Haiti Trip Testimony from Ashleigh Ladoto

This mission trip to Haiti was amazing. While there is extreme poverty, that is not what I will always think about. I will always think about the people and the hope that they truly have. The people of Haiti taught me how important and vital a relationship with Christ truly is. I learned that He is the only true solution. It is awesome to know that. I also thought it was so cool to know that even though the Christians in Haiti are from a very different culture than us we still have such an awesome bond because of Christ. This was really evident when we sang worship on Sunday in Haiti. Even though the words were in Creole, we still knew the songs and could worship together. I loved Haiti and wouldn't trade the opportunity to go for anything.

Haiti Trip Testimony from Amy Griffore

Haiti was life changing to say the least. When we first drove through Port-Au-Prince to get to the Mission of Hope compound, I was in complete shock, watching the scenes go by out the bus window was intense. It made me feel queasy, like I was stuck on a broken carnival ride with flashing lights and swirling colors. I've never felt that uneasy or troubled before. The only thing I could think was "I'm in way over my head here, I can't do this". Then as we pulled into the compound I saw it, three little boys playing basketball, just beaming when they saw the bus. They waved at us and went back to playing. In that moment, I could feel God say to me "I AM here. If you look for sorrow here, it'll be easy to find....but if you look for Me, you will find me". With that in my heart, I found more hope and joy in Haiti than anything else. Throughout the week I was surrounded by people with no money, no food and no family, yet they had more joy than I've ever seen. They knew that they knew that God's love is unconditional and He loves them wholeheartedly no matter what their circumstances might say. God used the people of Haiti to teach me that when things seem down in the dumps, I have to choose to search for Him in the situation, because He IS there, helping me along and pouring out blessings. He will never stop loving me, or you, or the people of Haiti.

Haitian Bibles

Can you imagine not owning a Bible? What would your walk with the Lord be without having His word to inspire and direct you? The BCC missions team helped in bringing the Holy Scriptures to people that most likely have never owned a copy. The team distributed 300 Creole New Testaments as we walked and worked in Haiti. Without exception people were very happy and thankful to except these New Testaments. I saw more that one person hug it close to their chest and they had a look in their eye that told me that they knew what it was that they were receiving.

Psalm 119:50
This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.

Mexico Trip

Interested in going to Mexico on September 20-28 2008 on a mission trip? We will be partnering with Ben Butler of Way of the Cross Ministries. If you want more info contact Jim Spitnale at jspitnale@bex.net

To check out Way of the Cross go to www.wotc.org

Serving the World - February

Thanks to everyone who stepped out in faith and pledged to be a part of reaching the world for Christ through Global Outreach. This year the BCC family has committed over $96,000.00 to support missionaries around the world and locally.

In the month of February we have already started serving the world by sending out $3,600.00 in monthly missionary support, helping Convoy of Hope with $1,000.00 for an outreach to Panama, 275,000 nutritious meals left for Mission of Hope Haiti (Wild Game proceeds)and raised 10 of our missionaries monthly support from $50.00 to $75.00.

Watch for pictures of Jennifer DeLand's trip to Panama.

21 People will be leaving for a mission trip to Mission of Hope in Haiti on March 28-April 7. Please begin to pray for the team. Fred Betcher, Dustin Reed, Mike and Ticia Keane, Jim and Kim Spitnale, Vanessa Farnell, Lauren Eriksen, Jennifer Perkins, Ashleigh Lodato, Kendra Postlethwaite, Shealee Moore, Adam Mogk, Libby Velasquez, Brian Matthews, Patrick and Leah Rose, Amy Griffore, Caleb Mazur and John and Mary Mazur. Thanks to all who are praying and individually supporting this team to go on a life changing trip.

Kenya Devastation - Please Pray

Hi friends,

Greetings from Grass Lake, Michigan. As most of you know, we have been in the USA for medical reasons - surgery for our daughter, Danealle, and cataract surgery for me (Dave). We are both doing well. Danealle is back at work, and I had my final appointment with the surgeon yesterday, receiving a good report and a prescription for new glasses.

We had planned to return to Kenya on Tuesday, January 8. However, with the violence in Kenya following the election, it has been recommended that we delay our return for at least a couple of weeks. There is no domestic travel at this time, so we would have no way to get to our home once we reach Kenya.

Following are some reports concerning our city of Kisumu, Kenya, that we have received from some independent missionaries living in West Kenya, near Kisumu.

Kisumu is a mess. Rioters have destroyed many shops downtown and much around the bus stage. The city is under curfew, shoot-to-kill-and yes, they are killing. People are staying in and are getting very desperate for food and water. The rioters are burning houses, beating, chasing people from other tribes. Looters have cleaned out several car dealers and businesses. Pictures look as if a bomb hit Kisumu.

People are hiding out in their homes. Many homes have been burned. The water has been cut and often there's no electricity. Most people who have phones are out of air time on their cell phones so they cannot make calls. Bodies are lined up at the morgue with bullet holes. The pictures we have seen look like a war zone. Fires, beating, killings. Fifty people were burned to death in an Assembly of God church. One woman tried to get out, holding her baby out the window first. Someone grabbed the baby and threw him back into the fire. So grievous! Some are calling this Ethnic Cleansing. Now the word Genocide is being used on the media. We have been getting news from our Kenyan friends who have been in their village homes during the Christmas holidays, saying they must stay within their homes for safety. One friend called us to warn us not to come into Kisumu telling us, "We are dying here."

"Kenya is in the throes of a humanitarian 'national disaster' amid post-election violence that has left scores dead, tens of thousands displaced beyond reach of immediate assistance and many more destined to be dependent on aid for several months to come, according to the Red Cross."

Many of you have heard and seen news reports like these. There have been tribal clashes in the past, but churches were always a place people could go and be safe. We have no way of knowing if other churches have been targeted.

Please pray for:
1. Calm to come to the nation.
2. Protection for the innocent (hot spots are Nairobi, Kisumu and Eldoret)
3. Our brothers and sisters in Christ
4. The missionaries and their families

Thanks for praying!

Serving JESUS,
Dave and Damaris Thompson

What is "Glocal"

Here at BCC you may hear me refer to a word. The word is "glocal." What does that mean for Global Outreach? It means "global" and "local." We need to be a church that reaches out for Jesus globally, but also locally. We need to realize that BCC is not just a church to meet the needs of those that already attend, but locally, we need to see ourselves as a "mission post." We need to see every ministry as and evangelistic and discipling ministry. Every small group, every ministry, every student sent out from emc is a missionary.

Also, we have to see that BCC can and IS impacting the world "Global." Only God knows how much the moneys, efforts , food, training, literature, vehicles, and people are affecting the Kingdom of God. I bet we took part in thousands of salvations! From our own emc students going into ministry, to the students at Global Bible schools, to food given out overseas or right here in Bedford, to your monthly faith promise, it is mind-boggling to know how many people have been touch for the Gospel. We don't realize the impact we are making. it is awesome! People know Jesus and will be saved because or our giving of money, time, and effort!!!!!!!

What I do know is that we are not supposed to slow down, or stop in our efforts. We must move forward in the Great Commission. We need to stay on focus, on purpose, and be missional. We are a mission post for Jesus Christ. Mission posts exist to win souls! We need to be Glocal, like God is. Let's have an awesome Global Outreach Month! Pastor Nate Elarton