our staff:
Ceci is our highly-dedicated secretary. She is married and has a little girl. She receives around $200/mo.
Raquel is a Bible school graduate with a missionary calling on her life that she is nurturing right now through Castle ministry. She is our right hand and leader of the staff members. She makes less than $200/mo, and is incredibly committed to the ministry.
Zebadias, a 20-year-old Bible student, plans to be a pastor one day. He is enrolled in a Classical Biblical studies program, allowing him to work in Castle full-time for 3 months and then part-time for 3 months. His work includes contacting pastors, traveling to churches and training teenagers with much passion. His Bible school bill is $115/mo and we’re able to give him $30/mo for living expenses. He receives some help from home.
Cata is a 20-year-old nursing student who is called to Africa. She attends school in the morning, and works hard at Castle every afternoon and during her summer and mid-semester breaks. She calls pastors, sets up and teaches at our training seminars and travels to remote areas. Her nursing school bill is $35/mo and she receives about $95/mo for living expenses. (She has no financial help from home.)
Vanina and Carina, are two 20-year-olds who are enrolled in the Intensive Biblical studies program at the Bible school. (The Intensive program meets during the months that the Classical program has off.) Their school bills are about $100/mo. They each receive $30/mo for living expenses. Vanina is called to be a missionary in Africa. Both work hard setting up seminars and training young people.
Sergio, a 20-year-old who is planning to be a pastor, is our creative genius. He’s also enrolled in the Intensive Biblical studies program. Like Vani and Cari, he comes from a poor family, so he also gets little or no help from home. When not in school, he creates dances to use in evangelism, and travels to some of our farthest provinces. His school bill and living expense allowance is the same as Cari and Vani.
Florencia just joined our staff. Since funds are so tight, she had to choose between a school scholarship or $100/mo living expenses. She chose Bible School and is attending the Classical program with ZebadÃas, for $115/mo. She is learning to do the training seminars, and is very talented in dance and drama. She relies on monies from home and is believing God for the salvation of her mother.
Matias also recently joined our staff. He had the same choice as Florencia and opted to go to a State school where he can study free, and receive $100/mo living expenses. Right now he’s studying engineering. He left an incredible scholarship opportunity at a private school in his home province to come and study here, because loves Castle ministry and decided that this was God’s plan for his life right now. He is currently learning to do training seminars. He is also an incredible break dancer and that talent opens doors to teenage boys’ hearts all across Argentina.
David is working a full-time job (6 days a week, gone 9 hours a day), going to school and doing the accounting for Castle. Since he does not have time to work with the ministry like before, he receives only board and about $30/mo. David has been on staff at Castle for 5 years. During that time, he graduated from Bible school, and he helped hold the ministry together when there were no in-country directors. We need him back in the office full-time. We are short-staffed for training seminars since we have more provinces that want to be a part of Castle ministry. His school bill is $100/mo and he needs $100/mo for living expenses.
These are our incredible staff members. They are living by faith, because each one needs more than they are getting. Since we are not a church and only receive offerings from the teenagers we work with, we do not have the resources to pay them what they are worth. Right now we have more Castle expenses than income, but we cannot even think about letting anyone go, because we need every one of them.
If one of these stories has touched your heart, and you can commit to paying one of their Bible school bills, please let us know. It would be a one-year commitment and you and your student could keep in touch by email should you desire. Each one of these kids is an incredible investment that will produce much fruit for the Kingdom this year and in the years to come.
Again, thanks so much for your prayer support and to those of you already helping financially. WE DO NOT TAKE YOU FOR GRANTED!! Without your faithfulness, there wouldn’t be a King’s Castle ministry. Please believe with us for God to move supernaturally in every area of the ministry.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Quick Update on Baby Ganesh
Just a quick update as I know many of you have been praying with us for baby Ganesh and his surgery. The surgery went well and the doctor has said it was succesful. The parents were extremely concerned and deeply impacted by the loving care and prayers given by the team.
Ganesh is now on the ward and continuing to receive care. He has been taken off the IV and is eating. A few days ago he had diarrhea 8 times, but yesterday only twice. The doctor was concerned that he would not have bowel control if there was any damage to the spinal cord during the operation. So you can pray for that. Also pray for the water on the brain (hydrocephalic) condition to turn around so he will not need a shunt.
We praise God for his miraculous help and his healing hand! A miracle for this baby and family is happening! You can almost see the transformation in his mothers face- the dark heaviness seems gone and she is almost glowing. She speaks often of Prabhu Yesu (the Lord Jesus) and what he has done as we visit her in the hospital. Please pray for the fullness of this miracle both in Ganesh and in our community to come about!
The SCPL seminar is also going great and we are looking forward to the upcoming Holy Spirit conference for our believers and the medical camps in the coming days.
Blessings,
The Andersons
Ganesh is now on the ward and continuing to receive care. He has been taken off the IV and is eating. A few days ago he had diarrhea 8 times, but yesterday only twice. The doctor was concerned that he would not have bowel control if there was any damage to the spinal cord during the operation. So you can pray for that. Also pray for the water on the brain (hydrocephalic) condition to turn around so he will not need a shunt.
We praise God for his miraculous help and his healing hand! A miracle for this baby and family is happening! You can almost see the transformation in his mothers face- the dark heaviness seems gone and she is almost glowing. She speaks often of Prabhu Yesu (the Lord Jesus) and what he has done as we visit her in the hospital. Please pray for the fullness of this miracle both in Ganesh and in our community to come about!
The SCPL seminar is also going great and we are looking forward to the upcoming Holy Spirit conference for our believers and the medical camps in the coming days.
Blessings,
The Andersons
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Guarisco Ministry Update - Chi Alpha Missionaries
Atlanta, here we come!
As you may remember, one of our faith goals this year was to send ten people on a short term missions trip. I'm pleased to inform you that God exceeded our expectations, and in just five more days we're sending 13 people from our ministry on a one week missions trip to Atlanta, GA! Thanks to all who have been faithfully praying for our H2O Campus Church one year faith goals.
Next week is Spring Break for our UM students...a time when most students head to the beach for sun, fun and partying. We asked our ministry members to consider doing something radically different this year, and challenged them to dedicate this one week break to the Lord, as a time to serve the poor and needy in one of Atlanta's roughest neighborhoods. As I said, they responded in great numbers, and our team is departing Saturday to work with a powerful church in Atlanta that is loving the poor and preaching the gospel to a neighborhood in desperate need of Christ. Please pray for our team all next week. Thanks.
UPDATE ON OUR ONE YEAR FAITH GOALS
We've seen God do so many miracles this school year, and many of our faith goals have already been met or exceeded. However, some of our faith goals are still far from being reached, and we'd like to ask you to join with us in your prayers as we work toward meeting each goal by the end of April.
Thanks for your faithful prayers and generous financial investment in our ministry vision to reach the University of Michigan for Christ.
In Christ's love,
Nino and Tammy Guarisco
As you may remember, one of our faith goals this year was to send ten people on a short term missions trip. I'm pleased to inform you that God exceeded our expectations, and in just five more days we're sending 13 people from our ministry on a one week missions trip to Atlanta, GA! Thanks to all who have been faithfully praying for our H2O Campus Church one year faith goals.
Next week is Spring Break for our UM students...a time when most students head to the beach for sun, fun and partying. We asked our ministry members to consider doing something radically different this year, and challenged them to dedicate this one week break to the Lord, as a time to serve the poor and needy in one of Atlanta's roughest neighborhoods. As I said, they responded in great numbers, and our team is departing Saturday to work with a powerful church in Atlanta that is loving the poor and preaching the gospel to a neighborhood in desperate need of Christ. Please pray for our team all next week. Thanks.
UPDATE ON OUR ONE YEAR FAITH GOALS
We've seen God do so many miracles this school year, and many of our faith goals have already been met or exceeded. However, some of our faith goals are still far from being reached, and we'd like to ask you to join with us in your prayers as we work toward meeting each goal by the end of April.
Thanks for your faithful prayers and generous financial investment in our ministry vision to reach the University of Michigan for Christ.
In Christ's love,
Nino and Tammy Guarisco
Monday, February 16, 2009
Newletter from the Webbers - missionaries with Convoy of Hope Europe
Reflections of 2008. It was a great year! I heard a quote recently from one of our leaders, Greg Mundis, which has us looking ahead!
No ministry has a future unless its dreams are bigger than the memories of the past. Convoy of Hope Europe along with Church Planting Initiative, Masters Commission Europe and European Church Revitalization are positioned for 2009 to be a banner year.
We currently have 17 outreaches planned for 11 countries. We are also prepared to expand upon those already scheduled and add more.
This year will be the most challenging, but potentially the most productive year in our missions experience. The potential to transform the spiritual destiny of thousands of people is before us. We are desperate for your prayers. We believe that financial provision will be overwhelming. We are convinced that those accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior will be integrated into local churches, discipled and become valuable servants of God.
The first week of February, we will be traveling to Tirana Albania. COHEU is partnering with Calvary Church in Toledo to sponsor children who are not in school, live in extremely poor, rat infested conditions and do not have adequate food and clothing. We are taking a team of Masters Commission students from Holland and Spain to clean and exterminate the building where 30 children live with their parents. There are another 20 children in the neighborhood who will receive clothing, food, school supplies and school fees.
There will also be a food distribution in Moldova. Please pray that these two outreaches will bring long lasting results and rich rewards for those being ministered to.
To accomplish something worthwhile there is a cost. Would you consider a one time 200.00 gift or more? This would allow us to complete and accomplish four of the 17 outreaches in the coming year.
No ministry has a future unless its dreams are bigger than the memories of the past. Convoy of Hope Europe along with Church Planting Initiative, Masters Commission Europe and European Church Revitalization are positioned for 2009 to be a banner year.
We currently have 17 outreaches planned for 11 countries. We are also prepared to expand upon those already scheduled and add more.
This year will be the most challenging, but potentially the most productive year in our missions experience. The potential to transform the spiritual destiny of thousands of people is before us. We are desperate for your prayers. We believe that financial provision will be overwhelming. We are convinced that those accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior will be integrated into local churches, discipled and become valuable servants of God.
The first week of February, we will be traveling to Tirana Albania. COHEU is partnering with Calvary Church in Toledo to sponsor children who are not in school, live in extremely poor, rat infested conditions and do not have adequate food and clothing. We are taking a team of Masters Commission students from Holland and Spain to clean and exterminate the building where 30 children live with their parents. There are another 20 children in the neighborhood who will receive clothing, food, school supplies and school fees.
There will also be a food distribution in Moldova. Please pray that these two outreaches will bring long lasting results and rich rewards for those being ministered to.
To accomplish something worthwhile there is a cost. Would you consider a one time 200.00 gift or more? This would allow us to complete and accomplish four of the 17 outreaches in the coming year.
Miracles......the stage is set - From our missionaries in India
God is up to something...the stage is set and we sense we are on the verge of something wonderful!
Somewhat apart from our formalized planning God seems to be bringing together here in Siliguri a group of people to minister...all people who move in spiritual authority, prophetic and prayer ministry, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. What is God up to? What is he about to do?
SCPL
Next week, we will be having our SCPL (School of Church Planting and Leadership) seminar here in Siliguri. We are expecting to be about 55 people this time! We will be having teaching on Evangelism and Church planting, as well as prayer ministry, wonderful times of worship and what ever else God has on his heart for us. Workers are coming in from Bh*tan, Ch*na, Assam, West Bengal, Bangladesh and gathering. Please pray with us for an outpouring of God's presence and a mighty renewal and infilling of all of us as we gather for this time.
HOLY SPIRIT EMPHASIS
Immediately following the SCPL we will be having a special Holy Spirit emphasis in our local church plant or what we call "satsang" (contextual word for place of worship). We are asking God to fill each and every one of our believers with his Holy Spirit! Then, the next days after that, our speaker will be teaching on Ministering in the Power of the Holy Spirit in our School of Frontier Missions and at the same time we will be doing two medical camps in poor communities where we work. We are believing God for more than just medicines to be distributed. We want to also see God distribute miracles! Amen?
A MIRACLE FOR BABY GANESH
Speaking of medical miracles, please pray with us for a little boy named Ganesh. He is about a year old and has a herniation at the base of his skull and also on his lower back. He was just admitted to the hospital today and will be having surgery tomorrow or the following day. It is a very difficult operation, where they have to cut the brain and also restore the spinal cord nerve to its correct place. It is likely, without a miracle that he will loose the use of his legs. Please stand with us for a miracle and for God's guidance for the neurosurgeon. He has agreed to do the operation free of his costs, and has been great to work with, but we need God to anoint him as he operates!
Can you take just a moment, even now, to intercede for little baby Ganesh? And that through this miracle, his family and community will see the glory and love of God?
Breakthroughs of the kingdom of God! May his kingdom God and be demonstrated in Word and deed in Siliguri in these days.
God bless you and have a happy Valentines day too! We love you much!
Todd, Cindy, and family
Somewhat apart from our formalized planning God seems to be bringing together here in Siliguri a group of people to minister...all people who move in spiritual authority, prophetic and prayer ministry, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. What is God up to? What is he about to do?
SCPL
Next week, we will be having our SCPL (School of Church Planting and Leadership) seminar here in Siliguri. We are expecting to be about 55 people this time! We will be having teaching on Evangelism and Church planting, as well as prayer ministry, wonderful times of worship and what ever else God has on his heart for us. Workers are coming in from Bh*tan, Ch*na, Assam, West Bengal, Bangladesh and gathering. Please pray with us for an outpouring of God's presence and a mighty renewal and infilling of all of us as we gather for this time.
HOLY SPIRIT EMPHASIS
Immediately following the SCPL we will be having a special Holy Spirit emphasis in our local church plant or what we call "satsang" (contextual word for place of worship). We are asking God to fill each and every one of our believers with his Holy Spirit! Then, the next days after that, our speaker will be teaching on Ministering in the Power of the Holy Spirit in our School of Frontier Missions and at the same time we will be doing two medical camps in poor communities where we work. We are believing God for more than just medicines to be distributed. We want to also see God distribute miracles! Amen?
A MIRACLE FOR BABY GANESH
Speaking of medical miracles, please pray with us for a little boy named Ganesh. He is about a year old and has a herniation at the base of his skull and also on his lower back. He was just admitted to the hospital today and will be having surgery tomorrow or the following day. It is a very difficult operation, where they have to cut the brain and also restore the spinal cord nerve to its correct place. It is likely, without a miracle that he will loose the use of his legs. Please stand with us for a miracle and for God's guidance for the neurosurgeon. He has agreed to do the operation free of his costs, and has been great to work with, but we need God to anoint him as he operates!
Can you take just a moment, even now, to intercede for little baby Ganesh? And that through this miracle, his family and community will see the glory and love of God?
Breakthroughs of the kingdom of God! May his kingdom God and be demonstrated in Word and deed in Siliguri in these days.
God bless you and have a happy Valentines day too! We love you much!
Todd, Cindy, and family
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Glutting Prayer Letter - Chi Alpha Missionaries
Please pray for:
Rich and Monica Brubaker, missionaries to University of Oregon. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 54% of their budget). Pray for physical health, they have 3 boys and all 5 of them have passed around a virus.
Scott and Rachel Shank, missionaries to Western Michigan University. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 41% of their budget). Pray for peace of heart for his pre-schooler who is having difficulty with her Dad traveling, being away from home (as he goes out to speak at church sevices).
Bill and Debbie Seale, missionaries to Boise State University, ID. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 14% of their budget). Pray for a "break-through" with Arizona pastors. Bill has pastored for the last 8 years in Tucson AZ, and as finances are tight in the economy, he needs to have doors opened with pastors he has gotten to know in the Tucson area.
Gregg and Erin Glutting, National Chi Alpha support raising coach. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 94% of their budget). We are doing well, but we need to continue to reach 100% of our budget. Please also pray for Jordon with his school work and his emotional stability, especially at home.
Thank you for your prayer and financial support. The Lord bless you!!!
Love in Christ, Gregg & Erin
Rich and Monica Brubaker, missionaries to University of Oregon. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 54% of their budget). Pray for physical health, they have 3 boys and all 5 of them have passed around a virus.
Scott and Rachel Shank, missionaries to Western Michigan University. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 41% of their budget). Pray for peace of heart for his pre-schooler who is having difficulty with her Dad traveling, being away from home (as he goes out to speak at church sevices).
Bill and Debbie Seale, missionaries to Boise State University, ID. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 14% of their budget). Pray for a "break-through" with Arizona pastors. Bill has pastored for the last 8 years in Tucson AZ, and as finances are tight in the economy, he needs to have doors opened with pastors he has gotten to know in the Tucson area.
Gregg and Erin Glutting, National Chi Alpha support raising coach. Pray for favor and new monthly support (they are at 94% of their budget). We are doing well, but we need to continue to reach 100% of our budget. Please also pray for Jordon with his school work and his emotional stability, especially at home.
Thank you for your prayer and financial support. The Lord bless you!!!
Love in Christ, Gregg & Erin
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Manna
“He (Jesus) called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish”
Dear Friends,
As you know, Tim is interim principal this term at the Mwanza Bible College and I am teaching a class. We have been praying about the financial situation of the Bible College since we were first asked to be interim principals; there is a long list of needs and a “0” bank account balance so we have really been praying!
On Friday, we had a meeting about the food situation for the students; we have about 70 students and they are scheduled to have meat three days a week. We discussed how much the meat was going to cost and was also reminded by the food manager that in a couple of days they were scheduled to have fish; the price of fish has gone up since last term. The faculty suggested that we buy “cow intestines” for the Saturday meal since they are less than half the price of beef and mix it with vegetables. I was horrified, but the staff assured me that most of the students and they themselves ate them from time to time and it would be fine. I was so glad that I was not going to be at the Bible College for the Saturday meal!
Saturday morning I was alone since Tim was away for some meetings on the opposite side of the country and I spent time praying about the finances of the college. I was told that in their “all night” prayers on Friday night that the faculty and students also prayed about the matter.
Sunday we received a text from our academic dean, Mollel. He said that they had been given some fish by a local church and they didn’t have room for it in their freezer. I contacted him and told him we would come and take some of it to our home and keep in our freezer.
As we drove onto the school campus, we saw the students busy cleaning fish; there were lots of fish! In fact, they had filled their big freezer full and they had more than two thirds of the fish remaining. We quickly called our friend, Seni, and it a short time we had made arrangements for a local business with large walk in freezers to take the fish; for a small fee they would freeze and store it for us. When they had weighed all of the fish, we had 1,500 pounds of fish! We have enough fish to feed the students three meals a week for 10 weeks, that takes us to the end of the term!!!
We are so thankful for this miracle that Godhas given us; truly it seems like manna from heaven.
Please continue to pray for the Mwanza Bible College for the following needs:
· We need tables and chairs for the dining hall – there are no tables at all.
· We need more dishes, bowls and cups; the students eat in shifts and then wash their plates for the next group.
· We need water in the faculty duplexes; currently they get it from an outside faucet.
· The school truck is out of commission; it will take about $500 to get it running, licensed and insured.
· The school copier is broken; it will take about $100 to fix it.
· We don’t have enough books for the students to have one in each of their classes; some classes don’t have student books at all.
· We don’t have all the textbooks for the teachers to use; some of the ones we have need to be translated into Swahili.
· We need basic cleaning supplies and tools for the buildings and property.
· We need our road fixed; taxis charge twice the normal rate if they have to go up to the Bible college because the road is so bad.
There are other needs but these are the most important and basic needs.
Thank you for your faithfulness; we are privileged to be here and we are grateful that you make it possible for us to stay.
Workers Together for the Harvest,
Tim and Joyce Jarvis
Missionaries to Tanzania
Dear Friends,
As you know, Tim is interim principal this term at the Mwanza Bible College and I am teaching a class. We have been praying about the financial situation of the Bible College since we were first asked to be interim principals; there is a long list of needs and a “0” bank account balance so we have really been praying!
On Friday, we had a meeting about the food situation for the students; we have about 70 students and they are scheduled to have meat three days a week. We discussed how much the meat was going to cost and was also reminded by the food manager that in a couple of days they were scheduled to have fish; the price of fish has gone up since last term. The faculty suggested that we buy “cow intestines” for the Saturday meal since they are less than half the price of beef and mix it with vegetables. I was horrified, but the staff assured me that most of the students and they themselves ate them from time to time and it would be fine. I was so glad that I was not going to be at the Bible College for the Saturday meal!
Saturday morning I was alone since Tim was away for some meetings on the opposite side of the country and I spent time praying about the finances of the college. I was told that in their “all night” prayers on Friday night that the faculty and students also prayed about the matter.
Sunday we received a text from our academic dean, Mollel. He said that they had been given some fish by a local church and they didn’t have room for it in their freezer. I contacted him and told him we would come and take some of it to our home and keep in our freezer.
As we drove onto the school campus, we saw the students busy cleaning fish; there were lots of fish! In fact, they had filled their big freezer full and they had more than two thirds of the fish remaining. We quickly called our friend, Seni, and it a short time we had made arrangements for a local business with large walk in freezers to take the fish; for a small fee they would freeze and store it for us. When they had weighed all of the fish, we had 1,500 pounds of fish! We have enough fish to feed the students three meals a week for 10 weeks, that takes us to the end of the term!!!
We are so thankful for this miracle that Godhas given us; truly it seems like manna from heaven.
Please continue to pray for the Mwanza Bible College for the following needs:
· We need tables and chairs for the dining hall – there are no tables at all.
· We need more dishes, bowls and cups; the students eat in shifts and then wash their plates for the next group.
· We need water in the faculty duplexes; currently they get it from an outside faucet.
· The school truck is out of commission; it will take about $500 to get it running, licensed and insured.
· The school copier is broken; it will take about $100 to fix it.
· We don’t have enough books for the students to have one in each of their classes; some classes don’t have student books at all.
· We don’t have all the textbooks for the teachers to use; some of the ones we have need to be translated into Swahili.
· We need basic cleaning supplies and tools for the buildings and property.
· We need our road fixed; taxis charge twice the normal rate if they have to go up to the Bible college because the road is so bad.
There are other needs but these are the most important and basic needs.
Thank you for your faithfulness; we are privileged to be here and we are grateful that you make it possible for us to stay.
Workers Together for the Harvest,
Tim and Joyce Jarvis
Missionaries to Tanzania
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Glutting Prayer Letter - Chi Alpha Missionaries
Greetings! Hope you had an awesome Christmas season!
We love and appreciate YOU!
TESTIMONIES
THANK YOU FOR PRAYING for additional support for us in Nov/December!!!
Wow, the Lord had blessed us in such a huge way! We had several checks given to us at the end of the year. Both requested and non-requested.
The funds were enough to cover ALL of our back expenses as well as pay for our conference expenses! And pay for our office rent for 4 months! Praise God!
Again, THANK YOU FOR PRAYING!!!
We are also at about 94% of our budget which is tremendous, considering we had almost $2800/month of support attrition over the last couple years. Our God is an awesome God! We are very excited about moving into 2009 and ministry for His Kingdom!
Prayer Requests:
1) *Moco (not his actual name) is an international students attending GVSU English classes from South Korea. He had arrived at our house last Sunday and will be living with us for minimally one month.
He'll stay longer at our house if he chooses to live with us or he may choose to live with other friends he meets on campus. He'll attend classes at GVSU for one year.
*He is open to the gospel, please pray for his salvation.
*Pray for the Lord's guidence & direction if he will be living with us after one month.
2) Please pray for the expansion of my coaching ministry throughout 2009.
*Please pray for direction and provision concerning additional staff ie part time or full time staff, or possibly a "coaching task force".
*Please pray about further development concerning coaching the next level of missionaries ie senior missionaries under budget and intern missionaries.
*Please pray that I'll be able to investigate and study more coaching materials.
* Please pray for the development of a coaching ministry in all U.S. missions departments. Pray for their development as a result of my continued work on the U.S. missions support raising task force.
Thank you and the Lord bless you!
Gregg and Erin
Chi Alpha Campus MinistriesSupport Coaching Specialist
*I generally use ficticious names of people when I report about their spiritual needs if they are not saved.
Prevost Update - Missionaries to Spain
Looking back on 2008, we are grateful for God's provision and blessing in our lives and ministry!
Through open air evangelism at Kilometer Zero, this past year thousands of people received gospel literature and heard the gospel preached; many people had encounters with Jesus Christ; and hundreds of evangelizers were trained in ministry.
At Evangelical Christian Academy, students not only learned grammar, literature, and writing skills through Karen's English classes, but through the youth group, they also learned how to preach illustrated messages, give personal testimonies, and share the gospel one-on-one. Teams of students evangelized in the streets of Madrid, as well as Alcala de Henares.
We are thankful to GOD and to YOU for your faithful financial support and your prayers that enable us to minister in Spain! We count it a privilege to work together to reach the lost for Jesus.
Pray for Literature Distribution
A law was recently passed in Madrid that bans the distribution of literature on the streets.
Since gospel literature is an important part of our ministry at Kilometer Zero, we are seeking permission from the government officials to be able to continue to distribute tracts and gospel portions.
Please PRAY for God's favor and continued open doors for His Word to be proclaimed unhindered.
Through open air evangelism at Kilometer Zero, this past year thousands of people received gospel literature and heard the gospel preached; many people had encounters with Jesus Christ; and hundreds of evangelizers were trained in ministry.
At Evangelical Christian Academy, students not only learned grammar, literature, and writing skills through Karen's English classes, but through the youth group, they also learned how to preach illustrated messages, give personal testimonies, and share the gospel one-on-one. Teams of students evangelized in the streets of Madrid, as well as Alcala de Henares.
We are thankful to GOD and to YOU for your faithful financial support and your prayers that enable us to minister in Spain! We count it a privilege to work together to reach the lost for Jesus.
Pray for Literature Distribution
A law was recently passed in Madrid that bans the distribution of literature on the streets.
Since gospel literature is an important part of our ministry at Kilometer Zero, we are seeking permission from the government officials to be able to continue to distribute tracts and gospel portions.
Please PRAY for God's favor and continued open doors for His Word to be proclaimed unhindered.
Hoskins' Praise & Prayer Update - Missionaries to Kenya
Dale will be in Nigeria from January 2-27 for the 2nd workshop in the series. There are 856,000 speakers of the 12 language communities represented. We’ll begin translation training with easier passages in Luke.
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May God be gracious to us and bless us; look on us with favor so that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, God; let all the peoples praise You.
(Ps 67.1-3 HCSB)
Praise & thanksgiving for:
• the cessation of rioting in Jos, Nigeria, and the safe completion of another workshop held nearby at the time.
Specific prayer for:
• the Nigerian Christians to see the perpetrators through God’s eyes, and God’s peace be known and He be praised.
• the January workshop. Pray all the advisors and Nigerian participants arrive safely, and we enjoy health, peace & security, smooth operations, and effective training.
• God to be gracious and bless us and our partners during these economically challenging times.
Some have needed to reduce or suspend their giving.
• Carole & the boys during Dale’s travels.
************************
May God be gracious to us and bless us; look on us with favor so that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, God; let all the peoples praise You.
(Ps 67.1-3 HCSB)
Praise & thanksgiving for:
• the cessation of rioting in Jos, Nigeria, and the safe completion of another workshop held nearby at the time.
Specific prayer for:
• the Nigerian Christians to see the perpetrators through God’s eyes, and God’s peace be known and He be praised.
• the January workshop. Pray all the advisors and Nigerian participants arrive safely, and we enjoy health, peace & security, smooth operations, and effective training.
• God to be gracious and bless us and our partners during these economically challenging times.
Some have needed to reduce or suspend their giving.
• Carole & the boys during Dale’s travels.
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